voluenteering for free

[mermaidnz]

is it possible to voluenteer for free anywhere?

like if i just rocked up to and orphanage somewhere and wanted to help out, could i? or do i have to go thru agencies?

dont mind paying my own costs (board,food,etc etc) and giving $X cash as a donation, but i dont want to be paying feees for placement or any crap like that.

ive tried googling it, but most agencies seem to charge something-some even astronomical figues to help out. is there a way around this? id rather spend the smae amoutn an agency would charge, but have all off that money going to the people who need it

[Joker]

Might want to check with a local church. Wouldn't be surprised if they have placement programs....

[mermaidnz]

rofl. can you honestly imagine a church placing a stripper in any of their programmes?! hahah

no.

[davidd]

No need to mention anything like that, just say you do modelling work

[mermaidnz]

hmmm i guess... but im the worst at lying- id slip up.

besides. i dont think i could be a part of a christian type church voluenteer programme- the religion thing would bug the hell out of me. i could work in a monestry, but not god religions.they scare me! haha

hmmm i guess... but im the worst at lying- id slip up.

besides. i dont think i could be a part of a christian type church voluenteer programme- the religion thing would bug the hell out of me. i could work in a monestry, but not god religions.they scare me! haha

[MeTurk]

hmmm i guess... but im the worst at lying- id slip up.[/b]

You could say your a nun and watch sister act for tips.

The government must have some connections with volunteer organisations ask at your local county council building or the Australian equivalent to a county council.

[LiveFreeorDie]

Are you trying to do this in Oz or somewhere else while you are traveling? If somewhere else, I would recommend that when you get on the ground, you seek out some places you would like to volunteer and approach them directly to find out the deal. Talk to other westerners, also and see what is available. In SEA, for example, there are numerous volunteer organizations and groups. I am sure you could find something to do that would not require you to be extorted by an agency.

[mermaidnz]

^^ yeah, i was hoping to do it in south america. just worried ill get over there only to find all the schools and orphanages go thru agencies or soemthing.

[Joker]

Does Oz have the equivalent of the Peace Corps?

[blinkchick2134]

There are several books available that offer specific organizations. As for websites try idealist.org, avso.org, vfp.org, volunteermatch.org

It really depends on the type of volunteer work and the location. I can look up in some of my book if you'd like.

[tumblezweedz]

I've only done volunteer work overseas in Lithuania, but had several different experiences.

1. The local "international women's association" had tons of opportunities to help out with local charities, particularly children's homes/orphanages. They needed donations of clothing, medical equipment, etc, for which fundraising events (an art auction, Christmas bazaar and a tree sale) were organized. There was a membership fee for the organization, but never a fee for going down to the orphanage to cuddle babies, and the group had regular visits out to the orphanages. You could stop by any similar organizations (these are usually located in major centres where there is a large expat community, but they often have connections in other areas - like the town that benefitted from the tree sale), and make contacts that way.

2. The Sisters of Charity (Mother Theresa's order) ran a homeless shelter/soup kitchen near the bus station. I found out about them through the women's association, but you could ask at the tourism information offices, or the town hall as well - or look them up in the phone book. I assure you, if you're willing to dish soup into a bowl or pack clothes for the homeless, no shelter is going to turn you away. The religious charities with which I've worked (in my case, Roman Catholic or Anglican) do not force the faith on anyone...that's not really the point, you know? The point is to take care of the need, and that's what they do.

3. Caritas. Another no-fee opportunity. I met a gal who was volunteering there, and she introduced me - in Vilnius the branch (Caritas is an international Catholic charity) provided after school care for kids of alcoholic/drug addicted/abused mothers, and also a workshop for those mothers who got some job and parenting skills, training, counselling and treatment for their addictions, as well as earning a little income. My job was to sit and talk with the ladies, comisserate over the challenges our children presented, and celebrate the little victories. At first I was asked to show the ladies how to do their craft, but it soon became apparent that they were far better at it than I, so I became the gopher.

I wouldn't eliminate religious charities because you're worried about how they'll perceive you - in many countries (like Lithuania, with it's emerging economy) government programmes cannot keep pace with the need and the religious charities provide vital services to the community. And though there are exceptions, generally nuns are among the least judgemental people I've ever met.

Good luck with finding something, I'm sure some charity somewhere will be thanking their stars when you show up.

[BigE]

I voulnteer for a non-profit organization that provides work and employment training for persons with disabilities. I work with mostly Deaf people with developmental disabilities, chronic mental illness, physical disabilities and mobility impairments. I am learning ASL which allows me to work with them. All I did was call them and asked if they needed a volunteer. I fillled out an application and had a background check done. Very easy.

I also volunteered for two years at Children's Hopsital in Boston for two years in college. I loved it.

[florencia9699]

Yes, deffinitely try Caritas for South America, also idealist.org... if you speak Spanish: idealistas.org
Good luck!

[mermaidnz]

florencia- idealist almost seems parfect!! thanks!!

[simply_angelic]

I too have been looking for cheap volunteer opportunities and I just found a *really* good site that I am very excited about. They have a ton of opportunities, and when you scroll over each listing you get a brief description as well as whoever wrote the page's research into them (as to whether they're legit or recommended etc)

haha I was so excited to post, I forgot the link:

http://www.volunteersouthamerica.net/

[mermaidnz]

^^^^ omg. they just get better and better! i only scanned that site, and already found a few places my friend and i would be interested in voluenterring at!