What is voluntary work

To volunteer, means simply, to be motivated and give one's time or energies to work towards a project or cause that you are interested in. Voluntary work falls mainly in three broad categories: (a) long term, paid positions; (b) short, medium and long term, unpaid positions; and (c) short term expeditionary conservation projects where volunteers are self-funding, which are described in further detail below.

 

(a) Long term, paid: In this category, volunteers are usually sent to work on long term projects lasting for over a year in which the volunteer may almost lose contact with his or her old way of life. For these positions, professionals with qualifications, specific skills and relevant work experience are usually recruited, for example doctors, nurses, engineers etc., and they can receive benefits including a monthly salary based on the local rate, air tickets, insurance, lodging etc.

 

(b) Short, medium and long term, unpaid: These positions can last from anything between a couple of weeks to one year, that are suitable for many people, including students taking a year off, professionals taking sabbaticals to work on a specific project, individuals wishing to gain further "hands-on" practical field experience and so on. Usually, they must pay for their transportation to and from the project.  In most cases, volunteers pay a monthly fee which covers living costs, project materials etc, which cannot be paid by the volunteer organisation. Costs depend upon country and so on, but as a general indicator, volunteers may be asked to contribute between 100 to 500 GB pounds per month.

 

(c) Short term expeditionary eco-conservation projects: There are also opportunities for people who are limited by time, and wish to take part in conservation and wildlife surveying projects as an alternative to a holiday. Such projects are usually located in tropical and remote areas and volunteers are expected to be self-funding and to pay for the costs of the expedition.

 

The above, is only a guideline to some of the vast range of opportunities that are available through WorkingAbroad.

 

Volunteering gives individuals the chance to explore avenues that would not usually be open to them. This experience enables an exchange of cultural and social contact between volunteers and their host nationals.

 

It enables people to learn new skills and languages, to develop and gain practical experience in the field in, sometimes demanding conditions, and to develop leadership and teamwork skills. In addition, personal development which is difficult to evaluate, is one of the greatest benefits to working and travelling amongst people from different cultures.