Increasingly young people are taking gap years to travel and do some volunteering abroad, while older people are taking career breaks to do the same. While volunteering is a great way to experience other cultures, meet the locals, brush up on your language skills and ultimately help people less fortunate than yourself, I often hear a lot of complaints that it has become an unaffordable activity.
Volunteer abroad companies regularly charge in excess of £1000 for the chance to help people and this is often on top of accommodation and food. The money to keep these organisations going and the local people employed has to come from somewhere, but is it right to take it from the young people who just want to help? Obviously you have to pay for your own flight, accommodation and food, but there are a lot of organisations out there who charge in order to profit.
Volunteering is definitely worthwhile though, and some of these companies do a great service in educating, helping and saving people’s lives. Before you go make sure you research volunteer companies thoroughly, if they are charging you, don’t be scared to ask where your money is going. If it is being used for the up keep of the orphanage, school, hospital or whatever then consider paying the price, but if it is just going to the middle man sitting at their desks in the UK, then you might want to reconsider. Take a look at this article entitled The Cost of Volunteering, which explains where your money might be going. The best thing is to cut out the middle man altogether and contact the places you want to volunteer at directly, making sure your money is going to the right place.
Here is a list of websites, where you can find free or reasonably priced volunteer programs and advice on volunteering.
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