Volunteer Resources

You may have a myriad of passions and causes that interest you but sometimes it can be difficult to know exactly what volunteer opportunity is perfect for you. Follow the following steps to better narrow down which type of volunteer work you are best suited to.

• What are you passionate about? Who or what exactly do you want to help?
• Do you have the skills to match your passion? Are there special skills required?
• How many hours a week can you devote to volunteering?
• How many months would you like to volunteer for?
• Are you willing to travel (daily/weekly) or do you prefer something close to your home?.
• Do you prefer being in the center of activity or working behind the scenes?
• Do you speak the language or the level of language needed?

Try to write down your answer and then match your answers to one of our Volunteer opportunities that is best suited to you!

Volunteering programs in South America can often require that you have some knowledge or even up to an advanced level of Spanish in order to be considered. Combining Spanish with your volunteer placement is a great way to create an exciting program that will provide you with a wider array of volunteer opportunities, help you communicate better with Spanish speaking locals, and guide you during your volunteer work in South America. Click here to learn more about our Volunteer and Spanish Program.

Moving abroad is a big change in anyone’s life and can sometimes be shocking for the most amateur or experienced traveller. Being in a new country exposes you to new cultures, people, traditions, food, ways of living, experiences, languages, and more, and sometimes these experiences can be overwhelming and it is best to mentally prepare yourself for your new surroundings before you take flight. Below are some tips to think about in order to arrive safe and sound in your new setting.

• Discard any judgments you may have

  
  Going with an open mind into your volunteer work is one of the key elements of success in any volunteer experience. You will most definitely see things that you have never seen or even imagined to see; be sure to cast any judgement aside and accept that every country, culture, person is different and it is best to accept these difference. Often when we put our immediate judgment aside, we find appreciation in its place.
  
  

• Don’t hold a pity party

  
  It is not good to go into your volunteer work with a cloud of pity over your head for the people you will be helping. Volunteer placements include plenty of people interaction and no matter what situation someone is in, people always hold a degree of dignity about their lives and it is best if you can meet that degree of dignity. Be positive, celebrate their joys, and aid them as best as you can.
  
  

• Don’t be discouraged

  
  Coming into any volunteer work placement can be intimidating and no matter your degree of expertise or skill, you will find times where the situation is overwhelming and perhaps you did not quite succeed as you had hoped. Don’t let yourself become discouraged, just look carefully at each situation and learn how to make improvements for the future.
  
  

• It’s my way or the highway

  
  Do not come into any volunteer situation making assumptions that the way you know how to do something (or the way your culture does something) is the best way to do it. Realize that there are many ways to get from A to B, no matter how different.
  
  

• Be a grade ‘A’ volunteer

  
  If you have decided to give your time to a volunteer placement, you are someone who is very selfless and finds personal rewards in helping others. If you are this person, make sure you are also the volunteer who devotes themselves to their volunteer work, doing the best you can at any given time.
  
  

• Make friends

  
  During your volunteer work you will meet plenty of locals and foreigners alike and you will all be sharing the same experiences because you all have a similar passion. Be open with people, get to know them, and be a team. The people you meet in a volunteer placement will be the people who share each of your experiences and memories with.
  
  

Why Pay to Volunteer

Check out this page to understand the benefits of organized volunteer placements and where your fees are going.