What If I Can’t Afford A Volunteer Vacation?

No Comments | May 9th, 2007 | Trackback

While it is standard for the Volunteer Logue to profile organizations which arrange volunteer vacations for a price, I think we can all agree that it is unfortunate – if also a bit bizarre - when volunteering seems to become “too expensive.” The fact is, while a contribution to your own expenses is fair enough, many of these programs are just plain expensive. Sure, you pay for a service, and many may well deliver, but plenty of us just don’t have the cash.

One way to volunteer - if that’s what you’re after - is to do so in a place where you already know the language and have a place to live: at home. You can train to teach English to immigrants or refugees with an organization like Literacy Works in Chicago or a similar one elsewhere; you can volunteer at a local animal shelter; or you can be a mentor with a program like Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

Another option, which can most certainly be combined with the above, is to choose a more independent and lower cost volunteer project, like at Independent Volunteer, Volunteer South America, or Volunteers For Peace. In situations like these, you need to take the initiative and do more of the legwork yourself – but you will have a chance to get involved in a volunteer project and ideally to interact with others in a meaningful way. This still costs money; travel costs money and it may mean making sacrifices or bringing a little bit of debt on yourself…but many people feel the experience is worth it.

There are a couple of things you can do on any trip to make it more engaging, many of them obvious like learning about the place and learning and trying out some of the language. But you can also make an effort to get to know people – not just other travelers but locals. Organizations like Hospitality Club, Servas, Couchsurfing and WWOOF enable people from different countries to connect. You won’t be involved in a volunteer project per se, but you will be gaining one of the very same benefits as volunteering – connecting with others. If you’re at home and want the world to come to you, sign up and share your couch.

If you’ve got your heart set on a particular trip or project that you just can’t afford though, go for it! Start saving early or dreaming up creative fundraising ideas…come back to the Volunteer Logue for more of those soon.