MANY HANDS MAKE
LIGHT WORK
Volunteering abroad can be a life changing experience, allowing you to make a
difference to a community in need.
– think about which of these
will be the most rewarding to
you and matches your skill set.
Take time to consider your
expectations, along with how
much time you can contribute.
SEPARATE THE GOOD FROM
THE QUESTIONABLE.
There are three key indicators
that show you should possibly be
looking elsewhere:
T
ravel – it’s one of life’s
greatest pleasures but
have you ever considered
combining your time
overseas with utilising your skills
to assist those less fortunate?
Volunteering not only provides
for those in need, the experience
can also result in a positive life
perspective. From building a
home in Cambodia for less than
USD250, assisting on an organic
farm in Costa Rica to hands
on conservation efforts in the
Seychelles, there are many ways
to assist and enhance your travel
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Women’s Network Magazine
experiences.
Searching the web for options
will offer a myriad of companies,
all offering fulfilling volunteer
experiences and it’s at this point
investigation is paramount. With
the increase in volunteer travel, so
too has there been an increase in
companies whose main purpose
is financial gain – not benefitting
those in need. So, where do you
start?
FIND YOUR CAUSE.
People/Animals/Environment
1) COST: It should not be
expensive. Generally, non-
profit organisations will charge
a daily fee to cover meals and
accommodation. As a guide,
Kep Gardens Association (www.
kepgardens.com - a vocational
training centre in rural
Cambodia, teaching various
skills to help the local village
youth gain employment) charges
$25 per day to cover expenses.
This can increase to more
than $250 per day for a guided
volunteer departure, including
group leader and translator.
It’s important to understand
how funds are utilised, legal
organisations should be
transparent in exactly how
donations/funding are used.
2) TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS:
Who you book your travel
arrangements (airfares,
additional accommodation,
travel insurance etc.) should be
up to you. If a company insists
that only they can book your