http://www.volunteerworkthailand.org
http://www.volunteerlatinamerica.com
http://www.volunteer4africa.org

I wanted to point out that there are a number of websites that list
free/grass-roots volunteer opportunities worldwide (invariably the
sites were created by people who had the same problems you had
in finding local NGO’s to work with) here is a selection:

http://www.volunteersouthamerica.net (my site)
http://www.independentvolunteer.org
http://www.truetravellers.org

HTH

Steve
http://www.volunteersouthamerica.net

In most cases the money that volunteers contribute to the volunteer program (in the form of volunteer fees) has greater value to the charity and to the community than the work they do while volunteering. When you pay to volunteer with a reputable organization, your fees help sustain the programs. In return for your fees, you get to participate in a meaningful program (even if you don’t have training or skills needed by the community) and gain knowledge of another culture, understanding of yourself and others, and a greater appreciation for what you have. I think most volunteer travel programs are great for both the volunteer and the community.

I know of volunteers who worked with one of our partner charities in Peru and decided to break away and start their own program to avoid paying the fee to extend their stay. Against the advice of the charity they started a soup kitchen. It lasted a few months, created dependency, and now no longer exists. When they patted themselves on the back and packed up and went home, the kitchen could no longer be sustained and closed. It didn’t cost them much to do, wasn’t sustainable and had only the smallest temporary effect on the community.

Lasting programs need funding whether it is from government grants, fundraising, or volunteer fees.

Some of the most deserving and hard-working charities rely on the fees paid by volunteers to sustain their work, and I urge people not to poo-poo those organizations because they ask you to pay to work for them.

Jason Kucherawy
Director – Voluntraveler
http://www.voluntraveler.com

I am an alumna of a Cross-Cultural Solutions volunteer program (Lima, Peru in 2003) and I now work for the organization as Director of Program Enrollment. Coincidentally, I also took the photograph of the children and volunteer in Cape Town posted in this article!

I wanted to point out that Cross-Cultural Solutions is, in fact, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization in the U.S., and all program fees are tax deductible for U.S. residents. I personally also did a great deal of fundraising for my volunteer experience abroad, and we have lots of resources to get volunteers started on the path to fundraising on our website at this link: http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/fundraising

Amy mentioned that our program fee includes accommodation, in-country transportation, and food. In total, 91% of the program fee goes toward volunteer and field expenses, which you can learn more about here: http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/whatitcovers. Program fees provide local jobs, provide volunteers with a safe and healthy living environment, and ensure that volunteers are not a burden to the local community.

If you have any questions about Cross-Cultural Solutions volunteer abroad programs, you’re welcome to get in touch with us: http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/contact.

Dava Antoniotti
Director of Program Enrollment
Cross-Cultural Solutions