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Volunteer

Volunteers are the backbone of Make-A-Wish Foundation Internationals mission. Through the commitment and support of volunteers around the world, the Foundation is able to grant the wishes of children. By volunteering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, you will be able to contribute your valuable time, talent, and expertise to bring unforgettable moments of joy to the lives of children living with life-threatening illnesses. Your assistance will not only provide the children with happiness and hope for the future, it will also provide you with a heartwarming and rewarding experience. The Foundation provides a variety of volunteer opportunities, at the international and local levels, for those who want to use their special talents in order to make dreams come true. The International affiliate offices are also looking for volunteers in a variety of areas including:
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Wish granting Development and fund raising Special events Marketing, public relations, and advertising Translation services Web site design General administration

Why Do People Volunteer? People volunteer for a number of different reasons, ranging from a desire to learn new skills, have fun or make a difference. Some are completely devoted to the cause, while others simply wish to do their bit where they can. In actual fact, many of the reasons for volunteering abroad are the same as those for volunteering at home but here there is the added bonus of getting to travel. However volunteering abroad is a much more meaningful experience, taking you further out of your comfort zone and offering far greater rewards. Give Something Back One of the more obvious reasons why people volunteer is because they find something they are passionate about and want to do something good for others. People who volunteer in their community have a personal attachment to the area and want to make it a better place for themselves and for others. People who have

themselves struggled with social issues usually have a certain empathy for those in a similar situation and will often wish to help out. Many people who volunteer think that they are very fortunate to live the way they do and want to give something back to society, as a way of balancing the scales. Unique Opportunities As a regular tourist you dont have the opportunity to see as much as you would as an insider. Particularly when working with animals or on conservation projects, being a volunteer has tremendous advantages. Unless you have a strong animal science background, you are unlikely to find a paid position caring for lion cubs in South Africa or turtles in Costa Rica and you certainly cant get behind the scenes as a visitor! Volunteering abroad offers unique opportunities that are usually offlimits to travellers and that means they also offer a unique experience. View a Culture from the Inside One of the greatest benefits of volunteering abroad is being able to spend an extended period of time in a new country. It's a truly unique learning experience that will see you interacting with new cultures, trying new food, speaking new languages and meeting new people. . As a volunteer you will get a real glimpse of the local culture, allowing you to become a traveller instead of just a tourist. Many volunteer travel experiences offer the opportunity to stay with a local family, so you will have the chance to really get to know the local people and experience the traditional lifestyle for yourself. Tourists staying for a few days in the Holiday Inn barely scratch the surface but as a volunteer (living and working in the community, talking to locals and staying for months) you will have a real opportunity to experience your chosen destination from within. Personal Growth Many people choose to volunteer because of the personal benefits that volunteering has on their character. Indeed, volunteers often say that the experience has made them a better person. In most cases, volunteers also become more concerned and aware of the problems facing the world and many feel that they were ignorant or narrow minded before. Volunteers returning from abroad are usually more independent, more adventurous and more courageous, especially if it was their first foray into independent travel. A huge part of the personal growth of a volunteer is becoming more compassionate. People who have volunteered in the past often become emotionally involved and are more likely to volunteer again in the future, either on the same project or a new one. It is not uncommon for volunteers to return home with a determination to continue their good work in the local community as well.

Personal Benefit As well as offering travellers the opportunity to develop their skills, build up their CV and explore the world, volunteering can also offer personal benefits. Many volunteering organisations, including i-to-i, offer past volunteers a discount on their products, so their future travels can be a lot less expensive. In some cases volunteers offer their help because it is an issue that is close to their own hearts and if this is the case it can be even more rewarding when they see the fruits of their labour. In most cases the biggest personal benefit is simply feeling good about yourself. Volunteers make a real difference to the world we live in, be it through conservation work or teaching, and they can go home knowing they have done something amazing. What's more, Volunteering abroad encourages significant personal development and volunteers will usually go home more confident, happy and outgoing people. A Sense of Accomplishment Many people choose to volunteer simply for the pride that comes from completing something. Imagine the sense of accomplishment when you put the last roof tile on a house you've been building or watch the baby turtles you've been caring for being released back into the wild. Even if this isn't the main motivation for volunteering it is certainly a major bonus! Recognition and Feedback Recognition of your efforts is another thing that keeps volunteers coming back again and again. Not recognising what a good job a person is doing causes frustration and a feeling of abandonment. It can cause you to doubt your abilities, to think that maybe you arent doing a good job and that your presence is just a waste of time. Of course, to tell someone that they are doing a good job is always a good thing to hear but it is especially important in a volunteer position where the volunteer isnt receiving monetary recognition of their good work. Telling someone that they are doing a good job inspires confidence and pride. It reminds you that the work you are doing is important and that you are making a difference. Plus, it just feels good to be appreciated. Most volunteer projects are aware of this and are genuinely grateful for the time and effort that volunteer contribute to their cause. Though they are unable to offer monetary rewards, they are often determined to show you their gratitude through kind words and actions.

Learn New Things

Volunteering abroad opens a window onto how the other half lives. It is only after youve witnessed extreme poverty that you realise what state the world is in. Travelling abroad allows you to explore these issues in person, to see them for yourself and get a deeper understanding of what it means to you and the rest of the world. Spending time abroad also allows you to learn about the little things, like what Costa Rican's eat for breakfast or how South African's greet their friends. The world is filled with unique experiences but it's easy to miss them if you're just passing through. So why not stay a while? Try your hand at salsa, explore local customs and see if you can learn a little of the local lingo. Some volunteers are there to gain insight into an organization or a field. Think of the parent who volunteers in his/her childs classroom, curious about teaching methods or the citizen who wants to learn more about local politics. Friendship and Belonging People often find lifelong friendships through volunteer work. While meeting people is often an added bonus, many people choose to volunteer primarily to develop friendships with people from different cultures. Making friends with your fellow volunteers is also a strong motive for many of those who choose to volunteer abroad. Volunteers are bonded by their experience; they share jokes their friends at home could never understand and are touched by an experience that is uniquely theirs. There is an inherent bond of togetherness that comes from being sole outsiders in a foreign environment. Many volunteers make lifelong friendships that come from working through difficulties and exploring new things together. Skills and Experience Volunteer work is a great way to gain experience in a broad range of fields. You can gain experience in education, journalism, social work, animal care, health care, marketing, politics, web design the opportunities are endless. Volunteering is a great way to put in a little of your time and gain some valuable skills, whether professional or t practical. Many employers wont hire a person, no matter how much education they have, if they dont have any relevant experience. Similarly, many medical and veterinary schools expect applicants to prove their interest in the subject and their determination to succeed by volunteering for medical roles.

Learning a Foreign Language If nothing else, volunteering abroad will tremendously develop your language skills. The best way, almost the only way, to learn a language is by actually using it in real situations. You dont get very far practicing Spanish three hours a week if when you speak English for the other 165 hours of the week. When spending a significant amount of time abroad, you will be speaking a foreign language twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. You will be amazed at how quickly you pick it up. Knowing a foreign language is a huge bonus in todays job market. International communication is of growing importance because of the rapidly expanding global economy. Employers see great value in an ability to communicate, so a person that speaks three languages is much more desirable than a person who can only speak one. Even if an employer doesnt find a need for a person who can speak Swahili, the ability to communicate effectively across cultural barriers is a generic quality that looks good on any resume or CV. Learning a foreign language opens doors for you as well. It allows you to communicate with more people and will relieve you of much stress and confusion commonly associated with travel. For example, whole continents will open up to you when you learn Spanish and knowing Mandarin enables you to speak to some 864 million people. To Get a Job Volunteer work can often lead to a paying job. Volunteers have the possibility of becoming volunteer coordinators. Similar to interns, volunteers can try out a field to see if it suits them and also show that they are dedicated enough to work for free in the hopes that it may lead to a paying job. English teachers are a great example of volunteer jobs that often turns into careers. To Have Fun I dont think anyone would volunteer, despite all the benefits, if the work was intolerable and they didnt have any fun. Volunteer work can be hard, strenuous, dirty and frustrating but it is also usually great fun and extremely rewarding. It will send you spiralling from homesickness, illness to culture shock but the fact is - you wouldn't do it if it wasn't worth it.

Volunteering abroad gives you the opportunity to play with children, go swimming

in the local watering hole, shop at traditional markets, climb mountains, touch lives and see people smile! It's something different, memorable and, for many, lifechanging!

So whatever your reason for volunteering, youll find that it offers you a truly unique experience. In todays busy world, many people think that they dont have time to volunteer but placements can be as short as a week and they make a truly memorable summer vacation. How to Be a Great Volunteer Are you new to volunteering, or wondering how to get more out of your volunteering experience? Have you had a hard time finding the right place to volunteer? This webinar will walk you through some of the training and screening tools nonprofits use, and will better prepare you to ask questions and evaluate whether the organization is a good fit for you and your skills. Potential stumbling blocks that volunteers encounter will be covered, as well as tools to help you identify and overcome them. Presented by two experienced volunteer managers this is an opportunity for you to ask questions and learn how to be a great volunteer.

When you volunteer, you are offering your time and resources, without pay, to help a person or cause. Volunteer work is a gift, given in the spirit of charity, and can be extremely rewarding.
A Cause You Believe In

Doing volunteer work for a cause that you care about allows you to help further that cause. Volunteers are essential for many organizations to be able to keep functioning.
Volunteering at Schools

Schools are often pushed to the limit by budget constraints, and volunteering your time helps students and teachers.
Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is an example of a nonprofit organization that relies on volunteer work and donations to build homes for struggling families around the world.

Age of Volunteers

Anyone of any age can volunteer. In fact, leading children to volunteer encourages healthful lifestyles, a service ethic and compassion for those in need.
Benefits of Volunteering

Volunteering your time benefits your community, people who are less fortunate and the cultural climate of your community. Volunteer work makes people feel better about themselves and promotes unity, humility, compassion and charity.

What is voluntary work


To volunteer, means simply, to be motivated and give one's time or energies to work towards a project or cause that you are interested in. Voluntary work falls mainly in three broad categories: (a) long term, paid positions; (b) short, medium and long term, unpaid positions; and (c) short term expeditionary conservation projects where volunteers are self-funding, which are described in further detail below.

(a) Long term, paid: In this category, volunteers are usually sent to work on long term projects lasting for over a year in which the volunteer may almost lose contact with his or her old way of life. For these positions, professionals with qualifications, specific skills and relevant work experience are usually recruited, for example doctors, nurses, engineers etc., and they can receive benefits including a monthly salary based on the local rate, air tickets, insurance, lodging etc.

(b) Short, medium and long term, unpaid: These positions can last from anything between a couple of weeks to one year, that are suitable for many people, including students taking a year off, professionals taking sabbaticals to work on a specific project, individuals wishing to gain further "hands-on" practical field experience and so on. Usually, they must pay for their transportation to and from the project. In most cases, volunteers pay a monthly fee which covers living costs, project materials etc, which cannot be paid by the volunteer organisation. Costs depend upon country and so on, but as a general indicator, volunteers may be asked to contribute between 100 to 500 GB pounds per month.

(c) Short term expeditionary eco-conservation projects: There are also opportunities for people who are limited by time, and wish to take part in conservation and wildlife surveying projects as an alternative to a holiday. Such projects are usually located in tropical and remote areas and volunteers are expected to be self-funding and to pay for the costs of the expedition.

The above, is only a guideline to some of the vast range of opportunities that are available through WorkingAbroad.

Why should people volunteer?


Volunteering gives individuals the chance to explore avenues that would not usually be open to them. This experience enables an exchange of cultural and social contact between volunteers and their host nationals.

It enables people to learn new skills and languages, to develop and gain practical experience in the field in, sometimes demanding conditions, and to develop leadership and teamwork skills. In addition, personal development which is difficult to evaluate, is one of the greatest benefits to working and travelling amongst people from different cultures

Advantages of volunteer

Voluntary work, although lacking monetary reward, offers long-term benefits that far surpass money. Volunteering can build your reputation for being a caring person with a strong work ethic. According to the Timebank website, 73 percent of employers would prefer to hire someone who has served as a volunteer.

Job Experience
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Indeed, by volunteering you can gain new skills you never thought you had. You can also gain skills you never had time to develop in a normal work environment where you are working for a commission or a paycheck. According to the Volunteerworker website, this becomes important when we consider a career change. Indeed, gaining these new experiences can make a good resume look great.

Health Benefits
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Scientists have conducted studies to attest to the health benefits of volunteering. The Timebank website cites perhaps one of the most famous

of these studies, which became the source of a book written by Allan Luks in the late 1980s. Overall, researchers found that, among people who volunteered, immune systems became stronger, insomnia improved, and they were more likely to recover quickly from surgery. Moreover, according to the Corporation of National and Community Service website, studies by various researchers demonstrated through longitudinal studies, especially among older, married couples, that the five-year mortality rate for those who do not volunteer tend to be higher than for those who do. Perhaps those who give their time freely have an increased reason to go on living.

Networking
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Voluntary work also affords the opportunity to make new friends. In making new friends, you may meet someone in a position of authority who can vouch for your character to the point that you may find yourself at the top of the decision-maker's list once an opening arises for a paid position in the company. In addition, even if the people you meet don't have that degree of influence, you may still be able to form close, fulfilling relationships with people you can honestly call your friends.

Skill Development and Testing


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As the Voluntaryworker website points out, voluntary work affords the opportunity to develop new skills, as well as test skills you already have. In a volunteer job, the worst thing that could happen is that you find out you might not be as good of a fit as you thought for a certain kind of job. However, the opposite also could happen during the course of your volunteer job. Your supervisor may ask you to train and manage a group of fellow volunteers. You may find that you are able to perform so well in this capacity that you wish to go back to school for management, or to become a teacher.

The basic advantage of public facilities is that the tax paid by the people is used in developing facilities for the people who paid the taxes. It is the government, also called the public sector that develops infrastructure like highways etc because they have huge construction costs and lesser return (toll tax).another advantage is that public facilities can be equally used by all, rich or poor, and in this way tries to reduce some of the differences. Its disadvantage is basically

that the government has to spend a lot to maintain these facilities. Private sector facilities provide us with added facilities while the government facilities are just basic ones, they give us more options. When private sector invests in developing facilities then the money is brought to some use and results in income for the builder and convenience for people. Its main disadvantage is that it is competition for the government facilities. Then the advantage volunteer facilities are that they cater to that segment of the society that is underprivileged and can not use the private or public sector facilities. They are not for profit organizations and I do not think that they have any disadvantages

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