Ethical Volunteering Suggestions?

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anonymous
anonymous

I hope to go away and volunteer/work for an NGO in either South East Asia or Africa. I want to be away for about 6 months but that could be extended to a year, depending on budget (which I'll need help with as well!)

I currently work in communications and I volunteer with a women's charity. With this in mind, I'm ideally looking for an office position such as an admin assistant, volunteer manager, or a communications based role.

I basically have no idea where to start looking for an ethical company that would match my skill set. I don't want to go with BUNAC or a similar organisation, and I don't want to work in an orphanage or a school, which seem to be the popular choices.

I've looked at the VSO but they don't offer many programmes to under 25 so I'm a bit stuck. Any ideas where to start?!

Sorry if this is posted in the wrong place/done to death/pointless. I'm new to the forum world :)

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go_2
go_2

I think the place to begin looking is your local library - the reference section.
Ask the librarian, who will no doubt be over the moon at meeting someone who knows how to use their hard-learned skills.
There are books listing NGOs and charities, which should give you a start.

However - bear in mind that there's a good reason the VSO doesn't take on young people in general. (You seem from your posting to be quite level-headed and mature, so you have a good chance of impressing them or some other organisation.)

I had a student staying with me a few years ago who worked part-time for the Marie Stopes organisation. She now works for them full-time in Africa. But she got that posting because they knew her work and what she was capable of. Maybe a similar route for you..... ?

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paulfarrugia
paulfarrugia
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Hey there!

Check out http://globalhelpswap.com/

There are quite a few opportunities in SE Asia. Most of them are free or low cost volunteering opportunities.

Good luck!
Paul

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battambang
battambang

If you have a degree check out some of the jobs at www.devnetjobs.org

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