Help. Trouble finding a good place to volunteer

have a look at australian aid international and look at positions in Thailand, not sure on visa's etc. good luck

Thanks redwhitewine. Have you worked with them?

Although it isn't usually working for a 'cause', there is WWOOF and HelpX - often places are looking for volunteers to work with farm animals and build pens or gardens. You get room and board in those cases, and there are openings pretty much anywhere.

I was on the list to commence induction and then had to pull out due to building a house and going back into debt, now debt free (almost) so I will try a session with them next year. I know a director pretty well and he is a good guy. It is not a cowboy outfit.

Hi Larry
Will you be interested in volunteering in Bangladesh and i have a great place for you to spend quality time. The place I am talking about is very far from the capital Dhaka, food and accommodations will be given in exchange that you teach skills like carpentry to the villagers. The minimum time is six months.

Please let me know if you are interested?
ehsan khan

I only have two months available at this time. Maybe I will have 6 months in the future, so feel free to give me more information.

Hi Larry
The village I am referring to is in the southern state of Jhalakathi, Bangladesh.Once you arrive in Dhaka airport, you will be met and taken to the steam ship station. This is also known as the rocket. The distance is only 150 miles but the river journey takes 12 hours from Dhaka to Jhalakathi. Once you arrive in Jhalakathi, you will be taking a wooden boat to cross the river and taken to my grandfather's home.
This is a century old home, made out of concrete, and has western style toilet and shower. There is electricity ( only six hours during the day) and during the night. There is a fridge and all the rooms have fan. All around the home has greenery.

The school I am referring to has grades three to ten. The school is in need of a teacher whom can teach English, and a skill- for example carpentry. You will be given, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Please send me your email address and I can send you some pictures of the village and the home you will stay.

Regards,

Ehsan

Looks like they are using other often used strategies of aid organisations. This email arrived yesterday.

+Let me be the first to tell you about our new and exciting development program in Mae Sot, Thailand. The program will officially be launched next week, but I wanted to give you the early-word on what will prove to be a fantastic opportunity for people wanting to get involved in the humanitarian sector, or for those people who already have some experience, but want to participate in this great program along the Thai / Burma border.

The GET INVOLVED program invites volunteers to spend four weeks in the border town of Mae Sot volunteering at the inspiring Hway Ka Lok learning centre. As part of this program you will be involved in delivering English language classes, as well as developing your own syllabus around your own individual skills. Can you teach a musical instrument, acting, art or a new sport? As well, volunteers will be eating and living in the community and experiencing the delights of Mae Sot and its people. Australian Aid International will look after your flights and transfers within Thailand, your food and your accommodation. We will also ensure all volunteers are briefed and prepared for their adventure before stepping off. As part of the program, volunteers are expected to raise $2,600 at least four weeks before they depart and ensure they have a valid working with children certificate. You can raise the money yourself or organise fundraising activities which AAI can help you with.

The first placement commences 15 November so the time to GET INVOLVED is now! More information will be available at www.aai.org.au/getinvolved next week, but if you have any questions in the interim, please don't hesitate to ask me. I have included the position description and an application form for you to review.

I look forward to seeing your application soon+.

Hi,

Would you be interested in doing some volunteering work in a small school in Moshi, Tanzania? I've just returned from a 5 week stay out there, and it really is very rewarding. Its mainly teaching English, Business and Computer skills, so I'm not sure if that's something up your street, but its still very hands on. I don't think they need anyone for January as it may be full, but they definitely need people for December. For more information: http://www.giveahearttoafrica.org. The fee I paid was a lot cheaper compared to other projects I came across, and I saw where the money went.

With regards to fees generally, a word of the wise, be VERY careful who you volunteer with. From what I learned when I was away, and from word of mouth from other volunteers who had gone through the larger organisations that list at the top of search results, the money that you generally pay DOESN'T go to the community, but to the offices, admin fees, and back pockets of the people that run the business. If there is anything I have learned, be selective on who you volunteer with, and ask as many questions as possible about it.

Hope that helps, and good luck!.