Central and East Asia - Clean Breaks: 500 New Ways to See the World - page 285

Tell me and I will forget; Show me and I may remember;
Involve me and I will understand. (Chinese proverb)
Volunteering can be a rewarding way to see the world: by living and working with local people on scientifi c, conservation
or development projects, you can gain a much better understanding of their culture, develop genuine friendships and
learn new skills while giving something back to the places you visit.
Hundreds of agencies offer volunteering experiences, from weekend breaks to placements that can last as long as
two years. These experiences range from those whose primary focus is on the work to those that are a balance between
work and a holiday. There is also a more casual (and usually short-term) form of volunteering known as “voluntourism”,
where you include a few hours or days of volunteering, perhaps at a school or community project, as part of your holiday.
There is no governing body that regulates the volunteering industry; however, Comhlámh - an Irish association
of development workers - has drawn up a Code of Good Practice for volunteers and agencies ( W www.
volunteeringoptions.org). Comhlámh's website is also an excellent resource for fi nding volunteering projects worldwide.
The Ethical Volunteering Guide ( W www.ethicalvolunteering.org) has some useful tips on how to choose the right agency,
depending on how much time you have to give.
The huge number of options means it can be diffi cult to fi nd the sort of volunteering best suited to you, and one
that genuinely benefi ts the destination. Below are a few pointers to help you choose the right project and the right
organization.
What work will I do?
Find out exactly what work you will be expected to do and for how long, and whether you need any particular skills
or experience. Labouring is often suitable for weekend projects, while volunteering at community centres or on larger
construction projects suits longer-term placements. One month is usually the minimum required for teaching children.
How did the project come about?
Ask whether the organization has built up a good relationship with a local NGO or charity and whether there is long-term
commitment to its projects. Often, the most worthwhile projects originate within the destination where local people have
sought out specifi c help from agencies to select volunteers.
Is there a selection process?
You can get a sense of an organization's commitment to the work it supports by checking whether it tries to match your
particular skills to its programmes. If there isn't an interview and selection process, you risk not being matched to an
appropriate project.
Where does the money go?
Find out what proportion of the money you spend goes on internal administration costs, staff wages, your food and
accommodation, and how much actually goes towards the projects. Be wary if you are quoted more than fi fteen percent
for “agency admin”.
What's the feedback like from other volunteers?
Either speak to someone who has been on the trip or ask to see the feedback forms of previous volunteers.
Will they give you support and training?
Good organizations usually offer pre-departure training and provide support and further training during the project. Make
sure there is someone at the destination who has direct responsibility for you and that there's adequate provision in case
things go wrong.