When I began my search for volunteering abroad opportunities during my sophomore year of high school, the biggest obstacle was the price.
"It ain't about the money, money, money..." the great artist Jessie J. once said. But guuuuurl, let me tell you, it IS about the money. How can volunteers, who are already donating their time and efforts into conducting these humanitarian services, be expected to dish out thousands of dollars just to be given the opportunity to help? (Especially when a large portion of that goes to companies, not the ones in need!)
I loved everything about my trip to Tinkuy Peru - the kids, the other volunteers, my host family, and the price. My only expenses were my plane ticket, and the cost of room and board at Tino & Mari's house. That's how it should be. But why was it so difficult to find a program that was reasonably-priced??
Perhaps I wasn't looking in the right places. I remember Vivian and I spent hours after school at my house doing Google searches and calling up dozens of organizations. Yet somehow, on this lazy Sunday afternoon, while evading my English essay, I've managed to stumble across thousands of global volunteer and internship opportunities.
Three main websites I am most impressed with and promote countless programs:
http://volunteerglobal.com
http://omprakash.org/
http://volunteersouthamerica.net/
I've looked through a lot of the projects going on, and they all seem super fun and engaging. Plus, on the latter website, the thumbnail of the projects give you the price; some are even free! And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how volunteering abroad should be.
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