Charity Work for Women – How to Do Some Good and Have a Safe and Amazing Holiday

Combining a holiday with volunteering for a good cause is something that many women aspire to, but for one reason or another just let the idea slide. This kind of break can be both rewarding and challenging, but ultimately you are certain to get a lot more out of it than having a lazy fortnight by the pool. If you are a woman who has always wanted to do good works but has had reservations about issues like safety, and which organisations to travel with, there is high quality information available as to where to go and who to go with to ensure you are both safe and have a satisfying and fulfilling time.

Global Vision International

It can be daunting trying to track down a company that organises volunteer programmes as when you do an internet search you are rewarded with hundreds of results, some helpful, many not. One of the best sites and one that you should check out first is Global Vision International, or GVI UK http://www.gvi.co.uk/volunteer-abroad . This gives you a mountain of useful information and answers any questions you may have regarding volunteering for international programmes when safety is your utmost priority.

Where should I go?

GVI currently offers more than 150 different overseas volunteer projects in 25 countries across the globe. When you volunteer to go abroad with any of the programmes you will be playing a crucial role in a vast range of educational, community and conservation projects in Asia, Africa, Central America, Europe and South America. Over 2000 people volunteer every year with GVI and they contribute greatly to keeping the projects sustainable as well as ensuring that they have a continuing positive impact on the surrounding environment.

How long should I go for?

The first step is to decide how long you want to volunteer for, as this can run from 1 week up to a year. The shorter the duration the closer to home to will tend to be, so bear this in mind when you are perusing the volunteer programmes available. Depending on the different programmes available, you could be teaching in schools, helping with an important environmental project, and practically anything in between.

World Endeavours can help

As well as GVI which looks after volunteers of all ages, both genders and even has voluntary projects exclusively for women, you should also have a look at development volunteer projects geared towards women from World Endeavours http://worldendeavors.com/programs/volunteer/womens-development-volunteer-projects . These take into careful consideration the specific needs of women who volunteer and the projects involved are aimed at addressing the problems women have in developing countries.

Programmes through World Endeavours could see you working in a women’s shelter or helping out at social work agencies and other non profit organisations. Other possible projects you could get a placement on is helping women who are suffering from the catastrophic effects of drug use, alcoholism, depression and poverty. Volunteers also contribute greatly to the day to day operations of the host organisations, and all help is both needed and greatly appreciated.

Volunteering helps others and you

The international volunteer programmes offered for women by World Endeavours has lasting benefits for everyone from the host organisations, the communities and the volunteers themselves. Becoming an overseas volunteer is an extremely valuable way of channelling your enthusiasm and energy into projects that will greatly help the various communities around the world which have been identified as being in particular need of assistance, and this is often only possible due to selfless volunteers.

Being safe and secure while volunteering

Depending on where the project is that you are interested, your host organisation or charity will have guidelines on safety, and these should be strictly adhered too. It will contain such advice as not to travel to certain areas after dark, or even through the day. Travelling in a group is often advised as opposed to going anywhere alone, and whilst these will seem to be common sense, if you are staying in a strange country it is easy to get lost and wander accidentally into dangerous areas, so always take their advice very seriously.

Preparing for your trip of a lifetime

There is a lot more preparation goes into a trip of this magnitude that an ordinary holiday so here is a rough check list. The first thing is something you should have sorted out before deciding to volunteer and that it taking time of work if needed as volunteering is no longer the exclusive domain of the gap year student. You must ensure you stick with the list of items the organisation recommends you take, have enough money to last you as ATM's do not exist in many places and ensure you have had all the recommended shots.

You must look after your own needs first

If you have definitely decided to volunteer for an overseas project then one utmost priority is the correct travel insurance. While it is great that you are helping others, you must look after yourself first and foremost and this means getting the right type of insurance. It is pointless searching for 'overseas volunteer insurance' and it simply doesn't exist; you will instead need to search for gap insurance.

Insurance is more essential than a regular holiday

Volunteering can expose you to more risks than a typical holiday and you will likely need special insurance on top of your regular holiday insurance. Thankfully many charity organisations will sort this for you – but it should be treated separately from your regular travel insurance. ColumbusDirect is a great place to look for your standard holiday cover but you should also check specific country restrictions if you are traveling to particularly dangerous or unstable countries.  Being safe and insured against the worst is absolutely essential wherever you go!

  

Satisfaction Guaranteed

Becoming an overseas volunteer brings with it a huge amount of self satisfaction in that you are making a real difference to the people you are helping. It is also incredibly hard work and shouldn't be something that you rush into. For those who have done their research and have selected the organisation and project they want to work with are in for one of the most exhilarating times of their lives, and one that they simply will never forget.