Why is voluntary work so expensive

Older volunteers tend to walk more, find it easier to cope with everyday tasks, are less likely to develop high blood pressure, and have better thinking skills. Volunteering can also lessen symptoms of chronic pain and reduce the risk of heart disease. People with disabilities or chronic health conditions can still benefit greatly from volunteering. In fact, research has shown that adults with disabilities or health conditions ranging from hearing and vision loss to heart disease, diabetes or digestive disorders all show improvement after volunteering.

Whether due to a disability, a lack of transportation, or time constraints, many people choose to volunteer their time via phone or computer. Some organizations may require you to attend an initial training session or periodical meetings while others can be conducted completely remotely. In any volunteer situation, make sure that you are getting enough social contact, and that the organization is available to support you should you have questions.

Just because volunteer work is unpaid does not mean the skills you learn are basic. Many volunteering opportunities provide extensive training. Volunteering can also help you build upon skills you already have and use them to benefit the greater community. For instance, if you hold a successful sales position, you can raise awareness for your favorite cause as a volunteer advocate, while further developing and improving your public speaking, communication, and marketing skills.

Volunteering offers you the chance to try out a new career without making a long-term commitment. It is also a great way to gain experience in a new field. Your volunteer work might also expose you to professional organizations or internships that could benefit your career.

Bear in mind that the most valuable assets you can bring to any volunteer effort are compassion, an open mind, a willingness to pitch in wherever needed, and a positive attitude. Volunteering is a fun and easy way to explore your interests and passions. Doing volunteer work you find meaningful and interesting can be a relaxing, energizing escape from your day-to-day routine of work, school, or family commitments. Volunteering also provides you with renewed creativity, motivation, and vision that can carry over into your personal and professional life.

Many people volunteer in order to make time for hobbies outside of work as well. There are numerous volunteer opportunities available. The key is to find a position that you would enjoy and are capable of doing. Ask yourself the following:. You will have a richer and more enjoyable volunteering experience if you first take some time to identify your goals and interests.

Think about why you want to volunteer. What would you enjoy doing? The opportunities that match both your goals and your interests are most likely to be fun and fulfilling.

Ask yourself if there is something specific you want to do or achieve as a volunteer. Sometimes an opportunity looks great on paper, but the reality is quite different.

Try to visit different organizations and get a feel for what they are like and if you click with other staff and volunteers. In fact, research shows that just two to three hours per week, or about hours a year, can confer the most benefits—to both you and your chosen cause.

The important thing is to volunteer only the amount of time that feels comfortable to you. Volunteering should feel like a fun and rewarding hobby, not another chore on your to-do list.

To make sure that your volunteer position is a good fit:. Ask questions. You want to make sure that the experience is right for your skills, your goals, and the time you want to spend.

You should be comfortable with the organization and understand the time commitment. Give yourself some flexibility to change your focus if needed. If volunteering overseas, choose carefully. It is indispensable for a global debate on social justice and equality. But for a more direct impact of their gap year volunteering efforts, students should only pick a programme after rigorous research. To comment on this story or anything else you have seen on BBC Capital, head over to our Facebook page or message us on Twitter.

Is gap-year volunteering a luxury for the rich? Share using Email. By Vikram Barhat 16th July Some pricey volunteering programmes may do more harm than good. Are gap year tours more about selfies than sacrifice? Cost challenge Ellan Dickieson was completing her final year of an undergraduate programme in psychology at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, Canada when she decided to spent eight months in Botswana in These opportunities are limited to kids from not necessarily rich, but definitely middle- to upper-class families.

Altruistic or agenda-driven? I felt as though everyone wanted a profile picture of themselves with orphans in Africa — Ellan Dickieson.

This will enable you to save hundreds, if not thousands, on your volunteer program. As you begin strategizing on how you can volunteer in Europe for free, volunteer in Africa for free, or another location for free, understand the costs associated with volunteering abroad. Aside from the general program fee, there are other expenses, such as traveling to and from your destination.

Generally speaking, the program fee includes things like housing, training, meals, and support. However, other expenses, such as an application fee, visa, travel souvenirs, sightseeing, insurance and going out in the local area can add to the total cost of your trip. So, factor in the additional expenses when figuring out how to reduce the costs of volunteering abroad.

A volunteer organization often charges a program fee to cover the costs associated with hosting you as a volunteer. Reputable organizations do this because it enables them to free up resources to better serve host communities. With that said, there are ways you can volunteer for free.

However, these well-known international volunteer programs are highly selective and may require a significant time commitment 27 months for Peace Corps and six months for UN Volunteers. It can be easier to find shorter trips to volunteer during summer or winter breaks. For many, short-term volunteer trips are the best choice. Short-term volunteer programs typically have fees.

Saving money means not losing money, and one way Plan My Gap Year helps its travelers be financially responsible is through Travel Vault. Plan My Gap Year is a member of Travel Vault, so your program and registration fee are insured and financially protected.

A trusted organization founded by volunteers for volunteers, Plan My Gap Year offers a range of projects in the areas of community, childcare, conservation, and healthcare. Low registration fees, cheap flights from London, and low-cost project fees makes Plan My Gap Year a great option for cost-conscious travelers and offers loads of fundraising advice and even a scholarship!

Another organization with affordable programs abroad is Maximo Nivel , which operates intercultural centers in Costa Rica, Peru, and Guatemala. Maximo Nivel has partnered with California State University, Monterey Bay a regionally accredited university to enable their volunteers and interns to earn university credit for their trips. See this page to understand how you can earn university credits. Also, earning credit during your trip offsets expenses when you consider how expensive those credits would be at home.

It can enable you to graduate early, potentially saving you thousands of dollars. Do check if the credits will transfer to your university Maximo Nivel can help with transferring credits. Offering more than unique projects in 34 countries around the world, Love Volunteers places thousands of volunteers into meaningful and life-changing programs each year. Projects Abroad began in and has become one of the largest volunteer organizations in the world. Known for their world-class support and high-quality service projects, Projects Abroad receives excellent reviews from past volunteers.

On Volunteer Forever, they have a rating of 4. If you stay longer, your average daily fees go down even further. Even better, volunteers get food and accommodation on each project which lowers your expenses greatly! For example, you could volunteer as a sports coach in Samoa and help the youth there. With a group? Protect endangered animal populations in the Arava Desert and assist with educational outreach. Volunteer work consists of teaching at a local school and assisting with construction and renovation of schools and community centers.

Founded by Oxford graduate Guillaume Lefevre in , the organization boasts a perfect 5-star rating on Volunteer Forever. You can volunteer in projects ranging from medical volunteering to coaching a football academy in Nairobi. When it comes to budget-friendly volunteer trips, Iko Poran offers plenty of options.

The organization has projects throughout Latin America, Africa, Asia. The program fee is paid directly to the host country and community, ensuring that the money is used to help those you serve.

A few other affordably-priced volunteer programs include a Nepal teaching trip , Uganda sports coaching program , and Peru construction initiative. What if you could search for affordable volunteer programs from many different providers in one place? Choose from over programs based on your budget and interests. Through Abroadly, you can get started on a cheap overseas volunteer trip for not that much money at all.

With programs in more than 15 countries throughout the world, Fronteering has numerous great volunteer programs with low price tags. The organization is known for their off-the-beaten-path projects that aim to uplift indigenous communities and preserve natural environments.

One program through Fronteering brings you to the northernmost territories in Canada to care for and play with huskies. How splendid does that sound? Note the husky center has over dogs, and your work as a volunteer intern is necessary to maintaining the facility, keeping the dogs healthy and happy, and ensuring long-term sustainability of the operation.

Or, head to the wide-open spaces of Roraima, Brazil and live with a local family on a ranch. This program is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in Brazilian culture, learn Portuguese, and see what it takes to work on a ranch.