If you’re looking for short-term volunteering opportunities, search the Internet (especially Idealist.org) and go for what appeals to you in terms of the organization’s mission, how the opportunity matches your skills, the locale you’re interested in, and what appears legitimate. Regarding this last point, large organizations can be found on evaluation websites – such as Charity Navigator – but assessing the legitimacy of small organizations is more difficult. Several organizations I can recommend personally for the excellent work they do here in Guatemala are: Common Hope, Safe Passage, and Let’s Be Ready, the nonprofit I currently volunteer with.
You can expect from most good organizations someone to meet you at the airport and for a price, a homestay. Some also offer language benefits. (An offer from PROBIGUA Spanish school was what got me, a 70 year-old single woman who had never traveled before, to Guatemala.) Be aware, however, many organizations in remote areas that provide your food and lodging will require a sizable donation. I think this is perfectly reasonable, but compare the donation asked with that of other organizations.
Me talking to parents
On the other hand, finding the best longer-term volunteering opportunity, the type we retired persons might seek, is often best accomplished by going to an area you think you’d like to live in and looking around.
In Guatemala, Proyecto Mosaico provides leads on various nonprofits in this county and others in Central America (note: a contribution is required.) But even with this seemingly easy in, don’t expect a straight line to where you want to be.
My skills in psychology, social work and teaching were needed and I knew where I wanted to work, but several things intervened. Primarily, my Spanish skills were too basic and I needed more study than I anticipated in order to work in the counseling field. Secondly, when I had visited here and talked with a supervisor of the place where I wanted to be, I was assured that there was a place for me to volunteer and my contribution would be valued. When I moved here, four months later, the volunteer supervisor had left, the person in charge had never heard of me, and her philosophy about what was needed was very different – and exclusive. Attempts to connect with the busy, dedicated project leader hit every roadblock.
This is when one’s personal fortitude comes into play. You’re in a foreign country, you know next to no one, and you don’t have work.
Flexibility is probably the number one personality characteristic that is needed. Independence is another (you can’t expect the country—or the few people you might meet—to supply your needs). Willingness to learn from your circumstances is also paramount.
If you have all those and are willing to sit back and await what comes—all the while relying on your own resources—you can wind up in some interesting places. And this is how I see it: it’s usually right where you need to be.
Latest posts by mirapope
- Marketing Techniques - July 27th, 2010
- When it Comes to Fundraising, Be Persistent - July 13th, 2010
- Be the Change You Want to See - December 11th, 2009
- Farming Practices — Changes are Coming! - November 24th, 2009
- Environmental Crisis, Community Opportunity - November 10th, 2009
- Culture of the Shaman - October 23rd, 2009
- Money, Money, Money - September 3rd, 2009
- Adjustment - August 26th, 2009
- Projects and More Projects - August 11th, 2009
- Living at Lago Atitlan - August 7th, 2009
