Volunteer Global

Yesterday I posted the results of a poll that asked how much one would prefer to spend on a weeklong volunteer trip. The results showed that less expensive opportunities were favored heavily over anything costing $2,000 or more.

You might have seen the interview I posted last week with Dani, who traveled to Peru with International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ). While she searched for a program, her two main concerns were budget and safety – and as someone pursuing her first service trip, she wondered whether less expensive meant less volunteer support.

After researching IVHQ, she contacted them about her concerns – they had a solid website, good volunteer reviews, and extensive information about their programs, but their projects were significantly less expensive than their competitors. She spoke at length with their coordinators, who told her that while IVHQ offered everything their competitors did, they never charged more than was needed.

In the end, Dani had a great time on her trip: IVHQ prepared her for what to expect, they supported her throughout the project, and she’s kept in touch with fellow volunteers and her host family. In total, she spent less than $1,000 for five weeks’ volunteering, including the plane ticket.

The individuals I spoke with recently expressed the same concerns that Dani had. They preferred trips less than $2,000, yet they wondered whether minimal costs meant minimal support.

Here are some things you might consider while researching:

• Is the organization a placement group or a host group? The former works almost as a travel agent: It places you with a local program that needs a helping hand. Because of this, costs will be higher, though the volunteer experience likely will be the same if you went with the host group for a smaller fee.
• What type of housing is provided? If you’re in a shared house or with a host family, costs will be lower.
• Are other excursions or packages included, aside from the volunteer work, food, and housing? Programs that offer all-inclusive packages like these tend to be much more expensive.
• How much information is included on their website? Unfortunately many wonderful organizations don’t have the resources to build at sleek, interactive site, but they should be able to provide information about their costs, housing, type of work, schedule, staff, and volunteer requirements and support.
• What do other volunteers say? You can find reviews by searching online, or by joining the organization’s Facebook group (if there is one), or through other social networking sites.
• When in doubt, contact the organization. Their coordinators should be happy to tell you everything you need to know.

Any other suggestions? Leave a comment below!