NGOabroad
International Volunteering & Careers
Volunteer Abroad
SUMMARY: Want to volunteer abroad? We would love to have you! NGOabroad has international volunteer programs in 4 regions of the world: Africa, Asia, Central and South America and MENA (Middle East & North Africa). What makes our volunteer abroad programs unique? They are affordable and custom fit to your skills rather than stuffing you into a one-size-fits all slot. Our purpose is to tackle humanity’s challenges so that our international volunteer opportunities are more “real” and have more depth. We also have international internships well suited for people going into international development. We believe everyone has a contribution to make so don’t think you need fancy qualifications or skills to volunteer with us. We have Gap Year Programs. We also treasure those over 50 or retired. Volunteering abroad, for many, is life changing. Come see the world, and serve the world.
We have International Volunteer Programs in 4 regions of the world:
People tell us that we are different than anything else they find on the web:
More "real": tackling important challenges of our time.
Well suited for people aiming to work abroad in international humanitarian work.
Custom fit rather than squishing you into one-size-fits all slot
Affordable! ~1/3 the price of most volunteer abroad programs!
Flexible schedule: start date & duration can usually fit your needs
Skill based volunteering ~ ~ both student volunteers & professional volunteers needed
~ Social work, psychology, trauma counselors. Music, dance, drama & art therapists. Geriatric social workers. Youth workers. Yoga
~ Education, early childhood education, special education. Armies of tutors needed. People who love kids!
~ Nurses, doctors, public health, water & sanitation, nutrition, nurse practitioners, midwives, reproductive & sexual health, dentists, dental assistants.
~ Business, finance, small business owners, entrepreneurship, accounting, auditing, risk management, business analysts
~ Engineering, mechanical engineering & robotics, computers, civil/ water engineering
~ Environmental, renewable energy, organic farming & permaculture, sustainable development, tree planting/ reforestation
~ Public administration, political science, democracy building, human rights, law, peace building & conflict transformation
~ Women’s rights advocates, men & women to help with the empowerment of women in education, earning money & in home & family
~ Practical skills: grant writing, office manager/ help; medical records, the trades – construction, photovoltaic electricians
Great for everybody/ people of all ages.
Great for Gap Year! Great for students, graduates, mid-career and retired folks.
We put your youthful passion or your years & years of work & life experience to work.
You don’t have to be a professional hot-shot (as implied above) but we will harness how you best can contribute.
It may be your avocational skills – e.g. in crafts or bicycle repair – that shape how you can be contribute.
“NGOabroad is a fantastic service for anyone wanting to work internationally, be it paid or volunteer work. I was very impressed by Ann, her honest optimism (no sugar coating but no dire warnings). and her curiosity about me & my goals as well as her obvious dedication. Ann’s insight into and knowledge of the world and non-profits is invaluable. I now have a much clearer idea of what opportunities are out there for me and I have a real understanding of where I can best contribute my skills. I consider the service a bargain.”
Simone Pfeiffer, Montreal
Interested in volunteering in one of our Volunteer Abroad programs? We'd love to have you!
Please BRIEFLY answer Questionnaire & paste with your resume into email to:
Affordable Volunteer Abroad or International Internships
Our fees are ~1/4 to 1/3 the price of most international volunteer programs.
Most of our volunteer programs cost ~$1,100 for the first month, $360 for next.
$300 + $300 to NGOabroad
for going all over the world to form these volunteer opportunities.
I usually work 50 hour weeks and wear 5 hats to make it all happen.
I get up at midnight or 2 or 4am to reach busy directors in Lebanon.
Its work. It’s joyful work, but work nonetheless.
$150 to $200 to in-country director
for everything that they do to make this happen.
e.g. The Cameroonian director walks to all the villages
to set up all the meetings for when you present. Its work.
$12/day for roof over your head, food on the table
THERE MAY BE SOME VARIANCE in how things are done in different countries.
But hey, that’s exactly what makes world travel so interesting!
You get off the plane & marvel, “This isn’t Kansas, Toto.”
2 x $50 for 2 hour Health & Safety Consult for international volunteers going to sub-Sahara Africa.
Several people have remarked, “I learned more from you in 2 hours, than I did in 2 months orientation and 2 years in the Peace Corps.”
FAQ
Do I need to be from a certain country to volunteer abroad? .....Absolutely not!
Our vision was that humanity has so many challenges but so many willing to help. Volunteers criss – cross the globe: E.g. Lebanese woman helped in Cameroon. Brazilian man helped in Ghana. Indian woman helped in Uganda. Iraqi man helped Syrian refugees. Canadian woman helped in Sri Lanka. The only limitation is visas. If your country is at odds with the country you want to go to, you may not be able to get a visa.
Do I need to speak the language?
Well, er, yes if you want to communicate! But in most of our programs, we have tried to wiggle around language barriers. Because of the internet, English is spoken widely. But if you want to go to MENA, it helps to speak Arabic. An increasing number of native Arabic speakers are stepping up to help; others have studied Arabic so they can help with the Syrian refugee crisis. If you want to go to Central or South America, go out of your way to learn Spanish. In fact, go out of your way to learn at least some of the local language, wherever you are going: e.g. Sinhala, Nepali, French, Swahili….It will bring smiles & open doors for you.
How far ahead should I apply? ....As far ahead as you possibly can!
Things do not move at lightening speed in other countries, especially in Lebanon & Jordan. Applying 3 to 7 months ahead is ideal.. You can save on air fare by applying farther ahead. A huge part of safety is being properly prepared. If you are volunteering in Africa, Asia or South America, leave plenty of time for shots, getting your visa and travel supplies.
Do you have international internships & international co-ops? ....Definitely!
Yes, because many of our international volunteer opportunities are fit around the academic or practical skills that you bring, they are well suited to be an international internship. So we have some great international internship opportunities in international social work & psychology, international development, nutrition, public health, nursing, business (micro-finance, accounting, entrepreneurship, marketing), law, political science, public administration, agriculture, renewable energy, environmental studies, education, early childhood education and more.
Do you have Gap Year volunteering opportunities? ....You bet!
Our volunteer programs in Thailand, Kenya, Morocco, Nepal & Honduras are especially well suited for gap year volunteering, but other options may also fit for you. Send Questionnaire & resume then we can discuss which volunteer abroad programs fit best for you. It is actually more helpful if you have not locked in to WHERE you want to volunteer. After seeing your Questionnaire & resume, together we can figure out what fits best for you.
Do you have Projects Abroad? ...Definitely!
The difference to us, is that a project is one-time…part of an on-going program. E.g. A Mexican-American barber wanted to mentor youth & teach his vocational skill. He was a big hit in our Honduras Volunteer Abroad program. E.g. We have a 60 year old music professor coming in to help launch music & dance performances so that Ugandans can raise money from their talent. If you have a special skill or interest, talk to Ann about how this can be used in a project abroad. This is part of our commitment to “custom fitting.”
Do you have summer volunteer abroad programs? ....Yes, this is when most people go.
Most of our volunteer abroad programs operate around the year. A few programs are not open during Ramadam; some not open at Christmas. Schools have school schedules to consider. But by and large, we can fit to your schedule.
Do I have to be a professional hot shot to volunteer with you? ....Absolutely not!
We acknowledge that our Volunteer Programs are organized around the skills required to carry out the work you would do. But we welcome everyone! It may be your avocational interests – e.g. singing, mechanic, cooking, yoga – that help determine the contribution that you can make. I had a 60 year old Australian woman whose passion is helping little, little kids. That, plus her office skills, made her invaluable in Sri Lanka. Sometimes you must have certain skills. E.g. I just told Lebanese Business major to come back in the future when he has the skills necessary for the Lebanon micro-finance program. Whereas, if he could speak Spanish, our Costa Rica micro-finance program would welcome him without as many business skills. Send us your BRIEFLY answered Questionnaire & resume and we can discuss which programs fit best for you.
Thanks again to IRIN, David Zimmerly and Brandon Liew for permission to use their photos.