Center for Cutural Interchange Makes Volunteering Possible and Fun!

Greenheart Travel is a part of the CCI (Center for Cultural Interchange) and has many possibilities available for people wanting to travel abroad, including very exciting volunteering options in the himalayas etc. You can Google them or I can place an objective link (not self-serving) if allowed. Just for informational purposes. I myself, am thinking of doing one of the available programs. Just thought to make you aware of it, as I feel they offer some great opportunities. I have not personally used them yet, so approach with caution.

Originally Posted by Hybrid

I had an interesting conversation about these schemes with a friend at the weekend.

Her point was it's not selfless like people like to think, eg; Volunteers normally say they are doing good by signing up but her point was the person that gets the well/school/extension etc could do it themselves with the money.

They dont need others there getting in the way, they dont want to help train people, they dont want to be used so people can get that gap year experience, they dont want to share their poverty for someone else's experience gain.

I thought it was a bit narrow minded, but it does raise the question, would these people rather just have the money or do they actually want you there?

Very good point! Having grown up in Africa, we have many similar programs here. Having grown up middle class, we were reared with the knowledge 'having to give back'. Is it self-less giving? No. My boyfriend once pointed out that people all give for their own reasons...and there is nothing wrong with that.

The schools I taught at in Cape Town, provided volunteering options to students from Europe, Asia and The States...and the sense of community and FUN was enormous.

If one is money motivated, as many are, it can be seen as a stop gap - to some who want to log up experiences, it is a great way to do it.

I can just say from what I saw at various Aids orphanages etc that we volunteered at, the feeling was great...and the people from the organizations were very warm and welcoming. Only one that I can remember had a 'we are merely tolerating you' vibe.

It is a great opportunity for a few months...but I think that having to pay to do volunteer work is a tad bizarre. Nonetheless, I had lots of fun partaking in various volunteer programs, sometimes it even opens up real work possibilities. The possibilities are endless, but with everything one needs to be open-minded, conscious and cautious....

If you're really interested in a "volunteer vacation" then I highly recommend Habitat for Humanity or the Sierra Club. Both do extremely good work and are well respected around the globe. The Sierra Club, in particular, offers numerous choices, including working on research projects with well-respected professors. I haven't heard anything about CCI.

Originally Posted by Hybrid

Best of luck with that Lee.

I've never volunteered...

What sort of stuff do you end up doing?

Thanks for the good luck wish, Hybrid. It is appreciated! As for the different view that your friend has, I have friends with similar views and cannot understand what motivates me. I guess it comes down to following your heart...

What does one land up doing? Well, pretty much anything depending on what your needs are and the needs of the organization one will be assisting. It could be teaching children to read where there are literacy problems, or assisting with food making to feed hungry children. Or one can work with animals, cleaning them if there was an oil spill or just helping with rehabilitation.

There are a million more options but I tend to always gravitate towards working within education or rehabilitation. That's about it really, lol. Lovely photos you have there, Hybrid!

There is always a need for construction so that would be great as a possibility. That is far out of my comfort zone. Yeah, one definitely needs to marinate in it for quite a while, before being ready. A very close friend of mine just got back from South East Asia including Vietnam and Mongolia etc...so I am pretty excited to see him and hear what he landed up doing. We have such a beautiful planet...

I think it depends on the location and how desperately in need they are. I know they still need volunteers in Haiti after the Earthquake for almost 2 years ago. They are still living in tents, have no clean water, and not enough food. They would gladly appreciate any help at this time. The more the merrier. So, if you are looking for a place to go and volunteer, I highly recommend going to Haiti.

Originally Posted by Hybrid

Agreed, so much to see and do. Maybe you could get your friend to put any photos up here, would love to seem them. As I would any photos you have from your travels.

He has quite a bit of photos up on his Facebook page but I will definitely ask him if he is OK to have them up on here. I think he should be. I lost quite a bit of my photos but am actively hunting down some that friends have. My last notebook computer was stolen along with my backups and so many other things...life in Africa. There are other photos floating around that friends have of those times....so I just need to get my hands on them...then will immediately share!