Volunteering in Asia - approach a Not-For-Profit directly or use a volunteer agency?

by Estelle
(Melbourne)

Hi, Firstly I wanted to say that this site is fantastic and much needed! I wish this site existed when I travelled Europe and Asia alone previously!

I am a 28 year old who recently broke up with my partner and am currently in the process of quitting my job and moving back to my family's house for a while to plot my next move and potential new career directions.

I have nothing to hold me here and have been thinking about doing some volunteering in Asia for a few months in early 2011 - to help others and gain some life experience. Ultimately I would like to use my skills as a policy writer for the Australian Government (in health) in an NGO preferably in Laos or Vietnam (but will also consider Cambodia and Thailand). If I can't use these skills I would also be happy to volunteer my time teaching English or working in an orphanage or farm/conservation type project. Essentially I just want to challenge myself, do something different and see where it takes me. If I loved it I would consider doing a more long term position sponsored by the Australian governement (e.g. AusAID/AYAD programs).

I noticed that you worked for Unicef in Laos and was wondering if you could point me in the direction of any organisations that would take me on as a volunteer in Laos. I have done some research and have found very little in the way of longer term volunteering opportunities (i.e. more than 2 week work camps) in Laos or Vietnam that doesn't involve paying a middle company to arrange the experience for me. I am not opposed to paying the fees but want to ensure the money I contribute goes to the people who need it most.

Thanks so much for any help you can provide!

Answer: Estelle, what a coincidence that you're asking about volunteering - it's the topic of my next ezine, #37, which comes out on Tuesday.

First, thank you for your nice words about my site - the reason I started it was because I too found I lacked the right information when I started long-term travel. It's great to hear it's useful to you!

Now, about volunteering in Asia. I did work for Unicef - but I was paid for it, I didn't volunteer. Most international organizations would use local staff before international volunteers so I wouldn't necessarily look there first, although they would be great contacts since all UN organizations work with local NGOs. The neediest are local NGOs who might not have access to a large pool of skilled labor, and who might feel Christmas came early if you walked in the door.

If you do this independently, the best way is to have a contact to pursue. Since you already work in development, if I were in your shoes I'd canvas everyone I know to get the names of good NGO contacts in those countries and then I'd contact the organizations directly. Travel in that part of the world isn't difficult so you won't be facing the same issues with visas and work permits as you would in, say, Europe or Russia for example.

That said, there's no reason why you shouldn't contact UN organizations or international NGOs in either Viet Nam or Laos. Both countries have relatively compact development communities (especially Laos) and people know one another. I spent a few months in Laos some years ago and arrived knowing no one. I interviewed one person working in HIV, and within a couple of days I knew the entire HIV prevention community. By the time a week had passed I was an 'unofficial member' of the Vientiane international community and could have approached anyone. Again: go with a few contacts if you can.

These resources might help too: Internet Directory of Lao NGOs, UN Organizations in Laos, INGO Directory in Viet Nam and the UN in Viet Nam. Finally, I'd check out the resources at Volunteer Abroad or a similar group.

And Estelle, please come back and share your experiences with us after you're back!

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