A free resource for nonprofit organizations, NGOs, civil society organizations,
charities, schools, public sector agencies & other mission-based agencies
by Jayne Cravens
  via coyotecommunications.com & coyoteboard.com (same web site)

International Volunteer Engagement Resources:
For Both Agencies Involving Volunteers & Those That Want to Volunteer

International volunteering, where a person from one country goes to another country to volunteer, or volunteers while traveling in another country, is the most dreamed-of kind of volunteering by people that want to help others. It is highly romanticized and misunderstood, both by those that want to volunteer abroad and those NGOs and charities that want to involve such volunteers.

Having experience in both working in development and humanitarian aid initiatives abroad AND in all aspects of volunteerism, particularly regarding appropriate support of volunteers and the ethics around volunteerism, puts me in a unique position to talk about international volunteering. And I do talk about it - probably more than anything else, even more than virtual volunteering. 

These are all of my resources regarding international volunteering. Most of it is for those that want to volunteer abroad, but some of it is for NGOs that want to involve foreign volunteers.

• Hosting International Volunteers
  More and more local organizations in developing countries are turning to local expertise, rather than international volunteers, to support their efforts. However, the need for international volunteers remains, and will for many, many years to come. This resource provides tips for local organization in a developing countries interested in gaining access to international volunteers.
   

• Reality Check: Volunteering Abroad (especially for citizens of the USA)
  Times have changed drastically in the last 30 years regarding Americans and other "westerners" volunteering in other countries. The emphasis in local relief and development efforts is to empower local people, and to hire local people, whenever possible, to address their own issues, build their own capacities, and give them employment. This strategy is much more beneficial to local communities than to bring in an outside volunteer. That said -- the days of international volunteers are NOT numbered: there will always be a need for international volunteers, either to fill gaps in knowledge and service in a local situation, or because a more neutral observer/contributor is required. This new page provides tips on gaining the skills and experience that are critically needed to volunteer overseas.
   

• 14 Reasons Not to Volunteer Abroad
  These are the most common reasons people say they want to volunteer abroad. And they are not good reasons. In fact, they often hurt people and animals in other countries, rather than helping. This list also provides the good reasons to volunteer abroad, how you can help right in your own community to help regarding a disaster far away, and more.
   

• Vetting Organizations in Other Countries
  One of the frequently asked questions I receive is: "how do I know if a mission-based organization in another country is 'for real'? I want to volunteer/donate to such, but first, I want to make sure it's a credible organization, that it's not some sort of scam, or an 'organization' of just one person." This list of suggestions is my answer.
   

• Ideas for Funding Your Volunteering Abroad Trip & How to Engage in RESPECTFUL "Voluntourism." This resource includes suggestions of ethical programs and questions to ask any program that wants your money to give you your feel-good short-term volunteering experience in another country.
   

• Volunteering to help after major disasters - if you have ever wanted to help people affected by a sudden event like an earthquake, flood, tornado, hurricane, fire or human-caused event, this resource details what you need to do NOW.
   

• Packing advice for first-time humanitarians & aid workers
  What you should pack before you head out on your first mission trip.

Here's how to order
(includes table of contents and reviews).

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