Volunteer overseas - why pay?

'Why do I have to pay to volunteer overseas?' is one of the most common questions we get asked.

The first reason is because the country where you're volunteering is usually very poor. There's often no welfare state - people have to pay for healthcare and to send their children to school. Under these circumstances, projects to educate children, build wells, or help women start their own businesses couldn't exist without the financial contribution of the overseas volunteers who come to help out.

As well as contributing to the project itself, it is important that you don't place a financial burden on your host country or community. Everything that you use - your food, accommodation, etc - plus whatever you need for the project, such as teaching materials or cement - must be paid for.

The second, less well-known reason that you have to pay to volunteer overseas is stability. Projects are often long-term - for example, awareness projects to reduce the spread of Aids, or environmental projects to protect fragile eco-systems. Funding such projects through volunteer contributions provides a secure future for them, and the people they help support.

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On the plus side, your volunteer project doesn't have to cost the earth. When looking at prices, bear in mind how much you normally spend at home, on food, bills, rent or mortgage, going out, and general bits and pieces. You'll usually find out that the cost per month of volunteering abroad is less than you're spending at home.

Finally, remember that not all volunteering projects require you to pay a fee. VSO is the largest of the organisations that pays your expenses and gives you an 'in-country wage' (not much, but enough to live on). For this kind of overseas volunteering, you will need specific professional skills and will usually have to commit to 1-2 years.

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• Choosing a volunteer opportunity
• Countries that need volunteers
• Ethical voluntary work abroad
• Volunteer holidays
• Volunteer in the UK