United Planet

United Planet offers both short term and long term volunteer abroad programs that immerse participants in the local culture through cultural activities, excursions, and host family stays in over 40 countries.

Here is the information regarding both the short-term and long-term projects.

Short -Term Programs

• The duration of the short -term programs run for 1-12 weeks
•  Hosting countries are in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East
• Projects are customizable and include such work placements as orphanage care, teaching English, environmental work, healthcare, and more
• Unlike the long- term programs, those that are between 1-12 weeks are available anytime of the year, for as long as you want
• Specific dates vary by location( see link below for dates and available programs)
• All ages are welcome; however, the minimum age for unaccompanied volunteers is 16 in some countries and 18 in others
• If participants are under the required age, there must be a guardian present throughout the program
• Citizens of any country are welcome
• There are available group projects; this includes programs for schools, corporate, youth groups, spiritual groups, etc.
• Group quests can be customized in order to include team-building activities

·         Those that are interested in applying, or want more information, visit http://www.unitedplanet.org/volunteer-abroad/short-term

Long-Term Programs

• Programs start August 2012 – January 2013 and last between 6-12 months
• There are 30 countries to choose from in Latin America, Asia, The Pacific, Europe, and Africa
• United Planet is a U.S. and Canadian member of the International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) Federation, founded in 1949.
• Language fluency is not a requirement. However, it is always good to know the basics when living abroad.
• The age requirement is 18 years and older

·         For more information about the long-term programs offered by United Planet, click this link http://www.unitedplanet.org/volunteer-abroad/long-term

Fees

• All prices are listed on the website at http://www.unitedplanet.org/united-planet-program-fees
• Short-term projects- prices start at $945
• Long-term projects- prices start at $5465

For any questions about this United Planet or any other volunteer abroad program, please do not hesitate to visit the blog’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/volunteerabroadprograms

Cheap Volunteer Abroad Program- Global Crossroad

Global Crossroad is a leading cheap volunteer abroad program that offers a relatively cheap travel experience. This program fees are between 40-60% cheaper from competitors on average; the program fees start as low as $379. From my experience and research, this is extremely reasonable since many of the programs can cost thousands of dollars; however, Global Crossroad is a for-profit organization and takes 10-15% of the volunteer fees. The rest of the funding goes towards such expenses as room rentals, salaries for staff members, utilities, and marketing.

Since 2003, Global Crossroad has had more than 10,000 volunteers participate in the programs. Information about the various styles, including long-term volunteer abroad projects, internships, mini-ventures, and summer escapes and their corresponding locations are as follows.

Top 10 Trips

• Orphanage Project- Nepal
• Teaching Buddhist Monks- Nepal
• Medical/ Health Work- Ghana
• HIV/AIDS Awareness- Kenya
• Teach English in Local Schools- Uganda
• Elephant Orphanage Project- Sri Lanka
• Turtle Conservation- Costa Rica
• HIV/AIDS Project- India
• Panda Conservation- China
• Summer Escapes- Peru

Volunteer Abroad Programs

·          

• There are 18 countries to choose from of Asia, Africa, and Latin America

• There are 6 program styles: volunteer abroad, internship abroad, mini venture, summer escapes, and Asia combo
• The programs can run between 1-12 weeks long
• Summer Escapes projects are available in Nepal, India, Costa Rica, Peru, Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania
• This style of volunteering requires 4 weeks of dedication and consists of cultural and educational adventures through language classes, and village stays that allow travellers to volunteer in the local villages and attend exotic trips off the normal tourist routes.
• Internship Abroad Programs are between 2-12 weeks and can be customized for students, researchers, and explorers
• Most of the internships involve health care, journalism, women’s issues, culture, sustainable development, and business; however, Global Crossroad can create internship projects in nearly any field.

If interested in this cheap volunteer abroad program, Global Crossroad, please visit http://www.globalcrossroad.com/ for more information about the application process, and cheap fees.

Cross-Cultural Solutions

Looking to travel to another country and live their culture? Cross-Cultural Solutions is one of the most popular volunteer abroad programs in existence.  This travelling experience allows participants to work with local people in the hosting community in such areas as social services, education, and health initiatives. Cross-Cultural Solutions immerses members into the hosting country’s culture by creating a weekly schedule between Monday and Friday with volunteer work and such activities as dance classes, cooking classes, and language tutoring; the weekend consists of free time to explore the country on the weekend.

Here are some more details regarding hosting countries, the application process and associated fees, and living situations.

Hosting Countries

Asia- China, India, Thailand

·         There is a 3 week participation minimum for India

Eastern Europe- Russia

·         There is a 11 week participation minimum for Russia

Latin America- Brazil, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Peru

Africa- South Africa, Ghana, Morocco, Tanzania

·         There is a 3 week participation minimum for South Africa

Experience

• Wherever participants travel to, the Cross-Cultural Solutions experience is the same

•  Between Monday and Friday, the typical day consists of volunteer work, cultural learning, activities, and free time

• Volunteers will work with the local community guided by a CCS in-country staff member(s)

• Such volunteer work includes working at orphanages, schools, health clinics, hospitals, homes for the elderly, center for people with disabilities, and other community organizations

• No prior experience or skill is required to participate

• Volunteer placement will be matched with personal skills, interests, and prior experiences

• The weekends are available for free time, trips with fellow volunteers, or self-exploration

•  Local staff can give suggestions on where to visit, or participants can create their own agenda

• CSS staff will greet participants at the airport upon arrival and drive the volunteers to the hosting community; participants will also be dropped off at the airport at the end of the program

• CCS staff will also drive participants to placement sites and local cultural activities

Application Process

·           

• Space is limited for each program

•  Peak program fees apply to start dates from May through August

• Off peak program fees apply to all other start dates

• Discounts are available for people that are travelling together, alumni, children travelling with adults, and groups

• The average fee for a 2 week program for 1 Canadian person is $3,316. However, the prices also depend on the length of the trip, the distance, and the number of people travelling together

•  Initial registration can be done on CCS’s website listed below.

Living Situations

·         

•  There is a Home Base allocated to participants where members will live with CSS staff and fellow volunteers

• Participants will eat and experience the program together

•  Rooms are double- occupancy (2 to a room)

• Home Base has all amenities including telephone, clean water, beds, and electricity. Internet may be in Home Base; in certain countries, there will be an Internet café in close proximity of your home away from home

• The cuisine consists of authentic cuisine

• Bottled water and snacks are always available

• Despite the costs associated with Cross-Cultural Solutions, the experience of the program is priceless and is very comparable to other volunteer abroad programs.

For more information, visit http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/programs/volunteer-abroad.aspx to find out how to apply for a long-term experience, as well as other CCS programs which includes intern and short-term programs.

Habitat For Humanity- Global Village

Habitat for Humanity Canada has been a well known volunteer organization for quite some time. Not only does this volunteer program allow participants to help their local communities, but it offers opportunities that involve travelling abroad. This program of course is Global Village.

In Canada alone, there are 50,000 volunteers that work with Habitat for Humanity each year, thousands of which help abroad through the Global Village project.

By joining this great cause, participants have the chance to work hand in hand to eliminate poverty by building one house at a time. This organization does this by assisting low-income families with the construction of their home through volunteer labour, donated materials, and non-profit, non-interest mortgages that are customized to the families’ income level.

How does this work you may ask? Well, members work with a family to help them build a home. The good thing is that volunteers do not need prior building experience join, but do need to be in great health. Once the mortgages are repaid, the funds are used to build more houses. This system has created a sustainable cycle of building and giving. Once a house has been built for a family, that family then assists with other projects regarding building their neighbours’ houses and become members of Habitat Homeowners Volunteer Group which work together to help others in the community.

Here are some further details regarding the application process, costs, scheduled trips, and experience of Global Village.

Country                                                            Team                                                      Dates

 New Zealand                                                    Open                                               May 21-June 1,2012

 Ethiopia                                                            Open                                               June 2-June 12, 2012

 India                                                                 Open                                               July 1- July 11, 2012

• Teams will be of 8 to 20 members that build a houses a week at a time
•  Each team will be led by 1 or 2 experienced volunteers who are trained by Global Village
• There aren’t any language requirements. If a interpreter is needed, this will be arranged
• There is many opportunities to spend a few days touring the local historic sites and attractions
• Participation in cultural activities are also included
•  Visits to national parks or ancient ruins, hiking, horseback riding, bike touring is also part of the experience.
• Work includes digging, mixing concrete, and carrying and laying brick

Costs

• A trip costs approximately $1200 to $2000
• This does not include airfare
• A charitable donation receipt will be issued to those who are eligible
•  Fundraising in encouraged and Global Village will help participants throughout the process by receiving, recording, and submitting the donations
• All participants must cover all of their own expenses. This includes in-country costs, airfare, travel insurance, and a $675 donation to help with the mission in hosting country(part of the cost)
• If participants change their mind about which trip they’d rather participate in, donations and payments are transferable. However, they are NOT refundable

Eligibility/Application

• The destination is not first come, first serve. The teams are selected by the team leader through phone interviews.
• All participants must be in good physical health and are required to sign a waiver stating that the participant are working at their own risk
• A passport that will be valid for at least 6 months after travel dates is required
• All participants must complete only one application
• Online applications are available, and you can apply on line.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity Canada, or Global Village, please visit http://habitatglobalvillage.ca/

Volunteer Abroad Program- Create Your Own

Interested in volunteering in another country, but you aren't quite ready to do it alone? Well, Developing World Connections allows volunteers to organize groups and create your own experience when safely volunteering abroad.Developing World Connections hosts 20 scheduled short-term volunteer trips for 2012; however, the volunteer program understands that they may not meet everyone's work, school, and busy lifestyles. This is why this volunteer abroad program allows anyone who is interested to invite friends, family, work collegues, fellow church members, or their classmates to travel to another country and create their own experience.

The programs run between 1 and 2 weeks, and is hosted by over 10 countries. Here are some details for those who are interested in volunteering with Developing World Connections.

• The countries that host this program include Guatemala, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Rwanda, Swaziland, Cambodia, India, Philippines, Haiti, Indonesia, Nepal, Peru, and Tanzani.
• Self-made groups can consist of anyone from family, friends, church members, classmates, or even fellow employees
• Everything is customizable- for more adventurous groups with lower budgets to those who desire more comfort
• Work activities are up to the group. The group can apply their specific interests, profession, or specific trade to certain projects
• Those interested in team building and professional development activities can have these opportunities included in their program
• The groups will be working alongside the local community, learning the culture of the hosting country
• Every group is accompanied by a volunteer Team Leader- these team leaders support each team from start to finish, are experienced travellers and a past participant, and are trained in first aid
• It is encouraged to stay after the program to experience the rest of the country. By contacting your travel agent, this is possible
• Volunteers will not have to sleep on the floor in a hut; all accomodations are screened in order to meet North American standards
• The accomodations will not be luxurious, but they will be clean and comfortable
• The food will consist of local cuisine; all food will be hygienically prepared and special dietary requirements can be accomodated

 Programs- Almost all programs involve constructing infrastructure of some sort

• Education, Training, and Livelihood Centres- Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Swaziland, India, Sri Lanka, Peru, Philippines, Haiti
• Food and Water Security- India, Cambodia, Kenya
•  Children and Youth- Peru, India, Kenya, Guatemala, Indonesia, Swaziland, Haiti
• Homes and Community Building- Sri Lanka, Combodia, Nepal, Swaziland, Tanzania, Haiti

 Costs- All costs include meals, accomodations, in-country trasportation, and a direct donation to the host country. This program is 100% tax deductable. Airfare is NOT included

1. Program Contribution( 1 week) =$500                                     2 weeks =$500
2. Project Contribution  (1 week)  =$500                                     2 weeks =$500
3. In-Country Costs      (1 week)  =$600                                     2 weeks =$1000 
4. Total                                       = $1600                                                 =$2000  

For more information about Developing World Connections and the ability to create your own volunteer abroad experience, please visit http://www.developingworldconnections.org/index.php/experience/create-your-own-group 

The Otesha Project

This program is for those that are up for a challenge. Participants are encouraged to grab life by the handle bars, with a bike tour across Canada with fellow participants from all over the world. The Otesha Project strongly believes that individuals are capable of making a change regarding the global environment through theatre by building a more sustainable future for communities across, reducing consumption, and helping others make healthier lifestyle choices. Details regarding this program are available on The Otesha Project’s website; however, to make it easier for the readers, a list of need-to-know information is listed below. I did volunteer with this organization while in Katimavik, and I do know a few people that have participated in this program, so here are some facts from the actual website, as well as information gathered from my own experiences.

Eligibility
    • Must be between the ages of 18 and 30ish to perform on a Performing and Cycling Tour
    • The 9 Day Shift tours are open to anyone older than 18 (recently, someone participated that was 67         years old)
    • Applicants that are not 18, but want to experience The Otesha Project can do so with a guardian on a 9 Day Shift tour
    • You do not have to be extremely fit to join. When I was at the office in Ottawa, they said that the program encourages anyone who wishes to participate that is healthy enough to do so. You don’t have to be a professional bicyclist to join, but by the end, you might be. However, Otesha does look for applicants that have the will to train beforehand.

Tours
    • There are 4 tours that will be running in 2012, plus the 9 Day Shift Tour.
1. Rising Tide Tour: Tuesday May 1 ,2012 to Thursday June 21,2012
Where: Fredericton to Halifax
Application: Apply by March 1st
What: The Otesha group will be performing acts based on sustainable living in the communities of Annapolis Valley

2. Phenomenal Food Tour: Saturday September 1,2010 to Monday October 22, 2012
Where: Kitchener-Waterloo to Ottawa
Application: Apply by May 1st
What: Workshops and theatre performances about health food choices for the citizens of the communities

3. Water Works Tour: Saturday September 1,2012 to Monday October 22,2012
Where: Kitchener-Waterloo to Ottawa
Application: Apply by May 1st
What: Pedal the shores of Lake Huron, the Georgian Bay, Lake Ontario, and St.Lawerence Seaway while teaching students about their role in responsible water use.

4. 9 Day Shift Tours/ Pedal to Plate Tours: Saturday July 7, 2012 to Saturday July 15, 2012
Where: Ottawa area
Application: Apply by March 1st for a reduced rate. Apply by June 1st at the latest
What: Riders will be able to meet local farmers, dig into the actual fieldwork, and learn about the local food system will eating to local produce. This ride is about learning and self-discovery

Application
    • In just 2 months, the participants of the Performing Cycling Tour will interact with over 200 audience members in 25 communities, and travel at least 1500 km
    • Performing Cycling Tour- 75 km a day with a fully loaded bike
    • Costs $2350 for the program. This covers food, deposit of $350, liability insurance, and equipment
    • Riders participating in the 9 Day Shift program will ride 250+ km
    • 9 Day Shift Tour- 50 km a day while carrying loaded panniers
    • Costs $900 ($975 after March 1st)
    • Bursaries for all programs are available
    • Fundraising in encouraged and there are tips available on the website
    • Criminal record check and medical application are both required
    • Participants will be hooked up with an alumni before the tour to get valuable information about what to expect
    • Participants will be able to interact with their future team-mates on Facebook, telephone, and a Google Group
    • The Performing and Cycling Tours begin with 8 days of intensive training which includes development of your community standards, team-building, public speaking, story -telling, theatre skills, learning the Otesha play, media relations, bike maintenance, and bike safety.

Other
    •Schools can book Otesha groups to come and present their play in front of students by visiting the Otesha Project website.
    • Donations are always welcome
    • Testimonials, photographs, and other information is available on the website as well

 For more information about The Otesha Project, please visit http://otesha.ca

CWY- My Experience Part 3

Once arriving in Vancouver, I never loved Canada more than I did at the very moment I saw Tim Horton’s and Sleep Country Canada. I didn’t even go to those places often, especially Sleep Country Canada. It wasn’t that Ukraine wasn’t great, but there is something about returning to your home country, where you can actually have conversations with strangers in English. I never appreciated a Grey Hound bus so much in my life. For the past 3 months, I had been riding decrepit and crowded busses that consistently broke down. The team’s experience began in Vancouver where the Canadians tried to show off the scenic beauty of Canada after landing. After a couple of days, the group travelled by bus to our host home-town, Comox Valley. There, you can ski, swim, and golf in the same day. The city lay between the ocean and the mountains as a perfectly involved and caring community. After a few days of settling in, we were given our job placements. I worked for the Comox Women’s Resource Centre as a receptionist; other job placements included a salmon farm, food bank, and school. Each day my work partner and I volunteered for roughly 7 hours a day, went home for dinner, and then either visited other team members or participated in the town’s local activities. A few of my group members and I joined the senior choir called Letz Sing. Searching the group on YouTube will give you a better understanding of the group and the songs that they sing. On the weekends the group would do such activities as bike rides, dance classes, events, painting activities, etc. If a volunteer experience with a lot of freedom

is something you are looking for, Canada World Youth is something worth looking into. The volunteer job placements are not too straining, and because the group members do not have to live together, the group become much stronger. In fact, at the end of my program, I felt that the friends I had made during the program were the only people who truly understood me. They grow with you and learn who you are. It is sad to say, but at the end of the program, there are councillors available to prepare participants for their departure from the program because many were extremely depressed afterwards. Although this is true, and quite depressing, Canada World Youth was the absolute best thing I did in my life, thus far. Not only did I have an experience that many don’t get to live, but I have friends that I can visit in various provinces. By volunteering with Canada World Youth, participants will never become as close with other people as they do during this program. Participants don’t have anyone else to rely on but themselves and their fellow group members; this is what brings everyone together so quickly. I did keep this blog post short, but if there is anyone who is interested in volunteering with this program and there are any questions, please don’t hesitate to visit the Volunteer Abroad Program Facebook page and post a question.
During Katimavik, the group volunteered with another organization called The Otesha Project. This program involves joining others from all over the world in a bike tour across Canada. The next post will give more of an insight into the details about this organization.