There's no denying it, these bloggers are bound to make you jealous. Whether it's their guts, their energy or their tan you admire, overseas volunteers have got plenty to share with you about their remarkable work in fascinating countries. Read on to find out what you could be missing.

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Friday May 26, 2006

red tape - part two, or, BUT I DID WHAT THEY SAID!

Ok, so they'd let me back into the country for six months, but I was intending to volunteer for twelve. The kind immigration officer (wow - rarely hear that phrase, do you?) told me to wait until July (would be have been July 2004) and then apply for the extension.

Having dutifully marked my calendar, mid-July came and I rang the number he gave me and was promptly informed that it could take up to three months (I only had two months left on my visa) and would cost hundreds of pounds! I was a volunteer - I didn't have that kind of money. I was stunned and faced facts - I was leaving in September instead of the following March. I rang my supervisor and explained all (fighting tears the whole time) and said I was going to have to leave. Wonderful woman that she is, however, she told me not to worry and hung up. She soon had things all sorted out. (Yet another reason I considered my project & local council fantastic!) All I had to do was make the appointment with the immigration office in Glasgow.

Three weeks later I found myself in a taxi headed to some far-flung (and not very pretty) corner of Glasgow to have my interview for my extension application. Stressed and very  nervous, I waited and waited and waited. I knew I met all the conditions, but had been told that the officer could refuse on any grounds.

Heading back home on the train, I sent a text to a friend summoning her to the pub so we could celebrate my six-month reprieve.

The whole experience left me very wary of trusting any organisation. For your own peace of mind, I'd highly recommend checking everything out for yourself (unless of course you enjoy the stress roller-coaster of governmental red-tape!)

Posted by Dana ( 3:45 PM )
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Monday May 22, 2006

that makes me SO mad

ok, some thing that makes me really mad within volunteering is people...ok not all people but some. Im involoved in raising funds for several orphanages and schools around africa and there a few people I have come across that think it is right to dictate to the owners how the money should be spent. This is a very contravesial issue,  and I'm sure a lot of people won't agree with me, but I think that it is wrong to tell people of a different culture, race, religion and continent how to spend money that we have raised. I trust them enough to use it sensibly and resoucefully, and buy what they need...how dare we tell them. That is, in my opinion almost as bad as attempting to change their beliefs or culture (dont get me started on religion!)

I raised £500 pounds last year for an orphanage, and a person who i was raising funds along side decided that they should concrete their play ground area. Now personally I would have thought bathrooms, kitchens or windows would have been more useful, but thats beside the point, the point is that it should have been left to the lady in charge. She cares for 20ish children 24/7 in the particular environment so surely she knows what is needed to make their living conditions better.

Maybe this whole little rant becomes a much bigger issue about judgement, and control. People judge someone as uncapable, and so keep control, while others like myself judge people as capable, and so release power and control to them with trust....maybe its all trust? I dont know to be honest, but I do know it annoys me.

Ok I'm going to shut up...i tend to have rants!

em xx

Posted by Emily ( 4:41 PM )
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Friday May 19, 2006

red tape

As there isn't much going on with me volunteer-wise just now (have applied for my dream post but they don't decide who gets it 'til June so I'm keeping fingers and toes crossed & trying to not get too excited), I thought I'd chat about one of the most important things involved in volunteering overseas - governmental red tape!!!

My advice regarding this unpleasant aspect of the whole thing? Double-check with your host country's government yourself just to be sure... your sponsoring organisation may not be aware of recent/ impending changes. You'll appreciate the peace of mind it gives you.  

It's fairly easy to travel to most any country for a holiday, but trying to arrange a long-term placement that complies with government regulations can be very stressful. When I moved over to the UK for my first (and second) year, all I needed was a letter from the registered charity that was placing me stating the various dos-n-donts of my placement. Even though the organisation told me to trust that everything would be ok, I was still convinced that something would go wrong and I'd be turned away. I was so nervous the first time I nearly threw up on the Immigration Officer! Then, when he issued the visa for one year, I almost jumped over the counter and kissed him. (Weird fact? When I returned the second year and stepped up to immigration - the guy laughed and pointed out that he had stamped it the previous year - and I cheekily said, 'I hope you're as kind this time!')

You know the saying, 'third time's a charm'? I blithely stepped up to the counter, handed the man my passport and letter, and felt a strange sense of calm. This time I wasn't worried. My bad. He moved off to talk with his boss and came back saying that Westminster had changed the rules a few months previously and that anyone wishing to stay longer than 6 months had to have prior entry clearance and that he was obligated to send me back to the USA to get it sorted. Can you imagine? I burst into tears. I explained that I had been assured by my sponsoring organisation that the letter was all I needed.

Kind man went back to his boss, chatted and pointed at me standing there, trying to contain myself (having the strange, random thought about that tv show, 'Airline' being around). Very kind man came back over and calmed me by saying that he was going to grant me a six-month visa and that I'd have to have it extended later.

Shaking and wiping my eyes, I thanked him and proceeded through, already panicking about what was going to happen in six months.

Check back next week for part II of the whole immigration fiasco.

Posted by Dana ( 3:05 PM )
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Monday May 15, 2006

appreciation to the highest

The most inspiriational thing I have ever seen during volunteering was in Ghana last year. At school I was a real rebel; I refused to conform to the dress code, refused to do work I didnt want to, and refused to respect people simply due to societies rules. Ive always worked hard, but on my own terms. In Ghana the kids value the education; Regina is a 17 year old student who I became friends with, she used to sit and do maths at the weekends while washing up,when I cant remember ever doing maths, even in class!

Plus the majority could speak english, a few even better than me! but I scraped an E at AS level french, and can tell you about pollution, but I cant order a meal! most kids over here, just like me, wanted out of school, thought it was all useless, and got by without working.

I know none of this sounds very inspirational, more depressing. But i was returning from ghana to subjects I didnt enjoy, seemingly to me for no reason...but the kids in Ghana insipred me to work hard, to develop as a person, and to make an effort, before I've always coasted in school, getting A's without effort, but this year I'm working hard, and I'm appreciating my revision, my early start lessons, and my dreaded mock exams, because I've realised how many young people would love to have the opportunities I have right now.

Posted by Emily ( 12:00 AM )
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Sunday May 14, 2006

what he taught me

A huge part of why we volunteer is to help others. Knowing that people out there need our help, we step up to bat and get involved. We're there to help others. We don't expect to be helped.

I'd had a particularly rough year between my personal life (my dad had been killed in an accident three weeks after I'd moved back to Edinburgh) and my volunteer placement being challenging.

One morning a young man that I'd befriended for ages and ages cancelled on me due to illness and I was surprised at how I felt. I missed going out with him that afternoon. I started to really think about our befriending arrangment and soon realized that going out with him each week was a high point. It was always good to know there was going to be one part of the week that would be completely stressfree and fun.

I suddenly realized I needed his support almost as much as he needed mine. I also finally understood that saying, 'You get what you give.' He taught me to step back and look not only at what we give as volunteers, but at the unexpected gifts we receive as a result of volunteering.

 

Posted by Dana ( 9:21 PM )
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Wednesday May 10, 2006

favourite volunteer experience

......seems like others are taking up this topic - so I'll plunge in, too.

My favourite volunteer experience, overall, has definitely been befriending children and young people up near Edinburgh.

My favourite volunteer moment? That would be with one of the kids I befriended. When I first started with this young man I couldn't get him to do anything beyond bowling, McDonald's and a local soft-play club. NOTHING else.

fast foreward two years.... Everyone knows about the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, right? It's amazing. It's the coolest month ever in Edinburgh!!! I highly recommend checking it out. In addition to all the cool gigs and plays and music and such, some groups offer workshops. Every summer, as soon as the programme came out, I'd comb it looking for fun, unusual things to try. I called up my kiddo and said, 'do ya trust me? How's about trying a breakdancing class?' Without hesitation, the cheeky monkey says, 'I will if you will.'

The boy I had met two years earlier would NEVER have even considered it for the briefest of moments.

I'll just say it left me with a warm-n-fuzzy feeling.

And, two months later, after the class, it left me with a sore tailbone. It left the boy with endless ammunition for harassing me about my uselessness at breakdancing!

 

Posted by Dana ( 11:11 PM )
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Saturday May 06, 2006

starting all over again

OK. So, as I've said, I spent three years up near Edinburgh working for a fantastic local council doing work with young people. Due to changes in their needs I can't go back there (even though I'd love to) so I'm back where I was five years ago... trying to find that holy grail of a full-time, residential spot with a registered charity.

I'm hoping to be back in the UK by the autumn but for now I'm combing the res suggestions here on do-it as well as using a book that has tons of listings (Directory of International Voluntary Work) so I'm hoping things will turn up.

Today, though, I'm bummed as one spot I'd applied for apparently just got filled this week -- *&^$#! But, I just keep telling myself that 'the one' will surface (soon, hopefully)!

My bright spot for the day? An email from one of my best friends I made over there (hhmm.. this could get very confusing). That always makes me happy! It amazes me how quickly and how intensely friendships develop amongst volunteers.

 

Posted by Dana ( 7:03 PM )
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Thursday May 04, 2006

Why am I volunteering?

Why am I volunteering? Let me explain my life to you. I work in a library. I check books in. I check books out. I check them in. Then out again. And then...guess what? I check them in again. Get it? It's dull. It's predictable.  I live in Indiana, in the USA. Miles and miles from anywhere fun. Surrounded by dairy farms and cornfields (you have no idea how bad my allergies act up this time of year). In winter it can snow several feet. In summer it can feel like a Turkish sauna. Tornadoes bounce around like rubber balls. (This year –SO FAR- I've had 7 or 8 touch down within 50 miles.) Good ole' boys have gun racks in their trucks with a rifle or two racked up. It may be idyllic for some. Not me.

I may joke about life here in America's heartland, but seriously, I volunteer because I grew up in a house where it was the done thing. My parents were both scout troop leaders and worked the school carnivals, dad was a volunteer firefighter. I first got involved when I gave a speech on volunteerism in a university class and was asked where I volunteered. Embarrassed, I stammered, 'Ummm, I've applied at the local Boys and Girls Club.' (Fortunately I'm good at thinking on my feet.) Where was I immediately after class? Down at the Boys and Girls Club inquiring about volunteering!

Of course, donating an afternoon a week is quite different from choosing to do so full time. I originally chose to volunteer for a year as a way of spending time in the UK. I went back twice more because I enjoyed the work. It felt like I was able to make a difference in a few young people's lives. I've had an amazing time exploring the UK and have made wonderful friends, but nothing will compare to having a young man I befriended for several years give me a heartfelt, 'Thank you for everything you've done for me.' That makes the uncertainty of whether going back for a fourth year is really a smart idea. I know I'm not going back to the place I was, but it gives me the confidence to know that I am making a worthwhile choice.

Posted by Dana ( 11:47 AM )
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Why did I start volunteering?

Why did I start volunteering? There are several aspect to why I started volunteering, Maybe it was in built; at 3 I took my mums credit card to play school for the africans because mum wouldn't give me enough money.

Maybe it was my up-bringing: Mum always sponsored children in Africa, and I would read the letters we recieved, along with updates of the situations, at the time, when I was only 7 or 8 I didnt think what I was reading was unusual for kids my age, and I never understood why my school friends didnt have the same questions as me.

Maybe it was God: I have always had a key question that I have demanded of every religious person I've met; Why does God allow suffering? When I was 14 I got involved in a local church and questioned every person I could get my hands on, they gave me a lot to think about and the end situation was that helping those people was down to me, or us as people.

This spurred me on, and began my research with my best friend, who shares similar ambitions to me. Her way into the future was work through her church family in Gambia, but I wanted to escape the religious aspect, as I felt that limited my acceptance and open mindedness as well as possibilities. I chose to travel with a gap year company to Ghana on my own at 17...I volunteered in an orphanage for 5 weeks, and this was my first ever volunteering. I loved it, and that's why I will continue to volunteer.

Posted by Emily ( 11:41 AM )
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Introduction

My name’s Dana and I enjoy volunteering. I grew up in America’s heartland, Indiana, and always knew I wanted to be someplace else. After my time at university, I moved to the suburbs of New York City and spent several years working as a nanny.

Having holidayed in Britain several times and knowing I wanted to spend more time there, I began searching for a fulltime, residential volunteer position. (Many countries allow unpaid, voluntary workers – check it out if there’s someplace you’re craving to explore.) The organisation I went through eventually placed me with a befriending project just outside of Edinburgh. I had a fantastic year! So great, in fact, I went back for a second year. (Year two was just as fabu so, glutton for punishment that I am, I arranged a third year!)  Now back in America, I’m searching for a new project in the UK.

My other volunteer gigs have included helping out with a three-day literature festival devoted to Scotland’s writers during the Edinburgh Fringe, reviewing historical fiction & nonfiction for a literary society, photographing the ceiling at King’s College Chapel (Cambridge) for an architectural survey, and being a Girl Scout (Guide) leader. I enjoy cooking, photography, music, traveling and drinking proper English cider (not the apple-juicy stuff we Americans call cider)!

Posted by Dana ( 11:20 AM )
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Who am I?

Hey, I'm Emily, an 18 year old student from the south coast between Portsmouth and Bognor! I'm studying for my A-levels at the moment in English litereature, Psychology, Sociology and an AS in communication. (I appologise for spellings...I'm slightly dyslexic, and not very good at concentrating on them!) At the moment I am living the typical student life at home with my mum and dad, but now I can drive I'm hardly ever home!...work, sleep, drink. It has been a good few years, but I can't wait to start following my dreams...oh thats a bit cheesey...sorry!

After my A-levels I am taking a gap year before going to Birmingham university to study african sudies with development. In my gap year I am volunteering in Tanzania for 8 months, working with youth in rural villages helping them with information about health related topics eg; HIV and AIDS, water purification etc. I'm not going into Tanzania a complete volunteer virgin as I travelled to Ghana last year to volunteer in an orphanage for 5 weeks between my AS and A-levels. It made me an adult for sure, and I absolutly loved the experience despite all the questions (moral and otherwise) it raised for me about volunteering overseas, and development as a real issue, not just in a book. It made me ask if it was really beneficial for westeners to travels to africa to volunteer with children for short periods of time, bringing our culture and values with us, becoming attatched to the children and then leaving...what did I teach them, how did I help them? its a question that I still havn't answered.

Before Tanzania I am returning to Ghana for 3-4 weeks, but more as a holiday to see old friends...its bizare how close you become with people when you are in a brand new situation, one of my best friends is someone I met over there, but I only knew her for 2 weeks!!! After Ghana in the summer I am planning to start work on fundraising for Tanzania...only £3600 to go! + part time volunteering with children in my area, after school clubs and similar,I hope it will give me confidence and experience and every little helps!

I hope that gives you a little idea of who I am, and what I'm all about.

em xxxx

Posted by Emily ( 11:10 AM )
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