What is a Volunteer Job?

Volunteer service contributes to the well-being of an individual and the community, and is usually coordinated by a non-profit or public sector organization. These positions rarely offer any salary or wage. Volunteering internationally offers a native's perspective into a country, a chance to work with people from around the world, and unparalleled experiences.

Volunteering in Morocco

There are a many opportunities to volunteer in Morocco. NGOs (non-governmental organization) and aid agencies are present throughout the country, helping to raise literacy, lower the spread of disease, protect the environment, and provide youth programs.

Application depends on the organization. Most groups require a formal application, a personal statement, and some kind of deposit. There are periodic deadlines, so check the organization's sites to find out the deadline.

Programs

• Moroccan Center for Arabic Studies - MCAS runs various intern programs for interested students.
• Cross Cultural Solutions - Offers flexible programs in a variety of programs.
• Love Volunteers - Not-for-profit that fosters programs helping children or environmental projects.
• Volunteers for International Partnership - Program in which to help the community, complete with language courses and excursions.
• Frontier - Two week adventure trek led by project staff and local Berber tribesmen in which you can earn a TEFL.

The European Voluntary Service (EVS)

The European Voluntary Service is a European Union program that offers young people (between 18 and 25) the opportunity to work as a volunteer for six to twelve months in a non-profit project abroad. Three partners are the key partners of an EVS project: the volunteer, the sending organization and the host organization.
The European Commission take in charge the travel costs for the young, the insurance (health, accident, public liability) and provides a monthly allowance from 140 to 220 euros.

How to proceed: Find a sending organization that will assist you individually along the procedure (you can find contacts through you National Agency, your National Coordinator or international volunteer organizations). Start contacting potential host organizations through your sending organization. Keep your fingers crossed and persevere in your search as the difficulty is not to find a suitable project, but to find a project ready to host you within the time limit you have planned.
You can have a look at the European database on accredited host organizations and the Youth organizations.

More information also on the website http://www.britishcouncil.org

Insurance Abroad

Many volunteer programs also handle visa arrangements and include insurance coverage in their program fees or as part of their compensation. If the program does not arrange for visas, ask for a letter of introduction to present along with your application for a visa.

If the program you choose does not include insurance, it is highly recommended that you obtain a travel insurance policy that offers coverage for 24 hour emergency care. World Nomads Travel Insurance and Medex Global Solutions (Insurance) are excellent resources for quotes and coverage.