Here are a few reasons why volunteering might be a great option for you. Volunteering
is always a very rewarding experience – one that allows you to feel good
about yourself while constantly learning new skills and improving existing ones.
It’s also a great way to brush up and learn the local language. Volunteering
gives you an excellent opportunity to meet new people and is an invaluable way
to open up your mind to new cultures and people.
The European Voluntary Service (EVS)
The European Voluntary Service (EVS) is a European Union programme, set up
by the European Commission in early 1996. It 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 organisation and the host organisation.
The European Commission takes charge of 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 organisation that will assist you individually
along the procedure (you can find contacts through you National Agency, your
National Coordinator or international volunteer organisations). Start contacting
potential host organisations through your sending organisation. 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 organisations and the Youth organisations.
More information also on the website http://www.britishcouncil.org
Volunteering in India
If you're looking for an opportunity to volunteer your time, India has a vast
array of options to choose from. From working in villages to educating street
children, working with the handicapped to building schools and community projects,
there are countless ways to make your time count in India. Below is a list of
some websites that post English openings for both paid and unpaid jobs.
NGO
A listing of some of the key NGOs in India along with a detailed overview of
their focus and objectives can be found at the following sites:
Insurance
No matter where you go and for how long, it is prudent to subscribe to travel
insurance. This is especially even more important for ‘exotic’ countries
like India where the chances of falling sick are relatively higher. Below are
some companies that offer travel insurances. You can browse the internet for
more options.
Make sure also that you have a current passport and valid visa as necessary.
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