We have seen so many faces of poverty worldwide and overseas. But I was far too busy building my life that at that time it seems not to affect me…not until then I get to know how it was like to have nothing and being hopeless for a few days. It was on our immersion that the truth, in fact just a taste of the bitter truth made me work so hard to succeed and said that someday I will be able to contribute to my society through volunteering.

Now, I could tell you that though I am not rich, I now have the capacity to help financially and physically to better a part of our society. Through a year’s preparation and research for the perfect overseas volunteer program I now packed my bags and got ready for a volunteer travel.

To be honest I really do not know what to expect from this endeavor. I didn’t make any expectations and I promised myself to live a day at a time while on voluntary work abroad. The initial process for this community volunteer endeavor had been arduous for me because volunteer opportunities seem so few; second, I am not confident if my skills will fit any overseas volunteer programs. International jobs likely are easy to come but year out travel is a new endeavor for me.

It was then when I was there in the community volunteer that I appreciated the whole idea of volunteering. Volunteer abroad destination is the best way of sightseeing. My favorite places though are more the least trodden path of tourist.

I tasted the best wine in all my life amidst the cheers of my new found friends in Cuyo, Argentina. It was not only the wine that I got to know in Cuyo, but the agro economy of wine producing: the people, the fears and the daily problems that comes with it.

Volunteer create a significant values to others and to your self. We can’t change the world for just a click like changing a channel in your television. We saw various places that need much our attention and pity within our self is not enough, it needs action. In volunteering abroad will give you the chance to make a bit difference in the world. Make a difference the faith of an almost a lot of people at the end of the world might be sound idealistic but the reality is that nobody can make a difference. But the perfect change that you might experience during the volunteer works will be inside of yourself. Next to moral satisfaction is you will happen to be more tolerant, expand your knowledge to different cultures and learn some local words. Volunteering abroad is the best way that you get to know your self even more.

Volunteer Opportunities Abroad

Costa Rica Paramedic Service – there is Costa Rica Rescue program that work with a service of private ambulance, trustworthy organization services the private and public hospitals in Heredia, Alajuela and San Jose metropolitan area. The volunteer of this program set a qualification such as qualified professionals or medical students. The volunteer of this program will be partner with Paramedic/Ambulance Technician.

Medical Assistance in Cambodia – The volunteer will able to help or assist medical staff with the health centers and medical outposts in distant areas of Cambodia.

Medical Center in Lima, Peru – The volunteers will get an on hand experience working with the doctors and nurses of the center. Some volunteer will also go somewhere out into the community to teach in preventing diseases and take good care to those who are not able to come in the center. Your main task as a volunteer of this program is to give a health information and primary care to families and patients.

Involving your self in these volunteer activities will gain too much value in changing the world a better place to live in and a self-satisfaction that you were be able to lend your hand to others who are in need.

Volunteering has been grown since its existence. All over the world, there are many volunteers stretching their hands to those less fortunate people. However, as a volunteer did you ever think of the benefits you can get out of it aside from self improvement or self-fulfillment? Aside from it, the benefits you can get from volunteering are health benefits. Yes indeed! Research has been conducted since the past two decades that volunteering could contribute health benefits to individuals. It has been said in the research that those people who give time to volunteer later on their life would have lower rates of depression.

Research also shown that those volunteers with old age could gain more health benefits. This is because of the possibilities that they are determined to face whatever the risks or it could give them the social and physical activities. With the 100 hours of voluntary work, the more health benefits you can get. Accordingly, the evidence shows that volunteer work gives on social psychological factors. In return with this it can defend the poor physical health of every volunteer. Regarding on the research studies between volunteering and health most of the studies are focusing on the old ones. These are the people who were at risks to depression and illness.

This is in relation to make these people to live longer, healthy lives and independent. It also been said that volunteering does matter on age when it talks about the program’s positive effects in psychological, mental and social. For young, volunteer opportunities have different benefit experience compared to those old ones. This is because of the obligations that they were engaged with such like parenting, teaching and more. With this research study, it is more likely advice for older volunteers to participate in volunteering to have a healthy lifestyle.

I lived my life the fast way. When friends told me: “Stop a while and smell the roses! Do volunteer travel!” I brush it off and went on my fast paced life.

So, I went off in getting myself into med school and graduated with flying honors. Now, with further studies, specialization, I became a pediatrician and love what I do. Everything is doing fine with my life. I love what I do and I am simply contented, in fact I am preparing a life of further studies in other states.

Then one day, my life just broke apart. With one event everything was broken into pieces. It was the first time that I realized life is so unfair. Existing has no meaning anymore. My life, my profession means nothing to me now. I am empty figurative and literally.

So, I decided to find meaning in another environment. To give me space and time; to give another perspective in life- So, I went to a volunteer travel in Africa. The preparations were heavy then; but I decided that I got to go to save me and my heart. A whole just exists in my heart and it pains me so much.

My first few weeks in Africa are so busy that I never had time to think about the culture, the place and even the people. I do what I do to while away time and heal my broken heart.

After a year of volunteer travel in Africa. I found peace, love, compassion and life itself. It was then I noticed the lands, animals, culture, people, and the attractions. For almost a year I never went out to explore Africa. Yet, when I found peace that I truly needed and appreciated my life and humanity in general I asked for a weeks off to explore what Africa has to offer.

I witnessed the annual migration of animals in Serengeti on an air filled balloon. Engaged on a walking safari watching colorful birds in Kenya and experienced the wonder of Tanzania.

It was then that I had appreciated another culture, scene and people. Now, I am back home and looking forward for a shorter volunteer mission in Africa two months from now.

All of the nations nowadays are suffering from different problems aside from the global economic problem, each of the countries or continents have separate problems. Like the country of Nepal, despite its being rich from its natural resources some of the locales in here need somebody to help them. This is the reason why volunteers come in. In Nepal, there are thousands of volunteers from the different parts of the world who were enjoying their part in Nepal as a volunteer. The volunteer opportunities in Nepal starts from the orphans, health to the disabled and sick, improving the conservation of the country itself and being an assistant of the country’s Buddhist monasteries.

Why do you think that there are a lot of volunteers volunteering in Nepal? This is because aside from the many volunteer opportunities in Nepal, the country is also a place full of fascinating sceneries. Every volunteer who set in Nepal would have the chance to see the real beauty behind its rich diversity. Plus volunteers will have the chance to experience the country’s adventure activities that cannot be seen in the other parts of the globe. Volunteers could experience the country’s white water rafting, riding with their jungle elephants, snow trekking, trailing on their mountains and more. There is nothing you could ask for when you opt to volunteer in Nepal.

On the other hand, aside from the voluntary work opportunities being mentioned above teaching English in Nepal is in need. Teachers of English or volunteers who wanted to volunteer as an English instructor is highly in-demand in Nepal. This is because most of their schools whether private or public are lacking of English teachers. If you think you have the skills or the knowledge about teaching English, this could be one of the best volunteer jobs that suit you. Aside from teaching, volunteer can also assist the other school’s activities such like any other extra curricular activities. If you think you can pass all the requirements in Nepal as a volunteer, then this would be your chance to apply.

Time is significantly valuable particularly when you spend it by making a difference to your self and others. Volunteering is a way for you to give back which is intended you to give and ended up that you receive more than you expected from the community and other people. Volunteering is the best way in contributing to the global community, promote personal growth and gain experience. Let yourself be an inspiration to others by making a difference that counts through volunteering. What is more valuable is not about giving something but give your time instead that give you a chance of changing people’s lives by helping others in need and a community involvement. It’s also a way of learning new skills through setting a way to reach your goals by discovering what is the kind of field you enjoy most and best at. A volunteer works that you enjoy most can be a best help in setting and building your career goals. Volunteering also bestow you with a feeling of responsibility because people rely on you and enhance your understanding of the people that is different from you.

In Italy every year, there are international volunteers groups coming and spending time at the ex Convento San Giorgio during January until June. This is an opportunity that you are going to meet new people from the different countries which you are getting in touch on the sustainable living which you have to identify an Italian culture. The volunteer projects involve maintaining the convent structure by painting walls, cleaning the whole convent, restoring windows, beautified the garden and feed the animals. The ex Convento San Giorgio is situated at the centre of Italy, region of Abuzzo for about a 150km away from the Rome. This volunteer program aims to carry new economic and tourist to spiritual and cultural movements in a silent and isolated area. It deals with a sustainable living such as skillful and recycling use of energies and no waste.

Volunteering is somehow sharing your abilities and ideas. It is the best way to help people who were less fortunate. There are no special skills needed in joining a volunteer program. But it is rather your sincerity that you could offer. We all know that recently, more and more population of people suffering from poverty or any other dilemmas all over the world. We are all been victims of the global economic problems, but if you realized there are people who needs more your hand to help them stand and continue to struggle the what we called life.

Additionally, when you let yourself expose in volunteering it can help you develop your personality. You become more mature and responsible. In countries like Canada there are a variety of volunteer opportunities where you can join, depending on your capabilities. They cater the following types of activities:

• Work with orphans—this is one of the voluntary opportunities in Canada. If you love to dwell with people who have disabilities or disadvantaged children this field is ideal for you. There are a myriad of orphanage in Canada that needs volunteers like you.

• You can also volunteer by helping Canadian people in preparing in their yearly activities like festivals or any cultural event. This might be the easiest volunteer program in Canada but it really does mean to them.

• Canada is blessed of having great historical heritage, unfortunately most of these are already been damaged. That is why they are calling on the presence of volunteers who can help them work with it. If you think you can manage this type of voluntary opportunity, you are always welcome.

• And if you have the ability on healthcare service, you can share your knowledge to help Canada to improve their healthcare services.

The latter mentioned are just some of the voluntary works in Canada, but there are still various number of volunteer opportunities that you can join that could suits your ability.

As I was sitting here and browsing over the net with news and reports of a better economy and of course of uncertainty; millions of laid off workers are now having the best option in their lives- that is an international volunteering.

Jean-François Gagnon is one of the many examples who went to Africa for volunteer work after getting laid off from his job. Instead of feeling depressed (though it was part of the process) he went right into volunteer work.

Here are some of the secret volunteer destinations that you can choose from.

• Togo. Gagnon volunteered in this country located in West Africa, surrounded by Benin, Burkina Faso and Ghana. French is the most spoken language in this country though there are also other languages spoken. It is cheaper when a visa is bought at the border. Do not miss to tour Lome it capital city. It is one of the most splendid cities in Western part of Africa.

• Mexico. There are so many kinds of volunteer activities in Mexico. If you love the sea then there are groups that fight for this cause. You can also help build the Habitat for Humanity in Chiapas, Mexico. Also, experience international volunteering in a ranch in Mexico.

• Egypt. The home of ancient civilization and pyramids. Egypt set the perfect stage
  for every traveler. It is a country located in the north-eastern part of Africa with Cairo as its capital city. The technology and innovations that is connoted with this country reached far across the seas. Most people would have loved to see face to face one of the many wonders of the world- Pyramid. You would like perhaps to see what inside and the history of the perfectly made pyramid.

These are just few of the many destinations for your international volunteering.

Have you ever dreamed of traveling to other country that will go beyond the tourist’s sites and makes a significant contribution to the society? Have you ever though of involving yourself in a volunteer program in making a difference in your life for better? With this idea, many volunteer works awaits you and needed much of your attention. Being an international volunteer will give sense of joy, hope and pride to your self and to your country.

In doing so, Republic of Ghana is in need of a volunteer for a community development. Volunteer opportunities that will help to develop communities with the assistant of a Ghana partner organization in volunteer works. Ghana is in need a volunteer who has a tough belief in a sustainability worth and has a strong personality skills. The volunteers will offer to help to local groups to strengthen organizational skills in making an effort in reducing the problem of poverty by assisting a Ghanaian small group tailors and stream stresses in setting up for a local youth sewing program training. The local youth will also then offer an Orphan Fund project labor sews school uniforms for the orphans in Ghana. The main goal of this program is not just for a development projects but also immersing yourself in playing a leadership role for a local project provided in the international volunteer program. The Volunteers will carry their most significant organizational skills, people management, basic enthusiasm and reliability of the projects. The volunteer groups have their own goals such as to provide vocational training, educate orphans, starting and building up a youth center and protect a local environment by eco tourism initiatives. The volunteers are given a specific assignment with the objectives and it will be assisted by a local counterpart in achieving the project goals.

The Ghana volunteers will particularly live and work in the same community and will be accommodated home stay with a Ghanaian counterpart living with you and their families. The qualification of being a volunteer in Ghana community must be available for a four weeks minimum, age between 18 and 16 years old, able to speak fluent English and can walk long distance and can tolerate the heat of the sun.

Tired of roaming around in the same place, the same environment and the same faces? Why not flock abroad and share your knowledge and capabilities at work? Yes you can, when you want to experience a new ways of life, new environment and new faces of people, working abroad could be a good answer. Literally, the entire world is suffering through the financial crisis. But it is not the reason to block you of reaching your dreams and ambitions in life. It even became a challenge that you should take and overcome. If you notice, despite the worldwide financial crisis there are still countries that are looking for overseas workers to work for them.

Canada is a country full of opportunities. You can choose to work in here for a year or more. And if you were a student and you want to have a unique internship practice, Canada could be a good choice. As a participant in the country, you will gain professional work experience since you will undergo to their overseas training. While you were in training you will learn to know Canada’s culture and language which is good for your side. When you learn it all, you can use it to find better job opportunities not only in Canada but to the other countries as well. An international job is never easy, but if you were determined and courageous, you will eventually appreciate it.

Work and travel in Canada. If you think you can’t stay here for long, you can work here while you were in holiday vacation. Canada has a work and travel program which caters young people visiting the country. This Working Holiday Program provides assistance to participants to find accommodation and a job. They are also helping them to know better Canada. The required participant should be aged 18-35 years old, you should be flexible, have a positive attitude, know how to speak English and have the sense of adventure. If you think you have these attitude, then never waste time to join because this would be your big opportunity to go abroad to enjoy while working.