TIPS FOR INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERS

• Do not pay large amounts of money to volunteer organizations. There are many places who need/want volunteers and DO NOT charge a fee or ask only for a small donation.
• If you can go to the area without signing up with an organization and look for signs for orphanages, schools, shelters, hospitals, clinics, etc., in guest houses, restaurants, etc.
• Talk to local people and ask for possible places to volunteer.
• Ask other travelers. Many travelers volunteer and it is good to get personal recommendations.
• Ask the organization that you want to volunteer with if you can first go to the area, meet people in the organization, and then decide. If the organization runs a home stay program, offer to stay in a hotel until you decide that you like the organization. (Be wary if they insist that you stay with them from the beginning and that there will be no problems).
• Don’t pay any money unless/until you are comfortable with the organization. (I feel very strongly about a redistribution of the wealth in this world. However, it is your hard earned money. Don’t be shy about making sure it goes to people who need it and will use it properly.)
• If the program is a home stay program, ask if you can pay the family directly the cost of your food and the going rate for a (cheap) guest house or long term flat in the area.
• If the program is a home stay program, also get clear and specific information about the family and house rules…who is the family and what relation are they to the organization, will you have a private room, will there be a curfew and when will it be, will you be able to cook (if you want to), can you use the phone, can you bring friends to the house/flat, etc