How can I tell which NGO is best for volunteering abroad?

July 4, 2009 5:48 PM

How can I tell which NGO is best for volunteering abroad?

I know that some NGOs are better than others. For example I know War Child is good because they keep administrative costs low, focus on important problems, and have no religious affiliation (my personal preference). As to how to find out which ones are good, like this, I'm a little lost.

For a long time I've been wanting to volunteer abroad. My original idea was to work at a family owned orphanage in India but I have since lost my contact with that home. India was a good choice for me because I've had an interest in the culture and it was a plus that many people speak English there (between living in Japan and Quebec I've learned that I'm not very good at learning languages). I'd work with War Child but my mom has asked that I stay out of war zones and I guess I've given her enough anxiety over the years.

My advantages: I will have my BA in Psychology. I have clinical experience working at a rehab, and with children with autism.

My disadvantages: I'm not great with heat or hard labour, but I'm working on it. I only have one year before grad school to both save up the money to go and do the actual volunteering.

I'm currently in Canada and am flexible about where and the exact nature of the volunteer work, but a relationship to mental health would be a plus (pretty much any work with people is good). Can you tell me anything about how to tell which organizations are good or give me a suggestion if you know a place that sounds like a good fit? If anyone has firsthand experience I'd also like to hear that as well, thanks!

posted by tybeet to society & culture (4 comments total)

Do you need an organisation which will provide everything for you or are you able to pay some of your own way? Are there any places you wouldn't consider or any causes you wouldn't consider volunteering for?
posted by Lolie at 6:42 PM on July 4

Have you heard of/checked out Voluntary Service Overseas?

My partner and I (both in our late 30s at the time) volunteered with the VSO a few years ago and had an amazing experience in Cameroon.
posted by hapax_legomenon at 11:07 PM on July 4

I just wanted to say that until you get there, it's really hard to know much of anything without a personal testimonial from someone you know/trust who's done it or been there. It's just very hard to establish contacts with groups and organizations who may be three or four levels of organization "down" from the group you first contact.

My story:

I went onto Idealist.org in college to find a volunteer position in Ghana for the summer of 2003. I ended up finding a position helping students at a high school prepare for their national exams at the end of the summer. Two other friends did the same - one working for a group that provided internet over radio, another working in microfinance. One huge advantage was that the trip ended up being free - our university called it an "independent field study" and gave it a class number and an academic advisor, so it was covered under financial aid. I HIGHLY recommend doing this if you have any way of doing so.

However, when we got there, the "organization" we went through turned out to be two people, both extremely wealthy, who housed me with them and my friends across the street! Everyone was generous, but our contact with "everyday" Ghanaians was limited, just because of where we lived (super-wealthy neighborhood!) and how we got to work every day (private taxi). Most of the people we were helping were not the people we thought we'd be helping. The person working with the internet provider was working with lots of small businesses, not individuals. The person working with the microfinance organization went out to collect collateral from people who had defaulted - not a nice task. I worked in one of the most prestigious public schools in Accra, and was asked to help sort through applications, many of which we had to deny for lack of space; where those denied went to school, I do not know.

Overall, it was a great experience that taught me so much, but be prepared for some moral ambiguity, even in the best of circumstances. I can't speak to your specific area of interest, but don't rule out Anglophone Africa, especially Ghana, as a place to look into for positions where the work you do will be appreciated and where life is (for the most part) safe and free.
posted by mdonley at 3:32 AM on July 5

Since you're in Canada you could look at the World University Service of Canada. I've volunteered with them in the past and it was an excellent experience.

Uniterra is most likely the program you might be interested in. They provide a list of vacancies. One caveat though, don't be surprised if the listing differs (in some cases, a lot) from the actual mandate.
posted by purephase at 9:09 AM on July 5