Volunteering abroad is about challenging yourself in a different environment, learning about cultures and customs that are different from yourself, making local friends and contributing in development of marginalized communities and disadvantaged people. In short, it is about learning to become a global citizen which will not only open your mind but also make you respect ideas and innovations which are strange and unfathomable to you.
There are a variety of things a participant will do while traveling abroad to volunteer. You can teach in resource poor schools where children of poor families attend, work in orphanages to provide education, care and love to orphaned children, work in conservation project to save the environment or wild animals, or volunteer in health projects to provide healthcare to disadvantaged c
hildren. IFRE operates all these and many more volunteer programs in over 16 countries. One of the most popular destinations is IFRE’s volunteer Peru program, where applicants will travel to historical city of Cusco, once the capital city of the mighty Incan empire. There volunteers will learn about fascinating indigenous culture, improve their Spanish as well as local indigenous language and do volunteer work that will benefit the local population. Through all these activities, volunteers will become intimately connected with local people and learn a great deal.
Volunteer work in Kenya is also another fascinating option in IFRE’s program list. Kenya is a country with myriad cultures and the land abounds with national parks where wildlife in plenty roams freely. Volunteers are attracted to Kenya because of the welcoming nature of the Kenyan people and because while Kenya is progressing well economically, marginalized communities are suffering from many malaises like malnutrition, illiteracy and lack of healthcare facilities. This situation provides volunteers with an ideal environment to learn from local cultures and customs as well as work to improve the life of ordinary Kenyans. IFRE’s volunteer program gives volunteers perfect opportunity to experience all these.
Written by: Shalav Rana
topographies full of plains, valleys, forests and the snow lion’s share of the world’s tallest peaks, in the Himalayas. Volunteer projects in this glorious land take place in and near the exciting capital of Kathmandu, scenic resort town of Pokhara and in and near a fantastic national park in Chitwan. Most volunteer opportunities include work in an orphanage, teaching English and environmental conservation.