In 2008, over 1.6 million people volunteered across the world and the numbers are continuing to increase. I’m not surprised.
Not only does it benefit you by giving you fantastic experiences; volunteering helps to resolve social, economic and environment problems across the globe.
I spoke to various volunteers to ask them why you should volunteer.
Samuel is currently volunteering at a refugee camp in Calais. This is his third volunteering trip and he hopes to book more when he returns!
Sam explained: “At the minute, I mainly work in the refugee kitchen, where I help to prepare midday and evening meals for the camp. It involves chopping a lot of vegetables.”
“I also help to sort all of the donations that the camp receive into sections for girls, boys, men, women etc.”
Sam explained: “It goes without saying that its nice to give something back to those less fortunate. On a more personal level, it’s quite grounding.”
“It’s nice to volunteer in a developing nation, to really get into their culture and remove yourself from the western bubble of having to constantly improve, get qualifications, get jobs etc.”
Dale travelled to Port Elizabeth in South Africa for her volunteering experience after fundraising over £2000 to pay for her trip.
Dale said: “I spent most of my time coaching netball to 14 different primary schools for 5 weeks in the townships.
“In the less fortunate schools, their budget could not afford to have sports on their curriculum, so teaching them was a worthwhile experience.”
“Volunteering made me realise that we we should be more thankful for what we have, such as a free education and healthcare.”
Sam decided to volunteer in Cambodia within small schools.
Sam explained: “I was responsible for helping out in English classes, gardening and painting walls and murals within the school.”
Sam believes that everyone should take the opportunity to volunteer. He added: “I think volunteering really allows you to see what goes on in other parts of the world and really does open your eyes as to how lucky we are living where we are.”
“Helping young kids who don’t have anything, made the trip so worth while. Seeing their faces when you were playing games with them, was so nice to see. A book and pens means so much to them! I would recommend volunteering to anyone.”
Hopefully you will consider volunteering after hearing from past and present volunteers. The experiences are fantastic and worth the fundraising efforts.
There are so many opportunities in hundreds of countries, no matter what your interests.
Check my blog next week to find out all about my volunteering experience!
Here are some great resources to find and fund your own trip:
World Of Gem 
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