Top 10 Reasons to Volunteer Abroad
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In this 21st Century, the majority of the people are concerned about themselves on one hand, which often looks extremely self-centric! But on the other, there are several kind souls, who are taking the step forward to contribute towards the lives of the underprivileged ones, and if the idea of volunteering abroad is already there on your mind, then you’re an absolute blessing, my friend!
After I first traveled to Kenya to volunteer at the childcare center, I realized just how much our world needs more volunteers. There were people from different parts of the world, who came together and we all tried our best to add some happiness in the lives of the little ones. Here’s a list of 10 amazing reasons why everyone should volunteer abroad at some point or the other. Hopefully, it’ll inspire you to take a leap of kindness and make you volunteer abroad.
1. You’re needed!
No work is small, and volunteers are extremely valuable resources for an organization. Whether it’s about financial, mental or physical contribution – everything together matters a lot. Being a volunteer, you can directly get involved with noble work, serving those who need your care and affection. This would also be a chance for you to know that not everyone in this world is born lucky, and you need to stand by a few of them if not all.
2. Build a community
Depending on where you decide to focus your volunteering efforts, you make a real difference in the lives of the local community. These efforts build up various elements that make up an entire community. A few of these elements within a community include:
- Support families (daycare and eldercare)
- Improve schools (tutoring, literacy)
- Community Health (Family and patient support and education)
- Protect animals (rescue and rehabilitation)
- Support youth (mentoring and after-school programs)
- Beautify the community (beach and park cleanups)
3. Wellbeing booster
Believe it or not, but giving of your time for a good cause does wonders for your physical and mental health. Your stress levels are reduced and your mood improves. By focusing your efforts on improving others’ lives, you’re more likely to lift your emotions to a positive place, decrease your tension-producing patterns which means less stress and a happier you.
4. A learning road
Volunteering helps you learn different things about people and cultures which lead to your personal and professional growth. Volunteers often discover their hidden talent and passion which directly improves their self-confidence. The community you volunteer within is also great to learn from as they are from different background with a different mindset.
5. Social responsibility
As a volunteer, you choose to invest your efforts into a community and the people who live in it. You’re providing a valuable service to the community and are giving back through social responsibility. If only everyone did something so selfless.
6. Gain first-hand work experience
Being involved with any organization will endow you with great work experience. If you help in the administration side of things then you will no doubt learn loads about people, planning and the running of an organization. If you physically help with various projects it’s a brilliant way to get on-the-job experience, interacting with people or animals you may be interested to work with, in your career at some stage.
7. Self-esteem builder
Getting stuck into a volunteering experience sees your personal growth shoot through the roof. You’re exposed to a community you’re often not used to being a part of and you learn so many new things. Your new-found knowledge is coupled with the fact that you feel absolutely great because you’re helping others. Before you even know it you’re running off empathy and self-efficacy which does wonders for your confidence and self-esteem.
8. Give back selflessly
Often volunteers decide to get involved with NGOs because they want to give back to the community they know and love. It’s also an opportunity for people to support community resources that they use themselves, or that they know makes a lot of difference to uplift a community. If an organization has helped someone that you love, then giving back in the form of volunteering is an extremely generous, thoughtful, valuable way to show appreciation.
9. Teamwork for the nation
Volunteers are the ones who bring a great sense of teamwork and camaraderie to an organization. They’re also involved with many different types of people from a host of different cultures and walks of life. It’s with these people that volunteers work closely with, serving the cause of the common goal.
10. Making a difference
Every volunteer can make a difference. Don’t underestimate your potential. No matter how small your steps are, you have the potential to make a big difference!
If you’ve been thinking of stepping out of your comfort zone to do something meaningful, then this is your chance. Volunteering Solutions has a wide range of incredible and affordable volunteering opportunities for high school and college students, gap year travelers and backpackers, senior volunteers and enthusiastic couples – who can join us and contribute towards making a meaningful difference!
To learn more about our programs, you can also get in touch with our Program Experts – all you need to do is write an email to us at [email protected] and our Expert Team will soon get back to you!
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