paying to volunteer?!

The subject of volunteering as a way to gain experience as an aid worker (in order to later get a paid job) or as a way to be a part of communities in the developing world comes up frequently on the AWN, as well as other organization's forums, like Lonely Planet's The Thorn Tree. But many people are discouraged that most short-term aid assignments, as opposed to long-term assignments through VSO, the Peace Corps, or UN Volunteers, actually charge for these volunteer placements. Why do these organizations that provide short term assignments charge volunteers for volunteering?

One reason is that it is much more beneficial to local NGOs in the developing world to use their very limited funds and resources to hire local people to serve food, build houses, educate young people, etc., than to bring in an outside volunteer. The priority is not you and your desire to help -- the priority is local people being employed. The supporters of these NGOs would balk at the idea of them spending money to bring in short-term volunteers to do activities local people could do.

Also, volunteers are NEVER free for an NGO. Volunteers from outside the community require a great deal of support -- help with finding housing, security, at least some training & orientation, medical support, supervision, maybe even daily transportation and evacuation. It's most viable for an organization to invest these substantial resources in long term volunteers, not people there for just a few weeks or a couple of months.

If you want a short-term volunteering assignment, be prepared to pay -- either at least for your travel and accommodations, and perhaps for the aforementioned support as well. But note that this paid-to-volunteer experience can be quite worthwhile, for both the community and your professional goals. There are some excellent fee-based international volunteering programs out there, and the experience you gain will be valued by potential employers. You don't have to note that you paid for the experience on your CV -- what's most important to note will be the activities you undertook, the skills you utilized, the experience you gained, the communities and constinuencies with which you interacted, and the networks you tap into as part of your experience.

I have a lot more advice here on volunteering in development and on Vetting Organizations in Other Countries. I also have advice for NGOs who want to host international volunteers. Hope you find it helpful.