Fit 70 looking to volunteer overseas

Have you googled this?
I just did and lots of things came up for "seniors" and "over 50s" etc.

If you put volunteerforever not Google you’ll get a comprehensive rundown of opportunities and the companies that run them.

Be aware that most volunteering companies are really commercial holiday companies. They do provide reasonable accommodation but it is not a cheap way to travel. Their main aim is to make their money from the additional feel good factor. I’m not condemning that. It’s catering to a market.

Many of the projects are set up more for the benefit of the travellers and don’t really have much benefit to local communities. For instance, a school built by unskilled volunteers that quickly develops problems and has no plans for ongoing maintenance.

So you are right to want to research this thoroughly.

Any genuine organisation that offers involvement with children will want you to have undertaken safety checks so you might want to get that started now.

Personally my volunteering overseas has come about through an ongoing connection with charities that I support anyway, like WaterAid, rather than through a commercial company, so I can’t point you to any specific one.

Thank you Lathyrus3. I was aware of the issues you raised. That is why I asked for personal recommendations. It is hard. I can’t commit to 6 months so is it possible to do anything useful in just a few weeks? Is it better to book a holiday and add to the economy that way?

I sometimes dream of counting or observing as a volunteer, birds, seals …? Perhaps on an island somewhere I’ve always been fascinated by wildlife.

I had a search for wildlife volunteering and this came up. In the list of FAQ, it doesn’t say where volunteers are accommodated! Sounds interesting though …

careforwild.co.za/stay-with-us/volunteer/

Oops, sorry I just realised you ask for personal recommendations.

Cambsnan

Thank you Lathyrus3. I was aware of the issues you raised. That is why I asked for personal recommendations. It is hard. I can’t commit to 6 months so is it possible to do anything useful in just a few weeks? Is it better to book a holiday and add to the economy that way?

Maybe take an extended travel with a firm that takes you into local communities rather than tourist highlights? It supports the economies of small communities and individuals rather than big businesses, many of whom take their profits overseas.

One of the projects I support directly came to my attention this way. It was something the community was trying to get off the ground so I knew it was wanted and pretty confident the money would be spent well.

After my holiday ended I was able to go back later and spend some time there. Like to think I was a help😬

I don’t travel much anymore so I’m a bit out of touch with the travel companies that provide this sort of thing. Explore were my goto when I was getting started. 🙂

Might be best to go via a charity whose aims accord with your views. They would be able to tell you what the opportunities there might be in that area of work. I am not sure that quality of accommodation comes with these projects as a given!

12 years ago when I was 70 and recovering from cancer surgery, I volunteered to work on an animal,sanctuary, Na’ankuse ,Windhoek, Namibia. We worked and fed various animals including baboons, lions, cheetah etc. There was also a small village with children from. The Kalahari attached to our sanctuary and we spent time with them. Another country to consider in Africa is Tanzania, or try Sri Lanka.

Wow Hydethorpe! That sounds amazing especially given your age and state of health (not eg patronising I hope, although I have ever fully understood what that means when I am just trying to compliment someone!)
What amazing memories you must have of those days!

Have you looked into insurance for travelling and "working" albeit unpaid?

Take a look @ Workaway

.

So you're actually looking for holiday ideas?!
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Hydethorpe

12 years ago when I was 70 and recovering from cancer surgery, I volunteered to work on an animal,sanctuary, Na’ankuse ,Windhoek, Namibia. We worked and fed various animals including baboons, lions, cheetah etc. There was also a small village with children from. The Kalahari attached to our sanctuary and we spent time with them. Another country to consider in Africa is Tanzania, or try Sri Lanka.

How interesting and inspiring.

Go for it girl, I am very envious!!

VSO (voluntary service overseas). I did an induction course with them years ago when I was contemplating the idea. They wanted me to do HIV work in Africa but I wanted to do drug rehabilitation work in SE Asia so I didn’t go. I know people who have done work with them and all had positive experiences. They pay accommodation and living expenses.

I’m looking to do the exact same thing next year when I’m 70. I’ve got brochures from solo adventures and volunteering in Africa there anything from 2 weeks to months around 1.5k with everything included accomodation guides flights . If you google volunteering in Africa different options come up.

A friends daughter volunteers abroad. She started doing it when her marriage fell apart and now goes every year to an elephant sanctuary in Thailand. She is older than most of the other volunteers i.e. in her 40s. She says the accommodation is often very basic shared bunk bed rooms with ceiling fans. Sleep is not easy. Its hot, noisy and the young ones are often party people. She goes with a company called something like The Big Roar. I dont know if they have an age range for volunteers.

Does it have to be overseas? Plnty of help needed here. Canals & river trust for example , www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/explore-volunteering-at-the-city-of-london-corporation/volunteering-opportunities
But if you have been a guide then look at WAGGS