One of the best ways to help disadvantaged communities in the developing world is to volunteer. If volunteers have experience or qualifications this can be even more beneficial. What is the benefit? Skilled volunteers can use their knowledge and experience to help a project partner who is looking for a particular type of expertise. This may take the form of a school looking for a qualified English teacher to improve teaching standards or an NGO looking for a professional consultant to help with financial planning and managing resources.

A major factor that attracts skilled and experienced professionals to volunteer their service is ‘peer to peer contact’. Put simply this is when a volunteer works with a fellow professional from a local community in the developing world. The ‘peer to peer’ aspect of volunteering is particularly appealing given volunteer interaction with a local professional provides a completely new understanding of their industry. For example, many volunteers may not be faced with the daily pressures associated with a developing nation or they may not be used to the level of resources available to complete a project.

How do volunteers provide a service? Most volunteers opt to channel their skills through an established organisation with a reliable track record. A key element in choosing an organisation is establishing how they, and you, will benefit a partner in the developing world. A useful starting point and essential inquiries to make include:

How long has the volunteer organisation been operating?

What will my role be when I volunteer?

What is the aim of the project?

What are the sustainable aspects of the project?

How does it benefit the local community?

Is their in-country support for safety and security issues?

In-country support plays a crucial role in the overall success of a volunteer’s service abroad – this includes airport pickups, orientations, inductions, safety briefings, introductions to project partners and monitoring volunteers. In-country staff are also able to troubleshoot any issues volunteer may be having with project partners.

Each volunteer project has specific requirements regarding qualifications, but generally speaking, volunteer organisations are looking for the following individuals:

• Professionals with a diploma in the relevant area

• Retired seniors

• University Graduates

• Individuals with at least two years’ experience in the relevant area

The general view on volunteering with a skill is that it provides an opportunity to make a positive impact and contribution in the developing world. From a focused perspective, peer to peer contact offers improved knowledge for a project partner and the volunteer’s who serve.

Scott McQuarrie

Volunteer Consultant

For more information kindly visit Projects Abroad PRO.