What DOES a volunteer do?

There are so many volunteer posts available all over the world, that a volunteer can do almost anything. Anything you want - that of course fits in with what the host country or agency/organization needs. Environmental work, teaching, nursing, supplying basic needs, just being an extra pair of hands or an expert in your field. Sometimes you may do all - and anything that is required on that day.

I came to Guyana to work with Youth Challenge Guyana. It is a one year stint for me and I will be advising on how to fund their recently developed 5-year Strategic Plan. And of course, this plan was developed with the help of another volunteer last year. Youth Challenge Guyana (YCG) works with youth across Guyana in three main programme areas - Life Skills and Livelihoods, Education and Health. Guyanese have the opportunity through YCG to also volunteer and work in different regions across Guyana as a Volunteer Teacher. This is quite popular and gives many the opportunity to travel and experience parts of the culture that they may never have known otherwise. Persons are posted for 1yr in a school and many are inspired afterwards to stay for an additional year, or to pursue teaching as a profession and build on the experience they gained.

International Volunteers from Canada, Australia, Costa Rica for example also come to Guyana and volunteer with YCG for 5-6wk projects in one of the above-mentioned programme areas. Volunteers can come and assist with workshops, networking, literacy and classroom support and/or take part in many other projects being implemented at YCG. Other volunteers come for 3mths, 5mths - there are lots of options.

Naturally, there are many organizations you can volunteer with Internationally... depending on your country of origin, language skills, age, expertise. You also have the opportunity to come through Universities for research in developing countries - and at the same time work with an organization there. I volunteered through CUSO International but you all have your choices...

YCG is not the only place in Guyana you can volunteer, and of course you can volunteer in many other countries, including the one where you're already living. You don't have to even go far - unless you want to. 

But, why wouldn't you if you could?