Volunteering is one of the best ways to help people from all over the world who may be in need of basic necessities like clean water. Some volunteer opportunities are designed to help animals or the environment. Choosing to volunteer for any cause is a selfless act that has the potential to do good in the world. There are a number of ways that people can volunteer for international charities. Some options, like mission groups, allow volunteers to help directly. Other options, such as donations, help charities acquire the financial resources they need to make a real difference on a global scale.
1. Mission Groups
Participating in a mission group on behalf of an international charity can be a life-changing experience. There is an abundance of international charities that accept volunteers to go abroad and make an impact in a different country. These missions are developed to help solve a specific problem. For example, The Last Well has a mission to provide the entire nation of Liberia with access to safe drinking water.
While mission group trips are often short-term, they can have a long-term impact. With help from others on the mission, your group can fulfill an important assignment in a location that may be lacking the manpower or resources themselves. You can find these mission group opportunities in nearly every part of the world.
2. Donations
If you are not able to go abroad to help directly, a donation can also make a big difference. Most international charities accept public donations. This can be a one-time donation, a monthly donation, or even a yearly donation. Even a small donation can go a long way towards helping solve a problem in a different country.
Some international charities have special donation options set up that makes giving back even easier. For example, The Last Well allows interested parties the ability to sponsor a village. There are a different donation levels available that can help one or more entire communities gain access to safe drinking water and the Gospel. This is an excellent option for people who have the financial stability to help but do not have the time or ability to travel to volunteer.
3. Host a Fundraiser
There are many ways to get involved with international charities. Volunteering for these charities does not always mean going on mission trips or donating out of your own pocket. You can also make a difference by taking the time to raise money for an important charity. Anyone can start a fundraiser and send the proceeds off to an international charity of their choice.
While it is perfectly acceptable to host a general fundraiser with a main theme of raising money for a cause, you may also want to take other opportunities to raise money. For example, you could host a birthday fundraiser and ask for donations to an international charity in lieu of gifts. A sports fundraiser or holiday fundraiser can also be started.
4. Educate Others
Not everyone is familiar with the countless problems that occur around the world or the international charities that have been created to solve these issues. By educating others about these tragedies, you can share an important message that hopefully gets spread from person to person.
Social media is a great way to share information about a cause. Start by liking the charity on Facebook, following them on Twitter, and subscribing to their YouTube channel. You can then easily ‘Share’ their photos, videos, and messages among your friends and family. This is an excellent way to make more people familiar with global issues and some may even want to volunteer.
5. Offer Your Skills
Everyone has a skill that can come in handy. Some international charities can use these skills to help further their cause and streamline their processes. For example, you may have a knack for researching or writing. Volunteer your time with an international charity to help research, write, and execute grants. If you are a good speaker, you could offer to speak publicly about the cause.
There are all sorts of ways to be of service to an international charity. Consider acting as an instructor, lead others, help during a crisis, or become a translator if you are fluent in more than one language. An international charity can often put these skills to good use.
How to Get Started
If you are looking for an exciting opportunity to give back to the world, consider volunteering for an international charity. Volunteering opportunities are available in countries all over the world and allow volunteers to contribute their skills in a way that positively affects other people. For more information about international charities or to see how you can get involved with an important cause, contact The Last Well today.