Hello All,
Travel and international volunteering continue to be deeply affected by the prevalence of the Covid-19 corona virus in the world. I was personally affected recently when an international election observation mission in which I was going to participate was canceled due to the virus. However, there is a way we can stay involved internationally. We can volunteer virtually.
In my research for this newsletter I found several articles that offer links to organizations with virtual volunteering opportunities. Programs including teaching to home-bound seniors, reading programs with children, legal assistants, content creators, and many more openings, will be found in the Virtual Volunteering During Corona Virus piece by the American Association of Retired People (AARP).
In Organizations and Volunteers Working Together for Peace and Development you will find the many openings the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) has for virtual volunteers. After I left my Peace Corps service, I had the opportunity, and pleasure, to serve as a UNV. I highly recommend the organization. Also, virtual volunteering with them could lead to international volunteer deployments in the future.
Other articles in this newsletter include a recommended packing list for use during this corona virus period, a discussion of the benefits of long-term versus short-term volunteering and an opinion piece about finding the right fit in a volunteer mission.
Thank you for subscribing and reading this newsletter. If you have any suggestions for topics in future newsletters, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Happy Volunteering!
John Dwyer
Volunteering Virtually During Corona Virus
The American Association of Retired People (AARP) haspublished an article about virtual volunteering that is an excellent guide to what one should consider when choosing a virtual volunteer opportunity. Read at AARP
How to Get Involved With Virtual Volunteering
Idealist, org, had a short, but useful, article about how to get involved in virtual volunteering. In also includes a list of organizations seeking virtual volunteers. Read at How to Get Involved.
Online Categories for United Nations Volunteers
After I service in the Peace Corps I was a United Nations Volunteer (UNV) in the post-war Balkans. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The UN is currently seeking virtual volunteers with a variety of skills and experience. See UNV.
Coronavirus Packing List
Abigail (Abi) King, a former medical doctor, has the popular blog Inside the Travel Lab. Abi has compiled an excellent corona virus packing list at Travel During Covid
6 Ways to Volunteer Abroad and Be Really Useful
Judith Lasker, a sociology professor at Lehigh University, believes that longer volunteer projects are more productive than shorter-term projects. In an interview with writer Rick Walleigh, in Forbes, she explains why and offers her tips about worthwhile volunteer experiences in 6 Ways to Volunteer Abroad.
Opinion: 3 things to consider before volunteering
DEVEX is a platform for the global community. They recently published an opinion piece by two seasoned experts about finding the right fit and purpose in a volunteer mission. Read 3 Things to Consider.
