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Volunteer and Adventure

Volunteering abroad as a family

GVI

Posted: February 5, 2023

Volunteering as a family can be a truly rewarding experience, offering numerous benefits not only to those you’re helping but also to your family as a whole. From building stronger bonds to gaining a new perspective on life, the experiences and memories you create through volunteering will last a lifetime.

Volunteering as a Family

Benefits of Volunteering as a Family

Volunteering as a family not only provides an opportunity to give back to your community, but it also provides an opportunity for growth and learning. It can help you and your family develop a deeper appreciation for what you have and foster a sense of gratitude and empathy. By working together on a shared goal, you can also strengthen your family bonds and create lasting memories.

Importance of Ethical Volunteering

Volunteering is about giving back, but it’s also about doing so in a way that is respectful and responsible. Ethical volunteering ensures that your efforts truly make a positive impact, without causing harm to the community or environment.

Overview of UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs)

The UNSDGs are a set of 17 global goals aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring peace and prosperity for all. By volunteering for projects that align with these goals, you and your family can help make a tangible impact on the world.

Preparing for Volunteering as a Family

Finding a Cause that Aligns with Your Values

Before you start your search for volunteer opportunities, take some time to think about what causes are important to you and your family. This will make it easier to find an organisation or project that aligns with your values and makes the most impact.

Researching Organizations and Projects

Once you have a list of causes that interest you, start researching organisations and projects that support them. Look for organisations with a proven track record of making a positive impact and that align with your values.

Understanding the Impact you Want to Make

Before you volunteer, it’s important to understand what impact you and your family hope to make. Do you want to support a specific community or cause, or do you have a specific skill set you’d like to put to use? Understanding this will help you find the right volunteer opportunity for you and your family.

Grandfather and granddaughter volunteers picking up trash on the beach

Ethical Considerations for Volunteering as a Family

Understanding the Local Community and Culture

Before volunteering, it’s important to understand the local community and culture. This will help you respect local customs and traditions and avoid any actions that may be perceived as insensitive or harmful.

Being Respectful of Local Customs and Traditions

Showing respect for local customs and traditions is key to ethical volunteering. This could involve anything from dressing appropriately to understanding and following local norms for interaction and communication.

Avoiding Projects that Harm the Community

It’s important to ensure that your volunteer efforts don’t harm the community or environment. Avoid projects that exploit local resources, do not have local community involvement or are only interested in making a short-term impact.

Providing Support to Local Organizations and Projects

Where possible, it’s best to support local organisations and projects that are already making a positive impact. This not only helps ensure that your efforts have a lasting impact, but it also supports the local community and economy

Staying Involved and Supporting the Community Beyond Volunteering

Volunteering as a family is not just about lending a helping hand for a few weeks or months. It’s about making a lasting impact and supporting the community long after you’ve returned home. There are many ways to stay involved, such as:

Donating money or resources to local organisations.
Sharing your experience and promoting ethical volunteering to friends and family.
Continuing to support the community through online fundraising or volunteer initiatives.
Staying in touch with the local community and following their progress.
Making a lasting impact requires a long-term commitment, but the rewards are well worth it. By staying involved, you can continue to support the community and ensure that your efforts are having a positive impact.

Programs

If you’re looking for a way to volunteer as a family and make a meaningful impact, then GVI family volunteer programs may be just what you’re looking for. GVI is a leading organisation that offers family volunteer programs in countries around the world, including Africa, Asia, Latin America, and more.

Some of the popular GVI family volunteer programs include:

Getting involved in a GVI family volunteer program is easy. Simply visit their website to learn more about the programs available, choose the one that aligns with your values and interests, and sign up to make an impact.

Whether you choose to volunteer through a GVI family volunteer program or on your own, the important thing is to take action and make a difference. The UN Sustainable Development Goals provide a roadmap for creating a better world, and volunteering is a powerful way to help achieve these goals and make a positive impact.

So what are you waiting for? Get involved and make a difference today!