How did you get started working in Africa or India?

A good way to get started is to volunteer with a group that is doing something you feel passionate about. (Most of these groups have websites that you can find with a google search.) Once you are there, if you keep your eyes and ears open, are willing to work, and are sensitive to the culture you are in, you almost inevitably meet more people working and doing great things.

If you are a student, your university's international programs office is a great place to start. If you aren't a student and are just finding a group on your own, do some comparison "shopping" and make sure you do some checking about the group you decide to work with. There are a lot of groups that are set up as nonprofits and seek out people looking for an adventure abroad. They may or may not actually make a difference in the places they work, but their main reason for existing is to provide jobs for the organizers and they make the money through volunteer fees. That said, many nonprofits do not have the money to hire people to help and do not even have the money to pay for living costs for volunteers when they come, so they ask for you to pay that money.

(I am working with a school in Ghana for children who live beyond walking distance from the nearest public school. The school sends a small bus around to pick the students up and sends them back home as well. We always welcome volunteers, but have no money to pay living costs. So we have to charge our volunteers, but we provide them with a safe place to live and food to eat.)

I am a student so I was able to take field-based classes that send students to work on development-based projects abroad, and that was how I got my contact in urban Kenya. Spending time with my community partners, I got to know them very well and after a while we were able to identify some pertinent problems/opportunities to work on. The contact in rural Kenya subsequently came through extensive networking because we knew we would like to work with the rural farmers as well for our project.

Some colleagues of mine first got started by joining/volunteering with an existing organization, such as Engineers Without Borders, or an in-country NGO, that gave them the field experience which then directly enabled them to identify potential opportunities.

Hope this helps,

Kevin

There is no formula to get started working. It is all about passion, desire, conviction, the drive and will to do something. Where there is a will, there is always a way. I have worked with many like-minded people like you who are not from Africa.

First, identify what you want to do, where, when and how. Then start your journey. As others have advices you, you can volunteer your services and seek to be seconded by an organisation top work in Africa.

Alternatively, you can start by your own program, do fundraising, find a partner and seek grass roots organisations to work with. you will find yourself serving in the community with minimal resources.

I can share more. Thanks

Vanessa - Is there a specific issue you want to work on? Something that you are passionate about... or something that you are eager to learn. We can share some specifics that way...

Network, network, network! People love to talk about their projects and even if organizations that you're interested in don't need staff or volunteers, they can usually give you suggestions of other people to contact. This is the case whether you're in your home country or in the field. If you do some volunteering, talk to as many people as you can while you're there about what they're doing and what other projects they know of. Be patient, and you will find something that fits your passion, goals, and skills. That's how I and many people I know got started - networking and patience.

Dear Vanessa,

I am from Thailand with Thai nationality. I applied in a roster of "inspirator" project running by ActionAid Denmark. In 2012, there were about 100 inspirator working as volunteers in 15 countries including in Africa. Next year, there will be 200 inspirators working in 20 countries. I have been working in Tanzania from November, 2012.

The placement will be a volunteer, but you will get allowances at the same rate for every country you are going to.

Apply by this link --

Enjoy new experience in Africa !!
Cheers,

Tan