Description:
VFP offers over 3400 affordable, short-term voluntary service projects in 100+ countries, including nearly sixty in Belgium. These international voluntary service projects are an opportunity to participate in meaningful community service while living and interacting in an intercultural environment. Work projects include: construction/renovation of low-income housing or community buildings, historic preservation, archeology; environmental projects such as trail building, environmental education, wildlife surveying, park maintenance, organic farming; social services working with children, the elderly, physically or mentally handicapped, refugees, minority groups, drug/alcohol recovery, AIDS education; as well as arts projects and festivals. Most projects are limited to ages 18 and up and there are over 250 programs just for ages 15-17. International voluntary service projects are usually from May through September and are of 2 to 3 weeks in duration, although there are 200+ projects scheduled for the 'off-season.' A $250 per-project registration fee includes accomodation and food. There may be a small additional fee for projects in developing countries. Transportation is arranged and paid for by the volunteer. VFP offers a free newsletter which provides a clear picture of what the program is about including many photos of volunteers in action.
Highlights:
Large choice of programs and locations. Affordable intercultural immersion-volunteers from at least four countries in every program.
Qualifications / Skills Needed:
None
Travel Types:
Archaeology,
Camping,
Environmental Studies,
Homestay
and Native Culture Studies
Language:
English
Cost in US$: $250-$500
Cost Includes: Room and board for duration of the program.
Credit Available: yes
Salary / Pay: Make friends from many countries at every site. Help local communities and promote international goodwill.
Experience Required: no
Typical Volunteer Projects:
agriculture,
AIDS,
archaeology,
arts,
athletics,
building maintenance,
building schools,
childcare/children,
clerical and office work,
community centers,
community development,
community health,
community organizing,
computer training,
conflict resolution,
consciousness-raising,
conservation,
cooking,
culture,
digging,
disability issues,
drama,
drug or alcohol recovery,
education,
elderly,
energy,
English teaching,
environment,
Equestrian,
festivals,
fixing fences,
gardening,
gender issues,
grassroots organization,
handicapped,
health education,
historic preservation,
homelessness,
hospital,
housing,
human rights,
income-generation,
indigenous issues,
intervention,
literacy,
minority groups,
office work,
organic farming,
organizational development,
orphans,
painting,
parks,
peace,
planting,
playgrounds,
population issues,
primary education,
public education,
recreation,
reforestation,
refugee relief,
relief,
renovation,
repairs,
restoration,
sanitation,
sea turtle protection,
seniors,
social services, social work,
solar & hydro projects,
sports,
street kids,
teaching,
trail building,
translation,
tree planting,
tutor,
volunteering,
water,
wildlife surveying,
women
and youth
Typical Volunteer: A typical VFP volunteer is age 18-25 looking for an affordable program and motivated to join other international volunteers at community service projects abroad.
Age Range: 18+
This Program is open to
Families, Couples and Individuals.
Typical Living Arrangement:
Group living
Participants Travel to Belgium
Independently
Typically Participants Work
in Groups of 8-12
Scholarships Are Available.
Application Process Involves:
Typically The Application Process Time Is 3-5 Business Days
Volunteers For Peace, Inc.'s Mission Statement: Volunteers For Peace promotes International Voluntary Service as an effective means of intercultural education, service learning and community development. We provide projects where people from diverse backgrounds can work together to help overcome the need, violence and environmental challenges facing our planet. Our projects are truly a microcosm of a world where nations join together to improve life on our planet. They are a practical way to both prevent and resolve conflict. By participating in a voluntary service project, volunteers help sow the seeds of a better future for us all.
Year Founded: 1982