Making it Happen: Volunteering Overseas

Volunteering in the Middle East, to many, may seem like a daunting task. There are so many challenges and so many unknowns. People begin to ask themselves: how will I be able to interact with a foreign culture? what about the language barrier? how will I pay for my plane ticket? and how can I effectively use my skills to serve others? Some of these questions will remain unanswered until you actually arrive on the ground in your placement country, which may mean that you need to take a "leap of faith" that things will turn out all right on the other end.

But let's see if we can address a few of the toughest questions about overseas volunteer work:

How will I pay for my plane tickets and program fees?

Let's face it: travel can be expensive. Plane tickets can be expensive and it is sometimes difficult to get time away from work or school. But, for those who can afford it, take the advice of many travelers who have come before you: Don't hesitate. Traveling to another country can be one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences of your life.

But if you're struggling to envision how you'll afford your overseas service learning project, some strategic thinking may be in order, and you may want to consider fundraising for your efforts. First, calculate the total costs of your trip (airfare, program fees and personal expenses) and figure out how much you need to raise in order to make your trip feasible.

Then develop a plan. Are there specific people you will ask? Who? Will you ask them for a direction donation or frequent flier miles (which can dramatically reduce the cost of your trip)? What can you share with them that will help convince them to join you in your efforts (your goals as a volunteer? what you'll learn from the experience?). Will you plan a fundraiser? You could, for example, show a documentary film about the Middle East, talk about your planned trip and ask for a small donation from anyone who shows up. You can plan a carwash or a bake sale. Again, your target fundraising goal will help you determine a fundraising strategy.

Do I have the skills needed to volunteer?

Yes, absolutely. Everyone has different strengths and assets and, when it comes to volunteering, everyone has something to offer. Whether it's tutoring children in arts or sports during a summer camp program or using your English skills to help nonprofits polish their human rights or legal briefings, grants and fundraising letters, you can make a difference.

Do a quick brainstorm: what are your greatest strengths and greatest weaknesses? What are some of your skills--both big and small, everything from a musical talent to how many words you can type per minute? After your brainstorm, think about what you might do as a volunteer. How can you be a force for change before, during and after your overseas volunteer opportunity?

What about the language barrier?

Many of the people you'll meet in major cities throughout the world speak fluent English. This has become increasingly true in the Middle East, where many children begin studying the English language in school at a very young age. Middle East Fellowship's summer programs are designed to provide participants with a survivor-level training in Arabic, and daily interactions with Arabic-speakers can lead to a surprisingly effective crash course. You won't be fluent, but you will, if you apply yourself, find that you are able to communicate enough to survive day-to-day.

Fundraising for your Trip

Asking for Money–Why You SHOULD

Regardless of your financial circumstances, we encourage you to fundraise to cover a portion of the cost of your trip. It’s not “required,” but there are plenty of good reasons to do it.

Why?

1) Because overseas travel is expensive. Let's face facts.

2) Because it’s worthy. You’re volunteering overseas. This is a good cause. It deserves support.

3) Because it’s not just about you. Sending financial support is a way that your friends, family, church or community can be involed in this project. With an investment they have a stake in the outcome.

4) Because it lays the groundwork. Your list of supporters is a network that can later be called upon to assist a worthy project you’ve identified in the region (an orphanage, a summer camp, a peacemaking program, etc.) By creating a list of people who care enough to invest in positive outcomes, you’ve taken the first step to potentially achieiving a much larger good.

Ways to Fundraise

• Write a letter. Send a letter to your family and friends. Detail exactly what you want to do and ask them each for a specific amount of money. Spell out exactly what you hope to accomplish.

• Ask for frequent flyer miles. Know anyone who travels a lot? Odds are, they have frequent flyer miles saved up. See if they’d be willing to use this towards the purchase of your ticket.

• Lighten your load/ Live simply. Look around you–anything you can live without? A garage sale or a few hours on Ebay might give you more space in your bedroom or garage.

• Lighten THEIR load. If friends and family can’t offer money, see if their willing to give you stuff you can sell.

• Benefit concert. Set up a concert for Palestine, a concert for peace or a concert for Israeli-Palestinian understanding. Charge a cover. Talk (briefly) before or after the band about your trip.

• Organize a fast. Have a group join you in a fast from food and/or shopping. The money that would have been spent is donated to your trip.

• Theme parties: karoake night, ice cream social, board game marathon, etc.

• Bakesale.

• Massage-a-thon.

• Ask to speak at your church or place of worship.

• Dinner party or Hunger banquet. Have everyone chip in 10 or 15 bucks. Prepare a simple meal.

• Movie night. Show a video on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

• Out for coffee. Take someone whom you think might be willing to support you out for coffee. Discuss the program. Sometimes the best approach is the simplest–and the most direct.

• Marathon / Bike-a-thon. Ask people to make a per mile donation.

• Offer incentives. Make a DVD with photos and video during your trip. Let everyone who donates know you’ll mail them a copy. Ask a club or group on campus for support. Promise to host a workshop or related event when you return.

• Create a calendar or Christmas cards. Create a relevant calender or christmas cards on your computer. Figure out how much it takes to print at Kinko’s. Take advanced orders for a profit.

• Research scholarships, fellowships and student loan deferrals, if applicable.

Other Tips

• Don’t take “no” personally.

• Craft a plan. Chart out what fundraising you’ll do when and how much you hope to make from each.

• Create a budget that includes: your program cost, your flight, spending money on the ground and any other fees.

• Diversify. Don’t just try one strategy. Try ten.

• Ask donors for a specific amount. People are hesitant to give when they don’t know how much is appropriate–they’re afraid that they’ll give too much or too little.

• Thank Donors. Send a thank you card call them to thank them directly or use whatever method you feel is appropriate to show them how much their contribution means.

• Do one thing to forward your fundraising goals every day.

Sample Fundraising Letter

Sample Fundraising Letter

The following is a sample fundraising letter for the Palestine Summer Encounter program. It is here for demonstration purposes only.

1/28/09

Dear loved ones,

I wanted to share with you my summer plans. I’ve decided to spend three months living in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Maybe that sounds like a crazy thing to do, but I feel that it’s important, and I wanted to explain why.

I’ve been invited by two organizations to serve as a volunteer in the city of Bethlehem–Middle East Fellowship, a U.S. based nonprofit and Holy Land Trust, a Palestinian organization. I haven’t officially been assigned a volunteer opportunity yet, but I’m hoping to work at a refugee camp program for young adults. Kids there are living in pretty awful conditions–life under military occupation isn’t easy. I don’t see any path to peace if we can’t deliver some seeds of hope to the next generation of Palestinians and Israelis. And I DO think there’s hope for peace.

This will be the sixth year that these groups have sponsored the “Palestine Summer Encounter” program. They receive about 50 international volunteers every year who serve at schools, hospitals, homes for the disabled, summer camps, nonprofits, churches–anywhere where they can make a diffence. Holy Land Trust has been one of the leading Palestinian voices for nonviolent alternatives to the cycle of violence. They’re very trusted and respected in the community–so much so that they’ve arranged for each of us to live with a local family while in the region.

This isn’t a job, it isn’t something I’m being paid to do. In fact, I have to cover my own costs, which includes airfare and $3,930 for the program–this covers travel insurance, housing, my arabic classes, food and transportation. I’m estimating that roundtrip tickets will cost $1,500. That’s a total of $5,430. I don’t know how I’m going to make this work yet, but I’’ll find a way. I have a little bit saved and I’m starting to sell some of the things laying around that I don’t really need. If there is any way you could contribute to this effort please do. No gift is too small (I realize many of you are college students or still paying off student loans) but even if everyone gave $25 or $30 that would be a tremendous help. Even if you can’t help financially, please keep me in mind this summer. I’ll try to send out e-mail updates as often as I can. Give me a call before May 21st–I’d love to tell you more about my trip!

Much love,

John Doe
(555) 555-5555

P.S. If you CAN make a donation, here’s how to do it:

Send a check to:

Middle East Fellowship
Business Office
PO Box 1613
Wheaton, IL
60189-1613

Make sure to write my name and “Palestine Summer Encounter” in the memo of the check. Like this: “John Doe–Palestine Summer Encounter.” This a tax-deductible donation you’re making, so don’t forget come tax season.

You can also donate toward my trip online: http://www.palestinesummer.org/payments

Thank you SO much! You have no idea how much this means to me!

Five Habits of Highly Effective Volunteers

#1: Plan Ahead If possible, it's always good to communicate with the people you will be working with overseas at least a month in advance of your trip. Figuring out exactly what your responsibilities are can be helpful and may help determine how you spend your prep time and even what you pack!

#2: Be Flexible Volunteering overseas is an opportunity that provides a vast array of new challenges and experiences. You may have to change some of your preferred habits to adapt to the local culture. You may not be able to do exactly the type of work that you were hoping for. And you may face unexpected challenges. Flexibility will help you adapt to a new, and sometimes overwhelming, experience.

#3: Have Reasonable Goals You can't save the world in six weeks. And you can't completely master a new language and cultural environment in that amount of time either. But you can do good things--and you can make a difference! If you set reasonable expectations for yourself, you'll probably have a less stressful volunteer experience.

#4: Debrief Many volunteers feel an immediate need to talk about their experiences with a friend or fellow traveler. If you are on a trip with other international volunteers, it would be a good idea to carve out a time to debrief with them once a day, sharing stories and relating challenges and difficulties faced during the day. If you are on your own, you might want to consider relating your experiences on a regular basis via e-mail with your friends and family. Journaling is also another effective tool to reflect on the day's events.

#5: Think about the Next Step A short-term service learning project can be the first step of a journey that lasts a lifetime. The moment you get on a place and head home doesn't have to be "the end" of your experience. Think about what you want your post-trip experience to be like. Are there people you met that you want to keep in touch with? Are there ways you can help the organizations you worked with overseas within your own community? Is there a unique and meaningful way that you'd like to share your story with your friends and family once you've returned home? Continue to the next page for more detailed information about planning a "post-trip" project.

Coming Home: Creating a Post-Trip Project

Your overseas volunteer project is the first step in a journey that can last a lifetime. One of the most important parts of your experience may actually occur after your trip when you find new and creative ways to share your stories and experiences. You may have discovered a worthy project in your host country that you'd like to help raise money for. Or you may have found a worthy cause or issue to which you would like to draw attention or raise awareness. Sometimes it is helpful to plan a post-trip project even before you depart on your overseas journey so that you'll be ready to begin implementation as soon as you return home.

Here are a few examples of projects previous volunteers have pursued:

Speaking Engagements You may find that an effective way to raise awareness about the region you visited is by speaking directly to small groups of people, whether it's to a club or group of friends at your college campus, to your church or to a community organization.

Working with the Media Some people are convinced that the media will never be interested in them, no matter what they do. But this simply isn't true--especially for smaller, local radio talk shows and newspapers (including college newspapers). Most small newspapers can't afford to send a correspondent to the Middle East. Offering essays or articles from the perspective of someone who has been "on-the-ground" can be a great service to them. (More Media Tips...)

Creative Arts There are plenty of creative ways to communicate your experiences in the Middle East, depending on your talents and interests. You might collect a number of the best photos you took from your trip and ask a local school or coffee shop to "host" your exhibit. You may have thought to shoot video on your journey and could edit it into a documentary film. There may be other mediums--writing, theater, painting, music--through which you feel you can communicate something about your experiences.

Fundraising for a Cause While you were living within a Middle Eastern community, you may have identified a specific cause or needs that are being addressed by local NGOs and organizations. A great way to continue to make a difference for the community that you served is by helping to raise awareness and funds for worthy causes in the Middle East. Such as: raising money for the rebuilding of demolished homes, for a children's hospital, or for other community development projects or programs.

Media Tools and Tips: Publicize your Journey

Why contact the media

You're traveling to a part of the world that is talked about a great deal in the media–and that is often misrepresented or misunderstood. Believe it or not volunteering in the Middle East can be, in itself, a newsworthy event–you may not get coverage in the New York Times, but there is a good chance your local newspaper or school newspaper would be interested in your experiences and perspectives.

We encourage all of our participants to contact newspapers, radio programs, and other forms of local media before departure.

The first step is to collect the names and phone numbers of people to contact. The easiest way to do this is by looking for the information online.

Once you have your contact list, contact them with a phone call—an e-mail or letter won’t be enough. Tell them about the volunteer program and ask them if they’d be interested in receiving a collect phone call from the Middle East in order to conduct an interview with you halfway through your trip.

If they don’t already have staff in the region, you could also offer to call them if any major developments happen in the area so that they can have direct access to the story.

Basic Media Tips

You’re Not Asking for Any Favors. Journalists need contacts. They can’t get very far without them. When you approach a journalist with a story, remember that you are doing them a favor by bringing it, not the other way around. In other words: be confident. Your story deserves to be heard.

Media Outlets are Everywhere. There are more “media outlets” than you could possibly imagine. For example, if you’re a college graduate, chances are your college has a publication with stories about current students and alumni. When looking for media, “think outside the box.”

Take Notes. Keep a journal during your trip. If you have a camera, take pictures. Record your experiences!

What Makes You Unique? Everyone has a unique perspective which will appeal to a unique audience. Your job or organization affiliations may have unique publications attached to it. Or even your religious views (think: church bulletins, religious magazines, etc.)

Don’t Get Discouraged. Some media outlets won’t be interested. But don’t give up!

Make a List of Media Outlets

You have an unique opportunity to share what you learn with others in your community. We encourage you to share your story as widely as possible.

Do you have a local newspaper? A Local radio show? Does your church or religious community have their own publications? Do you belong to a club or professional organization that has a publication? Are you an alumni of a college or university that has a regular publication (most do)? Make a list.

Press Release Tips

Tips for writing press releases:

Make sure the title is both descriptive and compelling. It should sound like a real headline. So "My Trip to the Middle East" doesn't work. "Volunteers Abandon Normal Lives to Live with and Work with Palestinians" might be a better choice.

Get inside the head of whoever you are sending a release to. For example, if you're an Arab-American and you're sending this to an Arab-American publication, make that a focus. If you're sending this to a church publication and you're a member, make sure that's clear.

If you can, address the press release to an actual editor (use their name) and not something more generic.

You're first paragraph needs a "hook"–something compelling that will make them want to read more.

Keep it simple: limit it to one page if at all possible.

The "cut and paste" rule: if a newspaper were to cut and paste your press release and place it in their newspaper, would it work as an article? If not, what's missing?

This is journalism here, so remember to include: who, what, where, and why.

Always follow up with a phone call to make sure your press release was received.

Be sure to include your name and contact information at the top of the press release.

Be sure to include “For Immediate Release” on the top right of the page.

Resources

Living Media CD

"Living Media is a 60-minute audio cassette training tape, now also available on a CD with over 35 pages of resources, designed to give people who travel to the Third World the skills and confidence to communicate with their community through the media. Working with Living Media will help both fundraising prior to your trip and outreach when you come home. "

Sample Volunteer Opportunities from Our Programs

Types of volunteer work available to our summer encounter participants in Bethlehem, Palestine and Damascus, Syria:

Artists: Artists will work with children in the community with painting, drawing, ceramics, etc.

Coaches: Help coach various sports like basketball, soccer, etc. There are many summer camps (such as Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts) that will need help with their sporting programs.

English teachers: Help teach English as a second language.

Music Instruction: Teach music in after-school programs or at various community centers.

Tutors: Volunteer in after-school programs and help tutor kids. All subjects need tutors.

Hospital Aid: Work in a hospital.

Law: Intern with a law firm or local legal defense group.

Manual Labor: There are many people and places that will need help with manual labor, such as helping rehabilitate the local community center by clearing away trash, painting, etc.

For more information about volunteering overseas, please contact us at travel@middleeastfellowship.org or at (714) 529-1926.

Staying Healthy as an International Volunteer

It's important to stay healthy on your trip. Here are some basic tips:

1) Get the Facts. Check the Center for Disease Control for country specific information on immunizations and health warnings: http://www.cdc.gov/

2) Plan a Check up. It's a good idea to schedule a medical, dental and eye check up before your trip. It's better to do so approximately four or five weeks in advance of your departure–that way, for example, if you have any problems (like a cavity) you have time for a second appointment.

3) Keep hydrated. The Middle East in the summer is hot. Drink plenty of water (it's better to stick to bottled water when possible). Make sure you're also prepared for the sun: a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are all important tools if you plan to spend time outdoors.

4) Emotional well being. You are adjusting to a new culture, volunteering, studying, and wrapping your head around a complicated political situation all at the same time. It's important, especially once you've returned home, to give yourself time and space to process your time spent abroad. That may mean time to reflect (journaling, speaking), time to unwind (vacation, time with friends) or time to vent. Bear in mind that returning home may be the biggest cultural shock of all–after spending time overseas you'll notice things about your own community and culture that may have never been apparent before.

5) Minimize Jet Lag. Most of you will be experiencing long international flights in order to join us in the Middle East. Here are some tips to help reduce jet lag and make your flight a more pleasant experience.

Drink plenty of fluids. Dehydration worsens the effects of jetlag and, unfortunately, the dry recycled air in airplanes can encourage dehydration. The best strategy is to drink lots of water on the day before your flight. Carry around a bottle of water with you for the whole day. Then, during the flight, ask for a glass of water in addition to whatever juice you are offered every time beverages are served. Avoid soda, coffee and alcoholic beverages which can cause or increase dehydration.

Set your clock to your destination. As soon as you arrive at the airport, set your watch or clock to the time at your destination. Try to set your eating and sleeping schedule to the new time zone (if at all possible).

Try some in-flight stretches. To avoid soreness, try doing some stretches throughout the flight or briefly walk back and forth down the aisle.

Get some sleep! Many people have trouble sleeping comfortably on airplanes, but on longer flights, you’ll need to at least get some rest. Consider bringing along ear plugs, an eyemask or an inflatable pillow to help you sleep. If you can’t sleep, shut your eyes and rest.

What and How to Pack

an A to Z packing list for your trip to the Middle East.

Pack light. You don't need five books–you won't have time to read them. You don't need every article of clothing in your closet–you'll be able to do laundry once you're here. When it comes to packing: when in doubt, toss it out.

Pack the Essentials:

a) Passport
b) A photocopy of your passport (in a separate place)
c) Airline Tickets
d) A photocopy of your airline tickets
e) Visa and/or Mastercard
f) Phone numbers of your embassy in the country you will visit
g) Any needed/prescribed medications

Make sure these essentials are in your carry on luggage. There is always a chance the airline will lose your luggage–better safe than sorry!

The Right Clothes for the Occasion

How conservatively people dress varies from town to town and village to village. In general, it's better to dress slightly more conservatively than you might back home. Shorts (except for swimming) or very short skirts could be avoided and sleeveless tank tops should probably be left at home. On the other hand, the Middle East in the summer is hot–so don't pack a lot of heavy, long sleeved black shirts either.

It also might be smart to bring:

h) A headscarf (for women). Not necessary for everyday wear, but a headscarf will be needed, for example, when visiting a mosque or holy shrine.

i) Warm clothing for the cold evenings (one long sleeve sweater should suffice).

j) One set of more formal wear. Something you might feel comfortable wearing at a wedding.

k) Sunglasses. They're not just aesthetic–these really do help protect your eyes.

l) A light, waterproof jacket.

m) Swimsuit/swim trunks. You'll like have at least one opportunity to make use of it.

o) a towel–also for swimming.

p) A wide brim hat. Good for protecting against the summer sun.

Packing for the Plane

If you're flying from the United States, the trip to the Middle East is a long one. If you have trouble sleeping on long flights you could consider pack

q) One good book.

r) A water bottle. Part of jet lag is dehydration. They'll probably serve drinks in flight, but bringing your own bottle can keep you extra hydrated.

s) Anything that will help you sleep–ear plugs. An inflatable neck pillow, eyes shades–whatever works for you.

Tools / Electronics

t) Voltage converter. If you bring U.S. appliance or electronics you will at least need to bring a plug adapter–most plugs in the Middle East have two round prongs. Or, depending on the appliance, you may need a voltage converter. If your appliances do not accept 220 volts AC at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter (check to see if it's written on the device itself or in the manual).

Google “voltage converter” for places to purchase your own.

u) Laptop. These days, a lot of people can't live without it–if so, bring it. Note that if you're going to be staying in a town like Bethlehem or a city like Damascus, internet cafes are widely available.

v) Digital Camera. You'll probably want photos. If you have a camera, bring it.

w) Paper and pen. A low tech solution to the task of journaling and note taking. A good idea to bring this along even if you bring everything else. Laptops crash–pen and paper don't.

Stuff you Can Bring or Easily Purchase Here

x) Sunscreen. Again, protect yourself from the sun.

y) Toiletries. Toothpaste, shampoo, soap–all easy to find items. You can pack them or, in all likelihood, buy them more cheaply once you've arrived.

z) Gift for your Host Family. If you're staying with a host family for any portion of your trip, it's a nice idea to bring a small gift. Sweets always do the trick. Or something meaningful to you might also be a nice gesture–for example, a T-shirt that's related to the city that you're from or something you can only get in your area and not in the Middle East. You can also wait until you arrive to pick up a gift–the advantage of this is that you can meet your host family first, get a sense of what they like, and then buy it.