Following the interest of international students in volunteering activities, the federal government has decided to launch a smart volunteering campaign that shall focus on the key point of working in overseas orphanages. The motive behind the launch is to keep students well informed about the risks that they face while opting for volunteer work in orphanages and how to make the time more beneficial while being there.
The federal government, along with support from universities and colleges is now going to make sure that the students who volunteer for overseas orphanage work are well informed so that no harm is done. The latest report released by UNICEF states that the number of volunteers in orphanages have increased by 75 percent in just a matter of 5 years from 2005 to 2010. The disturbing fact about these numbers is that in many cases their orphanages are sheltering children who are not orphans and don’t qualify for help. In such circumstance, with universities in Australia encouraging volunteer work in this field, students are not getting the experience that has been signed up for.
The federal government through their program smart volunteering campaign will take measures to ensure the competency of candidates to volunteer for the orphanage, the authenticity of the shelter, how the funds allocated are being used and so on. This will also make sure that the candidates are molded into a child-safe volunteer.
What must one do while opting for Volunteer work in orphanages?
First of all, it is very important to understand that children at the orphanage are at an age that is very vulnerable with respect to leaving a mark. Hence before volunteering one must make sure to check his or her ability to carry out the duties. One may visit the DFAT website.
You must do your research about the place you are going to beforehand and get all the information about their culture. Be sure about what you want to do there and whether it coincides with the organization’s objectives.
Volunteer activities can be a lot helpful in building your profile as an international student and hence such care needs to be taken to make the work done relevant.
