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Margaret meets her sponsored child, Sara, while volunteering in El Salvador
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Who gets accepted?
World Vision has a limited number of volunteer trip spaces available. The number of applicants typically exceeds the number of spaces available. For this reason, World Vision goes through a rigorous selection process for interested candidates including an interview, reference checks and a police record check. This process helps World Vision to select the best-suited volunteers from among all of the applicants. Preference is typically given to volunteers who have never traveled with World Vision before and who are interested in the long-term objectives of sharing their stories with a wider audience. As long as you are interested in learning about World Vision's work and want to share the impact of child sponsorship with other Canadians when you return home, you could be eligible! See "How to Become a Volunteer" to see additional eligibility requirements.
When is the cut-off date to apply for trips?
The more time you allow for your application to be processed, the more likely you will be accepted for your preferred trip. We recommend a minimum 8-week timeframe in order to process your application and prepare you for your trip. Some trip participants apply for trips up to 6-months in advance to ensure that they will be well prepared for their overseas journey and that there will be space available on their first-choice trip. As more people apply, the trips will begin to fill up, so don't wait until it's too late.
Do I need to have any particular skills or experience in order to volunteer?
Previous experience is NOT required. World Vision will teach you how to do the specific tasks required of you once you reach the destination country. It is recommended that volunteers be healthy and physically capable of contributing to the volunteer component of the trip. As long as you are interested in learning about World Vision's work and want to share the impact of child sponsorship with other Canadians when you return home, you could be eligible!
Why do I have to find sponsors for five children before participating?
Child sponsorship is one of the most effective and exciting ways to make a long-term impact in the life of a child and within that child's community. By finding sponsors for children in need, you ensure that you're making a long-term impact that will far outlive the benefits of our short-term volunteer trip. Each volunteer will be given the opportunity to meet the five individual children that they find sponsors for and to gain an appreciation for how each child's life can be transformed by this new relationship with a Canadian sponsor who cares. In fact, if you are able to find sponsors for even more than five children before traveling, you will be making an even bigger lasting impact and you'll be a part of the opportunity to transform more and more lives. Also, note that finding sponsors for 5 children is really only the beginning of a longer term effort World Vision will be asking you to make as you continue to engage as an advocate volunteer after your trip... your role when you come home will be to share the stories of children in need and act as a strong voice on behalf of children who are still waiting for sponsors. In this way, you will be given the unique opportunity to continue transforming children's lives from your own home turf.
Why are the volunteer trips so short in duration?
World Vision volunteer trips typically last approximately 2 weeks (depending on the specific destination). Although this may seem like a short visit, each trip does require significant support, time and energy from our World Vision colleagues overseas. It is these World Vision staff in the field who serve as translators and guides for us throughout the duration of the trip. A 2 week timeframe allows our group of Canadian volunteers to achieve the trip objectives and then release the local staff to return to the daily, ongoing tasks of development work while we return home to take on the next phase of our volunteer commitment as advocates on behalf of children who are still waiting for sponsors. So even though the time abroad is short, the ongoing volunteer role that each person takes on has the potential to last much longer and continue transforming lives around the globe.
Can I really make a difference if the trip lasts only 2 weeks?
The volunteer trips are short-term opportunities designed specifically to give you a glimpse into the work that World Vision is doing in developing communities. The hands-on volunteer component lasts only 3 - 5 days of the trip. For this brief time, you will lend a hand in an ongoing initiative. During the remainder of the trip, you will meet children and their families. You will hear their life stories and learn about their situations so that you can understand how child sponsorship impacts lives. By sharing what you've learned with other Canadians when you return home, you will become a strong voice for children and families overseas. The volunteer trip is only the starting point in a journey that stretches well beyond the timeframe of the trip itself.
Can World Vision help to defray a portion of the cost of my volunteer trip?
Unfortunately, World Vision is unable to offer any financial assistance to volunteers. World Vision is a non-profit, charitable organization and donated funds are required by law to be used for the programs for which they were intended. You are welcome however to seek financial assistance from your own support network (e.g. friends, family members, co-workers).
Can I take my children with me on a World Vision volunteer trip?
World Vision is only able to consider volunteers who are over the age of 18.
Does Destination Life Change coordinate group trips for schools / churches / etc...?
Unfortunately, Destination Life Change is not able to coordinate trips for groups. If you have a group of people who want to travel together, you are welcome to apply as individuals, but some members of any given group may be accepted, while others may not be depending on each applicant's suitability for the volunteer role.
How will I know if I have been accepted to volunteer?
World Vision will review your application and if you are determined to be an eligible candidate, a staff member will contact you to arrange a telephone interview as well as contact your references. Once complete, a staff member will contact you again to let you know whether you have been accepted and will provide you with specific information to prepare for your upcoming trip.
Should I book my flight before I am officially accepted to volunteer?
World Vision recommends that you do not make any travel arrangements prior to receiving an official acceptance into the volunteer program. Once accepted, you will be given specific instructions about the time and place where you will need to meet the rest of your Canadian team in the destination country.
Where will I stay?
Throughout the trip, volunteers will stay in hotel accommodations located near the World Vision project area(s) being visited. In most cases, volunteers will share accommodations with another member of the team. Depending on the itinerary, volunteers may also stay in larger city centres at the beginning and the end of the trip (typically the near the airport). All provided accommodations are comfortable, clean, and safe.
Will the food and water be safe to eat and drink?
Participants receive clean, safe, bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth. World Vision does not recommend drinking water from any other source while traveling. A local host will provide guidance regarding the safety of food.
Despite these precautions, it is common when traveling that volunteers will experience mild upset. World Vision recommends exercising vigilance in deciding what to eat and also recommends packing some over-the-counter medications to deal with potential health issues.
Will I have any free time on the volunteer trip to explore the country by myself?
Due to the time constraints of the trip, there is not much free time for tourism. However, there are some limited sightseeing opportunities worked into the group itinerary. Volunteers are welcome to coordinate personal sightseeing time either before or after the trip. Please note that volunteers wishing to add additional days to their trip will be personally responsible for coordinating all details pertaining to extended trip dates (e.g. accommodation, transportation, translation, finances, etc.) Please also note, that extending a trip is not for the purpose of continuing volunteer work with World Vision, it is only for personal enjoyment as a tourist to that country.
Can I bring gifts with me to my destination country?
Yes! Please feel free to pack gifts for the children and families that you will meet during your trip. If you are accepted into the volunteer program, World Vision can provide you with a list of suggested gifts for children and adults.
What immunizations/vaccinations do I need in order to participate?
World Vision highly recommends that volunteers, once accepted, discuss vaccinations with a travel doctor or family physician based on the specific country that you are traveling to and on your particular health history.
Does World Vision cover my travel / life / medical insurance?
No. Volunteers are required to provide their own insurance.
Is the trip price tax-receiptable?
The cost of your trip is not tax-receiptable. All the funds given to World Vision Canada for this trip will be allocated to offset the costs associated with this trip. Only donations are tax-receiptable.
Can I use my own Frequent Flyer points to book my flight?
Yes! Each volunteer is required to make their own travel arrangements to the destination country, so if you have the option of using Airmiles, Aeorplan points, etc… please feel free to use them. Before booking your flight please be sure that you have confirmed the specific details for where and when you need to meet the rest of your team in the destination country. This information can be obtained after you have been accepted to participate through contact with the Destination Life Change staff at the Canadian office 1-888-307-4641.
Do I need a passport to travel as a World Vision volunteer?
Yes. If you do not possess a passport, you will need to begin the process of obtaining one upon your acceptance. Depending on the country you are traveling to, you may also require a Visa. Once you are officially accepted as a volunteer, a World Vision staff member will clarify the specific requirements with you based on the country that you will be traveling to.
How many people participate together on a team of volunteers?
The number of volunteer participants will vary depending on the destination country, but groups typically range between 6-10 participants. The teams are generally comprised of individual people from across Canada, male and female, 18 years of age & older.
Will my family be able to contact me while I am traveling?
Yes. You will be given specific contact information for all provided accommodations so that your family can know how to reach you while you're traveling. In the event of an emergency, you can also be contacted through World Vision Canada. Most program locations do have access to internet cafés nearby.
How can I be sure that I will be safe if I participate in a volunteer trip?
Destination Life Change has carefully chosen to operate in countries with political stability and issues of personal safety are discussed in the orientation. As with any journey abroad, certain precautions should be taken in order to increase your safety. However, no matter where you travel, safety from danger is never a guarantee. Participants should be aware of the risks involved with general travel prior to committing to a Destination Life Change trip. Factors that help to increase safety on our trips include things like:
- Traveling with a group (rather than as an independent tourist)
- Traveling with a local translator & guide who is familiar with the area and the culture
- Minimizing night time outings
- Selection of accommodations with basic safety standards
- Provision of safety tips on topics such as traveling wisely with money
- Traveling with a first aid kit (provided by World Vision for the entire team)
Will a World Vision representative be traveling with me?
Volunteers are responsible for arranging their own flights to the destination country. A World Vision Canada representative typically travels to the destination country in advance of the volunteers. Once volunteers are officially accepted into the program, they will be given instructions about when & where to meet up with the rest of their teammates. Volunteers are also given contact information for each other so that they can coordinate travel plans with other members of their team if desired. Once the group meets at the pre-determined location, a World Vision Canada representative will remain with your group, acting as your team leader and coordinator throughout the duration of your volunteer trip.
When will trip dates & locations be confirmed for next year?
We strive to confirm each year's trips in the fall/winter months of the preceding year, however, we know that occasionally the confirmation process does take longer.
If you have questions that have not been answered here, please feel free to contact a World Vision Canada staff member at 1-888-307-4641.
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