volunteer overseas

when you start thinking about one of your goals, you encounter reminders or open doors immediately after. Today, I was presented with an opportunity to sign up to help out with inner city youth or with homeless women and children. I think I will try to jump in and help one of these groups in the near future and start thinking of other ways that I could help make this world just a little better. In the past, I was so busy with work that I found that I moved away from volunteering and only found myself donating money to good causes. I know that helps too, but sometimes, it just seems as if all the money goes to administration even if that is not the case. It’s nice to be able to jump in and help out people in person. It’s also great to get that warm fuzzy feeling that you don’t really get when you sign a check.

I have to find a way to volunteer on a regular basis. I have always wanted to go abroad to volunteer in programs like the Peace Corps, UNV, etc., but have always tabled the idea for later date. Since I still find it difficult to commit that much time at this point in my life, I would like to look into shorter term projects. I always start researching all the programs and then get too busy. I think I would really like to do a short term project within the next 1.5 years. I think it may take some time to filter through all the different options out there and would love to get any input from anyone who’s familiar with shorter term programs. Thx!