Volunteering is something beautiful and magical. Something that every one of us should experience at least once in a lifetime. The history of volunteering takes us back all the way to 1755 when the verb was first recorded, but it is believed to truly originate in medieval ages when voluntary hospitals aided poor and sick. Fast-forward to today, and thanks to the gigantic wave of traveling, the volunteering followed along and become one of the hottest travel trends. More than a million people volunteer across the world at any given day, and Colombia, without a doubt, is a huge piece in this fascinating puzzle of sharing and help. Become a part of history, present, and future by exploring the possibilities and becoming a volunteer in Colombia, and all you have to do is follow these easy steps that will lead you to better understanding what volunteering offers for you in Colombia and in general. If you’re ready, let’s go!
Before We Start: What is Volunteering Anyway?
Just before we begin, there are a very simple question that needs to be answered. Even with today’s surge of popularity in volunteering, there are always new people coming in who just started exploring the rich and giving the world of the volunteer.
Therefore, what is volunteering exactly and why even bother doing it?
Volunteering is a beautiful activity, many times an altruistic one with no financial profits or business intentions. As a volunteer, you engage in a variety of activities that might aid the local community, pet animals or wildlife, various organizations or even a specific person or family.
It promotes goodness and improvement of quality of life for everyone and is usually engaged in a group with no financial or social gains.
Step 1: Embrace Project Diversity
The first step will always bring you to the diversity the volunteering offers. Be it the whole world or just Colombia and its size that is twice the Texas state only boosts the diversity and opportunities in volunteering even more.
Colombia has it all – oceans and seas, quaint towns and bustling cities, deserts and lush rainforests, rumbling volcanoes and rolling canyons with streaming rivers and extensive wildlife and more. What it has to do with volunteering? Almost everything, as this incredible composition, delivers a fantastic choice in volunteering, even for the pickiest ones.
From vast coffee plantations, animal sanctuaries and eco-friendly farm stay to teaching English to kids, assisting recycling innovations, creative workshops and beyond. Colombia is rich in volunteering opportunities, and the demand means the help is as needed as ever as the country is still developing.
But Colombia is known for its turbulent history and past, which leads us straight to our next step.
Step 2: Defy Stereotypes & Connect To Local Culture
Colombia was one of the most dangerous and deadliest countries on the planet not that long ago. And even now, approaching 2020 the perception of its unsafety remains strong.
Volunteering, unlike basic tourism, delivers a true, authentic and deep connection to the country, and in Colombia, there’s a lot to connect to!
Think of all the colonial history that makes up the beautiful setting of towns such as Barichara or cities like Cartagena. Learn and admire it while exploring on your free time. What about the splendid nature that blends in perfectly with small indigenous communities across Colombia?
Colombia is a relatively safe country today, booming in tourism and hospitality, and volunteering might be your golden ticket to discovering the beautiful landscapes and diverse cultural boundaries as well as to defy stereotypes and let the world know that Colombia is ready for those seeking something more.
Step 3: Reek The Rewards & Benefits
Around 90% of the time the payment in money isn’t offered and sometimes even you have to pay to volunteer. It can get anyone wondering quickly, what’s the point then? Is it really worth it? Shouldn’t I be focusing on a real career? What is the real gain and benefits for you as a volunteer besides food and accommodation which is the most common form of repaying the volunteer?
There are so many rewards and benefits. They are hidden behind the common conceptions of what we should always seek in life. A beautiful pallet of benefits is yours for the taking once you start volunteering, and here are some of the most significant ones!
· Add Invaluable Experience
· Develop A Lot of New Skills
· Relief in Stress & Anxiety
· Make a Difference
· Gain Confidence
· Make Lifetime Friends
· Stay In Spectacular Locations
· … and many more!
Reek all of these benefits and more and watch them will easily apply to your life after you leave volunteering behind. And in the end, both sides will be rewarded for their efforts and giving back.
Conclusion: Volunteer in Colombia & Give Life a New Meaning!
Colombia is out there with many places that need help and support and today it is easier than ever to travel around the world and reach your destination. Use this perfect time in our history and discover a new purpose in your life and spice up your travels by adding volunteering experience to your bucket list.
Don’t believe it? Become a volunteer in Colombia and see it for yourself while creating everlasting memories, sharpening unique skills and giving back to those who need it the most. Good luck!
