How do I volunteer?
A: To volunteer with Volunteers Without Boundaries you need to send a letter of introduction and motivation, your resume (please include your skills, languages and hobbies) in addition to a completed, signed, witnessed volunteer agreement along with a minimum donation of $35. 00 to the address on the application. To download an application click here for Volunteer agreement.
A. Volunteers Without Boundaries (VWB) is supported by donations from
folks like you. No one at VWB receives any salary at all. The funds
and equipment you donate go right back into the program towards the
development of volunteer opportunities, transport of equipment and
supplies to needy clinics, and the purchase of additional needed
supplies. At this point we do not have enough funds to cover volunteer
travel costs to the host site but in the future we hope to be able to
provide support in this area as well. READ MORE...
Please make checks payable to Volunteers Without Boundaries and send to Volunteers Without Boundaries, Mary Lightfine, President, 2620 S. Peninsula Drive, Daytona Beach, FL 32118
Q. I have always dreamed of volunteering abroad but don't know if it's really for me. Can you tell me what I might expect?
The only book I know of that really takes you to the heart of the volunteer experience is Nurses, Nomads, And Warlords, ISBN 1-877633-79-8. An exciting, page turning, true story; this book drops you down in the middle of Mogadishu, Somalia during a time of violent anarchy and civil unrest. You are forced to see, smell and touch the masses of starved, maimed and dying while bombs and machine gunfire rip through the air just outside the shattered windows of Digfer Hospital where you work side by side with courageous volunteers. The characters are real, unforgettable and unique. You will experience the tragedy of war and witness the humor in humanity first hand as if you were there yourself. This book will be your first step to understanding the volunteer experience. You can order it on www.Amazon.com or www.nursesnomadsandwarlords.com
Q. Can you tell me if there might possibly be something I could do with your organization, as I am a teacher? Do you think my skills may be needed at this time in Chiapas? Thanks so much for your time!
Have a look at the stories and FAQ’s on this website. The program is mostly medically oriented, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any benefit for non medical folks. In Chiapas you will hosted by a local doctor and his family. The program is designed primarily for teaching YOU, the volunteer, about people, culture and language as well as and introduction to "international volunteerism 101." It is for those who may want to get their first volunteer experience abroad in a relatively safe environment before moving on to bigger things. You will become immersed in another culture and learn through your volunteering at the clinic. It is not a volunteer program in the sense that YOU are going to be saving lives...It is designed to give you a chance to give of yourself but you are closely supervised so you don't necessarily NEED to be a medical person as you would note from reading the volunteer journals. It doesn't matter if you are a nurse, garbage man, doctor or a philosophy student as long as you are interested in Spanish, Latin culture, helping others, want to learn new things, are aware of the risks and have a strong desire to experience something new. If this is not the case you will also find on this website several other organizations listed in case you'd like to explore another possibility that might suit your needs better. www.nursesnomadsandwarlords.com
Volunteers Without Boundaries has opportunities in Chiapas, Mexico and Guatemala City. Next year we hope to have other countries available too.
In Chiapas, Mexico There are opportunities for medical and non medical folks as well as college students in the quiet, mountainous, village of Villaflores, 90 minutes from the capital of Tuxtla Gutierrez. Very basic Spanish speaking skills are a plus but it is possible to hire a translator if needed. You will be expected to cover your own expenses but what an opportunity of a lifetime.
In Guatemala City, Guatemala, not far from Antigua there are three different public Hospital opportunities for student nurses and medical students as well as qualified doctors and nurses. Groups of six or more may apply for a minimum of four weeks (no max time limit). Basic Spanish speaking skills required. This is a perfect opportunity for international experience required by many residency programs. All specialties accepted and you will have to pay your own expenses. For more information please read "A Volunteers Journal" in the articles and stories section. See "How do I volunteer "for application requirements.
Q: Do you have a certain traveler's insurance you use?
A: I do not have travelers insurance. Most developing countries do not accept insurance you would have to pay cash for any injuries or emergencies. So bring enough cash with you for starters. Also since you will volunteer with a medical clinic…The doctor will certainly be able to help with finding the appropriate referral. Should you want evacuation insurance or are worried about injuries that could happen outside of the village then you could also search on the internet for “international health insurance.” BUT remember it is usually cash only in developing countries…on the other hand health care expenses are usually less than in the USA for comparable services.
Q: Living situation: Is it possible to "live with the locals" rather than staying in a hotel?
A: Living with a local family is possible but not 100% guaranteed as space is limited. We need to check on an individual basis. Also other volunteers may be around at the same time you are so it also possible to rent a house and share.
Q: I'd like to bring as many supplies as possible and would love a list from you. Then I could start getting people in the health sciences programs to jump on board with donations, medications, who knows?!
A: Donation suggestions: Remember that you can only take two 70 lb bags on the plane with you and one 20 lb carry on plus a purse so don’t forget about the limit or you will be charged a lot extra. If you get donations also ask for money to pay for the extra shipping weight. Don’t bring any medicines unless you have special clearance from the local government and the receiving facility. It is best to coordinate donations with the clinic where you will be spending time, they will be happy to make appropriate suggestions.
Q: What will the approximate cost be for one month of lodging and food?
A: I would consider about $5-10/day for food and if you have to rent a house - $100-$150/month for rent and $30/month for utilities. If you stay with a local family there will be costs you will have to cover and perhaps a small fee to cover food, laundry, cleaning and water plus you may be asked to pitch in with cooking, cleaning and shopping. It will depend on where you stay.
Q: If the local doctor is interested in an AIDS program, what is he looking for? Education-based approach, supplies to do HIV testing and counseling or both?
A: These questions need to be discussed directly with the local Doctor and authorities. Only they know what the community needs ands will support culturally. In most cases a prevention program might be good…remember you would have to do your program in SPANISH so what you are able to is limited by your language abilities and bringing treatment into the country could be problematic.
Q: What can I expect my role to be? I know it's always unexpected and unpredictable, but should I expect hands on, clinical work. Will travel be involved to care for patients, or do most find their way to the clinic? Will there be opportunities for teaching?
A: In some areas you will be working in the Surgical clinic, share in education of the other students (yes teaching would be great if your Spanish is good enough), assisting in the operating room, community oriented sanitation, disease prevention, fumigation of mosquitoes, and Ambulance rescue (most patients find their way to the clinic but some communities provide community rescue services). You are not obliged to participate in all services if you do not feel comfortable but you will be asked to volunteer for a normal 40 hr week in some capacity. There is also the possibility of asking to help out in general medical areas with some of the doctor’s colleagues if they are willing to accept volunteers. This a very informal and flexible cultural / medical exchange program…You are limited only by your imagination, your willingness, your level of expertise and the wishes of the local authorities along with the community and… they are very open to new ideas.
Q: I was wondering about vaccinations.
A: Check the CDC web site www.cdc.gov/travel for vaccination information on the country where you will be traveling. Don’t forget to update the vaccinations you need for USA too!!
Q: For prescription medicines I was going to bring a month’s worth of medicine... should I also bring a copy of the prescriptions??
A: Bring your medicines in their original container and bring a copy of the RX with you. Be sure that your doctor writes your diagnosis and the generic name of your medicine on the RX in case your medicines need to be replaced locally.
Q: I wanted to find out if I need to apply for a visa.
A: It is important to check with the airlines or local embassy. In some cases you will need a passport and in others, like Mexico, you might only need a photo ID and an official birth certificate or voter registration. Checks first, don’t assume anything.
Q: Where can I find cheap travel luggage and clothes?
A: There is a great website for discount clothing, luggage and travel supplies. I use it often. It is called Sierra Trading Post. www.SierraTradingPost.com or call 1-800-713-4534. You can search for your favorite brand names on this site too. I find Eagle Creek Luggage to be very travel friendly.
A: In most cases you will be traveling alone but there are times when other volunteers from the USA will be in the clinic during some or all of the time you are there. If you do not want to travel alone please let me know in the letter of motivation you send with your application as there are other options available. i can try to hook you up with another volunteer so you can travel together or under special circumstances I can travel with you and your group but logistics and additional costs would need to be discussed and approved in advance.
Q: Are you in Villaflores, Chiapas all the time?
A: No, You can normally find me in Chiapas during the summer and winter of each year as I am also working in the states and lecturing in various colleges. My lecture schedule is available on www.nursewithoutboundaries.com. My colleague and the director of the Cruz Roja clinic, Dr Jesus Farrera Grajales will be your host, educator and supervisor during your volunteer term in Villaflores.
Q: How can I know more about Dr Jesus Farrera Grajales and the Cruz Roja in Mexico?
A: Photo gallery coming soon!
Q: How do I get to my destination in Villaflores?
A: If you want to check out flights and prices here is the route so you can see where you will be traveling. The airport in Tuxula Gutierrez (TGZ) (Mexican state of Chiapas) is 1.5 hrs from Villaflores, the clinic staff can arrange to pick you up in TGZ. This airport is serviced by AVIACSA, Aerocaribe, & Mexicana air. The service from America has connecting flights in Mexico city, Veracruz, Villahermosa, Tapachula, Cancun, Merida, Oaxaca. You could probably take any flight to Mexico city and connect using one of the mentioned airlines. Hopefully you can find some prices you can afford. I know that Continental express flies into Villahermosa and you could catch a connection from there if that works out price wise. Some adventurous folks have considered taking a bus from Mexico city but I wouldn't advise it unless you are a very seasoned traveler.
Q How did you find an incubator to donate?
A. An amazing woman named Rita Iverson donated more than just an infant incubator to Volunteers Without Boundaries. To learn more about this wonderful woman and how she was inspired to change the world click here.
Q. Does Volunteers Without Boundaries accept volunteers from outside the USA?
A. Yes, anyone who sends an application is considered and your chances of finding an opportunity are very good depending on your level of motivation.
Q. I can’t speak very good Spanish, can I still apply?
A. Yes, you can apply and may wish to either perfect your Spanish or learn more about another culture in an English speaking country such as Uganda.
Q. Can I hire a Translator?
A. If you are going to a country you need to speak enough of the local language to get around. If you want to hire a translator that is up to you.
Q. What should I study so I can get a position with Doctors Without Borders one day?
A. That would require a long and personalized answer. You will need to send your specific questions and your current qualifications along with a $5.00 donation to Volunteers Without Boundaries and address your inquiry to Mary Lightfine, president. Include a self addressed envelope and e-mail address for your personal advice. Address for inquiries and donations can be found at the bottom of the page.
Q. What advice do you have for someone just starting out as a nurse who wants to volunteer, is there a special area where I should focus my work or certain skills I should have before looking for volunteer work?
A. Same answer as above.
Q I don’t have much money but I got a new computer and now have an old laptop that still works that I’d like to donate to the field will you accept this?
A Yes, there is a big need for small, light weight equipment, laptop computers, even small tools (not heavy) that have multiple uses in the field.
Q. I am a registered nurse with 12 years experience, I speak three languages and have lots of varied nursing experience. I have worked as a nurse in France and in the USA and have one year experience working in Somalia during the war. My plan is to get back into aid work during the summer for 2-3 month stretches, more in development work than emergency aid. I want to eventually take my two children, aged 9 and 12 along too. I believe that they would greatly benefit from being exposed to another culture and even possibly work a little as well. Do you have any information or ideas that may help my search?
Any insights or ideas would be welcome.
A. With your qualifications I'm surprised that Doctors Without Borders (DWB)or International Medical Corps (IMC) hasn't grabbed you up!! Volunteers Without Boundaries (VWB) is quite different from DWB or IMC in that Volunteers Without Boundaries provides three different types of services plus I lecture to college students about international humanitarian issues and volunteerism www.MaryLightfine.com
1. Since two of us at VWB are also pilots, (in addition to me being a nurse and Paul an engineer) we personally fly medical, veterinary and educational supplies to needy folks south of the border and also within the USA.
2. We provide cultural/medical/educational opportunities for folks who basically haven't ever done international aid work to get their feet wet, so to speak ..this opportunity is all about the volunteer and is more work for the folks in the field on the receiving end than if no volunteer ever showed up but does provide a valuable cultural exchange opportunity so it benefits both although it does require a lot of effort, time and energy on our part, the folks in the field and ultimately the volunteer. We don't get paid (and thus far 98% of the folks who have e-mailed us personally to ask for advice/services have not made any charitable donations, although we could really use it; and are a 501(c) (3) tax exempt organization). We spend a lot of our personal money to do these projects plus the volunteers are required to pay their own expenses. This might not be what you are looking for since you already have extensive nursing, cultural, and war experience and you speak several languages. BUT, If you are still interested please fill out the application on this site and send to us along with a letter of motivation and a small contribution.
Thirdly we are also supporting a project in Uganda that would probably be exactly what you are looking for and if you are interested in writing a development project proposal (agriculture, information technology, women's initiatives, water & sanitation and making of bed-nets) to get funding for field projects we would welcome your assistance. We are currently working on a very, very small budget so I am using all donations I do receive from benevolent individuals strictly for the field with few exceptions. No one at VWB receives any salary plus we all pay our own expenses. So if this sounds like what you are interested in..AND you are willing and able to write a project proposal for funding please don't hesitate to send in the application as mentioned above because you can be of great service to us.
4. If none of the above sounds interesting you might be able to glean more by getting this book: Volunteer Vacations, Chicago review press, ISBN -13: 978-1-55652-582-7
Best of luck.