What are the steps I should take before volunteering at an NGO? Volunteering at children NGOs or charities is a great way to get involved in your community activities. These organizations are established to focus on alleviating different issues that are prevalent in the country. As a volunteer, you will be working towards the same cause and put in your efforts to help out these organizations in any way they require. This volunteering experience will help you improve your skills, collect knowledge while allowing you to make positive changes within your community. On the other hand, your efforts can allow the community members to function at their best, improve the well-being of those around you and support families that aren’t able to support themselves.
Though volunteering is beneficial for both NGOs and volunteers, the process of joining may be a little difficult to understand. There are certain steps that you can take to make the best out of your volunteering journey:
1. Choose a cause that you care about: Choosing to work with an organization that you identify with, or are passionate about can help you enjoy the opportunity. For example, if you care about the issues of rampant malnourishment in the country, you can choose to volunteer at a food NGO that is working towards reducing hunger within communities. 2. Identify what you can offer: You should be able to assess what skills and qualities that you can offer as a volunteer for the different roles in an NGO. For example, if the organization requires someone to help out with their finances, you can show your educational background or any previous work experience in a similar field.
3. Identify how much time you can offer: You should be able to determine how much time you can commit to volunteering in a particular organization. For example, if you are a student or employee working a full-time job, committing to volunteering over the weekends may be the best option. Research about the NGO you want to join: After you have picked the NGO of your choice based on the cause you wish to participate in and the skills you can offer, search whether the NGO is seeking volunteering opportunities or not. You can go through the organization’s website and social media page to understand the different activities they are engaged in. You can contact the NGO's representative to get more information on volunteering opportunities available, and whether you’ll be a good fit for open positions.