Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Independent Online Edition > Gap Year

Independent Online Edition > Gap Year: "Charity Work: It's never too late to lend a hand
If you want to help out following a disaster overseas, or if you're in need of a constructive year out, volunteering opportunities are open to all. Kirsten Downer reports
Published: 17 November 2005

Are you stuck in a rut and looking for a change? Fed up of seeing hungry, impoverished faces on your TV screen and want to do something to help? Perhaps you've considered volunteering overseas but ruled it out because you thought you were too old, couldn't commit enough time, or have a family. If so, think again.

'Over the past five years it has become far safer - and more professionally acceptable - to take up a job volunteering overseas,' says David Stitt, managing director of Gap Year for Grown Ups, a company catering for volunteers in their late 20s and upwards. 'Whereas 10 years ago intrepid souls took financial and personal risks in volunteering abroad, now several organisations exist to make the experience secure and well-organised.'

Nowadays, universities and businesses encourage overseas volunteering among students and employees.

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