Costs of Volunteer Work

Why Pay to Volunteer in South Africa?

Paying to volunteer abroad or to have a gap year can seem a strange concept to the uninitiated. Why should someone charge you to work for free? But this is a common misconception about volunteer travel—the volunteer work is not what you are paying for.

If, like thousands of others around the world this year, you decide to do supported volunteer work in South Africa, you are probably hoping to use your time to make a difference to a project that could use your help best.

The projects Khaya offers have precious few resources, and are not in a position to cover the costs of hosting you. Costs such as feeding, housing and transporting a volunteer can add up quickly—and, if such funds were available, they could likely be better used to create employment for local workers, who have relevant language skills who are more likely to stay with the project long-term.

So where does your money go? It often pays for the cost of your housing, food and transport, as well as your training, preparation and supervision. It also goes toward the identification of worthy projects and host organizations, as well as the costs of recruiting you and other volunteers. Khaya Volunteers helps the projects by promoting them to interested individuals and costs for websites, Google advertising and marketing material are part of some of the costs that need to get paid some how.

If all goes to plan, you may see very little of some other important services that you paid for. Confused? It gets better. This doesn't necessarily mean you didn't get your money's worth. Because one of your biggest investments when paying to volunteer is in your peace of mind—having someone there in case of emergency. A local election raises political tension in the area; an earthquake disrupts the transport system; or you simply fall ill the moment you arrive. These are all things you are better off dealing with when an organization like Khaya Volunteers is behind you.

Not to say that paying to join a volunteer project is for everyone. You might already have contacts to get worthwhile volunteer work abroad, or simply enough time on your hands to make them as you go. Or perhaps you are just too damn independent to have someone looking out for you all the time and you just want to come this side and sort it out yourself.

But for first-timers, people without all the extra time, people who want to gain volunteering experience in a particular field such as wildlife, or those who want to be part of a community project when they travel, supported volunteer work organizaed by Khaya can be just the ticket. Some even say it is life-changing. But that bit is probably down to you. Kaya Volunteers can only help you on your way to experience that yourself.