so you wanna save world

Image Credit: Our Breathing Planet

This article is for those of you that want to save the world. You know who you are---you watch the news everyday, dreaming of what it would be like to visit foreign countries and give aid to those that need it most. You want to cure hunger, AIDS, cancer. And most of all—you want to do it RIGHT NOW!

I’ve been asked several times, well…. more like many, many times…”How do you get involved in international aid work?” I’m a firm believer that you can do anything you set your heart and mind too, but getting involved in the global health arena is a monster of its own.

I should point out; I’m not the expert. Sure, I’ve had the incredible opportunity of joining local disaster relief efforts and volunteering abroad, but it took a lot of time, energy and resources. Its not a glamorous job really. The hours are long and hard. You learn to laugh about terms like “bucket shower” or “presumably editable.” It’s an emotional roller coaster that never quite ends. You miss things back home, and put personal and (sometimes) professional lives on hold while you travel to a place that is foreign and scary. You don’t speak the language, you don’t know where you’re going, and sometimes…. you loose some understanding of who you are. It’s a personal evolution.

At the same time, it’s exhilarating. There is nothing quite like the feeling of adrenaline landing in a new place with a mission to bring others hope. The food is exotic, and there are many new faces and places to explore. You get to work with some of the most compassionate people on earth, and its truly life affirming.

Sounds like something you still want to pursue?

Here is my 5-step program:

1) Do some real soul-searching. Ask yourself the really hard questions: Can I really pack up and leave my family? Am I in a place in my life where I have the resources to travel? (Regionally, Nationally or abroad) How will my family react to this? How will I support myself?

2) Once you have these questions worked out, do some research! Decide if you want to pursue employment, join the Peace Corps, or volunteer. Then identify some organizations/agencies that could match your interest.

3) Contact these agencies, and do a pre-screening. Find out what they require to become a volunteer/employee/intern etc. Start working towards any professional/academic gaps you may have.

4) Start volunteering NOW. Want to join World Vision someday? Start volunteering with them TODAY. Some of the world’s largest organizations are built upon the backs of volunteers. At the American Red Cross, over 90% of its workforce are volunteers. The best knowledge to help you with disaster relief/global health is hands-on experience, which can only come from jumping in with both feet.

5) Finally, network, network, and network! Take every opportunity, from internships to paid volunteer work to get involved, and hopefully put a foot in the door. Take classes that are pertinent to your field (some are offered free of charge by sponsoring organizations) and build your support system. It’s a long, sometimes tedious process. But if you’re motivated, flexible and willing to give----it’s going to happen. And when it does, you will truly be making a difference.

If you still have questions, feel free to comment here. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!