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Hello everyone!
So I will cut right to the chase. I could use your help! That help can come in the form of money, love, and even advice!
My parents have instilled in me a heart to love and serve others and, though I often fail a lot in this regard, it is very much a passion of mine. That being said, I wanted to make my introduction to the "real world" after college a quest for humility. I have been very fortunate to never have to struggle much in my life. Because of this, I feel an obligation to pursue an understanding of people who deal with extreme poverty on a daily basis. And, moreover, how I might be able to help them have safer, more comfortable lives.
UBELONG is an organization that makes volunteering abroad easier and safer for volunteers. Instead of focusing on creating their own organizations in foreign communities, they work to help the organizations that are already established and find ways for their volunteers to assist in these communities around the world. This immersive-based volunteering is what caught my eye when I was researching volunteer programs. Not only do they expect you to be ready and willing to serve the people in the communities but they expect you to participate in the community.
The time period I've signed up for is June 2017-October 2017.
I will be doing two months in Cambodia working to strengthen some NGOs (non-government organizations) in the country's capital of Phnom Pehn. This work will consist of everything from strategic planning to website design, technology training, and even, possibly, teaching some English to the Cambodian workers at the NGO.
Then I will be doing two months in Laos working on an organic farm. Agriculture is a huge part of the economy in Laos. But because of poverty and lower resources, the farming in Laos has greatly depleted forests and wildlife. So I'll be working on a farm that helps teach conservation farming to local farmers.
So I need your help with the cost of this life-changing experience! I could not be more excited and grateful just to have this opportunity!
Program:
The program for 8 weeks in Cambodia costs $1,040.
The program for 8 weeks in Laos costs $1,070.
This program fee pays for the cost of housing and food for my entire stay.
These must be paid by the end of February at the latest.
Plane tickets:
Plane tickets will cost me about $2500 if I can get them all as soon as possible. I'll be looking at different agencies for volunteer discounts but they might not always have the particular dates I need to fly out. I would like to have all of my plane tickets bought by December 2016. This will ensure that I get them early enough for them to be cheaper.
Visas:
These tend to average at $25 for a business visa. Some countries cost extra to add time there. So for both Laos and Cambodia, I'm averaging $50 a visa. This also includes taxes upon leaving which Cambodia charges $20 for. So about $100 for visas should cut it.
Travel insurance:
Travel insurance is required by UBELONG as both a safety measure while there and an emergency evacuation plan if necessary. Depending on the kind of insurance I get, this could be anywhere from $300-$500. I'll keep this updated.
Medical:
I am also not 100% sure of the medical requirements so far. I know that I will have malaria vaccines as well as several other required vaccinations. So this will be updated ASAP.
Daily expenses:
While my food and place to stay is covered for, there are still times when I might need additional money for things like transportation, water, medicine, etc. I am budgeting about $10-15 a day while in Cambodia. This comes out to be between $600 and $1000. I am also budgeting $3-$6 a day for Laos. This comes to between $150 and $350.
Emergency Fund:
Always need an extra little bit in the case of something really random! $200-$300 should suffice to make sure all areas are covered!
So once again here's the final breakdown:
Program Fees: $2,110
Plane Tickets: $2500 (averaged)
Visas: $100
Travel Insurance: $300-$500
Medical: TBD
Daily Expenses: $750-$1350 (this covers all four months)
Emergency: $200-$300
Total (maximum): $6860
This total leaves me with $640 wiggle room for medical, travel gear, and any smaller expenses.
The goal is $7500 to comfortably cover everything but cushion is always good!
Feel free to give any amount that you're comfortable with. Every penny counts! All money for this trip will be going into a separate bank account for saving until it is needed!
Thank you all so much for your thoughts, prayers, advice, and donations!
Thrive on!
https://ubelong.org
So I will cut right to the chase. I could use your help! That help can come in the form of money, love, and even advice!
My parents have instilled in me a heart to love and serve others and, though I often fail a lot in this regard, it is very much a passion of mine. That being said, I wanted to make my introduction to the "real world" after college a quest for humility. I have been very fortunate to never have to struggle much in my life. Because of this, I feel an obligation to pursue an understanding of people who deal with extreme poverty on a daily basis. And, moreover, how I might be able to help them have safer, more comfortable lives.
UBELONG is an organization that makes volunteering abroad easier and safer for volunteers. Instead of focusing on creating their own organizations in foreign communities, they work to help the organizations that are already established and find ways for their volunteers to assist in these communities around the world. This immersive-based volunteering is what caught my eye when I was researching volunteer programs. Not only do they expect you to be ready and willing to serve the people in the communities but they expect you to participate in the community.
The time period I've signed up for is June 2017-October 2017.
I will be doing two months in Cambodia working to strengthen some NGOs (non-government organizations) in the country's capital of Phnom Pehn. This work will consist of everything from strategic planning to website design, technology training, and even, possibly, teaching some English to the Cambodian workers at the NGO.
Then I will be doing two months in Laos working on an organic farm. Agriculture is a huge part of the economy in Laos. But because of poverty and lower resources, the farming in Laos has greatly depleted forests and wildlife. So I'll be working on a farm that helps teach conservation farming to local farmers.
So I need your help with the cost of this life-changing experience! I could not be more excited and grateful just to have this opportunity!
Program:
The program for 8 weeks in Cambodia costs $1,040.
The program for 8 weeks in Laos costs $1,070.
This program fee pays for the cost of housing and food for my entire stay.
These must be paid by the end of February at the latest.
Plane tickets:
Plane tickets will cost me about $2500 if I can get them all as soon as possible. I'll be looking at different agencies for volunteer discounts but they might not always have the particular dates I need to fly out. I would like to have all of my plane tickets bought by December 2016. This will ensure that I get them early enough for them to be cheaper.
Visas:
These tend to average at $25 for a business visa. Some countries cost extra to add time there. So for both Laos and Cambodia, I'm averaging $50 a visa. This also includes taxes upon leaving which Cambodia charges $20 for. So about $100 for visas should cut it.
Travel insurance:
Travel insurance is required by UBELONG as both a safety measure while there and an emergency evacuation plan if necessary. Depending on the kind of insurance I get, this could be anywhere from $300-$500. I'll keep this updated.
Medical:
I am also not 100% sure of the medical requirements so far. I know that I will have malaria vaccines as well as several other required vaccinations. So this will be updated ASAP.
Daily expenses:
While my food and place to stay is covered for, there are still times when I might need additional money for things like transportation, water, medicine, etc. I am budgeting about $10-15 a day while in Cambodia. This comes out to be between $600 and $1000. I am also budgeting $3-$6 a day for Laos. This comes to between $150 and $350.
Emergency Fund:
Always need an extra little bit in the case of something really random! $200-$300 should suffice to make sure all areas are covered!
So once again here's the final breakdown:
Program Fees: $2,110
Plane Tickets: $2500 (averaged)
Visas: $100
Travel Insurance: $300-$500
Medical: TBD
Daily Expenses: $750-$1350 (this covers all four months)
Emergency: $200-$300
Total (maximum): $6860
This total leaves me with $640 wiggle room for medical, travel gear, and any smaller expenses.
The goal is $7500 to comfortably cover everything but cushion is always good!
Feel free to give any amount that you're comfortable with. Every penny counts! All money for this trip will be going into a separate bank account for saving until it is needed!
Thank you all so much for your thoughts, prayers, advice, and donations!
Thrive on!
https://ubelong.org