10 Top Tips For Overseas Charity Trips

Ever wanted to take part in an overseas charity trip, but don't know where to begin?

Don't worry, I'm here to help, and ready to give some top tips based on my own personal experiences.

Going on overseas charity trips is a growing "trend" in the UK, for many young people, whether it be for couple of weeks, or a longer period of time of 3-6 months, as part of a gap year, post- or pre-university. It is exciting, that young people, as well as the usual demographic of these trips are ditching their deck chairs and jumping on a plane to help and assist others they have never met before or decided to put their hands to new things.

Charity trips have so many different aims, you can build playgrounds in Africa, teach in schools in Cambodia, build houses in Sri Lanka or dig wells in South America. Anything can be done, in any place in the world that has need. If you have a passion or a want to make change happen, there will be a charity out there, wanting to use you.

1 - Make sure you know the mission of the charity, and the trip's purpose.

There is little point in going on a charity trip to build a house, if you are not passionate about this type of project. It is not wrong to not want to build a house, but if you have a personal desire to get a clean water supply to an area or village, try to get on a trip or go with a charity that will allow this to be the centre of the trip's purpose. Remember, you will be spending YOUR money to help make the project happen.

Whilst any charity taking volunteers to do valuable work will impact communities, you also want to get the most out of an experience of a lifetime, ensuring you contribute to a project you are eager to facilitate and support.

2 - Know what you want to achieve from the trip.

• Do you want to grow in a certain skill set?

• Do you want to explore the culture of the people?

• What do you want to show after the trip?

• What is at the heart of your reasoning to go, and can this be satisfied?

• Do want to keep in contact with the area?

3 - A high quality trip does not require a high price label.

Whilst some charity trips have an excessively high price, this does not always guarantee a high quality trip. Trips that allow you to dive right into working in a community and getting stuck in, do not require you to spend a fortune. If you can stay in the local community, with approved hosts, you immediately cut the cost for accommodation. If this isn't a possibility, try booking a cheap hotel, as long as you have a bed, air conditioning (if it's a hot country), a shower and space to relax after a long day's work, you'll be perfectly fine. Some charity trips have a set flight you need to catch, a certain hotel to stay in, or may simply arrange everything for you - in this case, it might be worth paying their fee to allow them to sort these logistics out. This will allow you to maximise your socialising time with the team you are going with, but be sensible - really think about if you need all the extras they are offering.

Try to think about how you can minimise costs, whether it be compromising on certain things, or leaving a comfort zone for a short period of time. If you are feeling generous, you can always donate the money you have saved to the project(s) you are working on!

4 - Research the practical aspects.

Think about the practicalities of going on an overseas charity trip. Remember, the country you are going to will have another culture, which you will need to adhere to.

Some cultures require volunteers to dress appropriately, for example women to cover their knees and shoulders, or will expect you to act in a certain way, whether it be to follow their routines, and this is something you should consider carefully. If the trip requires you to spend Sunday at Church, or in 38 degree weather wear long length clothing, would you be prepared to do this?

5 - When you're a volunteer, you're not a tourist.

You need to make sure that when you consider going on a charity trip, volunteers and tourists have completely different motives. You need to be flexible and willing to work around the schedules, no matter how you feel. Adaptation to the country and pace of life is the most important thing to consider. As a tourist you expect to be served, but as a volunteer you're there to serve others.

6 - Know what you want to give.

Something key to think about is what skills or abilities you are keen to work with. If you're not physically well or able to lift bricks to build a house, or you are not able to dig a pit for a well, you need to ensure you choose an appropriate trip for your skill set. Don't sign up for a trip knowing you "just want to get involved" or that "it'll look good on my CV". It is essential to enjoy your experience.

There are instances where you will feel pulled toward and so passionate about a specific cause or need, which is important, and a fundamental part to joining an overseas charity trip. However, you don't want to get into a situation where a few days into the trip, you feel uncomfortable, or out of place. By knowing what you want to give, will enable you to filter your opportunities and find one that fits like a glove.

7 - Try your best to fundraise.

Whilst a key factor to allow the project(s) the charity works on to operate and progress is money, it is also important to use the platform of your trip to raise awareness for the cause. Awareness & Publicity = FUNDS.

The most inventive fundraisers tend to be the most well supported. Try something unique, or niche to the charity's aims, or do something that will really challenge you as a person or your habits. Advertise on social media, get in the local paper, or simply tell your family and friends about what challenge you have set yourself, and how the funds raised will directly help the people you will come into contact with.

8 - Let your guard down.

Don't be afraid to give yourself the opportunity to connect with the area and people you are working with. Contributing to the lives of the people you meet on a deeper level rather just through the project will heighten your experience, and make you realise the necessity of your actions. The friendships you form will guarantee the trip isn't a short term link, but something that runs deep into your core inner-being. The people become family, the place becomes home, and your heart grows.

9 - Journal.

From my experiences of being away, both in a capacity of volunteering and holidaying with friends or family, it is impossible to remember what you have done every single day without forgetting something. The days you are away, will be so fully action packed it will be essential to write down everything you've done at the end of each day. Take time out in the evenings to jot down the best things alongside the things that seem insignificant - sometimes the best stories stem from these! They will be useful when you decide to revisit your experience and tell others about what you got up to and how you honestly felt at the time.

10 - LIGHTS | CAMERA | ACTION | photos, videos & social media.

Without a shadow of a doubt, alongside journalling, make sure you document your time with photos and short video clips. They don't have to be oscar worthy videos, or photographs to show in an exhibition, but ensure they truly reflect your experience. What you can share, do on social media - the more your family and friends can see, the better. They can offer encouragement but also be impacted from across an ocean by what you are doing. You never know what it could spark in someone else's heart, and what these resulting actions may be.