Frequently Asked Questions

• Tell me more about Meaningful Volunteer
  Meaningful Volunteer was founded by Malcolm Trevena in 2008. Malcolm had volunteered extensively in the Philippines, Ghana and Uganda and saw a real need for meaningful volunteer activates. All too often he saw meaningless or even damaging volunteering and decided to do something about it.
  
  Meaningful Volunteer is 100% non-profit. Any money that we do make are funneled right back into the community.
  
  You can learn more about Meaningful Volunteer by clicking here.   

• How do I pay my fees?
  There are two payment methods:
  
  One
  Via PayPal.  Our account is: contribute@meaningfulvolunteer.org
  
  Two
  By direct credit into a New Zealand bank account.
  
  Note: A typical direct credit transaction from a non-New Zealand bank account typically costs $US25.  

• How old do I have to be to volunteer with Meaningful Volutneer?
  Our minimum age requirement is eighteen years old. We have no upper age limit for our volunteers. As long as you are in reasonable health, we will accept you. 

• What about travel insurance?
  As with all international travel, travel insurance is highly recommended. 

• Who arranges and pays for my flights?
  You do. You are responsible for getting yourself to the airport in the country in which you will be volunteering. We will pick you up from the airport and transport you to your volunteer location.
  
  You are responsible for getting yourself back to the airport for your return flight. We find this is a much easier and better option for people as so many people choose to tour the country once their volunteering is finished. 

• Are the fees and expenses tax deductible?
  At this stage, no. 

• Do I have to be from New Zealand?
  No. Meaningful Volunteer is a New Zealand based organization, but you do not need to be a New Zealander to be a volunteer.        

• What countries does Meaningful Volunteer accept volunteers from?
  As long as you are fulfilling the visa conditions for the country in which you will be volunteering, Meaningful Volunteer will accept you. 

• Does Meaningful Volunteer have any religious affiliation?
  No. 
  
  Meaningful Volunteer accepts people from any religion, race, sex or sexual orientation. 
  
  Note: Meaningful Volunteer is a secular (as in being separate from religion) organization and as such does not have or promote any evangelical programs. 

• How many hours do you require from volunteers?
  Meaningfulness is at the heart of Meaningful Volunteer, and as a result we do require our volunteers to work quite hard.
  
  You will typically work between four and six hours a day. 

• What if I have a health condition?
  Please let us know beforehand if you have any specific health condition. Some health conditions will exclude you from the program. We can work with certain health conditions.   HIV+ people, for example, are most welcome.

•  Are there any group discounts available?
  Yes. If you intend to come as part of a group, then you can apply via this form. You will then be informed if your application is successful.  

• Can I bring along my young children?
  Yes you can. Keep in mind that you will be fully responsible for their care and upkeep. Your volunteer fees do not cover childcare. 
   
• Am I able to do any sightseeing?
  Yes. Part of the volunteer experience is experiencing the wonders of the country you are placed in.
  
  We do recommend that you plan these excursions either at the start of the end of your trip. A meaningful experience requires a commitment to a program and if you are dashing back and forth over a country then the meaningfulness tends to decrease. 

• What I need to pack?
  Please remember not to pack any sharp items – such as a Swiss Army Knife and scissors – in your carryon luggage as these are likely to be confiscated at airport check in.
  
  • A mosquito net
    While not all areas are malaria prone, all areas have mosquitoes! A DEET treated net is recommended.
     
  • Ear Plugs
    Roosters and locals have a bad habit of waking up early. Ear plugs can help you get the little bit of extra sleep.
     
  • A towel
    A lightweight towel is recommended. A bulky towel is cumbersome and takes up too much space in your backpack/suitcase.
    
    Some volunteers prefer to buy a bulkier towel once they arrive in the country and then have the best of both worlds.
     
  • Raincoat
    Many volunteer destinations have a marked rainy season and a marked dry season. During the rainy season, torrential – albeit brief – downpours are not uncommon. A raincoat can save you from becoming completely drenched.
     
  • Hand Sanitizer
    There are several hand sanitizers are the market. These are basically alcohol in gel form. Rubbing a dime-size portion of the sanitizer into your hand will not necessarily remove the dirt, but it will kill most of the bacteria.
     
  • A Cloth
    Some of the volunteer destinations are very hot. Many of the locals use a bandana or a handkerchief to mop the sweat from their brow. 
     
  • Duplicate copies of important documents
    Copies of your passport, visa and other such documents are very useful if something gets lost.
     
  • A torch or flashlight with spares batteries
    Many volunteer areas have an unreliable electricity supply. Some volunteers bring along a headlamp to allow hands-free operation.
     
  • Strong work boots
    If you are working in a manual labor volunteer position, then strong work books are highly recommended.
     
  • A camera complete with film/digital card.
     
  • Reading books and playing cards
     
  • Ziploc bags
    There is nothing worse than arriving in a country to find all your clothing covered in shampoo and conditioner! It is a good idea to place all fluids in a Ziploc bag to ensure against accidental leakage.
     
  • A Swiss Army Knife/Leatherman
    A Swiss Army Knife of a Leatherman can save you in a tight spot. A volunteer in Ghana managed to fix his laptop with a Swiss Army Knife!
     
  • A sleeping sheet
    Bedding is provided, but many volunteers prefer to bring an extra sheet. Some people take a double sheet and sew it together so that it forms a basic sleeping bag. These can be especially useful when you tour your placement country and find yourself in a hotel or backpackers and discover that the bedding is less than hygienic.
     
  • A medical kit
    Quality healthcare care is hard to find in developing countries, so a medical kit can be especially useful, especially in your undertake independent travel after your placement. We recommend that you talk to your health care specialist about items that you should take. Many specialist travel doctors offer pre-packaged medical kits.
    
    Note: If your volunteer stay is a short one, then it might not be such a good idea to buy all the things on this list. A common sense approach is best. But, once again, we suggest talking to your health care professional.
    
    • Analgesic (pain relief) medication such as paracetamol or aspirin.  
    • Antihistamine tablets for bites, stings or allergies. 
    • Antiseptic ointment to apply to a wound. 
    • Antiseptic solution for cleaning wounds or bites.  
    • Blister and wound patches, such as sticking plasters.  
    • Cold and flu tablets.  
    • Condoms.  
    • Diarrhea medication, e.g. Imodium.  
    • Eye lubricant drops.  
    • Fluid and electrolyte replacement powder or tablets, e.g. Gastrolyte.  
    • Insect repellent containing DEET.  
    • Medical adhesive tape, e.g. Micropore.  
    • Motion sickness tablets.  
    • Multivitamin/mineral tablets if travelling for long periods to places where your diet may be lacking in essential nutrients.  
    • Regular prescription medications, which should be carried in your hand luggage when travelling. You should also take a copy of your prescriptions with you, written using the generic name of the drug to avoid confusion with trade names in foreign countries.  
    • Safety pins and scissors (you may not be allowed to carry these in your cabin luggage).  
    • Sting relief solution, e.g. Stingose.  
    • Sunscreen (at least SPF 15+).  
    • Thermometer (a forehead thermometer is best for travel as it doesn’t break or run out of batteries).  
    • Throat lozenges.  
    • Tweezers.  
    • Water purifying tablets.  
    • Wound dressings, e.g. a crepe bandage, gauze swabs and OpSite, and Steristrips, which can often take the place of stitches.