received more from this experience
than they could ever give. They have
a clearer picture of the privileges they
enjoy, are more grounded, and have a
better understanding of needs versus
wants.”
Getting started
If your family is considering a
volunteer vacation, here are a few tips
to keep in mind:
•
Volunteer a skill: The experience
is more gratifying if you apply
yourself in ways that best suit your
skills and passion. If you play a
musical instrument, you could help
the organisers pull together a basic
music workshop at a kids’ camp.
•
Give your child choices: Not all
children feel sociable or outgoing
in a new environment. It’s best to
let them choose how they want
to contribute and how they want
to absorb the experience. One
volunteer said her shy ten-year-old
preferred taking photographs and
Child-friendly
volunteer organisations
International Care Ministries
(
ICM)
In 2012, approximately 131 children and more than 60 families went on 47 ICM
building and kids’ camp trips. ICM runs both volunteer trips as well as short two-
or three-day “vision trips” for families who want to do due diligence on the
projects they could potentially sponsor. Visit
www.caremin.com
.
Habitat for Humanity
In addition to local rebuilding projects, this popular organisation makes regular
building trips to China. For safety reasons, they recommend children be 12
years or older, who can pitch in to do light repair work such as painting and
carpentry. Call 2520 4000, or email
enquiry@habitatchina.org
.
Four Square Children of Promise International
(
FCOPI)
FCOPI is the largest orphan-care NGO operating in Cambodia with support
from the Four Square church network. The Hong Kong chapter organises
trips based on volunteer numbers and interest levels. Recently, they
conducted a music workshop and are currently planning a medical team
trip. Visit
http://fcopi.org
.
capturing what she saw through the
lens to mixing gravel.
•
Research the organisation: Find
an NGO or charity that best
aligns with your religious beliefs,
moral values or ideologies. If you
are concerned about how your
children will cope, ask the organiser
to introduce you to families who
have volunteered recently. These
organisations are also happy to
discuss how your contributions are
allocated against the goals and
objectives they are working towards
in the community.
•
Keep it bite-sized: The first
volunteer vacation can be an
intensive experience, so it’s best
planned as a short weekend away,
rather than an extended week-
long commitment. It’s a good idea
to buffer the volunteer trip with
a relaxed vacation at the end,
to decompress and process the
experience together as a family.
•
Put it in context: Take the time
before the trip to help your child
relate to what they are about to do.
Organisations such as Habitat for
Humanity run workshops in Hong
Kong for students, who stay overnight
in makeshift cardboard boxes and
experience mock disaster scenarios,
such as flooding and hurricanes, to
help them understand the importance
of secure homes.
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