Worldwide Helpers

Worldwide Helpers (WWH) is a nonprofit search engine based in the United Kingdom that connects prospective volunteers with charitable organisations and their corresponding projects around the world. WWH, describing itself as the only volunteer network, does not arrange volunteer placements itself. Projects chosen by WWH allow volunteers to participate with minimal cost to themselves, though the volunteers typically need to cover personal costs such as transportation to project sites. As of July 2013, it has 28,152 registered volunteers, according to its website.
The beginning of any new year is the ideal time to embrace change. In January 2007, Roya Elghanian did just that. She took a break from her job to travel the world and discover what it had to offer. She had a few destinations (Asia, Central America, and South America) and one objective in mind - to work with underprivileged children.
Prior to setting off on her journey, she conducted an exhaustive, increasingly frustrating, and consequentially futile web search to find a project to which she could donate my time for free, or even for a minimal cost! There were several organisations, which offered fantastic opportunities, but they were all very costly. Having quit her job, she finally had all the time in the world, but nowhere to volunteer. So you can see her predicament.
Not one to be deterred easily, she was determined to find a project along the way. A short month into her travels, it became apparent that she was not the only one who had encountered problems in finding low-cost volunteer projects. In fact, seven out of ten travellers that she met were interested in volunteering given the chance. And of those seven, less than two ended up volunteering, due to the lack of information and high fees.
It was truly shocking to discover that so many people were deterred from offering their time, while there is so much need for volunteers in the world. What an oxymoron. At that moment she decided to make a difference.
There was a real need to provide people with information on projects which were not associated with high costs.
For the remaining months of her travels, she searched for non-profit organisations, running low-cost projects in need of volunteers. They were everywhere! The time she spent with these projects was exilerating, enlighening and completely changed her outlook on life. Seeing the joy in the faces of these families, and realising the difference one person can make to so many lives inspired her to embark on the most rewarding project of her life...
Worldwide Helpers.
Operations
WWH does not charge for organizations posting projects on its site or for prospective volunteers registering. While it has a user feedback-based rating system for projects, WWH doesn't guarantee the reputability of every project listed, and encourages volunteers to do some of their own research on a project before committing to any placement.
Registering on the WWH website allows volunteers to find projects, use the site's blogs and forums, to connect with other volunteers, and to access WWH's project ratings of projects. Successful registration allows organisations that need volunteers to showcase their projects to WWH's international volunteer pool.
As part of its fundraising, WWH holds an annual 5 kilometer run in Hyde Park, London.
Similar Organizations
WWH provides services similar to those of U.S.-based VolunteerMatch, though the latter organisation doesn't focus in particular on projects that are low-cost to the volunteer.

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