My fiancee & I want to volunteer aboard, how does this work? Anyone out there done this?

Question

We have a 15 month old son and would need to maintain some type of income, we are looking into a country that speaks English (ie: Europe)

Answer 1

Outside of going with some organization that knows you, I don't think that's possible with a young child. No one would want to jeopardize the child's safety(underwrite it) Good luck though I hope I'm wrong for you.
Then again nothing is stopping you from clearly defining your own mission statement in writing and signing up individuals to sponsor you. Leave someone you trust back at home to oversee the books and collect the monthly funds. Never go unless you have emergency return tickets bought and paid for.

Answer 2

Anywhere you go in Europe people speak English, French or Spanish. England is a tough place as the middle class there live like the working poor here. A hand-to mouth existance. Spain is a country to where it seems half of Europe has moved to. Try Holland, though they are full too. Infact, Europe is about to close. Too many people. Not much land in Western Europe left so good luck finding a place to live.However if you go through a church group or a cultural group, you will have provisions like a safe room, clean and they will help you assimilate. Germany is beautiful and still has some room left because it's so big. My best advice to you would be Portugal and Ireland as they have a fast growing economy and need people there to work. Go to your nearest Irish or Potuguese consulate and they will tell you everything you need to know. -GB on your travels. You'll love it.

Answer 3

I have done it, but I was single and childless.

If you are both MD's, willing to work in a small town, you should have your pick of places. If you have no particular skills but good intentions, you will probably not find anyone willing to give you a second glance.

Your skill sets are probably between those extremes. Since you aren't married, you have a strike against you. Most volunteer organizations want someone who can show commitment.

The Peace Corps won't take people with small children, so your best bet would be a non-governmental organization or the missionary arm of your church, if you have one and it does.

Answer 4

I have done it. I was part of a group of interns that were selected to work with NGOs all over the world. One of my classmates went to Egypt and her husband and newborn child followed her there. She was paid through the government internship and he found a freelance job. They were worried about their baby, but I don't think they had any problems. She went first and found a place for the family, familiarized herself with the community and culture and then her husband and child joined her. It is a lot to start learning about a new country, culture, customs and food for one person, but to be doing that for your baby as well takes time and research.