Perceived Effects of International Volunteering - Center for Social ...

Volunteer Activities and Perceived Effectiveness
Activities
The main activities were fairly consistent across organizations. The three primary activities identified
by alumni from both groups included tutoring or teaching children, youth, or adults; helping
community members learn to read, speak, write, or understand the English language; and promoting
cross-cultural exchange. In other areas, volunteer activities from the two programs differed. More
WorldTeach volunteers engaged in activities consistent with the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs), such as providing economic and social opportunities for youth, promoting gender equality,
improving access to information technology, and promoting environmental sustainability (see Figure
2). 21 Likewise, more CCS alumni reportedly engaged in social service related activities such as caring
for infants and children in daycare, providing assistance for the elderly, distributing food and crafts,
and providing physical therapy or other assistance to people with disabilities. These differences likely
reflect organizational goals, service duration, volunteer selection, and volunteers’ skills and abilities. 22
Figure 2: International Volunteer Activities Reported by Alumni
(N = 287)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
WorldTeach
CCS
i Duration of placement varies: CCS = 6.1 weeks, WorldTeach = 43.1 weeks
21 UNV, 2000
22 Sherraden et al., 2006
C ENTER FOR S OCIAL D EVELOPMENT
W ASHINGTON U NIVERSITY IN S T . L OUIS
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