Karma Projects website launch 25/12/2007
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Kieran from Karma is doing a Fellowship with microfinance innovators Kiva.org! Oct 2008
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Belinda from Australia is placed at Childlife through Karma Projects - Feb 2009
What we are offering is an opportunity, and, like most things in life, it's simply a matter of choice!
Our aim is to help small development projects based in Southeast Asia by providing them with open-minded, caring, motivated and suitably qualified volunteers - people who are prepared to sacrifice their time and energy for others.
It is our belief that the opportunity to volunteer should be extended to all and should not be a privilege available only to those who can afford it. In other words, we don't want your money - it is satisfaction enough knowing how much good work you are about to do!
Volunteering is a two way process that will be one of the most rewarding of your life, and you can expect to learn as much as you can give.
Firstly, we are volunteers who have had first hand experience of the challenges you are about to face on the projects you are about to work on, and we are keen to share all of our knowledge with you so that you can get there safely and arrive prepared.
We also understand how daunting heading off into Southeast Asia, perhaps for the first time, can be, and how much you and your families will want assurance that your visit has been organised properly and that you will be working in a safe environment. This is where our experience proves invaluable and we will ensure that there is a reliable contact available for you at all times during your stay.
With respect, we can honestly say to use one of the 'top hit' websites on Google is a waste of good money. You pay over the odds and get very little in return. Trust us in this matter because we know many volunteers who did the same and on arrival at their projects - they immediately realised that they had paid a lot of that money for nothing! Their inclusive insurance was limited and therefore restrictive, they had had to organise and pay for their own flights, their accommodation had not been researched properly, and worst of all none of the money went to the actual project.
• A group of friends who have been lucky enough to work together on a small volunteer project in Southeast Asia
• We are non-denominational and open minded, welcoming volunteers of all backgrounds
• Non-profit making. We hope that you can fundraise a donation for the respective charities but we have chosen not to be involved in the handling of this - as a guarantee of our integrity
• Part of a close network of small organisations interlinked through the personal relationships of past volunteers
• Looking to expand the number of projects that we can help by focusing on working at the local level - the source of the problem