Volunteering with Cross Cultural Solutions – Voluntourist Review

CROSS CULTURAL SOLUTIONS

Fes, Morocco.

Volunteering internationally wasn’t anything I ever planned on doing. In fact, I had honestly never thought about it before, but when a casual acquaintance mentioned she was going abroad to work with an organization called Cross Cultural Solutions and excitedly explained what she would be doing, it clicked. I felt like that was my new calling.I rushed home, did some research, and emailed my boss telling him I was heading to Rabat, Morocco, so I could work in an orphanage. Sounds crazy, but I had a real peace about the decision. A few months later, I was off to Africa by myself, ready to embark on this new journey.

Volunteers take a trip to the Sahara Desert on their weekend off.

When I arrived, I immediately felt like I was supposed to be there. The program manager and staff were welcoming, helpful and very sweet. The accommodations were clean and safe. Volunteers were put up in a large home with four people to a room. The women were upstairs and the men stayed downstairs. There was a guard outside the house 24 hours a day, and we had to sign out every time we left the house, noting our destination. We also had a strict curfew. I felt secure with so many rules, because I knew it was for our own good and we were well taken care of.

Before the trip, there were numerous conference calls that provided us with information about the program, orphanage and the country. We also were introduced to other volunteers who would be on the trip, so it was almost like I knew them when we met in person because I had been chatting with them for quite some time.

The only downside was the program fee. It was rather pricey—about $2500 plus airfare, vaccines, and spending money. However, once I arrived I saw where our money was going. It not only paid for our housing and three meals a day, but it paid for the local’s salaries who prepared our food and took care of the housekeeping. It helped them have steady jobs, so it was justifiable and worth it, but it’s definitely something most people need to fundraise or save up for.

Heather Newgen with another volunteer from CCS exploring Rabat, Morocco.

For the next three weeks, I called Morocco home and learned everything I could about the country, religion and customs. I couldn’t learn fast enough. I was so intrigued.

We worked Monday through Friday for seven hours a day, and then came back to the volunteer house for cooking, language and cultural lessons. We could participate or not. It was up to us, but I devoured all the information I could.

I enjoyed it and my volunteer assignment, even though it was emotionally and physically demanding. I worked with severely disabled children who were all wheelchair bound and couldn’t speak, communicate or do anything on their own. It was heartbreaking. The local staff takes care of the 20 or so kids in this department around the clock, so the additional help was welcome.

My job was to assist the employees with taking care of the children, so I helped get them out of bed first thing in the morning, undress them, shower them, put them in new outfits, feed them breakfast then take them outside. There, I talked to them, played music on my iPod for them and took them around the yard, which they seemed to like.

After an hour or so, we would bring them all back inside and get them ready for lunch. We were supervised at all times and did the majority of the work, which gave the staff a much-needed break.

There was a strict no camera policy at the orphanage. Everyone was there to work.

Heather Newgen touring the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco.

On weekends, we could stay at the volunteer house or explore the city and travel, which is what I did. One weekend I hopped on a plane and went to Spain with another volunteer since it was so close. Another weekend I took a train and went to Casablanca to take in the sites.

CCS is a great organization, and I not only like how well-managed the program was, but also how they have a comprehensive screening process to ensure volunteers are placed according to their skills. The screening process looks at each volunteer’s motivation, maturity level, criminal background, mental health and various other factors.

Overall, it was a great experience, and while I can only speak for the program I did in Rabat, I would absolutely recommend others going.