Volunteering is a great way to take a gap year from studies or a career break and see Ukraine. The recent independence after the collapse of Soviet Union and the world wide recession have had a bad affect on the economy of the country. There are many different fields where you can volunteer.
Economically disadvantaged, many orphanages need help raising funds for day to day supplies, teaching and just helping in all facets of the children’s daily lives. The only criteria are that volunteers are eighteen years old, and have good grasp of English. Working knowledge of Russian or Ukrainian is an added benefit but not a requirement.
Environmental projects in parks in Chkalovo or Dnipropetrovs’k regions are possible. Work in Chkalovo involves cleaning and marking paths, placing benches and description tablets etc. The project is dedicated to promoting tourism. Food will be provided but volunteers will have to bring own sleeping bags. The Dnipropetrovs’k project uses volunteers to repair the forester’s small house situated in the forest and help keep forest paths clean. This area is highly developed with some of the most beautiful cities.
A restoration project in the town of Brody in Lviv region is great for history enthusiasts. The town is an important historically and culturally. It has been inhabited since 1084 by Poles, Jewish, German, Greeks and Scottish, each leaving their mark. Volunteers help to maintain a historical cemetery. Initial work is demanding as it requires clearing paths, removing debris and clearing ancient graves. The next part is photographing and cataloguing the various graves.
These and numerous other projects are available for interested volunteers.