Not all volunteering programmes are the same. The challenges will not be limited to culture, people, language, climate and food. You will encounter challenges of a practical nature, affecting your day-to-day life on the project that will depart significantly to what you are used to and force you to make efforts to adapt. But importantly, the degree of difficulty varies from one programme to the next.
At WAVA we have developed a classification system for all our volunteer programmes, to rate them according to the level of difficulty they present. This will help our volunteers to make a more informed decision, and to be better prepared to cope with the challenges they will face.
Note that it's a far from perfect system for at least two reasons: (1) some volunteers are more adaptable and hardy than others, so what's tough for one person is OK for another; and (2) conditions on our projects can vary substantially depending on a variety of local factors, so we can't predict with accuracy what they will be like.
These programmes are very volunteer-centred, and offer a solid, reliable infrastructure. This is likely to mean good, safe, regular transport, comfortable accommodation, running water, varied meals, good communications such as phones or Internet access, and work that is well-structured and not overwhelmingly physically or mentally challenging.
These programmes are either for volunteers who have travelled independently before, or have already done some volunteering or taken on some major responsibilities, and want to experience something more challenging. Transport may be a little more erratic, accommodation will be more basic or shared with others, hot water may not be available, and toilets might be of the ‘hole-in-the-ground’ variety. The work might be physically demanding, or might engage you emotionally in ways you had not anticipated.
This is the top category. It is for people who are highly adaptable and possess a robust physical or emotional constitution. We won't allow people on these programmes unless we are confident that they will not be deflated or overwhelmed by what they find. The vast majority of our placements on these projects are successful: they change lives at both ends. But expect to encounter rickety transport in remote unpaved roads, very basic, sometimes rough accommodation, no running water in many cases, either no electricity or very unreliable electricity, and changing conditions that don't exactly match the description you were given. Also be prepared to witness sights, such as poverty, dirt or chaos that will make you think about your values and priorities. The work will make serious demands on you, but will also reward you for the rest of your life.