International Welfare Charities

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Sixty-six million primary school children attend classes starving or hungry across the developing world, with 23 million in Africa alone.

There are people and families all over the world that need help gaining access to basic human needs such as food, water and sanitation. These individuals often live in poverty-stricken or war torn countries where resources are scarce, making each and every day a fight for survival.

Support from international welfare charities is often the only aid available to people in situations like these. For example, 844 million people don’t have access to clean water close to home. In many countries women walk for hours to collect water for their families and sustain permanent, irreversible injuries as a result. Many girls and young women miss school because they are busy performing this duty.

Water Aid’s mission is to make clean water and toilets available for everyone everywhere so that these women can get the education they deserve and people everywhere can have good health and a fair chance at life.

International welfare charities perform outstanding work, but this work can only continue with the help of volunteers.

What sort of roles are available?

Street fundraising or joining an event to get sponsors

Most international welfare charities need volunteer fundraisers and there are a few ways you can get involved. If you enjoy a challenge, you might want to join an event to raise money, such as Water Aid’s Winter Dip where you will dive into freezing water or Oxfam’s Trailwalker event where you can trek 100km across the South Downs in under 20 hours.

If these sort of activities don’t take your fancy, you can also try something less taxing by collecting sponsors in your local high street, by engaging with passers by and educating them about the charity you’re supporting.

Find out what it’s like to take part in Oxfam’s Trailwalker event

Offer your talent

If you’ve got a talent, why not use it for the greater good? Charities such as The Hunger Project regularly appeal for people with skills in graphic design, PR, marketing and social media to help them with behind the scenes tasks.

Additional roles supporting international welfare charities

For more information on supporting international welfare charities in other ‘behind the scenes’ roles or roles abroad, please browse the sections below:

Which charities can I support?

Food Aid Foundation, Water Aid, Oxfam, Action Against Hunger, Save the Children, The Hunger Project, Action Aid, Practical Action

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