Peggy Farren talks with travel enthusiast and photographer Betty Dent. Betty fills us in on some of the amazing opportunities to travel cheaply and experience the world as a volunteer. Thanks for tuning into episode #89 of The Understand Photography Show!
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Understand Photography General Notes
https://understandphotography.leadpages.co/4-weeks-photography-education-video/
Upcoming Trips:
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Volunteer Abroad For Cheap! Traveling, Volunteering and Adventure with Betty Dent
“Travel is hard work, but it’s rewarding, especially as a photographer.”
About Betty
- Retired from 42 year career in the Air Force, Army, and Department of Defense.
- Traveled extensively and lived abroad for nearly 15 years.
- Continued to yearn for travel and adventure after retirement.
- Uses a Canon 5D Mark II.
- Took classes at Understand Photography.
- Joined camera clubs in Ft. Myers area.
“I prefer to travel by myself. I get to interact more with new people.”
Finding Volunteer Projects (and Travel Links)
“Google it.”
First Volunteer Experience 2013
Thanda - private game reserve in South Africa (Elephant Coast)
Two groups: photography and research
- 4-5 days photography instruction by Emil Von Maltitz from www.natureslight.co.za
- Learned to photograph animals and load images into a database to be used by NGOs, charitable organizations, and for sale to support eco projects.
- Worked with research group who studied animal habits.
- Went out on two safari drives per day taking photos.
- Worked with local schools - taught English, took school photos.
- Cleared brush with a machete.
- Worked in the gardens.
AfricanImapct.com - wildlife photography - training
GlobalVolunteers.org - opportunities from West Virginia to Tanzania
Sar-El.org - Israeli military - work side by side with military, eat together, live in military quarters, share bunks with 4-8 women, basic labor - repair tools, pack rucksacks, clean warehouses, paint, (as well as nursing and other specialties).
Vegan Bakery in Jerusalem - baking bread for local school (new upstart business)
Eritrea refugees in Tel Aviv - helping women refugees fill out citizenship papers.
TravelZoo.com - inexpensive group travel, great trips
TailorMadeSafaris.co.za - not volunteer, but very reasonable
The Experience
- You are charged a fee for housing and food (which varies with each project).
- You are also responsible for your airfare.
- Requires medical insurance, shots, passport, visa, and sometimes interviews.
- May be some age restrictions depending on the project.
- You need to be fit.
- You are met at the airport and transported to the volunteer site where you’re given assignments and roommates.
- Facilities are normally bare bones - an Army sleeping bag and a cot.
“If you can do photography, AND you can travel, AND you can do some good for someone - how do you get better than that?”
- You usually get weekends free - there are sometimes organized trips for volunteers for sightseeing.
- Always ask permission before taking a photo of a person.
- A smile goes a long way - it transcends the language barriers.
- Language hasn’t been a problem. Most of the guides speak English, and the native people speak well with hand gestures.
“The things you get to participate in and learn are wonderful - better than the money you save.”