Several sites and organisations online are matching volunteers around the world with striving NGOs. The Idealist is a hub of activity with over 29,000 NGOs in 153 countries and many more thousands of volunteers around the globe. No matter where you're based and what skills you have, you'll find an opportunity to match.

While the Idealist is simply a place to post and find volunteer work, The Experiment in International Living sends volunteers to different countries as a means of cultural exchange. Volunteers participate in community service programmes as part of the larger experience of living in another culture and staying at a local host's home.

Cross Cultural Solutions sends volunteers to assist locals in community work programmes in Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, India, Peru, Russia and Thailand. However, volunteers have to finance their own cost of travel and accommodation. VSO covers volunteers' travel fare and living expenses in the host country, but recruits volunteers only from the European Union, the US and Canada.

One wonders whether all the money spent in sending international volunteers to poorer countries may not be better used to improve infrastructure within the host country. Explains Marios Cleovoulou, Founder AidCamps International volunteer-projects.htm, "Our NGO has no funds itself, so it could not just send money to a developing country for materials. Volunteers pay to go and even pay for the expense of the project. Sending foreign volunteers, say, to India has the additional advantage of letting them experience the "real" India (rather than the tourist India), resulting in their becoming lifelong friends and supporters of India."

With most volunteer organisations sending people to developing nations (including India), it makes sense for Indians to volunteer within the country. You could look up lists of Indian NGOs and choose to contact them individually, or visit sites specifically focusing on volunteering opportunities across many organisations.

Indian Volunteers is an exhaustive resource that matches people with specific projects based on their skills, resources, location and preferences. ICICICommunities is another virtual meeting point for NGOs and individuals in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai.

Asked why a volunteer would need to go online to find a local NGO, Shalabh Sahai, a Director of Mitra Technologies Foundation that manages ICICICommunities, replies: "To find a requirement that exactly matches what he or she has to offer. For instance, a retired expert in Geographical Information Systems may not easily find an NGO that needs his specialised knowledge. We did know of one such organisation and matched the two."

While volunteering can be a very satisfying experience, it's helpful to remember the possible pitfalls. You may make a commitment but find yourself too busy to sustain your efforts. Also, sometimes an organisation could take you for granted. It's therefore a good idea to meet the NGO involved at least once. This builds a sense of relationship and also helps both parties gauge each other's expectations.

Don't expect an overnight change. Sahai cautions, "Often, highly skilled individuals expect to make a vast difference. But the change isn't seen so fast. Be happy to make even a small difference."

Become a virtual volunteer

People unable to help on location can avail of the Internet to be virtual volunteers - give professional advice, create Web sites and teach English online.

Are you ready?

If you're all set to volunteer virtually:

• First take a look at volunteer activity around the world.
• Find out what it entails.
• Then go through a collection of online resources and tools that will aid you in your tasks.
• To get the feel of things, you can also join mailing lists to talk to people who are already involved in such work.

• VolunteerMatch
• NetAid
• CharityVillage