An applicant's review: If you're interested in volunteering for Unite for Sight, please read the following. Their website doesn't tell you everything!
Unite for Sight is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving eye care in developing countries like Ghana and India. They do good work...I have no doubt, but their website is deceptive and they are a business focused on the bottom line--MONEY! And you have to have access to disposable income to apply!
One of the reasons my mom and I applied to Unite for Sight was because we have a family member who had done it, and we have heard positive things about the experience. After visiting the website many times, watching their videos, reading about the volunteer experience, and reading about the program in general, my mom and I decided to fill out the application and get started on the fundraising process. Everything felt very transparent and straightforward-no hidden agenda! I'm always skeptical of volunteer programs that charge applicants an exorbitant fee. I realize there are costs in operating and running an office as well as the programs themselves, but as a non-profit, the fee should be transparent. It should clearly state somewhere where the money goes and what it is used for. Unite for Sight doesn't charge volunteers, but requests that they raise $1375 to cover costs of medical procedures and equipment for the work sites. Sounds fair, but it's not the whole story!
Unite for Sight seems to present an honest clear straightforward application process. It outlines all the steps volunteers need to take and answers many legit and reasonable questions in the FAQ section. But they don't tell you a very crucial point...in order to hold your spot, you have to pay the fund-raising amount of $1375 upfront as a deposit. This is not stated anywhere on the website as of April 2007.
After submitting our applications, my mom and I were sent a form email telling us we had to send in the money within a week!! What?? It came as a big surprise. We applied eight months in advance to give us plenty of time to raise the money required. We just don't have that kind of disposable income. But we fully understand the need to fund-raise and we were willing to do that.
There was no mention of having to pay a deposit, much less within a week of being accepted. If it was a partial deposit, say 10-20%, I wouldn't have batted an eye. But the full amount? That seems excessive and deceptive. And apparently there is no way to hold your spot unless you pay it!
We have been in direct email contact with the president and founder, Jennifer Staple. We sent her a few emails asking about the deposit and suggesting that we were a bit surprised by the $1375 deposit. She is always quick to respond but offers to real explanation about why the deposit is necessary except that if we don't send it in soon our spots may be taken. Maybe this is a highly competitive volunteer program and I have no doubt it looks great on a resume. But seriously, if only people with a disposable income can apply...1) We can't afford to join in and 2) I'm not sure we want to be part of it.
I'm writing about our experience with the application process to try to make the process more transparent for others who are considering applying to this organization. From what I've seen and heard, this organization does great work, but also only wants and accepts volunteers with money. It's ironic that they are trying to help disadvantaged populations, but only wealthy people can volunteer. It's unfortunate.
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1 comment:
i hope you didn't send the money. i think it is a bit much! i honestly am not into volunteering for organizations that ask for more than a few hundred dollars. ms world
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