Feature photo by technicolorcavalry Photo by AsianInsights
The chance to give something back, an opportunity to share your skills and knowledge, to meet other travellers or simply to meet the locals…
There are many reasons to volunteer while you’re travelling and there are literally thousands of charities and organisations that look for help from passing travellers.
Many ask for donations or fees to cover costs, others operate as profitable businesses but the list below is just a few that cost little or nothing to become involved and help out:
1. WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms), Worldwide
Board and lodging is offered in exchange for a days’ work on the farm. Stays available from one week to many years, and with thousands of hosts available in 53 countries there is an opportunity suitable for everyone. Contact: WWOOF.
For more information, check out A First-Timer’s Guide to WWOOF-ing.
2. Turtle Teams, Worldwide
A generic name for the thousands of small groups that help threatened sea turtles. Most groups are based on one or two nesting beaches–which are typically at risk from over exploitation-and appreciate help for even just one night.
Search for groups at the local tourist office close to any tropical beach and help a species come off the endangered list. More information can be found at these larger organisations: www.seaturtles.org and www.cccturtle.org.
Photo by aimabroad
Conservation Volunteers, Australia and New Zealand
– www.conservationvolunteers.com.au – Short-term project in Australia, New Zealand and a few international locations. Working in teams to protect habitats and promote eco tourism.
A small fee (usually around AUS$100 for a week) is usually required to participate, but covers all food and lodging. British based BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) also has similar opportunities. www.btcv.org.uk
Sudan Volunteer Programme, Sudan
– www.svp-uk.com – Teach English in one of the world’s most impoverished countries. Placements are at schools or universities but many volunteers help with community projects in additional to their teaching.
Volunteers must pay for their airfare but all other costs are covered, including a small monthly stipend.
Appalachian Trail Conference, USA
– www.appalachiantrail.org – At over 2,000 miles long the Appalachian Trail is the classic long trail in the Eastern US an home to almost 2,000 endangered or threatened species.
Volunteers help with trail building and maintenance in return for food and (usually very basic) accommodation
Photo by law_keven
Trip Leader for HF Holidays, Europe
– www.hfholidays.co.uk – One of Europe’s most popular walking holiday operators is searching for volunteers to lead their walking holidays. Leaders are provided with accommodation, meals and the chance to explore Europe in return for sharing their passion and knowledge with groups they accompany.
Help Exchange, Worldwide
– www.helpx.net – A website that lists worldwide hosts that are looking for an extra pair of hands; whether it be in their farm or garden, working in schools or on religious projects, building houses or community centres to simply helping a family take the kids to school.
A small memberships fee is required to access the details of hosts but board and lodging is provided in exchange for your work.
Photo by jonrawlinson
Peace Corps, Worldwide
– www.peacecorps.gov – A unique chance to live and work in another country; working on a variety of projects from healthcare and the environment to business development.
A real commitment to 27 months on placement is required, but for those that are willing, this is a life-changing position. Open only to US residents but similar projects are available for other nationals with VSO.
United Nations Volunteers, Worldwide
– www.unv.org – From health care and economic development to assisting after natural disasters, the UN offers positions for those that are dedicated to making a difference abroad.
While many positions are open only to experienced professions, the UN has links to hundreds of international NGOs and QANGOS that are looking for help in similar fields on a less formal basis.
Photo by aripeskoe
Kibbutz Volunteer, Israel – www.kibbutzvolunteer.com – An area that is rarely out of the news, Israel offers superb community but complicated politics.
Being a volunteer gives you the opportunity to experience this region first hand while living as part of a socialist community where everything is provided. The region also serves as a good base from which to explore the Middle East and North Africa
This is just a small sample of what’s on offer; be sure to thoroughly research any options before undertaking a project. And remember, while it’s always nice to get something for free, if a project is requesting money, it is usually going to a good cause.
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190 Comments... join the discussion!
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Me and my fiance want to travel and volinteer our ser. in exchange for travel exp. can you help us to do that. This would be great for us to experiance together.
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Im a medicine student, i’d love to volunteer with you guys, im just gonna start 3th semester but im sure i could help in many things not just with medical stuff.
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heloo there
am Tanzanian age 24 last year graduate from University of Dar es salaam
am simple looking for free opportunity to volunteer,
by profession am Accountant.(BACHELOR OF COMMERCE AND MANAGEMENT(ACCOUNTING))↵ -
Welcome to The Love Company!
The organization �The Love Company� was set up to help match volunteers with our projects working with children in our orphanage in Pokhara, Nepal. The Love Company (TLC) facilitates services not only in Pokhara and the surrounding villages but also in the Kaski, Tanahu, Baglung,and Syangja districts of Nepal.In order to facilitate our work with some of the most needy children in Nepal, The Love Company desperately needs volunteers from all over the world to help with our projects, spend time with our children and themselves have a �once in a lifetime� experience.
The Love Company offers an excellent, safe and friendly environment to stay and work in villages, getting to know the real Nepal. The satisfaction of our volunteers is always foremost in every project we run.↵ -
Objectives
The objectives of The Love Company and the projects we run are as follows:
� To promote community development without destroying traditional ways of life.
� To educate communities on the importance of education. English language and literacy, hygiene and sanitary devices and environmental management.
� To bring western methodology and experience on variety of education and health matters to the village communities.
� To provide education and training to community youth to encourage and create opportunities for self employment.
� To focus on improving life for the poorest and most marginalized members of Nepali society especially the Dalits.
� To provide lessons of Nepali language and cultural information to the persons who come to Nepal to study, conduct research and do voluntary work.
� To introduce volunteers to richness of Nepali culture and ensure a safe and memorable stay in a supportive environment.
� To enable volunteers to study the society and culture of Nepal.
� To mobilize volunteers in the sectors of education, health, environment, human rghts, agriculture etc.
� To promote volunteerism.
� To promote the Nepali culture worldwide.
� Regular monitoring of guest activities and feedbacks.↵ -
Hi,
I am really interested to be a volunteer. This will help me discover new things and travel different places at the same time. I want to know how to be a part of your objectives.
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I would also like to travel and then do some volunteer work. Though, what is the minimum qualification?
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Dear Sir/Madam ,
I wish to apply for a volunteer assignment with your program. I have worked over the
years in both the private sector and Government institution. I am
currently a social worker in a private organisation in Sierra Leone . Am
interested in joining your organisation as intern.Please accept my application and do supply all relevent information to
facilitate the process.Thanks in anticipation.
Yours Sincsrely,
MARIAN SUSAN JUNISA↵ -
Hello, im a 20 year old qualified bricklayer. Im interested in doing free volunteer work. Maybe there is some building developments that wouldn’t mind the extra trowel?
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Introduction
About Us
About Us Welcome Hello from our Nepal orphanage! ‘The Innocent Children’s Home’ is a non for profit orphanage that requires the help of volunteers to provide the love and support that is necessity in the development of every child’s life. Your valued help is essential to ensure this orphanage provides the proper development that these children deserve, not to mention to reach the high goals that our organisation has set. Our orphanage is situate in Pokhara, Nepal. It is built to service and house displaced children from remote farming villages that surround this picturesque area. We have many children on our waiting list trying to join our organisation, which we want to provide, however we need you, the valued volunteer to support our organisation and help make this and possible. Our Mission To provide displaced children with a caring, loving home where they can grow, live and learn towards a brighter future. Our Vision To expand our organisation in order to provide more orphaned children with a loving home. To educate our children through the generous time of volunteers from a broad range of cultures. Our Children We have a total of eight displaced children ranging form 4-12 years of age and are expecting two more in the coming week. They all come from very varied and distressing backgrounds, but their needs are all the same; love, care and schooling. Our orphans have mainly come from the surrounding areas of the picturesque Pokhara. Although rich in natural beauty with the Himalayas lingering, the area provides many dangers which has led to the children needing the support of our orphanage. One example, is a brother and sister aged 4 and 5 years. Their mother passed away as a result of cancer and their father died from falling form a tree in search of forage for livestock in the dryer months. The children were left to their extremely poor grandparents who could not afford to upkeep two young children at their tender age. A second example is one of the older boys who’s parents died as a result of a car accident. He and sister were left to their uncle who again could not afford the upkeep of two more children on top of his own. Therefore, the boy had to leave and fend for himself on the streets of Pokhara at the age of ten until the orphanage was opened two years later. Our youngsters (4-7 years old) do not currently attend school, but they are intent on taking as much away from our infrequent stream of volunteers as they can. We have a small ‘class room’ at our orphanage where the children have daily lessons provided by our volunteers and occasionally by local residents of our area. Although this is proving to be very stimulating for the children, they are in desperate need for further funding to be privileged enough to attend school for further development both personally and intellectually. Our older boys (11-12) who have all come from the street are now lucky enough to be able to attend school. They are really excelling in the stable environment of our home and school and their studies and behaviour have really shone as the school year has progressed. Volunteer with Us As our children are here mainly due to distressing circumstances, we need loving, caring and compassionate people to volunteer in our children’s home. To become accustomed to the Nepalese culture, we are offering our volunteers the opportunity of a true Nepal farm stay in a remote village in an area where majority of our displaced children call ‘home’. This will enable you to understand and better relate to our children and therefore be of more benefit to their needs. Not to mention a fantastic opportunity to meet real Nepalese people in their surroundings in areas that are off the tourist trail as well as accessible only by foot. After this orientation into the Nepali lifestyle, you will be accommodated in a private room in the orphanage for the duration of your stay. Please teach our children English, math, games, personal hygiene, drawing, painting, music and many more skills. Location Our home is in a quite location, 20 minutes walk from the popular “Lakeside” district of Pokhara. Easily assessable from Kathmandu by bus, or 5 minute taxi ride from the Pokhara airport. From our garden the magnificent Machapurchata and surrounding Himalaya’s are clearly visible. Pokhara is the gateway to the Annurpuna region of the Himalayas, providing a wide range of trekking adventures. Pokhara is also well renowned for adrenalin sports, from white water rafting to paragliding. Pokhara offers a full range of services, including excellent restaurants, café’s and shopping on the Fewa Lake. The Love Company
Getting Ready For School
Getting ready for school Our children are getting ready for school.↵ -
Some great volunteer options there. We recently ran a feature on 10 ways to volunteer in Africa. Volunteering is becoming more popular I’m glad to say. i think the internet is really helping to spread the word about the volunteering opportunities.
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Excellent site, keep up the good work. I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog.
Thanks↵ -
SIR/MA’AM,
I WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER MYSELF FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL HABITAT AND ORPHANAGE HOMES IN U.S.A.
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Hello
My name is Marouane 24 years old male graduated in English studies, a,d have a diplom a in Commerce International. I have always wanted to volunteer in a program and give something to the world and I am ready and full of energy for that. I wish u can reply to my application because i am already packed.
thank you very much.↵ -
Wow I found this very interesting!
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WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER MYSELF FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL HABITAT AND ORPHANAGE HOMES IN U.S.A./ CANADA / EUROPE/ FRANCE/UK/
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estoy dispuesto, a colaborar como voluntario, tengo 25 años, y soy profesional en la salud. , ahora estoy sin empleo , asi que me gustaria viajar a lguna parte y a la vez ser solidario haciendo cualquier cosa.
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We do have work program for people coming for tour to Safaris in Africa. i am wondering if any exchange could be planned.
thanks↵ -
I HAVE A TEAM OF YOUTH FROM HAVE JUST FINISHED UNIVERSITY THEY WANT TO VOLUNTEER
PLEASE REPPLY↵ -
Hello
You could come to UGANDA TO ORPHANAGES AND MORE WECOME
lET ME KNOW IF U ARE READY↵ -
am 30 yrs old l have certificate in anti-terror,cargo handling and have serve my
country national security council for 5yrs and over.l want to be volunteer in any
part of the world to maintain peace n order in the war ton zone.↵ -
i would love to volunteer with you for long period of time as you will asign me anywhere
am charles k prince get back to me
i like helping others in danger , orphanage, schools. sports etc.↵ -
hi
I am a medical graduate..just finished my internship…would love to volunteer in health related works or teaching/conservation works/raising awareness…preferably in south east asian region…i hail from india↵ -
My self an experimental film maker from India, I like to make documentories on people,education,nature,environment,culture,kids etc..
I have some my own filming euquipment for filming and editing and etc..etc and i can help you to make such creative things.
Please let me know if you have anything for me, if is there any orgenization who could interested to make documentories about how they are working.
Please feel free to write to me!
Hiren Dave
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