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 hiking and coach 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 (Voluntary Services Overseas) www.vso.org.uk
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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131 Comments... join the discussion!
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Yea, something I will definitely check out. Thanks!
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I m currently living in Pakistan and love to travel. I m in search a job which includes travelling.I m 30 years old. Anybody who have any vacancy like that please contact me.
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I want to travel around the world as a volunteer. so please give me chance.
Thanks
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Hi,
I’m 23, Mechanical Engineer currently living in Cairo, Egypt.
I’m Searching for a Volunteer job which includes travelling, so if anybody has any vacancy, please contact me, thanks.↵ -
hi
l am 30,cargo handling,marketing officer and security from international recognized
military academy currently in Ghana.I’m Searching for a Volunteer job which includes traveling,so if anybody has any vacancy, please contact me, thanks.↵ -
I have volunteered twice during my travels already. Ok, I have not volunteered for very long, the first was for a month and the second was for 2 weeks. I have realised that many people that allow volunteers are people that have not lived all their life in country where they presently are. So I found myself learning more about other countries and their mingled cultures than “pure” traditions of Germany and/or Spain. It might have been due to the website I went through though I am still pleased to have met those people, worked with them come rain snow or wind, and learned the mingled cultures as that is what the world has come to – no longer an isolation for the most part.
Please reply to this if you see my view as wrong on incorrectly judged. I am interested to here other experiences.
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Me also want to travel as a volunteer
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I am from Travel agency so i will like to travel.
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I want to volunteer at the disaster in Haiti as a relief worker.I volunteered in Louisiana and Mississippi during katrina as a relief worker.Who do I contact to go down there.Thank you,Jenni Paul 5165695023
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I want to volunteer in Haiti, please if anybody know what organaization to contact let me know, 346-444-0485
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hello, i am an american israeli, who lives in israel, i would love help in any way i can the hatians through this disaster time, if you are a relief organization and could use my help, call me now 050 326 8850
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Am a secondary school Techer, i would like ti volunteer i Haiti. am contact number is 23233893540
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hey Augustine I am living for haiti for one week 0n this friday u welcome to come.
Please somebody let me know how to take a bus from santo Domingo to Haiti↵ -
yeh id like to help with haiti releif, im available ASAP.
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I’m a mechanical engineer, currently located near Boston, looking to volunteer in Haiti. I have experience in project mgmt, design, construction and excavator operation. I need some help in finding out where, how, if I have the proper skill set etc. If anyone has any advice, I would appreciate it greatly.
Thank you,
Matt↵ -
Hi my name is allan im 22 yr old from US an would love to go help others in haiti .. it touches my heart to see people live like that an if i could save someones life it would be the world to me please someone contact me 1-920-559-1184
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hey Alan I am living for haiti this Friday by way of Santo Domingo, you welcome to come.
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Hi i would like 2 help and do some good for people who are in need please contact me im available asap let us show the people in Haiti they are not alone. 2507092549.
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hi
I’m 22,currently studying at psychology faculty university of indonesia.I often engage in social activities,such as a disaster volunteer, facilitator for homeless children, involved in environmental activities (river and forest conservation), also in health issues such as dengue fever in my homecountry.
I really hope i can more beneficial for others, but I always stuck with the problem of cost.
If I can give my best contribution to the people in need and there isn’t any problem with the costs,please contact me already in +62 857 1809 7733 or by email.
Thx ^_^↵ -
Hi my name is Rajan im 27 yr old from Nepal an would like to go help volunteer service it touches my heart to see people live like that an if i could save someones life it would be the world to me please someone contact me.
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Hi matt, ljust saw your e-mail l find it interesting contact me and lets progress currently in africa.
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Hi matt, ljust saw your e-mail l find it interesting contact me and lets progress currently in africa.akmechello2010@hotmail.com
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Shalom
I’m a university degree student (English studies) aged 24 who would like to get a job or a volunteer opportunitie for free travel inside or outside of Morocco! Please contact: +212 650 597 356↵ -
Hi, am interested iwill like to join and work voluntarily to bring human right to life.Thgank you.
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