Do you like traveling? And making a difference? Volunteer work programs are one of the best ways to see the world, in our opinion. Not only does it feed your soul but it also tends to be a very budget-friendly way to travel. But how to find the right program? This post aims to walk you through various organizations that match volunteers to opportunities around the world. It also highlights some of the best programs for global volunteers broken down by interest. Enjoy!
Whether you’re passionate about working with children in need, animal and/or nature conservation, providing healthcare, construction, teaching English, etc. there’s something out there for you. When selecting a volunteer opportunity, it can be helpful (and safer) to go through an organization that specializes in connecting people like you to legitimate projects. Here are some of our favorites.
- International Volunteer HQ – International Volunteer HQ matches volunteers to fully hosted opportunities worldwide in every arena you could think of. Ethical and affordable, IVHQ takes care of all of the nitty gritty (airport pickup, housing, etc.) so all you have to do is show up for a cause you care about in a cool new place. Note that IVHQ often charges a registration fee of $329 on top of the program fee. This money goes to support their awesome organization.
- Go Eco – Go Eco matches volunteers to affordable opportunities worldwide based on their interests and destination of choice. Their programs center around wildlife rehab, ecological conservation, and providing humanitarian aid to local communities.
- Work Abroad – Work Abroad is an agency that works to provide passionate volunteers (individuals, families, and groups) with meaningful opportunities in nature conservation, wildlife research, and sustainable community development worldwide. They have an awesome system to filter through projects based on destination, duration, interests, and more that we love.
- Global Volunteers® - Global Volunteers® matches individuals, families, and groups with short-term opportunities to go into struggling communities with the aim of helping them reach their fullest potential via healthcare, renovation/construction, education, and more.
- VolunteerMatch - If you don’t feel like rifling through each of these organization’s websites, let VolunteerMatch do the work for you. This handy site matches volunteers to a massive database of volunteer opportunities hosted by nonprofits worldwide. Enter the location you would like to travel to and the areas in which you would be interested in volunteering and VolunteerMatch will match you to the program that needs you just as much as you need them.
We highly encourage you to do plenty of research using the resources above in order to find the perfect opportunity for you, but we wanted to highlight a few of our favorite volunteer work programs to get you inspired. Here they come.
Work With Children
- Youth Support in Split, Croatia – Work with underprivileged children in the seaside city of Split, Croatia. Over the course of 2 weeks, you will spend time with children of all ages during their after-school hours with the intention of providing them the additional educational and social support they need to thrive. Cost $975, food and lodging included
- Teach, Surf, and Skate in Cape Town – Spend 2-12 weeks in Cape Town, South Africa teaching underprivileged children to do the sports you love. Surfing, swimming, skating, and hiking are emphasized but you will also have an opportunity to educate the kiddos on subjects such as HIV and drug use as well as get involved in fundraising events. Trips start at $1,150 for 2 weeks and include food and lodging.
- Childcare and Teaching in San Jose, Costa Rica – Stay with a host family and spend 3-4 hours every weekday working with children. Teach English, organize arts and crafts, help kids with their schoolwork, and more. In your off time, engage in conversational Spanish lessons, cooking classes, and dances. Programs range from 6 days to just under 9 weeks and start at $790. Breakfast, dinner, and lodging are included.
Use Your Hands
- Construction and Renovation Volunteer Project in Fiji – Lend a handy hand to schools in Fiji. Discover the ways renovation and new construction can significantly improve the ability of local kiddos to learn, grow, and thrive in a healthy, safe environment. Pricing starts at $525 a week and drops the longer you stay (up to 12 weeks). Housing, meals, and airport pickup are all included.
- Village School Renovation in Cape Verde – This flexible program allows you to work with a coordinator to tailor your experience to your strong suits/liking. Help villages renovate their schools so that students have the opportunity to learn in a safe, comfortable environment. You’ll even get some basic Portuguese-based Creole language lessons. Pricing starts at $1,050 for just under 2 weeks but feel free to stay for up to 8 weeks. Airport pickup, dorm-style lodging, and meals are provided throughout.
- Construction and Renovation in Buenos Aires – Lend your hand (skilled or unskilled) to local schools, community spaces, soup kitchens, and more by helping with renovation, maintenance, and new construction. Hone your skills in painting, tiling, gardening, repairs, and more. All for a good cause. Pricing starts at $480 for 1 week but you can stay for up to 12 weeks at a diminishing price point. Price includes lodging, breakfast, discounts on language lessons, and more.
For Nature Conversation Enthusiasts
- Conservation Marketing and Social Media in the Galapagos Islands – Raise awareness about conservation ecology through the powerful medium of social media. This program teaches you so much about digital marketing and social media and all for a wonderful cause. Do your part in saving fragile ecosystems all while surrounding yourself with some pretty incredible nature and wildlife in the Galapagos National Park. Stay for 2-12 weeks. Pricing starts at $1,420 for 2 weeks and includes lodging. This program does not include food or airport pickup, so plan ahead.
- Environmental Conservation Program in Sri Lanka – Work with local conservation teams to conserve and better the natural beauty of this gorgeous island nation. You’ll work on projects in waste management, mangrove restoration, and reforestation as well as get plenty of opportunity to engage in cultural exchange activities. This program is a little prier, starting at $1,040 for 1 week but, trust us, it’s worth it. Lodging, airport transfers, and 3 meals per day featuring locally sourced, fresh ingredients are included in your fee.
- Reforestation Project in Peru – Find yourself in the city that many flock to on their way to the iconic Machu Picchu and volunteer your time to a project whose goal is to plant as many trees as possible in order to keep the clean air flowing in a city with a growing population. Plant trees (sometimes up in the mountains!), create rain-fed irrigation systems, research local flora and fauna, and more. Stay with a local family or in a shared apartment with other volunteers for as little as 2 weeks and up to 6 months. Contact Working Abroad for pricing.
For Animal Nuts
- Wildlife Rescue Internship Project in Canada – Work with injured, sick, or orphaned species native to British Columbia to get them back into the wild where they belong. Otters, squirrels, raccoons, black bears, and more will thank you for your service. Pricing starts at 195 euros (this is a Canada-based organization) and covers lodging, basic food, airport drop-off, and more. Volunteers must stay for a period of at least 4-8 weeks depending on the time of year.
- Playa Tortuga Conservation Volunteer Project in Costa Rica – Monitor crocodiles, research sea turtles, survey monkeys, and participate in coral reef restoration (during certain seasons) all while living in a tropical rainforest. In your free time, you can surf, ride horses, experience a canopy tour, take Spanish lessons, and more. Pricing starts at $470 for 1 week but you can stay for up to 6 months at a discounted intern price. Rates include private rooms, 3 meals a day (you’ll have to help cook), and more.
- Wildlife Conservation & San Bushmen Community Project in Namibia
Work in Healthcare
- Healthcare Outreach and Education in Ghana – Volunteer your time and medical expertise (although not required) in the rural communities of Ghana. Focus on testing and treatment for malaria and educate the local populations about the importance of good nutrition, sexual health, and hygiene. Pay a fee of $715 per week to cover everything from lodging, 3 meals a day, airport transfers, and all of the medical equipment you’ll need to make a difference.
- Livingstone Healthcare and Community Outreach in Zambia – Shadow local healthcare practitioners as they provide home-based treatment to those in need. You’ll also work to educate local communities on the importance of pursuing a healthy lifestyle. In your free time, enjoy white water rafting, bunjee jumping, and other exciting adventures on the Zambezi River near Victoria Falls. Stay for 2-12 weeks in communal housing with other volunteers and enjoy 3 meals a day. Pricing starts at $1,590.
- Rural Health Camp Volunteer in Nepal – Join a medical camp of ~8 to provide various healthcare services from rural community to rural community throughout Nepal. Work with a local doctor and other volunteers to provide basic first aid, medical education, medical testing, and more. Trek or bus through awe-inspiring landscapes to help people in need. Pricing starts at $540 for 2 weeks and includes lodging and meals provided by a local host family. Be prepared for spotty (or nonexistent) WIFI and limited to no hot water.
Feeling inspired to hop on a plane and make a difference? Good. That’s what we were hoping for. Volunteering in lands far, far away is rewarding yet challenging work. You’ll meet so many interesting people (fellow volunteers and locals alike) and experience cultures, landscapes, and wildlife on an intimate level that is hard to achieve otherwise. We hope this [not so] little guide has helped give you some direction on your search for the perfect volunteer work program and that you will bite the bullet and buy your plane ticket ASAP. You won’t regret it.