Embarking on a world trip opens doors to not just explore, but also give back to the communities you visit. This article dives into how you can find opportunities to integrate volunteer work in your itinerary, offering you a deeper understanding of local cultures and the satisfaction of contributing positively to a community. This guide will equip you with everything you need to know about finding meaningful volunteer opportunities that align with your journey, ensuring your adventure leaves a lasting impact both on you and the places you explore.
What is Voluntourism?
World travelers who volunteer during their journey generally commit for short periods of time, very rarely exceeding more than three months and most likely around 1 month at a time. In voluntourism, coming to a foreign country is not primarily motivated by the act of volunteering, but by tourism.
It is important to note that voluntourism has grown at an astonishing rate in recent years and volunteers are almost always asked to contribute financially to the operation of the structures that hosts them, in addition to their free labor. To capture this financial resource, many local organizations seek to attract volunteers, whoever they may be, in an unregulated manner and sometimes Not-so-beneficial organizations have the real goal of enriching a few people. Our advice here is to ideally go for a project you've hear good things about from travelers you've encountered along the way or have great reviews on volunteering platforms.
Volunteering Agencies
The issue with commercial volunteering agencies lies in their heavy marketing, which places them at the top of search engine results. Well-known ones include WEP, Working Abroad, and Project Abroad. Despite using similar language to non-profit organizations, these are businesses selling volunteer experiences at high prices, often around €2500 for a two-week stay, excluding flight tickets. Although many of their projects have a positive impact, we would strongly advised you to consider alternatives due to the commercial nature and high costs of these programs.
How to find volunteering opportunities without an agency?
It is totally possible to find a volunteering opportunity that fits your itinerary by yourself thanks to many platforms that gather small projects around the globe. Opportunities vary in duration, skill level required, and field of work, offering a wide range of experiences for volunteers. In most cases, individuals are responsible for fully funding their own living expenses while on assignment and often also contribute to the financing of the sending and hosting organization.
We found useful websites that facilitate connections between applicants and local organizations seeking volunteers. Just keep in mind that these platforms list volunteer opportunities worldwide without filtering for "good or bad" projects or organizations, nor do they monitor or follow up. While many projects may be reputable, caution is advised as some listings could be questionable. No contracts are signed, so these are strictly volunteer positions.
Similar to Worldwidehelpers but operates for profit, taking a percentage of volunteers' participation fees, which could commercialize volunteering.
Unlike Volunteerworld, these sites list volunteer jobs in various fields, focusing on opportunities that don't involve monetary exchange, requiring a small fee for two years of access to contact information.
A platform connecting travelers with hostels, NGOs, and eco-projects around the world in exchange for accommodation. It offers opportunities for cultural exchange, skill development, and community service.
Finding opportunities on the spot?
Whether you've done online research or not, during a world tour, you often encounter local initiatives firsthand. It's polite to contact them via email or phone before visiting in person. You might also meet volunteers during your travels; don't hesitate to ask them questions. This approach allows firsthand understanding of operations and how you can contribute before committing, ensuring your skills are valued and maintaining the flexibility crucial to world travel enjoyment. For more detailed insights, visiting specific organizations or platform websites is recommended.
We have 2 volunteering period in mind for our trip, one in Peru or Bolivia and one in Tanzania, stay tuned for the articles telling you about these experiences.
