Volunteer in New Orleans

New Orleans, a city in southeastern Louisiana predominantly known for its lively music and distinctive cuisine, has also been ceaselessly grappling with the short- and long-term effects of the two deadly hurricanes, which ravaged the city in 2005 and 2021 respectively. Homelessness and poverty have proved incessant plagues on the city, and many hurricane survivors and other vulnerable populations continue to  receive inadequate shelter, food, clothing and support. To combat this, volunteers will work with local organizations and assist with a number of different initiatives, depending on where the need is greatest. From working in warehouses to homeless shelters and food banks, volunteers’ tasks include serving meals, sorting donated food, clothing, or household goods, packing boxes and helping organizations to clean and renovate their spaces. 

This minimum 1-week and maximum 12-week experience starts at $610 per person for one week and $4,395 per person for 12 weeks. Accommodation, airport pickup, in-country program orientation, and 24/7 in-country support are all included.

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IVHQ

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Experteer Around the World

Are you interested in helping global communities and travel, but want more than a two-week volunteer trip that may or may not help the community you visit? Check out this organization that offers “experteering” experiences. You will be selected for your existing professional skill-sets and placed in a role where they can be maximized with an international social enterprise.

MOVINGWORLDS

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Create Community Programs in Moldova

Volunteers interested in working closely with youth and empowering them to be successful can utilize their passion and creativity for this community project in Causeni, Moldova. On this trip, volunteers will stay with a local host family, work closely with regional project directors and the youth of Causeni. Volunteers will work together to organize and facilitate events and workshops that promote positive change for the community—from a social action seminar to a sporting event or a children’s festival. This opportunity gives those who participate the chance to create and share a vision for a community in need and bring it to life. In addition, volunteers will work with a youth club in Causeni with over 200 members. 

This trip is offered year-round, starting every Sunday. Volunteers can stay anywhere from 2 to 12 weeks. All host families are trusted local community members who have experience hosting international volunteers. Their homes are all equipped with western amenities, and  a private room is available for all guests. Breakfast and dinner are provided every day. The workday can be expected to last anywhere from 4 to 6 hours, leaving volunteers with time to explore in the evenings! A two-week stay on this trip costs just $519. 

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LOVE VOLUNTEERS 

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Teach Refugees Art and Music in Jordan

Amman is not only the capital of Jordan, but is also a cultural and historical mecca of the Middle East. Yet, the city is located in a region where refugees, many of whom are children, flee to escape conflicts in neighboring countries. For those interested in teaching art and music, volunteers have the opportunity to aid in facilitating workshops for refugees, helping them make positive impacts within their own lives and communities. Volunteers will teach students art and music while focusing on themes such as diversity, gender equity and sustainability. A typical day may begin with breakfast at a local homestay followed by volunteering at a workshop, with time at the end of the day to explore the rich culture and sites of Amman. 

This volunteer experience is offered by International Volunteer HQ, and costs $645 per person for one week of volunteering. International Volunteer HQ  provides volunteer travel opportunities around the world by partnering with local community organizations focused on long-term positive impacts.  

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International Volunteer HQ 

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Empower an Ecuadorian Community Through Volunteering

The Ecuadorian capital of Quito is known for being one of the best preserved historic cities in Latin America, with architecture influenced by European and Indigenous designs scattered among its hilly streets. Yet just beyond this vibrant Andean city lies the Valle de los Chillos , a region where extreme wealth inequality is worsened by limited access to education, health care and infrastructure. This cycle of poverty is pervasive throughout the region, but it is one that can be broken. Volunteers can work with adults and children to teach English, run educational workshops on nutrition, and work with local women to discuss empowerment while doing handicrafts. A regional community center allows residents to socialize, engage in workshops and use computers to access learning material. Whichever opportunity volunteers choose, every project is based on a commitment to improve the health, education and livelihood of this Ecuadorian community.

Volunteering opportunities are run by Manna Project International, which offers volunteers the option to enroll in short-term programs for one to two weeks, or a summer internship for five to 10 weeks. Short-term programs cost $750 per week, while summer internships cost $2,100 for a five-week position and $3,900 for a 10-week position. For those looking to be part of a long-term project, volunteers can also become a program director and work in Ecuador for more than a year. Manna Project International is a Florida-based nonprofit organization that operates programs in Ecuador and Nicaragua. Since its inception, the group has been able to help more than 3,000 community members each year. 

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Manna Project International 

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Renovate a School in Bali

Bali is an Indonesian island known for its pristine beaches and historic temples that inspire images of grandeur. Yet beyond its reputation as a tropical destination, there are more than 4.3 million people who call Bali home. This community-oriented experience is based in Lovina on the northern coast of Bali, where volunteers work together to help renovate a school. Working with a local project coordinator, an average day involves performing repairs on a school, cleaning, gardening and painting. For those interested in learning more about Indonesian culture, volunteers can take part in “Cultural Immersion Week.” In this additional travel experience, volunteers will go to a local Buddhist temple, participate in Indonesian language lessons and Indonesian cooking classes, and visit a hot spring. 

This trip is offered by International Volunteer HQ and lasts a minimum of two weeks for $615, with the option to extend for up to 12 weeks. Cultural Immersion Week is an additional five days and costs an extra $358. Volunteers should be in good physical health as this program requires being able to complete basic renovation tasks. International Volunteer HQ focuses on providing volunteer travel opportunities around the world by partnering with local community organizations focused on long-term positive impacts.  

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International Volunteer HQ

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Intern with a Human Rights Group in Morocco

Morocco stands at the crossroads of three worlds. Lying at the northwestern tip of Africa, the country seamlessly melds Middle Eastern influences with European flair. Morocco’s location in the world means that it often receives refugees escaping war and unrest. In the capital city of Rabat, volunteers can intern with a local nongovernmental organization that provides these migrants with a quality education, work training and other forms of assistance. This is a perfect opportunity to gain firsthand experience working with an NGO, especially with issues related to development, human rights and migration. Morocco is an Arab country with French influence, meaning that those who choose to embark on this internship have the option to learn Arabic or French (required to work in administration) while there.

This internship is offered by Kaya Responsible Travel. The minimum length of the internship is one month for $2,690. Each additional week of interning costs $432. Kaya offers sustainable volunteer and internship opportunities in 32 countries and works on 150 different projects that partner with local communities.

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Kaya Responsible Travel

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Fight Against Food Insecurity in Lisbon, Portugal

Food insecurity is a growing problem throughout the world, disproportionately affecting low-income individuals. In the Portuguese capital city of Lisbon, known for its grand colonial architecture and Mediterranean climate, one can volunteer to deliver meals to the city’s food insecure population. About 19% of Portugal’s population is food insecure, a figure that has increased since the early 2000s. Volunteers work with a local community organization to help eliminate food waste from Lisbon’s restaurants and supermarkets by packing meals for vulnerable populations throughout the city. Usually working during the dinner hours from 6:30 to 10 p.m., volunteers will pack and serve meals for up to 300 people per day, helping to feed families, the elderly and those experiencing homelessness.

This trip is organized by International Volunteer HQ and costs $455 for a one-week stay. International Volunteer HQ focuses on providing volunteer travel opportunities around the world by partnering with local community organizations focused on long-term positive impacts. 

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International Volunteer HQ

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Volunteer at a Refugee Shelter in Mexico

On this trip, volunteer at a migrant and refugee aid shelter in Guadalajara, Mexico—the second largest metropolitan area in the country. At the shelter, work closely with social workers and lawyers to support people fleeing conflict and persecution in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. Throughout the trip, participants will provide basic living necessities, collect data for demographic purposes, and help refugees transition between journeys. Over 25,000 migrants and refugees travel to Mexico in search of economic opportunities and safety each year, with many hoping to continue on to the United States. Volunteers will stay with a host family in Guadalajara, so this is also an opportunity for volunteers to learn about Mexican culture and practice conversational Spanish. 

This volunteer program begins at $2,900 for two weeks, but volunteers are encouraged to stay longer for greater impact. All accommodations and meals are included in the cost. 

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Projects Abroad

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Volunteer with Grassroots Organizations in Ghana

Ghana is a West African country with an economy primarily based on gold, oil and cocoa. It was one of the first African countries to break free from colonial rule and it still holds the ruins of colonial slave trading ports. The “Glory of Ghana” trip gives volunteers a chance to explore the country while also helping to improve conditions through education and rural development programs. The mission is to assist locals by positively affecting the quality of the area’s education, health care and environment. Specific programs depend on the needs of the community at the time, but could include building schools, instructing students and bringing clean water to communities near the city of Ho. Other activities include exploring the famous Kente weaving village, visiting Ghana’s tallest mountain and witnessing the largest waterfall in West Africa. The trip’s length is eight days and it costs $1,467.

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Globe Aware

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Take a Social Justice Tour in New York City

Social Justice Tours offer a variety of day trip tours mostly concentrated around New York City and surrounding areas that allow people to engage in critical discourse regarding relevant issues around the city. Examples of these tours are the Queer History of the Village tour, where you explore the LGBTQ history of West Village, New York. Another example tour is the Gentrification of Downtown Brooklyn, which highlights the development of downtown Brooklyn. Other example tours are Women’s History of the Village, Environmental Justice in Gowanus, Trump Tour, Vegan Food of the Lower East Side, People's History of Lower Manhattan and Gentrification in Williamsburg. All tours cost $10 per person.

Social Justice Tours

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