Promote English Education in Rural Thailand

Thailand’s Nan province struggles with a lack of educational resources. Many students are children of seasonal farmworkers who lack transportation to schools and suffer from poor attendance and high dropout rates. These schools particularly need English teachers as an understanding of the language has become necessary for many jobs in Thailand. Volunteers for the “Child Education” program provide valuable language lessons while engaging students with activities to drive attendance and promote the importance of an education. This trip is run by Cross-Cultural Solutions, a group that aims to “mobilize cross-cultural impact volunteering that improves education and health opportunities for children who need it most.” The trip can last anywhere from one to four weeks and starts at $1,990.

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Cross-Cultural Solutions

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Volunteer in Construction and Renovation in Buenos Aires

Courtesy of IVHQ

Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires is vibrant and cosmopolitan, filled with stately 19th-century buildings and towering skyscrapers. The city also suffers from extreme wealth disparity, and most important community projects in its low-income areas are run by charities that do not receive government funding, relying on local volunteers and donations for their day-to-day operations. As a part of International Volunteer HQ’s Construction and Renovation Program in Buenos Aires you can help local teams with the maintenance and renovation of community spaces like schools and soup kitchens to help make the city’s public  buildings safer, more functional, and more attractive. Tasks for volunteers include painting, repairing furniture and equipment, tiling, gardening, and building internal walls and bathrooms. Volunteers will work for a minimum of 3 hours per day, Monday to Friday; on the weekends, they can then relax and explore the landscape and culture of Buenos Aires.

This minimum 2-week and maximum 12-week experience starts at $710 per person for 2 weeks and $2,610 per person for 12 weeks. Accommodation, breakfasts and 24/7 in-country support are all included.

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Volunteer in Sustainable Agriculture in Nepal

Nepal, a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multilingual state, is endowed with an equally diverse geography. Situated along the southern slopes of the Himalayas, Nepal is home to some of the main tributaries of the Ganges River as well as eight of the ten tallest mountains in the world. Rich in natural resources and fertile lands, almost 70 percent of the Nepalese population earn a living by working in agriculture. However, many local farmers still struggle to maintain their livelihoods and are unable to produce an adequate supply of food for their families and communities. To help combat this, volunteer travelers will spend up to three weeks assisting a local family with small-scale farming tasks, learning traditional Nepalese farming practices while introducing newer farming techniques and agribusiness principles to boost sustainability and financial security for the family and their broader community. In their off-time, volunteers will be able to immerse themselves within the Nepali culture and lifestyle, and explore the topographical wonders the nation has to offer. 

This 3-week experience starts at $510 per person and includes ​​accommodation, breakfast and dinner, airport pick up, orientation, and 24/7 support. Volunteers should have basic knowledge of economics, agriculture, and business prior to going.

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IVHQ

Volunteer in Coastal Conservation in Auckland

As one of the cleanest and most environmentally friendly countries in the world, New Zealand is home to a stunning array of beaches, waterways and islands. Local organizations and charities have expended great efforts in maintaining the cleanliness and biodiversity of these ecosystems, but limited resources have necessitated a greater number of volunteer helpers. During this trip, volunteer travelers will spend the majority of their time outdoors, partaking in activities such as beach clean-ups, water quality testing, habitat restoration for marine wildlife and invasive species removal. As one of the primary focuses of this project centers on the restoration of important Māori land, travelers may also get the opportunity to volunteer with members from a local iwi (Māori community), gaining valuable cultural insights while learning about New Zealand's history. The other side of this project concentrates on environmental education, offering volunteers an opportunity to help run sustainable events and workshops with schools and members of the public while collecting vital data needed to engender meaningful change within global environmental policies. 

This minimum 2-week and maximum 12-week experience starts at $935 per person for 2 weeks and goes up to $5,275 per person for 12 weeks. Accommodation, breakfast and lunch from Monday to Friday, airport pick-up and 24/7 in-country support are all included. 

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IVHQ

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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Save Sea Turtles in Bali

The islands off the southeastern shores of Indonesia are well-known travel destinations known for their beaches and lush mountain ranges. The wildlife is rich in these areas but, like many others, is plagued by pollution and the overconsumption of humans. Volunteers interested in marine conservation can enjoy island life while learning valuable conservation skills and helping to repopulate sea turtles in Nusa Penida, an island just off the southeast shore of Indonesia’s Bali. 

This program from IVHQ works to protect endangered sea turtles, improve waste management on the island and clean up trash already existing in the ocean. These will be part of the volunteer’s duties when they embark on this environmental adventure. In addition, volunteers will spend their days protecting turtle eggs, nurturing young turtles, and even teaching them how to catch fish. The goal of volunteers’ efforts, in partnership with locals, is to create a sustainable environment for these wildlife species. For a two-week stay on the island, volunteers will pay $650 and they will receive accommodations, meals, airport pick up and ground travel as well as round-the-clock support from the IVHQ team. Volunteers can choose to stay anywhere from 2 to 12 weeks. Days on the island will include about 5 hours of volunteering, which leaves plenty of time to explore, and there are programs starting every Monday.

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International Volunteers HQ

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Teach English to Locals in the Philippines

Palawan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines, drawing visitors from around the world to see its lush rainforests and tropical beaches. However, the Philippines also deals with systemic issues of inequality, especially when it comes to equal access to education. This volunteer project brings travelers to a local school in Palawan, where they will help teach English to primary and secondary school children. Other subjects may also include math, science and art. All teaching is supervised by a local teacher, allowing volunteers to plan out lessons while also engaging with local students. Outside of teaching, volunteers will get the chance to explore the natural wonders and culture of Palawan and the Philippines.

This volunteer travel opportunity is offered by International Volunteer HQ. One week of volunteering costs $260 per person, with the ability to extend volunteering for up to six months. No prior teaching experience is required, but it is recommended that volunteers complete a Teaching English as a Foreign Language course before departing. 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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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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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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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 Near the ‘Smoke that Thunders’ at Victoria Falls

Sitting along the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls is renowned as one of the largest waterfalls in the world. They are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the surrounding region boasts Africa's “big five”—lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes. The “Volunteer in Victoria Falls” trip includes accommodations at a private game reserve located nearby in Zimbabwe. Work for participants focuses on necessary research at the reserve such as freshwater ecosystem analysis, soil erosion control and animal monitoring. Tasks performed on the ground allow the reserve to protect vulnerable animal populations in the area. This trip is run by International Volunteer HQ, which has helped more than 110,000 people to volunteer abroad in more than 50 different destinations. Volunteering opportunities are available at any time of year for between two and 12 weeks. For two weeks the trip costs $1,020 and the cost is $4,580 for 12 weeks. 

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International Volunteer HQ

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