Promote Conservation on a Photography Safari in South Africa

Through social media, conservation trusts and foundations have the opportunity to promote their work and educate the public about the wildlife they are working to protect. This kind of exposure can help educate the public, bring in donations and present opportunities for the foundations. Creating a full portfolio of photographs of the animals can assist in research as well. On this trip volunteers will have the chance to hone their photography skills and take shots of many species in the wild, including elephants, rhinos, leopards and smaller creatures like chameleons, lizards and more than 500 species of birds. 

This project is hosted in Kruger, South Africa and will last four weeks, beginning with one week of photography courses with professional wildlife photographers. After that, the weeks will be filled with safaris and tracking animals to try and document their movements. The photos collected will be uploaded to a research database used by many research programs in the area. When they aren’t taking photos and working on social media posts or research databases, volunteers will also assist in the maintenance of the land. 

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KAYA  

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Care for Rescue Dogs in the Dominican Republic

There is an extremely large population of stray dogs in the Dominican Republic. They need food, shelter and care and population control to keep manageable numbers as to where they can all receive resources. With this trip, volunteers can assist in the rescue, treatment and home placement of the masses of stray dogs that struggle to survive there. Volunteers in veterinary school or are vets can also assist the medical team on site with procedures and medical care. However, veterinary experience is not required to attend this trip. The farm where these dogs are brought after rescue is also home to many other animals that have suffered neglect, such as horses and cats. Volunteers will also help foster a better situation for the future by raising awareness of the benefits animals can have for individuals if they are cared for properly. 

This volunteer adventure offered by Peace Villages requires a minimum of two weeks on site to maximize the impact each participant can have. It is also possible to make this program into an internship for students with an interest in medicine. Two weeks on this trip will start at $1,285 and there is an option to stay for as long as 13 weeks. 

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PEACE VILLAGES

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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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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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Volunteer With Marine Conservation in the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef, located just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is considered to be one of the most diverse and spectacular marine features in the world. However, the Great Barrier Reef is also under immense threat. Climate change is threatening the future of the reef, and all the species that call it home. Yet, there is still a lot that humans can do to protect this pristine underwater environment. This volunteer opportunity brings travelers to Cairns in the north of Queensland. Once there, volunteers begin their marine conservation project where they will collect data on the reef, gather marine debris and help rehabilitate sea turtles. All these efforts contribute to research on the Great Barrier Reef, as well as help to protect Earth’s great wonders. 

This volunteer opportunity is offered by International Volunteer HQ. Packages are offered at either 1 or 2 weeks of volunteering, with one week costing $1,010 per person. Volunteers must be adept at swimming in the ocean. 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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IVHQ

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Empower Working Women in India

India is one of the most rapidly developing countries in the world. Yet, the country of 1.3 billion people continues to struggle with issues of equality, especially in creating equal opportunities for women. Local organizations in India work tirelessly to bridge the gender gap and empower women across India. Travelers looking to take part in this volunteer opportunity focused on gender equality will help local organizations run workshops providing women with the skills and resources necessary to succeed in the 21st century. Volunteers will have the opportunity to teach English, provide computer skills training and lead vocational skills classes meant to empower women to enter the workforce and become leaders in their own communities. Workshops are based in Kochi in the province of Kerala, near the country’s southeastern coast. In their free time, volunteers will be able to explore the region’s parks and tropical coastal landscapes. 

This volunteer experience is booked through GVI. Volunteers can work for up to 12 weeks starting at $2,145 per week. GVI offers programs around the world focusing on community development and education which is in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

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GVI

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Coach Soccer in the Dominican Republic

The sport of soccer—or rather football, as it’s known all over the world—is a shared cultural facet of many countries. In places like the Dominican Republic, it is intertwined with the local culture and national identity. In the town of Samaná, Dominican Republic, volunteers with an interest in the sport can work at a local summer camp built around football. The “Football for Peace” summer camp invites volunteers to train, coach and even partake in soccer matches with Samaná’s local football club. When not on the field, volunteers will support the camp and the town through community service. 

This volunteering trip is offered by Aldeas de Paz. Packages start at a minimum of 2 weeks for $799 with basic accommodations. Volunteers can stay for up to 5 weeks. Fundación Aldeas de Paz is a nonprofit organization that offers volunteer travel opportunities in the Domican Republic. 

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Aldeas de Paz

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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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Join an Animal Rescue in Croatia

Travelers looking to have a hands-on experience with animals can travel to the Mediterranean city of Split, Croatia where a unique volunteering opportunity awaits them. On the outskirts of the city, volunteers partner with a local animal shelter where they will work with animals who have been abandoned, mistreated and lack homes. Perfect for those who love animals, this experience involves caring for the animals in the shelter, including providing them with rehabilitation and exercise. Throughout the trip, volunteers will help to find the animals safe and loving homes with local families. A typical day may include walking, feeding, grooming, cleaning and playing with animals, all while helping with the adoption process. Finally, volunteers work to educate the public on proper care for pets to prevent more animals from being abandoned. 

This travel volunteer experience is offered by Love Volunteers. Trips cost $779 for 1 week of volunteering, and can be extended up to 3 months. Love Volunteers is a company based in New Zealand that partners with local charities around the world to provide affordable volunteering experiences abroad.

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Love Volunteers 

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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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Save Sea Turtles Along the Costa Rican Coast

Every year, hundreds of thousands of sea turtles crawl out of the Pacific Ocean and nest their eggs on shore in Costa Rica. This process is known as the “arribadas,” and can lead to the arrival of up to 200,000 threatened olive ridley turtles each month. Though the species’s fate remains fragile at best, there is still hope as volunteers can travel to Costa Rica and aid in conservation efforts. Participants have the opportunity to choose between two project sites: either Ostional Beach along the Pacific, where the arribada occurs, or Barra de Pacuare along the Caribbean Sea. Regardless of where volunteers end up working, they will build up skills and experiences patrolling beaches, relocating sea turtle nests and aiding hatchlings. In their free time, volunteers can explore the local area, or perhaps just relax on the beach.

This opportunity is offered by GoEco and lasts a minimum of one week for $780, with the opportunity to extend volunteering for up to three months. Basic Spanish language skills are recommended, but volunteers can enroll in class for an extra fee. 

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GoEco

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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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Dive to Keep Belize’s Marine Habitat Pristine

Off the coast of Belize, volunteers with a passion for marine conservation can remove invasive species of fish and clear out plastic waste to keep the country’s waters healthy. Once travelers arrive in the village of Placencia along Belize’s southern coast, they are taken to a small private island where they can partake in up to three conservation dives. For those who aren’t experienced divers, the program offers PADI Open Water training to become diver-certified. On weekends, travelers can head back to Placencia and from there explore the rest of Belize. In 2019, volunteers were able to remove 7,841 invasive lionfish, carry away 11,645 pounds of waste and hatch 454 baby turtles.

This experience is organized by GoEco and costs $1,150 for one week. Volunteers can extend the program for up to eight weeks. The PADI Open Water course is an additional $150.

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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Lend a Hand at a Women’s Co-op in Rwanda

Rwanda may be one of Africa’s smallest nations, but there’s much to discover in this diverse East African country. Its lush and hilly landscape makes prime territory for the cultivation of tea and coffee. Those looking to create positive outcomes for local communities can volunteer with the Abagore Farming Cooperative in Rwamagana, a collective that provides women the opportunity to earn money while working in agriculture. Volunteers will help the cooperative grow crops like corn and carrots, as well as raise pigs to sell at local markets. Working with community members not only helps raise money for local women, but also combats food insecurity and helps women become more independent. On the trip, volunteers can also teach their fellow workers English, visit the Nyungwe Forest National Park, and learn about the Rwanda genocide at the Genocide Memorial in Kigali, the country’s capital.

This opportunity comes through Love Volunteers and costs $379 for a two-week experience. Volunteer opportunities last a minimum of two weeks and can be extended for up to 12. Love Volunteers is a New Zealand-based company that partners with local charities around the world to provide affordable volunteering experiences abroad.

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Love Volunteers

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Lead Community Development Projects Across Ecuador

Long-term community engagement works two ways. On one hand, those looking to experience a new country and culture gain a newfound understanding of a place through helping a community develop and thrive. On the other hand, the community gains access to resources and opportunities that benefit the people living there. For those looking for this kind of experience, volunteers can become program directors to positively impact a community in Ecuador. Program directors lead events that allow volunteers to work alongside locals to help the community, such as teaching English and running workshops for youth. Directors even have the opportunity to design their own programs based on personal education and experiences. Either way, program directors will use their skills to create new opportunities and bring forward positive change.

This opportunity is made possible by Manna Project International. Program director positions range from three to 13 months in length, and cost between $700 and $1,300 per month depending on the length of the position. Short-term programs and a summer internship are also offered, which range from one to 10 weeks in length. Manna Project International is a Florida-based nonprofit 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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Fundraise to Go Build a School in Panama

On this trip for high school students, travel to the mountainous Veraguas region in western Panama after fundraising to build a school. Team up with skilled construction workers in the Ngabe-Bugle Indigenous zone to build a school for local communities in need of sustainable education infrastructure. In your free time, hike the rainforest in Santa Fe National Park and visit the Panama Canal. School the World, the organization that runs these trips, commits to at least five years of community engagement in order to create schools that run independent of foreign aid. Students are expected to fundraise $3,650 through School the World’s fundraising training program, and this covers all trip costs and fees.

This trip runs throughout the year and lasts one week.

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School the World

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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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