Editors' Travel Deal Review

Volunteer opportunities in the US and overseas

Do good locally or globally, from Kentucky to Kenya

By ShermansTravel Staff

June 13, 2008 11:51 am EDT

Book By: ASAP

Travel By: Various through 2008

Considering ways of making a difference in this world? We suggest signing up for a volunteer vacation. With the programs we found, you can choose to act locally or globally. Projects range between building a community center in Owsley County, Kentucky, to saving Kenya’s lions and building homes in Romania. Trip costs start at only $975 without airfare but with a feel-good factor and a chance to make a real change.

Volunteer for Earthwatch Institute
If you’re concerned about the Earth’s future, we recommend a volunteer vacation with Earthwatch Institute. Founded back in 1971, this non-profit recruits around 4,000 volunteers yearly to collect field data in the areas of rainforest ecology, wildlife conservation, marine science and archaeology. You, too, can actively contribute to conserving our planet by joining one of their programs. The expeditions range from recording the activities of lemurs in Madagascar to determining the impact of climate change on grey whale populations in Mexico and Canada.

The search engine allows you to pick your geographic area of interest and the month you’re available. If you become a member by paying a minimum of $35/year, you can enjoy hefty discounts on select expeditions. Some examples of discounted programs include: helping protect Tsavo’s legendary lions for $3191 (original price is $3646) and documenting the traditions of a Chinese village before it gets relocated for $2741 (original price is $3146).

Build with Habitat for Humanity
Another do-good option is to help eliminate world poverty by joining a Global Village volunteer team run by Habitat for Humanity. This non-denominational Christian charity believes that decent shelter is a basic human right and on this principle builds and renovates homes in needy communities worldwide. Lasting between two to three weeks, these hands-on programs are for the physically fit as they involve mixing concrete; laying blocks; painting; gardening; and other such activities. No special skills are required, however!

With building projects in over forty countries – from Tanzania’s game reserves to backcountry villages of Romania – Habitat for Humanity provides a one-off chance to visit exotic locations and experience new cultures. Upcoming trips include building homes in Bangladesh (November 15–29 for $1625); Romania (September 26–October 7 for $1900); and Bolivia (October 18–27 for $1400). All program costs include cultural tours and a donation to a local Habitat affiliate.

Take a trip with Global Citizens Network
How about making friends with a Tibetan refugee in Nepal or an indigenous Quechua peasant in Ecuador? If that sounds appealing, sign up for one of the Global Citizens Network programs that send small team of volunteers to rural communities around the world. On these one- to three-week trips, you immerse yourself in the daily life of the community by working on projects such as setting up a library, building a health clinic, or planting trees to reforest a village.

Forthcoming programs range from community projects in an Afro-Ecuadorian village of Tumbatu ($1725 for two weeks, July 25–August 9) to restoring a community center of Owsley County in Kentucky, the 7th poorest in the U.S. ($975 for eight days, September 30–20). These fees include a donation to the project. If you gather a group of four volunteers, one person goes half-price; find eight willing souls and you’ll go for free!

More Volunteer Opportunities

Action Without Borders

International Volunteer Programs Association

American Council for Voluntary International Action 

Note that all programs above include lodging, most meals and in-country travel costs while on the trip. Getting to the program site is your financial responsibility; that includes airfare with airport taxes and any applicable visa costs. Vaccination and preventative medication costs will also incur an additional fee. The saving grace is: trip costs are tax-deductible!

Don’t expect an upscale holiday; lodging on these trips is often pretty basic.

For Earthwatch Institute expeditions, check out www.earthwatch.org or call 1-800-776-0188.

For Habitat for Humanity programs, go to www.habitat.org or call 1-800-422-4828, ext. 7530.

For Global Citizens Network trips, visit www.globalcitizens.org or call 1-800-644-9292.