One of the things that I get really excited about when I think about the trip is volunteering. I have always wanted to join the Peace Corps but at the point in my life when I finally signed up, I met Randy -what timing! As much as I tried, he just wasn’t into the idea and I made the decision to put it on hold for the time being. When I started planning the “big trip” I started discovering all the ways to make a difference without being involved in a particular organization. I’ve filtered through a ton of them in my search to find groups that don’t charge an arm and a leg and offer the opportunity to help on a grassroots level. In my opinion, I think if you’re paying 5k to volunteer somewhere for a couple weeks with the intention of helping the people, the schools, the hospitals or the animals you should probably just donate the 5k to the organization instead of spending a week or so there and really not doing much overall.
Besides volunteering, I am in love with the idea of microfinance and I also love the idea of wwoofing and helping out farms or small businesses on the road.

Below is a little collection of sites I’ve found that provide good information and good opportunities for those looking to volunteer or just give back a little on the road. Please take a peek.

WWOOF – World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms

Charity Guide - Tons of stuff here – lots of different countries!

RoadMonkey - Ok, this site does cost money but I’m putting them on here because I love the premise behind their work. Instead of offering volunteer vacations they offer adventure philanthropy expeditions. They are different than a lot of other companies on this list because they are an adventure tour company with a volunteer twist. Pretty cool! If you’re thinking of a going on a tour but you would also like to volunteer then you definitely want to check these guys out!

Friends Of El Shadai - Africa

Volunteers 4 Africa – Database of low cost opportunities in Africa

Volunteer Latin America – Excellent list of very low cost and awesome organizations

Casa Guatemala – Guatemala

Celendin – Peru

Enkosini Eco Experience – Wildlife conservation work in South Africa

Volunteer South America – Comprehensive list of different opportunities in South America

African Impact – Aimed at Gap Year travelers

Elephant Nature Park – Work with Elephants in Thailand!
Work Away - Similar idea to Wwoofing More Than English - Teach conversational english in Spain and get your lodging and food covered. Global Volunteering Network – Seems a bit pricey but looks very organized. Habitat for Humanity – International & local places to build homes Help Exchange – Another great resource similar to Wwoofing Idealist - Comprehensive listings for all types of opportunities in all types of places Independent – Small website committed to free or very low cost volunteering opportunities around the world International Humanity Foundation – Worldwide & local opportunities Serve Your World – A great list of Peace Corp alternatives Peace Villages - Not really budget but seems very genuine Itgel Foundation – Mongolia Starfish Foundation – A great Cambodia based organization, no formal volunteering now but hopefully in the future.
Touch Africa - Small list of African opportunities True Travellers - Another great worldwide list Volunteer San Diego – A host of ideas if you happen to live in San Diego, CA. Animal Aware – Volunteer at an animal shelter in Guatemala Volunteer Nepal – Opportunities in and around Nepal Social Edge - Not a volunteering list just good sutff – By global entrepreneurs for global entrepreneurs. Fonkoze – Information on Microfinance in Haiti Community Empowerment – Available in many languages, starter guide for making a difference Aid Workers – Free resource to share advice with other aid workers Kiva – A great microfinance website in action Microfinance Gateway – Tons of information on Microfinance Care – Organization dedicated to eradicating poverty with a main focus on helping women SEEP – Connecting microenterprise practitioners in a global learning community Accion – A leader in microfinance that has volunteer and paid positions Foundation for Women – Microcredit company with a focus on helping women Project Concern - Brings health and hope to those in need Service Civil International – A well organized volunteer group with low fees (Please keep in mind I haven’t tried any of these places yet but when I hit the road I will be sure to update this page. Likewise, if anyone else reading this has volunteered w/ any of these particular organizations, or knows of a great one, please leave a comment and let me know your experiences. – Thanks!)
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