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! Tried as I might, 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!

 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    

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!)

>