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

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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