Volunteering abroad will most likely change your life for the better - it truly is an experience like no other. You will invest time and energy into positive change and into something that extends far beyond the use of your hands - cultural exchange and personal transformation.
Think of it this way, at home you probably have running water and electricity, right? There are some who choose not to have running water and are more than happy walking down to the local shrine everyday to get it. However, most third-world countries don't even have that. There are countries that don't have access to fresh drinking water or even many of life's necessities Here's another way to look at it - many North Americans have tablets and smart phones, while some people don't even have access to food. Now wouldn't it be great if you can help build a well to get fresh water? Or help them get the most of their food? Or even help them build a church or a school - as most people in Africa are uneducated. Why should we get the luxury of a new BMW and they don't even get an education. So what we're saying is let's all get together and make a difference. There are hundreds of volunteer programs out there just waiting for you to sign up.
On this page you will find videos, testimonies and pictures of people experiences and how rewarding it is to help different communities.
Below you will find AFB trusted and favourite volunteer programs.
Think of it this way, at home you probably have running water and electricity, right? There are some who choose not to have running water and are more than happy walking down to the local shrine everyday to get it. However, most third-world countries don't even have that. There are countries that don't have access to fresh drinking water or even many of life's necessities Here's another way to look at it - many North Americans have tablets and smart phones, while some people don't even have access to food. Now wouldn't it be great if you can help build a well to get fresh water? Or help them get the most of their food? Or even help them build a church or a school - as most people in Africa are uneducated. Why should we get the luxury of a new BMW and they don't even get an education. So what we're saying is let's all get together and make a difference. There are hundreds of volunteer programs out there just waiting for you to sign up.
On this page you will find videos, testimonies and pictures of people experiences and how rewarding it is to help different communities.
Below you will find AFB trusted and favourite volunteer programs.
AFB Favorites
Operation GroundswellBackpacking With A Purpose, is what they like to say.
Operation Groundswell is a non-profit organization that offers group volunteer backpacking programs to the developing world. They pride ourselves on providing the most genuine, ethical, and affordable opportunities out there. It a a mix of backpacking experience with the rewarding feeling of volunteering. OG is a very well budgeted program that offers alot to see and enjoy as far as traveling and backpacking goes.
Also OG has Bursury funds to help to have the rewarding experience of volunteering. |
|
Cross Culture SolutionsCross-Cultural Solutions mobilizes volunteers to serve abroad and help address critical global issues in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Their approach to volunteer work is effective because it defers to the needs and goals of the communities they serve; connecting the motivation of volunteers with the expertise of local leaders. Offer yourself to the world as a CCS international volunteer…you’ll be amazed at what you discover. They also offer an internship programs to earn credits toward you schooling.
CCS is not just for students or youngsters, it is also for 50+, families, groups and gap years. |
|
Projects Abroad
Projects Abroad is one of the leading volunteer abroad organizations. They offer a diverse range of international service projects, plus the opportunity to become part of one of their volunteer communities abroad. Their continuous presence overseas and unparalleled in-country support from our international staff ensure that your experience will be far more worthwhile and genuine than those of the average tourist. They offer 19 different types of projects.
|
|
Developing World Connections
Developing World Connections is a non-profit organization that offers the opportunity to help communities in the developing world through short-term international volunteer experiences. They connect volunteers to communities in developing nations to work on sustainable projects that better the lives of some of the world's most impoverished people. Developing World Connections is a grassroots, registered non-profit, and Canadian Charitable Organization.
|
|
Volunteer Work & Travel
Help X- A website to help you find hosts (people looking for short-term volunteers in exchange for food and accommodation).
International Volunteer HQ - International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) provides safe, quality and extremely affordable volunteering programs abroad in developing countries all over the world. Kenya, Kenya-Maasai,Tanzania, Ghana, Uganda, South Africa, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia,Guatemala, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru - Cusco, Peru - Lima, Thailand, China, Brazil and Mexico.
WWOOF- For travellers looking to volunteer (hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles.)
OxFam International - Oxfam International is a group of independent non-governmental organizations from three continents which share a common purpose - to work together to make a real impact on poverty and injustice world-wide. Site available in English, French and Spanish.
PeaceCorps- Volunteers travel overseas and make real differences in the lives of real people. Find out how to apply, explore the world, read volunteer stories, access global education resources, and have fun at Kids World. Site available in English, French, and Spanish.
Project Trust- Spend twelve months working in counties outside Europe, with Project Trust. A gap year organization that sends school leavers abroad for a years voluntary work in 24 different developing countries around the world, in Latin America, Africa, Far and the Middle East. Site available in Dutch and English.
Volunteer for Peace- International Voluntary Service - 1500 short-term intercultural adventures in 70 countries
I to I Volunteering - If you're looking for a unique travel experience abroad, look no further! i-to-i's programs are the perfect way to meet new people, immerse yourself in new cultures and make a difference abroad. Whether you're 17 or 70 and fancy volunteering around the globe or want to get TEFL qualified and start your career teaching English, we'll get you there!
Love Volunteers- offers not-for-profit program fees for fun, rewarding, safe and affordable volunteering opportunities in developing countries around the world. Whether you're planning a week helping a local community as you travel around a country, want to spend six months learning the local language or are putting your gap year to good use, Love Volunteers has a program that will give you the best possible experience.
International Volunteer HQ - International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) provides safe, quality and extremely affordable volunteering programs abroad in developing countries all over the world. Kenya, Kenya-Maasai,Tanzania, Ghana, Uganda, South Africa, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia,Guatemala, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru - Cusco, Peru - Lima, Thailand, China, Brazil and Mexico.
WWOOF- For travellers looking to volunteer (hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles.)
OxFam International - Oxfam International is a group of independent non-governmental organizations from three continents which share a common purpose - to work together to make a real impact on poverty and injustice world-wide. Site available in English, French and Spanish.
PeaceCorps- Volunteers travel overseas and make real differences in the lives of real people. Find out how to apply, explore the world, read volunteer stories, access global education resources, and have fun at Kids World. Site available in English, French, and Spanish.
Project Trust- Spend twelve months working in counties outside Europe, with Project Trust. A gap year organization that sends school leavers abroad for a years voluntary work in 24 different developing countries around the world, in Latin America, Africa, Far and the Middle East. Site available in Dutch and English.
Volunteer for Peace- International Voluntary Service - 1500 short-term intercultural adventures in 70 countries
I to I Volunteering - If you're looking for a unique travel experience abroad, look no further! i-to-i's programs are the perfect way to meet new people, immerse yourself in new cultures and make a difference abroad. Whether you're 17 or 70 and fancy volunteering around the globe or want to get TEFL qualified and start your career teaching English, we'll get you there!
Love Volunteers- offers not-for-profit program fees for fun, rewarding, safe and affordable volunteering opportunities in developing countries around the world. Whether you're planning a week helping a local community as you travel around a country, want to spend six months learning the local language or are putting your gap year to good use, Love Volunteers has a program that will give you the best possible experience.
Pictures
Testimonies
"OG is so much more than your average overseas volunteering organization."
OG has allowed me to see parts of the world with an underlying purpose that has helped open my eyes to the truth of what actually goes on at the community level. Providing the opportunity to live, breathe, eat, play and work with locals offers an experience like no other. OG has stuck to its founding principals and is truly the best way to travel on a shoe-string budget.
-Pranavan about Operation Groundswell
OG has allowed me to see parts of the world with an underlying purpose that has helped open my eyes to the truth of what actually goes on at the community level. Providing the opportunity to live, breathe, eat, play and work with locals offers an experience like no other. OG has stuck to its founding principals and is truly the best way to travel on a shoe-string budget.
-Pranavan about Operation Groundswell
CCS opened my eyes to what I could offer, how I could be my own woman. I found something in me that I didn't realize was there.
-Kim Young, Peru about Cross Culture Solutions
-Kim Young, Peru about Cross Culture Solutions
Going to Brazil completely changed my life. It was my very first experience outside of the U.S. and I couldn't have asked for a better maiden voyage! I learned so much about life in general, not only from the kids I worked with, but from the people I lived with in the CCS house. I was constantly surrounded by exciting, happy, friendly people who helped me get out and experience everything Salvador had to offer. Salvador is so rich and alive you don't even want to sleep. And sometimes you don't! Working with the kids was exceptionally rewarding.
-Amber, Volunteer in Brazil about Cross Culture Solutions
-Amber, Volunteer in Brazil about Cross Culture Solutions
When I went abroad to travel and volunteer, I was ready for adventure. I was looking for direction in my studies and inspiration to keep me on the right track. What I was not ready for was to fall in love, reinvent who I thought I could be and to change the course of my future.
Sometimes it was hard, especially at the beginning, but it was overcoming and learning from all the challenges that strengthened me. With a new outlook, I became more persistent and determined in everything that I undertook. It was the push towards betterment on every level, a healthier community, a stronger group and a wiser traveler, that made the Operation Groundswell experience extraordinary.
- Jo, About Operation Groundswell
Sometimes it was hard, especially at the beginning, but it was overcoming and learning from all the challenges that strengthened me. With a new outlook, I became more persistent and determined in everything that I undertook. It was the push towards betterment on every level, a healthier community, a stronger group and a wiser traveler, that made the Operation Groundswell experience extraordinary.
- Jo, About Operation Groundswell