Voluntourism 101: A Beginner's Guide to Combining Travel and Service

Have you ever considered combining your love for travel with a desire to make a positive impact? Voluntourism might be the perfect answer. This unique form of tourism involves visitors volunteering for charity or non-profit organizations, often abroad, to contribute to meaningful causes while exploring new places.

Every year, over 1.6 million people engage in voluntourism, according to Save the Children, an organization dedicated to humanitarian relief for children worldwide. This growing trend sees individuals paying up to $2,000 per week to participate, making the industry worth an estimated $2.6 billion annually.

What is Voluntourism?

Voluntourism blends “volunteering” and “tourism” seamlessly. Volunteers travel to areas in need, offering their time, skills, and resources. Most organizations provide volunteers with essentials such as lodging (often a homestay with a local family), food, and help with travel arrangements and visas. While voluntourism can be incredibly rewarding, it’s crucial to ensure your efforts have a long-term positive impact. Research and an open mind are key to making a meaningful contribution.

Finding Your Perfect Voluntourism Opportunity

Ready to dive into voluntourism but not sure where to start? Whether your interests lie in permaculture, teaching, or child care, there are opportunities worldwide. Before committing, it’s essential to understand what you’ll be giving and what you’ll receive in return. Let’s explore some of the best voluntourism opportunities that positively impact communities globally.

#1. Make a Difference in Latin America

When I thought about traveling to Latin America, I was excited about the vibrant cultures and communities. Volunteering here not only allows you to help local communities but also provides a unique way to immerse yourself in the local culture and build meaningful connections. It’s an excellent way to ensure your travel experience is safe and enriching.

#2. Explore North America Through Volunteering

I found North America to be an expensive travel destination, especially in terms of accommodation. Volunteering can help mitigate these costs, offering free lodging in exchange for your efforts. For example, you can join eco-programs in Colorado City, where hosts need assistance with various eco-initiatives.

#3. Experience Europe on a Budget by Volunteering

Europe’s rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes make it a fantastic destination for long-term travel. Volunteering can significantly reduce your travel expenses. For instance, if you’re interested in permaculture, you can find numerous eco-projects across Europe, such as helping on a farm in the Netherlands. During my time in Europe, I found that volunteering provided an authentic experience and a deeper connection with the locals.

#4. Immerse Yourself in Asian Cultures While Volunteering

Asia offers a wealth of opportunities to make a positive social impact. By volunteering, you can support local communities and help with sustainability efforts. Your contribution can make a significant difference in areas that are often in great need of assistance. My visit to Asia was transformed by volunteering, as it allowed me to see the region from a new perspective and understand the challenges faced by the local communities.

#5. Embark on a Life-Changing Journey in Africa

Africa, though challenging to visit, offers deeply rewarding voluntourism experiences. By assisting local communities, you can leave a lasting positive impression. Volunteering in Africa covers a broad range of needs, from education to healthcare, making it a dream destination for many volunteers. My time in Africa was life-changing, as I was able to contribute meaningfully while experiencing the continent’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.

Top Voluntourism Organizations to Consider

Finding the right organization to volunteer with can be overwhelming. To help you navigate, here are some of the top voluntourism organizations, each offering unique programs and support:

#1. Plan My Gap Year

Plan My Gap Year provides some of the most affordable volunteer abroad programs, offering high-impact experiences in 15 countries across four continents.

#2. GVI

GVI runs sustainable development and experiential education programs aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

#3. Maximo Nivel

Maximo Nivel offers high-quality study abroad programs in Latin America, with main operations in Peru, Guatemala, and Costa Rica.

#4. Love Volunteers

Love Volunteers offers cost-effective and transparent volunteering options across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and America.

#5. Projects Abroad

Projects Abroad, with over 25 years of experience, focuses on responsible volunteer travel, aligning its initiatives with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

#6. Agape Volunteers

Agape Volunteers provides affordable volunteer opportunities for humanitarian projects in Africa, covering areas like education, healthcare, and wildlife conservation.

#7. GoEco

GoEco offers ethical and affordable volunteer programs in over 40 countries, focusing on humanitarian relief, wildlife rehabilitation, and ecological protection.

#8. Fronteering

Fronteering provides opportunities across various continents for those interested in wildlife, indigenous communities, the environment, and sustainability.

#9. Via Volunteers

Via Volunteers specializes in ethical volunteer opportunities in South Africa, with projects in childcare, community work, wildlife, and conservation.

#10. International Volunteer Headquarters

International Volunteer HQ offers the world’s widest selection of fully hosted volunteering abroad programs, with over 300 projects in 50+ locations.

Examples of Voluntourism

On the surface, volunteering in another nation may seem like the perfect way to combine your desire to do good with the opportunity to learn about a different culture. This form of volunteerism, also known as voluntourism, often appears beneficial, but there are cases where it can be detrimental to local communities. Let’s explore some impactful examples of voluntourism.

#1. Orbis Expeditions, Malawi

When I first learned about Orbis Expeditions, I was inspired by how they flip typical voluntourism on its head. They utilize traveler expertise to train local entrepreneurs in Malawi. Kate Webb, the founder, came up with the idea after seeing a dearth of assistance for small and medium-sized businesses in Malawi. This initiative empowers locals with sustainable skills, leaving a lasting impact.

#2. Relief Riders International, Mongolia

For over 15 years, Relief Riders International has been leading purpose-driven travel, providing free medical, educational, sanitary, and nutritional assistance to over 25,000 patients in remote areas of India, Ecuador, and Turkey. Their work in Mongolia continues this tradition, ensuring that remote communities receive essential services and support.

#3. Biosphere Expeditions, Armenia

Biosphere Expeditions offers citizen-science trips that allow anyone with a sense of adventure to help secure some of the world’s most endangered ecosystems. When I joined one of their expeditions in Armenia, I was amazed by the hands-on conservation efforts and the difference we made in protecting wildlife habitats.

#4. Sumba Hospitality Foundation, Indonesia

Sumba Island is a hidden gem with desolate surf breaks, soaring waterfalls, and cerulean lagoons. The Sumba Hospitality Foundation attracts fewer visitors than its neighbors, yet land speculators are flocking in. Volunteering here helps preserve the island’s natural beauty while supporting sustainable tourism and local education initiatives.

#5. SEED Madagascar

Madagascar is one of just 17 regions on the planet considered ‘megadiverse,’ with 80 percent of its flora and fauna found nowhere else. Volunteering with SEED Madagascar allows you to contribute to conservation efforts that protect this unique biodiversity while engaging with local communities.

#6. Singita Community Culinary School, Tanzania

For those who want to give back while on a luxurious safari trip, Singita offers more meaningful experiences than traditional community visits. Their Community Culinary School in Tanzania provides local youth with culinary training, opening doors to career opportunities in the hospitality industry.

#7. Penda Photo Tours, South Africa

Penda’s Photography Volunteer Program offers an ethical and immersive view of Cape Town’s vibrant cultures and livelihoods without a hint of voyeurism. I found this program particularly rewarding, as it combines creative expression with community engagement.

#8. Domino Volunteers, Colombia

Domino Volunteers in Colombia combines volunteer skills with the needs of local charities, working with over 30 carefully selected foundations and social entrepreneurs. Whether you’re empowering children through sports or engaging in sustainable farming, your contributions directly benefit vibrant communities like Cartagena.

#9. The European Nature Trust, Italy

The forested valleys of Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park in Italy are home to around 60 severely endangered Marsican brown bears. Volunteering with The European Nature Trust helps protect these majestic creatures and preserves Italy’s wild heart.

Types of Voluntourism

There are hundreds of volunteer programs that offer legal ways to contribute to poverty alleviation, environmental issues, social justice, and other causes. Here are some common types:

#1. Teaching

One of the most common forms of voluntourism involves teaching English or establishing educational resources in underserved communities. This can have a lasting impact on the students and the community’s future.

#2. Child Care

Working in orphanages or socializing with children to improve their well-being and development is another popular option. This type of work often involves supporting impoverished youth and refugees seeking temporary asylum.

#3. Medical Care

Medical professionals might travel to underserved regions to provide vaccines or educate people about diseases and how to prevent them. This type of voluntourism is critical in areas with limited access to healthcare.

#4. Conservation

Projects can include both animal conservation and environmental conservation. Volunteers might work at an animal sanctuary or conduct field research, such as tracking native species. Participants may also help sustain local ecosystems by working on reforestation initiatives or trail maintenance.

#5. Community Support

Volunteering in community support can involve constructing houses, schools, libraries, and other forms of infrastructure. It can also include empowering women or working to reduce socioeconomic disparities within a community.

Is Voluntourism Good or Bad?

The impact on the community is one of the most well-known advantages of volunteering. Volunteering allows you to connect with your community and help it improve. Even minor tasks can make a significant difference in the lives of people, animals, and organizations in need.

How Long Is Voluntourism?

There isn’t a fixed duration for voluntourism. Volunteer vacations typically span a few days to a few weeks. While this can limit cultural immersion, short-term projects can still make meaningful contributions.

What is the Difference Between Voluntourism and Ecotourism?

Ecotourism focuses on visiting locations, and resorts, or using modes of transportation that minimize carbon footprints and benefit the environment. Voluntourism, on the other hand, involves volunteering in the community you are visiting, blending travel with service.

What is the Problem with Voluntourism?

Voluntourism can sometimes harm communities. Short-term volunteers may lack cultural knowledge and language skills, making it difficult to communicate effectively with locals and build meaningful relationships. This can lead to feelings of isolation and mistrust between volunteers and community members.

Summary

Voluntourism is more than just travel; it’s about making a meaningful impact while exploring the world. Whether you’re teaching in Latin America, supporting eco-projects in Europe, or aiding community development in Africa, your contributions can create lasting change. So, are you ready to embark on a journey that blends adventure with purpose?

Have you thought about where you might volunteer next? Which type of voluntourism aligns with your passions and skills?

Voluntourism 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Combining Travel and Service