Volunteer Vacation

[riley123]

Volunteer vacations include some activity focused around a charitable cause.

 

Has anyone ever done anything like this or know someone who has? I've been thinking about doing it, so I'd be interested in hearing any stories.

[annie24]

i have, with global volunteers. i thought it was a really good experience, i really got to meet the locals, get to know life how they live, and help the community. i enjoyed it, though these days, i'm so tired, i'm doing vacation vacations! i've done 2 volunteer vacations.

[riley123]

i have, with global volunteers. i thought it was a really good experience, i really got to meet the locals, get to know life how they live, and help the community. i enjoyed it, though these days, i'm so tired, i'm doing vacation vacations! i've done 2 volunteer vacations.

 

Hey Annie,

 

Sounds like a good time. Which countries did you choose? In terms of costs, are V V much less inexpensive when all said and done (as they are advertised)?

[mandyc]

yes and i absolutely loved it! i went to guatemala through a program called cross cultural solutions. I stayed for 3 months, but you can go for as little as two weeks. It was the best experience of my life. I worked during the week at an orphanage and then we traveled on the weekends. I climbed a volcano one weekend! It was amazing, I highly recommend that program. There's tons of countries you can choose from too. Just google them.

[CallingAllAngels]

I haven't done it, but I just wanted to post that I think you are very commendable for thinking of doing such a thing!

 

~Allie

[ladyjanes]

I had the honor of completing 14 different placements within 18 months in 9 countries. I am hooked and will use this type of travel as I go forward.

 

I used Global Volunteers, Earthwatch, I to I, Enkosini, Vaughan Village, and La Sabrenenque. I can recommend all of them for different reasons.

 

Each agency offers its own mix of projects and types of volunteers. Depending on your interests, you may find one is a better fit for you.

 

If you have a specific goal (what, where, how long, when) you are lucky because the possibilities are endless.

 

My advice, pick one qualifier (what, where, when) and see what you can find to fit that one criteria. Go on that volunteer vacation and ask the other volunteers what they have done.

 

Once you get the hang of it, you will most likely develop an ever growing list of volunteer trips to be taken in your future.

 

Isn't it wonderful to have a to do list?

 

Lady Jane

[gypsy_girl]

I've been on one to india. It was by far the best thing I've ever done. I definitely recomend it

[kuiks8]

I copied this from another post i have made. I have been to guatemala 3x...our next project is in Peru and the trips start this spring...I hope to go in 2009!

 

I work for and support a wonderful charity called Friends of the Orphans. We in turn support an organization called nuestros pequenos hermanos. NPH builds orphanages in Latin America. There are currently 9 orphanages in various countries. Its an amazing organization because the orphanages are self sustaining, they grow their own crops, raise their own cattle etc and they pay for the kids to go to high school and university. Many of the orphans go on to become lawyers, teachers etc.

I am very proud to be a part of this charity. Going on the building trips to build the orphanage in Guatemala changed my life forever!

I also sponsor a child on a monthly basis. FOTOcan doesn't have any administrative costs so the money raised goes directly to the orphanages!

Here are the links if anyone is interested in more info:

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