This is mainly a voluntourism industry blog, but if you’re a traveler looking for a voluntourism trip then below are a few recommended companies to contact.If you have specific questions or would like advice please feel free to email me.
African Impact is a voluntourism organization that works towards establishing meaningful programs throughout Africa for a positive and measurable impact on local communities and conservation efforts. African Impact aims to promote and actively consign volunteers for various projects in Africa. As a result, this generates incomes to sustain and provide ongoing support and resources for community and conservation initiatives across Africa.
Animal Experience International is a new organization started in January 2012. AEI matches clients wanting to gain volunteer experience, with organizations around the world that require volunteers to assist with their programs. These programs involve animals in some capacity, and will provide the client with the opportunity to work in an animal related field. Placements include, but not be limited to, animal hospitals, animal sanctuaries, wildlife rehabilitation centres, research projects, zoological collections and government programs.
Biosphere Expeditions is an award-winning, non-profit-making organisation offering hands-on conservation volunteer work expeditions as an adventure with a purpose for everyone. We bridge the gap between scientists at the forefront of conservation work in need of funds and helpers, and enthusiastic laypeople, who in their holiday time, through their hands-on assistance and with their expedition contribution want to support them.
Cross-Cultural Solutions has volunteers working side-by-side with local people and sharing in the goals of a community that warmly welcomes you. You’re experiencing another culture like never before and really getting to know its people.
Earthwatch Institute is an international non-profit organization that brings science to life for people concerned about the Earth’s future. Founded in 1971, Earthwatch supports scientific field research by offering volunteers the opportunity to join research teams around the world. This unique model is creating a systematic change in how the public views science and its role in environmental sustainability.
Elevate Destinations partners with a deep network of NGO and community groups, and is always exploring new ways to incorporate local needs and issues into our customized itineraries. Elevate offers exciting voluntourism destinations like Haiti, Costa Rica, Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa and more.
GeoVisions is committed to help individuals develop global skills to succeed in the twenty-first century. These skills will ultimately lead to greater cooperation and understanding among nations and peoples of the world. We are committed to treating every person on a GeoVisions program with respect, and devoting our energies to helping participants meet their individual and collective goals.
Global Service Corps (GSC) is a registered U.S. 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization providing life changing volunteer, internship or fellowship experiences working on community development programs in Tanzania and Thailand. Community training programs and volunteer vacations and are offered year round. Community training programs are available from two weeks to one year, in HIV/AIDS education and prevention, sustainable agriculture and food security, international public health, cultural immersion, orphanage care, and English education. Through the development of these community training programs, GSC has also attained NGO status in the countries that we serve and become recognized as a respected international development organization.
Global Volunteers is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian, non-governmental organization engaging short-term volunteers on micro-economic and human development programs in close partnership with local people worldwide. Working at the invitation and under the direction of local leaders, volunteers help create a foundation for world peace through mutual international understanding. Our purpose is to maintain a genuine, sustained service partnership with the host community and provide volunteers a genuine opportunity to serve.
Globe Aware coordinates, organizes and leads volunteer vacations, service vacations, working holidays and service trips to two Peru locations (Andes & Cusco/Machu Picchu), Costa Rica, Thailand, Cuba, Nepal, Brazil, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, India, Jamaica, Romania, Ghana, Mexico, and China .
Hands Up Holidays is all about giving you amazing holiday experiences that combine eco-sightseeing with a meaningful taste of volunteering.
i-to-i 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 fancy volunteering around the globe or want to get TEFL qualified and start your career teaching English, we’ll get you there!
Maximo Nivel is the Intercultural Center of Latin America, founded in 2003. We offer International Volunteer Programs, TEFL Certification, and our intensive Native Spanish Program in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. We’re a local organization in each country and work in partnership with orphanages, hospitals, community groups and other organizations. Volunteer and internship opportunities include: Orphanage/Childcare, Healthcare, Medical, Eco-Agriculture, Conservation, Teaching English, and Construction. Everyone receives 24/7 support and access to our great home base facilities.
PEPY Tours is a social venture. The income generated through PEPY Tours funds operating expenses of our non-profit organization, The PEPY Ride. Choosing PEPY Tours gives you an adventurous and educational vacation while you give long term support to development programs. If you are interested in responsible tourism, educational development, protecting the environment or having the adventure of a lifetime, then you are a PEPY person.
ProWorld Service Corps With programs that form a comprehensive and challenging experience built around development work, language instruction and cultural immersion, ProWorld Service Corps offers 2 to 48 week projects in Peru, Brazil, Belize, Mexico, India, Thailand, and Ghana. Volunteers develop meaningful relationships with host families and local community members by working and living together. New insights and understandings are forged daily, offering volunteers tremendous opportunities for cross-cultural learning and self-reflection. Whether participating in a semester program, group program, or internship abroad, all programs include extensive pre-program contact and a personal website; comprehensive onsite orientation; full room and board; airport pick-up and drop-off; domestic transportation; funding and staff support of development project; intensive language training (Spanish in Peru and Mexico; Portuguese in Brazil; Thai in Thailand); academic credit; adventure and cultural activities; and health and travel insurance.
Volunteer Abroad Opportunities Driven by a passion for travel and a desire to help others, Volunteer Abroad Opportunities brings a real and rewarding travel experience to those who may not have otherwise experienced it, while providing much needed help to those who really appreciate it. Whilst other volunteer opportunities can be complicated to setup with unnecessarily long processing times, we ensure all of the packages we promote can be setup using our simple step by step process of how to volunteer abroad.
Volunteer Adventures Many local organizations are doing great work in their communities, but don’t have the resources required to recruit international volunteers. Volunteer Adventures serves as the link between these organizations and the volunteers needed to make these projects a success.
WAVES for Development Do you want to connect with nature and provide alternative education opportunities for Peruvian youth? Now you can surf and assist an ongoing Educational Surf program in Northern Peru. Volunteer and live with local families in a rural fishing community with great waves. Learn to surf or learn Spanish in the mornings, teach English/Swim/Surf in the afternoons as part of our year-round youth development program. WAVES for Development is an affiliation of surf-related humanitarian aid organizations in Peru, Switzerland and the US.
If you’re a provider that would like to be included in this list just send me an email and if you’re a traveler and have a question about volunteering don’t hesitate to ask me.

[...] Looking for Voluntourism Trips? [...]
Hello Voluntourismgal–
I just learned of your tweets, and look forward to following your activities. Our organization is currently offering international voluntourism programs in Tores del Paine National Park (Patagonia, Chile) and Machu Picchu Sanctuary (Peru). We are developing programs in Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) National Park (Nepal) and the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador) for 2010 or 2011. Our programs bring together local communities, volunteers, NGO’s, business and government to conserve world heritage sites and promote green diplomacy. Please visit us at conservationvip.org. If you thought we would be a good addition to your list of voluntourism providers, we would be honored to be included. Cheers! Rich
Hey there, Voluntourismgal
This voluntourism operator might be worth featuring. Off the Radar (www.travelofftheradar.com) recently featured this operator, where the time that you put in will have a far greater impact than you think. It is an organization called, Wrestling the World that has set up a volunteer tourism center know as an International Village. They have many different projects going on that help wonderful people and they have so many beautiful sites to see.
Read these articles to learn more:
http://www.travelofftheradar.com/2009/05/kenyan-based-wrestling-the-world-receives-imf-grant/
http://www.wrestlingtheworld.com/
http://www.internationalvillages.org/
Hello Voluntourismgal,
PLAY it Forward is a travel organization that combines volunteering with active outdoor adventure for a truly all-encompassing travel experience. They are currently running trips to Guatemala, Costa Rica, Peru, and Tanzania. Travelers have the opportunity to experience and explore a country in a very unique and culturally-satisfying way. Check out http://www.pifadventures.com to learn more!
Hi can you add our website? we are a non profit Volunteer abroad Organization, bookmark our website http://www.abroaderview.org
A Broader View Volunteers Corp
22 Countries 165 Programs
We offer customized programs with flexible start dates. You choose when you want to volunteer work and for how long. We personalize each program to suit your skills and preferences. Regardless if you are traveling solo, with your family, on a spring break, gap year or medical mission, we can arrange a rewarding volunteer experience.
A Broader View Volunteers Corp is a 501 c (3) tax-exempt charity. All program costs, including the cost of airfare, are tax-deductible as well as the donations from friends, family, work, church and other organization that may help you fundraising. You will receive a donation form for your fundraising.
Hi,
I have started a company last year called Global Nomadic. We offer various specialized internships, but also wholesale price Voluntoursim trips around Asia in conjunction with our new Partner Project Provider.
I started the company last year after working for one of my now competitors. I found it quite sickening how much commission they added, and how badly they promoted the projects – pretending the projects were theirs, and getting sued all the time. After 6 months of working there, I realized I could do a much better job myself, and that there was a huge gap in the market for someone to do this properly and ethically, hence I started Global Nomadic.
We have had a very good first year, sending over 100 volunteers, and are always looking to incorporate new projects and improve our services. We have a representative currently travelling around Central and South America meeting partners and finding new projects. he has just come through Asia, where lots of new projects have been found.
Onwards and upwards!
Could you include Volunteer Capital Centre to your list
I have enjoyed my experience with Volunteers for Peace. They offer a number of long and short term projects all around the world for a very minimal fee.
Hallo what awonderful and brilliant job,please keep it up, am evans from kenya, i work with badilisha ecovillage foundation trust and we are also doing volontousirm,please can you include us in your list please check our website at http://www.badilisha.net,thanks alot and best wishes.
EVANS OWUOR ODULA
Thank you for this list of organizations. Please review your links, the link for Cross-Cultural Solutions is not working properly.
[...] the group in India. So now I’m searching for a new group to volunteer with next year. Here is a good list of programs to [...]
Thanks for putting lots of great volunteer ideas in one place, a really useful resource! I volunteer for Think Pacific who work with rural island communities in the Fiji Islands and would be great to add our organisation; http://www.thinkpacific.com
Think Pacific projects work side by side with Fijian communities to complete local action plans for rural Pacific villages, concentrating upon health, vital local infrastructure and sports development as well as funding training and education initiatives. We have just completed a project to build a kindergaten school and instal fresh water to Moturiki Island in Fiji, which was such a rewarding achievement.
It’s great to see so many individuals and organistations out there, putting their time and effort into making a difference overseas.
I would like to suggest to have a look at http://www.volunteer-work-africa.com if you are looking for independent volunteer projects with local organisations in Africa. All information is freely accessible and no ads.
I am retired US Navy Submariner, 50 years old, and am so tired of the “rat race” and this thing called civilian life,, want to volunteer for something to help children or the elderly,,I want to find a program that needs help and join a team. I have a lot of knowledge about systems operations, farming, repairs,,what ever,,where can I look to find a company to volunteer for the next few years??
Hey Ted,
We’ve received a few questions such as yours, take a look at some of the suggestions we’ve given in the past – all great organizations. Also check our “Ask Advice” section for other replies and recommendations.
http://www.travelofftheradar.com/2011/08/solo-traveler-looking-for-group-voluntourism-organizations/
http://www.travelofftheradar.com/category/advice/
Good luck!
Tania
Is there any volunteer work abroad for a qualified electrician?
There certainly is Liam – take a look at http://www.travel-peopleandplaces.co.uk many of our projects need electricians to share thier skills with local people – drop our placemnt director Kate a line kate~travel-peopleandplaces.co.uk and ask her where we could use your great skills!
oops sorry thats kate@travel-peopleandplaces.co.uk
Thanks great ideas I will try. For anyone interested in starting their own charity check out http://howtostartacharity.info
ELEP is an experiential and service learning, cultural and educational organization specialized in providing customized and affordable volunteer, internship, Spanish course and cultural programs in Ecuador, South America with highest level service for individuals, groups and institutions from all over the world that are looking for experiences abroad.
Hello it’s me Bimal Osti (Founder Manager) of Moonlight Children’s Home. I’m from Nepal and we have been working with European volunteers. It would be great to accept more volunteers from world wide. Is there any chance for you arrange some volunteers for us? Or is there anyone interested to work with orphan and needy children from Nepal? Please feel free to contact me at nepal.mch@gmail.com
[...] for those who want to really sink their teeth into the industry. Alexia also offers succinct summaries of voluntourism opportunities and organisations. Although it is a site aimed at industry [...]
[...] Looking for Voluntourism Trips? [...]