Fight Poverty in India’s "Pink City"

Jaipur, known as the Pink City for its magnificent pink facades, is a bastion of rich cultural history and a vibrant tourism industry, but still suffers from high poverty rates and social inequality. A significant portion of the population lives in slums, families struggling to afford school fees, access healthcare, and face overcrowded housing conditions. Many children under the poverty line or facing social exclusion are neglected and unable to access the essential resources they need to thrive. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected these populations, eliminating job opportunities, hampering access to quality education, and delaying necessary work on vital infrastructure. Volunteers can make a difference in the community by helping to build and renovate these facilities and assisting with education projects like courses, games, arts and crafts, and sports for a range of age groups. Participants will engage with students to help them catch up with peers and provide them with further opportunities to learn and grow. Each traveler will work on a unique project organized by the needs of the moment and the number of volunteers available. The tasks are chosen by the needs of the community. Big group projects involve volunteer working days at a school for 50-100 special needs children affected with mental and physical disabilities such as ADHD, Autism, Muscular Dystrophy, and more.

This trip is 7 days and costs $1,627. Globe Aware is a nonprofit organization that offers international volunteer programs that go beyond tourism. Globe Aware programs promote the immersion of participants in a unique way that also aligns with the United Nations sustainability goals. Volunteers get the chance to experience cultural awareness: acknowledging and celebrating the culture of a community, but not changing it. Participants will also work alongside the host community and help teach and learn skills with the concept of promoting sustainable practices.

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Be A Clean Water Courier

Waves for Water (W4W) provides clean water solutions worldwide through projects funded by the “Clean Water Courier” program. Operating across dozens of countries, W4W’s mission is to provide access to clean water to every single person who needs it.  The nonprofit’s philosophy is to empower people to take initiative, step outside their comfort zones and create unique personal experiences. W4W was born out of a love for discovery, travel and adventure and the group wants its volunteer model to similarly encourage and empower individuals during their trips.

For prospective travelers, Waves for Water has teamed up with surf company Hurley to develop an independent volunteer program called Clean Water Couriers. It is not a traditional volunteer model, but more of a do-it-yourself method meant to be utilized by travelers who want to make a positive contribution to local communities. Each person creates their own travel experience and then crowdfunds on the site to buy water filters to distribute while on their trip. W4W provides the online platform and serves as a resource for information about the filtration systems and how participants may donate them on the ground. Travelers can make a huge difference in the lives of people and communities in distress by packing a few water filters for their trips. The filters are compact and easy to use and can provide up to 100 people with clean water for up to five years. They cost $25 to $50 each.

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Volunteer With Marine Conservation in the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef, located just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is considered to be one of the most diverse and spectacular marine features in the world. However, the Great Barrier Reef is also under immense threat. Climate change is threatening the future of the reef, and all the species that call it home. Yet, there is still a lot that humans can do to protect this pristine underwater environment. This volunteer opportunity brings travelers to Cairns in the north of Queensland. Once there, volunteers begin their marine conservation project where they will collect data on the reef, gather marine debris and help rehabilitate sea turtles. All these efforts contribute to research on the Great Barrier Reef, as well as help to protect Earth’s great wonders. 

This volunteer opportunity is offered by International Volunteer HQ. Packages are offered at either 1 or 2 weeks of volunteering, with one week costing $1,010 per person. Volunteers must be adept at swimming in the ocean. International Volunteer HQ focuses on providing volunteer travel opportunities around the world by partnering with local community organizations focused on long-term positive impacts.  

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Help Break the Cycle of Poverty in Romania

Known for its historic folklore, rich history, and beautiful countryside, Romania is still recovering from an oppressive government and adjusting to its recent admission to the European Union. There are still many in the population below the poverty line and high rates of illiteracy. This volunteer project focuses on support for adults on the autism spectrum. These individuals face disadvantages which can be mollified with proper resources, which volunteers on this trip will support. This support will involve renovation and additions to a Center for Autistic Young Persons, where those on the spectrum can get the support they need. Situated in Brasov in Transylvania, home of the legendary Dracula, this trip allows travelers to give back while experiencing this beautiful country. In their free time, travelers can visit the famous Black church, the old city in Brasov, and Bran’s castle, known as Dracula’s castle.

This trip is 8 days and costs  $1,862. Globe Aware is a nonprofit organization that offers international volunteer programs that go beyond tourism. Globe Aware programs promote the immersion of participants in a unique way that also aligns with the United Nations sustainability goals. Volunteers get the chance to experience cultural awareness: acknowledging and celebrating the culture of a community, but not changing it. Participants will also work alongside the host community and help teach and learn skills with the concept of promoting sustainable practices.

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Build a School in China for Children in Need

Despite booming economic development, rapid modernization, and the millennia old legacy of Chinese civilization, China’s migrant population continues to struggle for basic public resources. As cities continue to lure the population from rural towns, permit requirements gone unfulfilled for these moves have created a large migrant population ineligible for public social services, including public education. Volunteers on this trip will work in the only truly non-profit middle school for migrant children in the outskirts of Beijing. Tasks may include painting, building furniture, and improving facilities. The specific projects of each volunteer change with the needs of the moment. Participants will stay in the fifth ring of the city, where they will experience life in China near to the project site itself, but also in proximity to the impressive modern architecture and bustling spaces of Beijing, juxtaposed against the far reaching history present around every corner in its cultural heritage sites. The vibrant setting affords travelers the opportunity to see world wonders like the Great Wall of China and the incredible historic sites like the Forbidden City or the Temple of Heaven.

This trip is 7 days and costs  $1,797. Globe Aware is a nonprofit organization that offers international volunteer programs that go beyond tourism. Globe Aware programs promote the immersion of participants in a unique way that also aligns with the United Nations sustainability goals. Volunteers get the chance to experience cultural awareness: acknowledging and celebrating the culture of a community, but not changing it. Participants will also work alongside the host community and help teach and learn skills with the concept of promoting sustainable practices.

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