Offer NGO Support While Visiting Quito

Ecuador's capital, Quito, is a vibrant and culturally rich city nestled in the Andean mountains. The city is known for its diverse climate, ranging from temperate conditions in the city to tropical lowlands and the lush Amazon jungle nearby. The city's rich history and dynamic atmosphere make it a fascinating place to explore. As a volunteer in Quito, you'll engage in meaningful work supporting local NGOs, assisting with tasks such as administrative duties, fundraising, marketing, and helping children from underprivileged backgrounds. Your mornings start with a hearty breakfast, followed by travel to your placement. Afternoons offer opportunities for Spanish lessons, city exploration, or preparation for the next day, while evenings can be spent enjoying local cuisine or participating in social activities like salsa lessons or movie nights. Weekends provide ample time to explore Quito and its surroundings. Volunteers can delve into the city's rich history at the historical center, enjoy panoramic views from the El Teleferico cable car, or hike and horseback ride to the Guagua Pichincha volcano summit. Coastal excursions for snorkeling or visits to the pristine beaches of Los Frailes will also be an option for volunteers who are looking to add something more to their trip. For the more adventurous, jungle excursions reveal Ecuador's unique wildlife, including toucans and monkeys, and longer weekends can be spent exploring national parks or the renowned Galapagos Islands.

As the world's #1 rated volunteer travel organization, IVHQ aims to provide travelers with affordable volunteer travel, ethical and responsible practices within the organization, cultural diversity, and the chance to make an impact in the world. While also offering internships abroad and other travel adventures, IVHQ is determined to make travel and making a difference accessible to everyone. Starting at $360 per person, and has a minimum of 1 week and a maximum of 12 weeks running time. IVHQ programs include breakfast, airport pick-up, accommodation, 24/7 in-country support, discounts on language lessons and travel and tour add-ons, a certificate of International Volunteer Service, and more.

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Volunteer to help in the Peruvian Amazon

Peru is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world and has a stunning variety of landscapes, from mountains to beaches and rainforests. The country is home to the source of the Amazon River and the historical Incan settlement of Machu Picchu. In fact, the Peruvian Amazon is the second-largest stretch of the Amazon and includes thousands of different animal species. The forest’s tropical climate also has lots of the country’s natural resources. However, construction and commercial mining have led to the deforestation of the Peruvian Amazon, which threatens the unique and endangered species that live there. Volunteers will work to plant trees, monitor animals, and remove non-native species to combat deforestation. Additionally, volunteers will get to learn about the tree species of the Peruvian Amazon and its inhabitants. 

This Maximo Nivel volunteer program has the goal of helping communities while giving volunteers a one-in-a-lifetime experience. All Maximo Nivel volunteer programs are supported by professional program managers, multilingual teams, and 24/7 in-country support. This project ranges from one to four weeks and costs $685 for one week and $1295 for four weeks. Airport transfers, breakfast and dinners, four-to-six hours per day (Sunday to Thursday), a letter of recommendation, an emergency contact number, and accommodation are included.

Volunteer to Help Conserve Peru’s Rainforests

Peru is a land of contrasts. The country is home to mountain systems, arid deserts, and coastal plains, and its three prominent topographical bands are Costa, Sierra, and Amazonia. The Amazon Rainforest covers almost two-thirds of Peru, about 60% of the nation's territory! The Peruvian Amazon is home to over 1,800 species of birds, 700 kinds of fish, 500 types of mammals, and over 300 reptile species. Ecotourism has become an essential industry in Peru; the nation has a higher percentage of protected land than any other country in South America. Specifically, there are fifty-three protected areas throughout the country. This includes national parks, reserves, sanctuaries, and reserved zones. Volunteers can help with a wide range of conservation activities that contribute to preserving Peru’s climate and animals. Participants will be based in the heart of the jungle, where they will receive a different kind of insight into Peru’s rich biodiversity. Tasks include (but are not limited to) reforestation, home-based maintenance, research projects, trail conservation, and animal inventories. Volunteers will immerse themselves in Peruvian culture and gain conservation and research experience, all while making a difference in the nation's ecosystem.

This is a minimum two-week and maximum 24-week trip offered by International Volunteer HQ. All IVHQ volunteer programs include airport pickup and accommodation, program orientation, and 24-hour IVHQ staff support. This project costs $105 for two weeks and $1,510 for 4 weeks.

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Volunteer to Help Conserve Croatia’s Bears

Croatia, the land of a thousand islands, has within its borders eleven nature parks, eight national parks and two nature reserves. The country is home to ten UNESCO World Heritage sites, remarkable considering its relatively small size. Approximately 900 brown bears, the largest European carnivores, live in Croatia, although the exact number is unknown. The bear population in the country has been growing since the 1950s and has a favorable conservation status. Volunteers have a chance to help protect bear populations and conserve nature. They can join a bear sanctuary and help preserve the environment and assist in a place for bears who have suffered maltreatment and abandonment. Volunteers will live in a traditional Croatian village amid nature, where they will become part of the local community. Tasks include (but are not limited to) maintaining the forest and surrounding environment, ensuring the well-being of all animals at the center, and supporting the visitor center’s needs. Volunteers can learn the Croatian language and immerse themselves in the culture while making a difference in the community.

This is a minimum four-week and maximum 12-week trip offered by International Volunteer HQ. All IVHQ volunteer programs include airport pickup and accommodation, program orientation, and 24-hour IVHQ staff support. This project costs $1,955 for four weeks and $5,075 for 12 weeks.

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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.

Help Children with Disabilities in Transylvania

Romania is a country in southeastern Europe known for its heavily forested region of Transylvania. Ringed by the Carpathian Mountains, it harbors well-preserved medieval towns with many fortified churches and castles—specifically the Bran Castle, which has long been associated with the legend of Dracula. Romania spent decades under the communist rule of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and continues to restore its rich heritage after his government’s collapse in 1989. The “Volunteering in Transylvania, Romania” trip is located in Brasov, a city in the heart of Romania’s Transylvania region. The volunteer work is locally organized and consists of helping children and adults who have special needs, such as autism or Down syndrome. The Romanian state generally fails to integrate these children into mainstream schooling. Therefore, this work is vital in developing their potential and in preparing them for the future. The volunteer work includes improving and refurbishing two of Brasov’s day therapy centers and also includes a variety of interactive opportunities with the recipients. This two-week trip costs $1,567.

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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