Destinations

South Africa has celebrated an end to formal apartheid but despite its rich natural resources and can-do attitude, the majority of the black population still face huge challenges. Job prospects are still in low supply, housing and the standard of living are still far below expectations, e.g. access to running tap water is limited, decent flushing toilets are shared, and millions still live in “slums”. This program provides unique opportunities to understand the challenges faced by the black majority, while also helping to improve their lives. In stunning contrast, volunteers will see “beyond-belief”, gorgeous sights, white sandy beaches, pristine wineries, rugged mountain scapes, gigantic whales and wild penguins etc, and more importantly they will get to understand the real beauties and challenges of the new South Africa. Click here for more information on our South Africa Program.

If you are looking for a truly "off the beaten path" experience in a community with real need, then you've found it! Your volunteer program will take place in beautiful San Pedro de Casta, a secluded and traditional village located high in the Andes, about 4 hours outside of Lima. The people of San Pedro make their communal living by farming the terraced land of the surrounding mountains, as their ancestors did for thousands of years before them. In Globe Aware's El Sur program, volunteers have the opportunity to assist villagers whose farmland has recently been taken over to create the spectacular Carara Rainforest Reserve. The villagers hope to create sustainable community-based tourism, and Globe Aware volunteers will help by completing projects such as building suspension bridges, painting schools, constructing recycling stations, and building systems to help bring clean water into the community. For fun, volunteers can enjoy hiking in the rainforest, horseback riding, coffee tasting, and learning about cheese making and traditional sugar cane processing. Accommodations include comfortable, recently constructed cabinas with Western-style bathrooms and showers (not including heated water) and limited electricity. Take this trip to Costa Rica and join in on providing sustainability and opportunity for one of the friendliest communities you'll ever encounter! Click here for more information on our San Pedro, Peru Program.

The country of Guatemala, well-known as a place of beauty and safety, warmly welcomes visitors to discover its charm and diversity amidst amazing wildlife, friendly locals, and its ancient Mayan roots. Yet even amongst the intriguing Tikal allures and the unique flora and fauna, Guatemala still remains a country with great need. Huge population growth and migration have put a strain on resources all over the country. As a result, literacy rates are among some of the lowest in the world, and poverty is prominent. Low standards of living, poor sanitation, and even limited access to clean water are all daily challenges faced by many Guatemalans. Lodging is provided in a small, rustic but very quaint hotel, accommodating two to six guests per room, depending on the size of your travel party. A single supplement can be arranged for an additional $290. All beds are covered with mosquito netting, and include a private bath with a hot shower, flushing toilets, fans, and an outdoor patio area. The hotel is located on Lake Peten Itza. Volunteers will have the wonderful opportunity to visit the world-famous Tikal National Park and Temple. Other optional leisure activities include participating in a class in tortilla making, attending a Mayan Fire Ceremony and meeting with a Mayan Spiritual Guide, taking an herb walk in the jungle, meeting with an herbalist, and taking a tour of the Aktun Kan Caves. Optional excursions, independent of Globe Aware but run by companies whose safety we have vetted, include Canopy/Zipline Tours and/or horseback riding.
Click here for more information on our Guatemala Program.

Volunteers, depending on number of volunteers per group, will be engaged in a variety of projects, from teaching English pronunciation and colloquialisms, the building of playgrounds and better homes to replace substandard housing, refurbishment of buildings for use as schools, work on kindergarten and primary schools, as well as village markets and other infrastructure to help raise the standards of living throughout rural Vietnam. (Kindergartens are not currently funded by the Vietnamese government). Disadvantaged youths living in rural areas outside of town are allowed to attend the schools we work on at no cost. All volunteers will teach Basic English and play games with the children, and assist with our new Portable Mobile Libraries Projects, called "Books to Live." Click here for more information on our Vietnam Program.

Globe Aware's volunteer vacation program in Thailand is geared toward the nature- loving volunteer explorer as the majority of the program’s projects involve work with locals of the Surin province to preserve the native elephant habitat. Projects will include preparing and planting food crops, construction of shade shelters, and bathing the elephants. For leisure activities, volunteers will be welcomed in a traditional Thai welcoming ceremony and will be able to participate in cooking classes and shopping in local markets. Accommodations include newly built wooden houses with Western-style toilets, bucket style showers, and limited electricity. Come to Thailand to help save the Asian elephants from extinction and give captive elephants a life worth living! Click here for more information on our Thailand Program

Experience the European spirit of past, present, and future through Globe Aware’s Romania program. Volunteers will work in a village on the outskirts of the beautiful city of Brasov, targeting children and at-risk families to fight against poverty and injustice. Work projects include building a Social and Educational Center (a future home for ten homeless families), improving the living conditions of the often marginalized Roma community, and implementing environmentally friendly attitudes towards the local community and its surroundings. In their free time, volunteers will have the opportunity to explore Brasov’s historic town center and surrounding areas, including the Townhall Square, the Romanian Art Museum, and Bran Castle (more commonly known as Dracula’s Castle), Visitors can also take a cable car ride to view the city of Brasov from atop a small plateau. Depending on number of volunteers, accommodations are provided in either a quaint Bed and Breakfast in a nearby town or in a charming, 2-storey villa near the old center of Brasov. Cable TV, internet connection, and washing machine facilities are available at both locations. Come visit this quaint country with its picturesque landscapes and help discover and redeem the treasures of Romania’s rich heritage. Click here for more information on our Romania Program.

Come to Cuzco with Globe Aware and take part in providing educational opportunities for impoverished children from rural households. Service projects include improvements and maintenance to facilities through activities like painting classrooms, creating gardens, or constructing desks and beds. There is ample time to work directly with the children after they finish their school day, and you may also visit a local family to help construct a Lorena stove for household heating. Volunteer vacationers can make a scheduled excursion to Machu Picchu (at the volunteer’s expense), and to other surrounding ancient sites which are in very close proximity. Accommodations include dormitory style rooms with running water, flushing toilets, and electricity. Be ready to be dazzled by this vibrant city, the most popular destination in Peru, and to experience what was once the heart of the powerful Incan empire! Click here for more information on our Cuzco Program.

In Globe Aware’s Ghana program, volunteers get to experience first-hand the glory of the Ghanaian culture. Although some of the friendliest and happiest people you’ll ever meet, the Ghanaians have limited access to modern tools in their society and consequently often face the challenge of living in unsanitary conditions.
By volunteering on this program, you could have the opportunity to change lives in a whole village by building systems to bring them clean water. Volunteers also take part in constructing sanitary systems in schools and improving the facilities at a local orphanage. Lodging includes home stay facilities which can include either running-water showers or scoop showers, flushing toilets, and some basic access to electricity. For fun, volunteers will visit the biggest waterfall in West Africa, learn about the Ghanaian tradition of weaving, and experience dancing and drumming lessons. Come spend time with these smiling people in the beautiful and mountainous Jasikan District of Africa, and you’re sure to be dancing your way back again someday! Click here for more information on our Ghana program.

Participate in Globe Aware's India program and promote empowerment and education by working with women and disadvantaged children in the community of Jaipur. In this “Pink City,” volunteers will work with children and women, providing beneficial activities. Volunteers will be accommodated in one of several modest hotels which all have running hot-water, Western-style toilets, and electricity. A homestay option is also available. During leisure time, volunteers can have dinner with a local family, visit traditional artisan factories, or walk through the colorful streets. Click here for more information on our India program.

In Globe Aware’s El Sur program, volunteers have the opportunity to assist villagers whose farmland has recently been taken over to create the spectacular Carara Rainforest Reserve. The villagers hope to create sustainable community-based tourism, and Globe Aware volunteers will help by completing projects such as building suspension bridges, painting schools, constructing recycling stations, and building systems to help bring clean water into the community. For fun, volunteers can enjoy hiking in the rainforest, horseback riding, coffee tasting, and learning about cheese making and traditional sugar cane processing. Accommodations include comfortable, recently constructed cabinas with Western-style bathrooms and showers (not including heated water) and limited electricity. Take this trip to Costa Rica and join in on providing sustainability and opportunity for one of the friendliest communities you’ll ever encounter!  Click here for more information on our Rainforest Village Experience