Learn how voluntourism through Globe Aware blends service and travel, promotes cultural exchange, and supports sustainable community impact around the world.
Do you love to travel? Do you want to make a difference in the world? Would you like to combine your vacation with a life and perspective-altering experience? If so, voluntourism may be for you.
"Voluntourism" combines the best intentions of the non-profit sector with the excitement of the tourism sector to create stimulating, service-oriented vacations.
Voluntourism is described by some as being a variation on the Peace Corps. model. Voluntourists are individuals interested in learning about foreign countries and people by working and living in communities in developing nations.
Voluntourism is becoming a popular vacation option. A Travelocity poll taken in December 2008 found that 38 per cent of the 1,000 respondents had added volunteering to their 2007 vacation planning options. Meanwhile, Travel Industry of America statistics indicate that 55 million had volunteered during a trip and more than twice that number have plans to do so in the near future.
Doctors, carpenters, nurses, teachers, laborers, business owners and entrepreneurs sign on for voluntourism programs to share their skills, knowledge and passion with others. These individuals want to help others in foreign lands. In return, they experience unique cultures first hand, develop new friendships and realize personal fulfillment.
Globe Aware identifies worthy projects, handles the vacation and project logistics and teams up with online trip planners such as Travelocity to send voluntourists on memorable service-oriented vacations.
Globe Aware trips are expertly planned and lead by committed, knowledgeable professionals. Voluntourists not require special skills or the ability to speak a foreign language. Globe Aware employees prepare the destination ahead prior to arrival and then accompany and work alongside voluntourists during their volunteer vacation.
Voluntourism is more than simply an alternative vacation option
Voluntourists embark on trips to serve, to learn and help others. They return with new perspectives, understandings and a lifetime of memories.
Voluntourism advantages for the individual volunteer:
Participating in meaningful service and having a deep impact on a community
Developing new skills through service or using ones you already have in service
Interacting with locals you would never meet in a hotel or at touristy places
Seeing and exploring places you would never see on a typical tour or vacation
Creating friendships that last a lifetime
Experiencing true satisfaction from your vacation time
Voluntourism is also an excellent corporate team-building exercise and endeavour when a business or corporation sponsors team trips.
Voluntourism advantages for a business or corporation:
Volunteer vacations are called many things; you may see terms which generally mean the same thing, depending on the organization which uses the term, such as voluntourism, service vacations, international volunteering, volunteer travel, working vacations, gap year travel, volunteer travel, and volunteering abroad.
What are volunteer vacations and service vacations?
Globe Aware trips are professionally planned and led. You do not need special skills or the ability to speak a foreign language. Globe Aware employees lay the groundwork prior to your arrival, accompany you during your volunteer vacation, and assist with transfers and departures.
Globe Aware's volunteer vacations are appropriate for solo travelers, multigenerational family travelers, corporate groups, and custom groups.
Immerse yourself in a new culture.
Meet new people in remarkable, exciting countries.
Experience a life-changing adventure. Help communities by working on meaningful projects. Click here for dates and costs.
Never heard of volunteer vacations?
Does the idea of paying to volunteer strike you as odd? Don't worry, that's a common first reaction.
First, for more on why you pay for a volunteer vacation.
Of course, people have been volunteering for years, whether in their neighborhoods, their hometowns, or even internationally. Super organizations have engaged in helpful missions to those in need for as long as history has been written. More recent, well-known examples: the Red Cross, since 1881, has organized volunteer relief efforts; Habitat for Humanity (building homes) and Doctors Without Borders (medical practitioners providing relief) have existed since the 1970s. All of us are surrounded by terrific opportunities to give back to the communities in which we live, where our children go to school, and the churches we may support.
The history of the term "volunteer vacations" is hard to define as it is a relatively new term in the English lexicon. Many churches have conducted missions for both general help and for religious conversion. The American government recognized the positive effect on its own citizens and the world when it was created. According to this government organization, "the Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960 when then-Senator John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. From that inspiration grew an agency of the federal government devoted to world peace and friendship."
Peace Corps volunteers, for example, commit a noble 27 months of their life to on-site experience. The median age of the typical Peace Corps volunteers is 25, 6% are over 50, 91% are single. So many good things have come from Peace Corps volunteers. Many Globe Aware volunteers are returned Peace Corps volunteers. It's hard to imagine the world of international volunteering without this organization with enough foresight to institute a government-supported international volunteer organization.
One concern has been the recent emergence of unscrupulous groups looking to profit from the growing interest in volunteering. Some organizations may charge $3,000 for little more than an address, provide no onsite support staff, follow no government-mandated rules about nonprofits and compensation limits, and do not feel responsible for how funds are used. Others are merely "brokerage houses" which "sell" programs organized and led by others, only adding administrative costs to your experiences. Some are principally concerned with religious conversion. Still, more give lip service to safety without real thought about what that means. Additionally, some are more adventurous for-profit companies that are not subject to the same regulations regarding scrutiny of the use of funds and hence are not rewarded with 501 c 3 tax-deductible status. All of these factors are among those you should strongly consider before giving your valuable time to an experience volunteering abroad.
Post 9/11, the interest in volunteer vacations has surged dramatically. In the wake of other catastrophic events, such as the Thailand tsunami and Katrina, many want to give back in a more concrete way than writing a check.
Volunteering overseas is undoubtedly one of the top experiences anyone could hope to undertake in their lifetime. Even a short-term volunteer adventure can change your life and world perspective. Few things can give you a greater sense of meaning and a greater understanding of a culture.
One thing you should keep in mind, however, is that you are not likely to cure cancer or fully teach or learn a language in a short time. Just as significantly, you should remember that manual labor is usually in great supply in developing countries, and it may be frowned upon if you participate in an activity which takes away from what would have been a paid job for a local. You will likely walk away from your experience feeling you received more than you gave. It is almost a universal reaction when giving your time to a reputable organization.
Whether you decide you want to volunteer your time in the United States restoring wilderness areas with the Sierra Club or American Hiking Society or feel you're up for the adventure that comes with long-term international volunteering with the Peace Corps or scientific research-related programs such as Earthwatch offers, or even short term volunteer vacations with a group like Globe Aware, you are likely to feel more profoundly connected to this wonderful planet we live on. It can be a challenge, but it's almost always worth it. And if you've already done lots of traditional travel, particularly organized group travel, you owe it to yourself to try volunteer vacations as an alternative way to experience and, most importantly, help the world.
Written by Dr. Ken Dorman, Board Member, Globe Aware
Several books on volunteer vacations you may want to consider reading:
Volunteer Vacations - Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others Ninth edition Bill McMillon (Author), Doug Cutchins (Author), Anne Geissinger (Author), Ed Asner (Foreword by)
How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas" by Joseph Collins, Stefano Dezerega and Zahara Heckscher (Putnam Penguin 2002).
Ever since Errol Flynn cavorted here with his Hollywood pals in the 1930s and '40s, travellers have regarded Jamaica as one of the most alluring of the Caribbean islands. Its beaches, mountains and carnal red sunsets regularly appear in the sort of tourist brochures that promise paradise.
Costa Rica is Central America's jewel. It's an oasis of calm among its turbulent neighbours and an ecotourism heaven, making it one of the best places to experience the tropics with minimal impact. It's also mostly coastline, which means great surfing, beaches galore and a climate built for laziness.
Costa Rica's enlightened approach to conservation has ensured that lush jungles are home to playful monkeys, languid sloths, crocodiles, countless lizards, poison-dart frogs and a mind-boggling assortment of exotic birds, insects and butterflies. Meanwhile, endangered sea turtles nest on both coasts and cloud forests protect elusive birds and jungle cats.
Thrill seekers can fly through forests on zip lines, peer into boiling volcanoes, surf oversized waves and dive with dolphins and whales - all in the course of a normal day. Then again, if you have some serious chilling to do, you can always lounge in a hammock and enjoy the pure life, or pura vida - a national expression that sums up the desire to live the best, most hassle-free existence.
Full country name: Republic of Costa Rica Area: 51,100 sq km Population: 4.1 million People: 96% Spanish descent, 2% African descent, 1% indigenous, 1% Chinese Language: English, Spanish Religion: 75% Roman Catholic, 14% Protestant Government: democratic republic Head of State: President Abel Pacheco de la Espriella
GDP: US$32 billion GDP per capita: US$8,300 Annual Growth: 1% Inflation: 9.1% Major Industries: Tourism, electronics, coffee, bananas, sugar, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products Major Trading Partners: USA, Germany, Italy, Japan, Guatemala, Mexico
This is an example to give a rough idea of what your week will be like. Please note that all of these activities are subject to change and will depend on: how many volunteers are there during the week, project availability, weather, previous progress, etc.
Volunteers should expect to work between 6 and 8 hours a day. You will have two to three hours of unstructured free time, and several cultural awareness exercises.
Monday
Mid-day
Meet up with Globe Aware Coordinator; Go to program site and get settled in; Lunch
Afternoon
Introductions and Orientation; Discuss goals and itinerary
Evening
Discuss preconceptions and expectations; Welcome ceremony led by village Shaman; Dinner
Tuesday
Morning
6:30 wake-up call; breakfast
Mid-Morning
Begin work project
Mid-day
Lunch; Journal Project; Activity; Free Time
Afternoon
More work project
Evening
Cooking lesson; Dinner; Free time, write in your journal, call home, chat with other volunteers, etc.
You can extend your program at the cost of $990 per additional week up to three weeks, with several exceptions (Cuba and Romania are the same cost for the second week as the first). Please contact us for specifics if you have any questions. Note: Additional weeks for most programs are generally less structured than the initial program week, as the coordinator spends time preparing for the next group; however, for self starters who want to continue their volunteering, this option is a great opportunity. It is more likely you will not have fellow volunteers if you choose additional weeks, but many volunteers absolutely adore the additional one-on-one time with the community. All meals and lodging remains the same as in your first week.
Globe Aware has been given the authority to administer the President's Volunteer Service Awards to its volunteers.
To earn a President's Volunteer Service Award, individuals, families and groups must keep a record of their activities and hours of volunteer service. They can track their hours in a journal at home, on-line through the USA Freedom Corps Record of Service, or through another system that is recommended by their Certifying Organization. Each individual, family, or group then submits its record of service to Globe Aware.
Globe Aware's role in this program is to:
Verify that the volunteer(s) has completed the number of service hours required to earn a President's Volunteer Service Award.
Nominate verified volunteers by completing and submitting an order form to purchase the award(s).
Collect and Pay the nominal cost for the award package and its shipping, either directly or through local sponsorship (usually between $7 and $50 depending on number of awards).
Receive the award package and distribute the award to each recipient.
About the Award
Background
America has a long and proud tradition of volunteer service. Now more than ever, volunteers are renewing their commitment to helping others and making new connections that bring us closer together as families, as neighbors, as communities, and as a Nation.
In his 2002 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush issued a challenge to all Americans to make time to help their neighbors, communities, and Nation through service. He called on each person to dedicate at least 4,000 hours, or two years, to service over the course of their lives. He created the USA Freedom Corps to help all Americans answer his call to service and help foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility.
In 2003, President Bush created the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation to find ways to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our Nation. The Council brings together leaders from the worlds of business, entertainment, sports, education, government, nonprofits, and the media.
The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation created the President's Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.
Recognizing and honoring volunteers sets a standard for service to others. It encourages a sustained commitment to civic participation and inspires others to make volunteering a central part of their lives. The President's Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals, families, and groups that have achieved a certain standard, measured by the number of hours served over a 12-month period or cumulative hours earned over the course of a lifetime.
To date, the President's Council has bestowed more than 400,000 awards to the Nation's deserving volunteers.
The Award
Award recipients receive:
An official President's Volunteer Service Award pin.
A personalized certificate of achievement.
A note of congratulations from the President of the United States.
A letter from the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.
Award Criteria
Any individual, family, or group can receive Presidential recognition for volunteer hours earned over a 12-month period or over the course of a lifetime at home or abroad. The following are the eligibility requirements for each age group:
Presidential Volunteer Service Award Criteria
Bronze Level
Kids: 50 to 74 hours Young Adults: 100 to 174 hours Adults: 100 to 249 hours Family & Groups: 200 to 499 hours
Presidential Volunteer Service Award Criteria
Silver Level.
Kids: 75 to 99 hours Young Adults: 175 to 249 hours Adults: 250 to 499 hours Family & Groups: 500 to 999 hours
Presidential Volunteer Service Award Criteria
Gold Level.
Kids: 100 hours or more Young Adults: 250 hours or more Adults: 500 hours or more Family & Groups: 1000 hours or more
President's Call to Service Award
Presidential Volunteer Service Award Criteria
All Ages 4,000 hours or more of volunteer service (over a lifetime).
Personalized Certificate
Kids under 14 years old can earn the President's Volunteer Service Award by completing 50 or more hours of volunteer service in one year.
