International Volunteer Projects

Building new homes is a popular international volunteer project.

There are several volunteer organizations in which people from all over the world can volunteer their time to help in making the world a better place. Global Service Corps, Projects Abroad, Habitat for Humanity International, and the U.S. Peace Corps offer people from all walks of life a chance to prove what it truly means to be altruistic.

Global Service Corps

The Global Service Corps (globalservicecorps.org) offers several opportunities for volunteers interested in learning more about the health care, education, and other socioeconomic systems of Thailand, Cambodia and Tanzania. Those interested in enrolling must submit their application materials at least 90 days prior to the start date of the program they choose. Each program has different rates and can last up to 13 weeks, depending on the host country. Applicants partaking in any of the Corps programs who are under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign all application materials. In addition, volunteers can help pay for their travel expenses by contacting the Corps to request a Fundraising Toolkit, which includes additional information on the organization's international service programs, as well as some sample fundraising activity ideas and fundraising letters.

Projects Abroad

Volunteers working for Projects Abroad (projects-abroad.org) who are over the age of 16 can choose to do conservation, sports, archaeology, teaching, building, performing arts, orphanage care or culture and community projects in 26 countries, including Ethiopia, China, India, Brazil, Moldova and Romania. In addition, college or university interns are allowed to do business, law, medicine, journalism and animal care projects that can help them gain practical, hands-on work experience in their fields of study. Each of these volunteer and intern programs can last up to four months, and airline and travel expenses depend on the country of choice.

Habitat for Humanity International

As of June 2011, Habitat for Humanity (habitat.org/ivp/) volunteers who are 18 years of age and older can partake in architecture, disaster response, fundraising, writing, graphic design, micro-finance and engineering projects in Brazil, South Africa, Poland, Haiti, Malaysia, Argentina, Jordan, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, Armenia, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Cambodia, Tajikistan and Bolivia. Each International Volunteer Program usually lasts six to 12 months, and volunteers are fully responsible for paying all medical insurance, housing, food and travel expenses to and from their destination.

Peace Corps

Since its founding 50 years ago by President John F. Kennedy, 8,655 Peace Corps (peacecorps.gov) volunteers in 71 posts have served their time through 27-month programs in education, youth services, economic and community development, health care, business, information technology, agriculture and environment in 77 developing countries. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age to register and pay outside accommodation expenses. To find out more about Peace Corps opportunities, interested volunteers should contact their nearest recruitment center.

References

• Global Service Corps: Dates and Rates for Programs
• Global Service Corps: Information on Program Financial Aid
• Projects Abroad: List of Volunteer and Intern Abroad Programs
• Habitat for Humanity International: List of Current Volunteer Opportunities
• United States Peace Corps: Information on Peace Corps Programs and Registration Policies
• Habitat for Humanity International: Frequently Asked Questions About Volunteer Opportunites Abroad

Resources

• Read this Article in UK English
• International Volunteer Programs Association: Home page