Lifestyle Design With a Purpose: 5 Volunteer Resources that can Help you Travel the Globe and Make a Difference at the Same Time

When I first decided that I wanted to change my work and lifestyle one of the first things I knew was that I wanted to include travel, exotic travel, as part of my experience. After a few extended trips to various countries and witnessing livelihoods like I had not experienced before, I also knew that I wanted to try and make a difference.

Many people who want to go on extended travel, I believe, would also like to give something back, if you are one of them here are 5 organizations that can help you do just that.

United Nations Volunteers UNV http://www.unv.org/

Many people do not know this but the UN coordinates a fairly substantial group of volunteers. In fact, Some 7,000 qualified and experienced women and men of nearly 160 nationalities are serving each year in developing countries as UN Volunteers. 

According to their website

“United Nations Volunteers is the United Nations focal point for promoting and harnessing volunteerism for effective development.”

If you are interested in volunteering with the UN have a look at their informative FAQ [http://www.unv.org/who-we-are/faqs.html] page.

Japan International Cooperation Agency JICA http://www.jica.go.jp/english/index.html

JICA’s mission is to act as a bridge between the people of Japan and developing countries, advance international cooperation through the sharing of knowledge and experience and working to build a more peaceful and prosperous world. And according to their website:

“As of the end of March 2004, 2,331 volunteers were deployed in 69 countries, making a total of 25,184 since the program’s inception.”

Canadian University Service Overseas CUSO http://www.cuso.org/index.php 

 
CUSO ‘cooperants’ are skilled professionals who donate their expertise for up to two years to participate in an overseas program. Cooperants provide strategic support to development groups in Asia, the Pacific, Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean.

 
“CUSO Volunteers work directly with those impacted by poverty, injustice and natural resource depletion. Cooperants also work with groups building better futures through cooperatives and small businesses, sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism and cultural preservation. These professionals are placed in the field for durations long enough to achieve concrete results.”

Volunteer Service Overseas VSO http://www.vso.org.uk/index.asp

VSO is an international development charity that works through volunteers their vision is a world without poverty in which people work together to fulfill their potential. Instead of sending food or money, VSO sends women and men from a wide range of professions who want the chance to make a real difference in the fight against poverty.

“Our approach to volunteering has changed dramatically over the years. Our volunteers are no longer only school-leavers - today the average age of a volunteer is 38, the majority coming from skilled, professional backgrounds. Most placements are for two years, but can also be as short as 2 weeks. We are a leading development charity with almost 1,500 skilled professionals currently working in 34 countries. We respond to requests from governments and community organisations throughout Asia and Africa.”

Habitat for Humanity http://www.habitat.org/lac_eng/get_involve/default.aspx

Habitat builds and renovates simple, decent houses with the help of homeowner (partner) families, volunteer labor and donations of money and materials. These houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans. The monthly homeowner mortgage payments are deposited into the revolving “Fund for Humanity,” which in turn is used to build still more houses.

“Habitat has built more than 60,000 houses in 23 countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. These countries have not only established local affiliates, they have also formed a regional board of directors, with a support staff that manage and work on program development.”

Peace Corps http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm

Of course, I had to include the Peace Corps! 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.

“Today’s Peace Corps is more vital than ever, working in over 139 host countries on emerging and essential areas such as information technology and business development, and committing more than 1,000 new Volunteers as a part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Peace Corps Volunteers continue to help countless individuals who want to build a better life for themselves, their children, and their communities.”

Are you interested in volunteering as part of your lifestyle design?

I would like to state that living a volunteer lifestyle is typically very different from the standard backpacker or tourist. With most of these organizations you will live in a village and work directly with host country nationals giving you insight and information into the local culture and livelihoods that you might otherwise not have been able to participate in.

For people with questions about volunteering overseas, I am always happy to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly…just send me an email or ask below in the comments. Also, if you would like to highlight other volunteer organizations, please feel free to leave links below.