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7 Volunteering Projects to Consider on Your Travels

Teaching in India

Teaching in India (photo: Johan Bichel Lindegaard)

Volunteering is an excellent way to travel the world while truly immersing yourself in the different locations and cultures that you visit.

Below are seven great options for places you can give back while on the road.

Teaching in India

India is certainly not one of the countries that you can easily ignore, from its massive size to its natural, cultural and man-made attractions; it keeps all your senses alive.

Teaching in India gives you an opportunity not only to impact the lives of children but also explore different places in India and immerse in the rich culture.

You can volunteer to work with kindergarten kids, in primary schools and even high schools. You can help shape the life of a child as you enjoy traveling in the stunning country of India.

Volunteering in Mongolia

Dr. Cam Tu Tran visited Mongolia as a Project Hope volunteer (photo: PACAF)

Child Care in Mongolia

Mongolia is not your everyday top of the list travel destination, but it is a land of adventure, unforgettable cultural experiences, and vast expanses.

It is one of the poorest countries in the world, and many people live beyond the poverty line.

If you are great with kids, you can help in caring for children in orphanages and care centers in Mongolia.

Some of the activities you may get involved in are playing educational games, helping with homework, preparing meals, and sometimes for younger kids bathing and dressing them.

Moroccan woman

A Moroccan woman displays handmade clothes (photo: Cait)

Supporting Women in Morocco

Morocco is one of the most popular destinations in Africa and though tourism is on the rise most women in Morocco are poor and lack skills that can help them improve their lifestyles.

Volunteering to support women in Morocco involves teaching English or French, training finance, computer programs, arts, women's rights and helps them get involved in income-generating activities.

This kind of volunteering takes you to the nooks and crannies of Morocco in small villages and introduces you to the rich culture of Moroccans.

Orangutan in Indonesian Borneo

Orangutan in Indonesian Borneo (photo: David Lee)

Orangutan Conservation in Borneo

Orangutans are an endangered ape species found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. They mainly live in trees and face a threat of extinction every day through deforestation, hunters, habitat loss, and other natural causes.

Volunteering in orangutan conservation involves helping in rescuing injured animals, rehabilitation, the release of captured animals, and creating a suitable environment for them.

Other tasks in orangutan conservation include taking care of the animals by bathing animals, cleaning enclosures, and preparing meals.

In this way, you will gain conservation skills and help conserve this endangered species even for the next generation.

A child studies at the Akha Training Centre in Mae Suai, Thailand (photo: RIBI Image Library)

A child studies at the Akha Training Centre in Mae Suai, Thailand (photo: RIBI Image Library)

Volunteer with the Disabled Kids in Thailand

Thailand is a stunning country with a lot to offer, from its rich culture to its impressive diversities, you will always find something to amaze you.

Buddhism is widely practiced in Thailand and since they believe in reincarnation, being born disabled is considered to be a punishment for mistakes made in a past life.

Therefore, disabled kids are mostly neglected, and volunteering with disabled children helps them feel loved and see life from a different angle.

Guatemalan child

Guatemalan child (photo: Katherine Johnson)

Healthcare in Guatemala

Guatemala is the land of idyllic beaches, renowned ancient Mayan ruins, and immense diversities that keep travelers keep coming for more.

You can volunteer to give health care to local communities by helping doctors, nurses, and caregivers in health centers.

Salvador, Brazil

Salvador, Brazil (photo: Leandro Neumann Ciuffo)

Provide Quality Care to Needy Families in Salvador, Brazil

Brazil is famous for its vibrant colors, jungles, beaches, and cultures.

In Salvador Brazil, most families are financially strained, forcing parents to leave their homes and work far away, therefore leaving the young kids under the care of the elderly.

Most families here depend on local organizations that help give care to the children. So you can volunteer to help provide care for them and assist in boosting their confidence and self-esteem.

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This story was brought to you in partnership with Volunteering Solutions and Oyster Worldwide.

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Stef

Friday 3rd of July 2015

Great election of volunteering options. I happen to have just been in Guatemala and indeed met a lot of medical students who volunteered in Antigua and smaller villages.

Dipti Goyal

Friday 3rd of July 2015

Volunteering is such a noble cause to serve humanity or to make a difference in someone's life. Apart from the above mention volunteer projects one can choose wildlife conservation, work at an orphanage, work for street children, disabled care and much more.

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