Volunteering

One of the best decisions I ever made was to start volunteering on my travels.

Flora with mehndi painted hands at a village wedding in India

Although I love travelling, after a while I tend to get somewhat aimless just going from place to place when I have no specific activity or goal to work towards.

Plus, despite the fun elements of spending time with other tourists and foreigners, there’s something hugely rewarding about becoming part of a local community and reaping the benefits of befriending the people living and working in the country you’re in.

One of the best ways to gain access to this is through volunteering. It’s long been a passion of mine, and since I first started travelling I’ve aimed to find local projects I can work with. From Nepali orphans, Lithuanian teenagers and the English homeless to Indian celebrities, Thai farmers and Icelandic rockstars, I’ve found that volunteer work allows me to discover the essence of a country – and to connect with its people – like nothing else.

What I’ve learned from volunteering around the world

I’ve learned a great deal from my volunteering experiences, particularly in the two most common volunteering fields: teaching English and working with kids.

After four months of teaching English in Cuenca, Ecuador, I discovered that my students had ultimately provided me with more lessons than I’d given them!

I’ve volunteered with many different projects where children are the main focus. It’s becoming increasingly important to be completely aware of what impact you’ll make before you commit to volunteering with kids – as there could be more negative connotations than you’d think.

Read more here: 


Where have I volunteered?

As I continue to volunteer around the world, it’s easy to forget exactly where I’ve been and with what organisation. You can look through all my articles about volunteering here, but the following is a rundown of the various places I’ve volunteered over the years. Keep checking back as the list continues to grow!

Mombasa, Kenya

DSC_0085

Just outside a little village named Makongeni, I spent a month in a camp with a big group of English and Australian volunteers. We helped build the staff quarters at the village school, painted classrooms, restocked the library and played countless games of football – which sadly didn’t improve my ball skills at all.


Kaunas, Lithuania

Children's camp in Kaunas, Lithuania

I spent a few weeks working at a summer camp for underprivileged children in the fields surrounding Kaunas. Most of my time was spent co-ordinating activities, presiding over meal times, chaperoning at the evening disco, and trying to stop the youngest kids stealing the teenagers’ cigarettes and hiding in the bushes to smoke them.

Eventually I discovered that handing over my camera for them to play with was a good deterrent from developing their under-age nicotine habits – and it also resulted in photos like this.


London, England

Crisis at Christmas volunteering homeless

I’ve spent four festive seasons volunteering with ‘Crisis at Christmas’ – a homeless charity which opens temporary centres for the London homeless over Christmas time. In each eight hour shift, I’ll do anything from handing out soap and towels at the showers, guarding fire doors, helping to serve food in the canteen, chatting to guests outside in the smoking area and sitting in on the arts and crafts room.

Read more here: 


Reykjavik, Iceland

Worldwide Friends volunteers at Jokulsarlon icebergs in Iceland

I worked backstage at Iceland Airwaves Music Festival in 2011, through an Icelandic volunteer company called Worldwide Friends. At first I paid my dues with litter picking and outdoor queue duty, before ending up presiding over the entrance to the photographer’s pit during a Yoko Ono gig after watching Sean Lennon perform in about three of his different bands.

Read more here:


Kathmandu, Nepal

orphanage in Kathmandu, Nepal

I spent a month working with children at a local orphanage and teaching English at their school. Most days I would get to the orphanage for breakfast, help them with their homework and getting dressed into their uniforms, walk them to school and then spend the day teaching. Once they were done with their classes, we headed homeward, did more homework and played around in the garden.

Because there were only eleven children I got to know them really quickly, and was really sad to leave them. It made me realise, more than ever, that spending four weeks volunteering with a group of children is simply not long enough.

Read more here: 


Chandigarh, India

Press conference in Chandigarh, India

For around six weeks I worked with a PR company and eventually with an events management company as a social media consultant for a music concert. I spoke at press conferences, looked after our various musician guests (a female Ukrainian DJ and an Indian ex-boyband member) and spent four days at the local four star hotel.

Read more here:


Nong Weang, Thailand

Permaculture farm in Nong Weang, Thailand

A friend who’d recently travelled through Thailand put me in touch with Howard and Nong, whose permaculture farm I worked on for a couple of weeks.

It was my first experience of this method of farming and also of spending prolonged time on a farm in general – we fed the chickens, made compost, ran away from scorpions, planted crops and watched Nong’s octogenarian mother pull a palm tree out of the ground with her bare hands. Thai women are freakishly strong, and Nong’s family were absolutely incredible.

Nong Weang village school, Thailand

I was also asked by Howard, a Canadian who teaches English in a nearby town, to teach some English classes at the village school. The kids in Thailand are so eager to learn and they were incredible to work with – even turning up at the farm in the evenings for more impromptu lessons! The day I finished teaching they all gave me goodbye cards and I basically wanted to cry.

Read more here:


Cuenca, Ecuador

Flora dancing with students

I spent four months volunteering in Ecuador, where I taught English at a public high school amongst a group of seriously crazy staff – my personal favourites were the gym teacher with crazy eyes who gave me presents on a daily basis, and the shy music teacher obsessed with Michael Jackson.

I taught seven different class groups each week with students aged 15 to 16 years old. My students at Miguel Merchan were raucous, the language barrier was a constant issue and my teaching techniques are questionable at best, but I enjoyed myself nonetheless! I even got involved in the school’s founding day and involuntarily spent a long time being taught Ecuadorian dance moves by my exceedingly patient students.

Playing with children at Perpetuo Soccoro

During my afternoons in Cuenca, I looked after a classroom of one year olds, changed their nappies and generally attempted to keep them from crying.

The day care centre I worked at was run by a group of averagely terrifying nuns, who didn’t like me to pick children up or show them much compassion; something I found really hard to handle. I ended up very confused about what was the right way to care for a child in difficult circumstances, and I left this place with a bitter taste in my mouth. The only benefits were falling hopelessly in love with some of my little charges, and the feeling that my Spanish had significantly improved.

Read more here:


 

Medellin, Colombia

Volunteer and child above Medellin

I was only able to spend two days with the Angeles de Medellin, but it was enough time to understand just how special this organisation is. Up in the favelas, high above the city of Medellin, an expat named Marcos has created a place for teens and adults to improve their English, and for children to come and play in a safe environment.

All the people living in the small barrio of Regalo de Dios have been displaced by the long-term violence in Medellin – but throughout my two days it was nothing but smiles and laughter. I played Jenga, sang songs, gave out cookies and babysat kittens – and I had such an incredible time that I might be going back in the near future…

Read more here: 


Terra Maya, Brazil

Flora smiling with paint in the Brazilian mountains

In the mountains near Rio de Janeiro, my cousin and her partner have created a kind of community retreat, designed to get away from city life and back to nature. I spent two weeks helping them out with building huts, carrying cement, sawing wood, and cooking a huge amount of vegetarian food for the other volunteers and numerous Brazilian builders who swarmed about the place.

The lack of privacy and comfort (and often hot water) took some getting used to – as did the multiple roaches, various stinging insects and the occasional sighting of a snake. But working on the land – actually working – was a unique experience, and one I hope I’ll want to repeat again.

Read more here:


La Paz, Bolivia

Homemade artificial legs in La Paz

While taking intensive Spanish classes in Bolivia’s pseudo-capital of La Paz, I also spent afternoons working at Centro de Miembros Artificiales, a not-for-profit organisation which builds and distributes artificial limbs for Bolivians who couldn’t otherwise afford prosthetics.

Obviously I’m not a qualified physiotherapist/artificial limb builder, so my role at the clinic was less hands on than I initially expected. I spent most of my time learning the history of the clinic and the work they do there.

Read more here:


Sucre, Bolivia

Woman walks her cows in Morado

My main incentive for spending so long in Bolivia was for a month volunteering in Sucre, with a non-profit organisation called Biblioworks which is dedicated to promoting literacy and reading to the poorer communities of Bolivia.

I spent a few days at the tiny pueblo of Morado K’asa to help out at their library, but it was a very challenging project and sadly I didn’t manage to stay for much longer. But I continued working at the main office in Sucre for a month, managing their online social media presence and helping out with campaigns for money raising.

Read more here:


Medellin, Colombia

Goodbye card from Colombia Reports

For the final three months of my South American travels, I lived and worked in Medellin as a journalist for an online newspaper. It wasn’t exactly in the same vein as the rest of my volunteering projects; I spent my days in an office surrounded by English speakers, feverishly researching news stories in Spanish then writing them up in English.

It’s the nearest I’ve been to a ‘normal’ work environment on my travels, and working at the paper was a huge challenge which taught me a great deal about a side of the writing world which I’d never previously experienced.

Read more here:


Calais, France

Volunteers with boxes in the Calais warehouse

In January 2016, I spent a week volunteering in the refugee camps on the coast of France. Most of my time was spent organising donations in a warehouse run by a grassroots charity organisation – but I also spent a few afternoons in the camp itself, meeting refugees and listening to the ordeals they’ve been forced to endure.

It was an incredibly emotional and eye opening experience that has undoubtedly impacted me in ways I’m still coming to terms with. In fact, out of all the volunteer projects I’ve listed on this page, I’d say it’s the most crucial and urgent situation that anyone thinking of volunteering could get involved with.

Read more here:



Where am I volunteering next? (2019 update)

In the summer of 2014 I moved back to London again, where I began my masters degree in non-fiction and started writing my first book.

The course finished in summer 2016 and I’m still living and working in London, but my next long-term volunteering project could be just around the corner. Central America perhaps, or maybe Indonesia, or somewhere further afield?

I don’t yet know where I’ll go – but as ever, I’m always open to suggestions!

 

71 Comments

  • Reply
    Adventura DeViajes
    March 19, 2013 at 12:41 pm

    I’ve just come across your blog and have been ‘stuck’ on it for an hour now…

    1. You are a much better writer than me. And you blog is pretty kick ass.

    2. Im not one much for volunteering, I’m more of a work for reward kind of person (i know, selfish right!). But your a god damn inspiration and I think ill definitely consider volunteering in the near future.

    3. You’ve been to a lot of places I really want to go to. Im jealous and elated all at the same time. Its funny, I’ve been ‘on the road’ for a while now but the anticipation of places I haven’t been (yet) still get my blood pumping! Thanks for that.

    I’ll be following your adventures lass (yours the first blog Ive ever signed up to for updates).. perhaps one day we’ll meet.

    Safe Travels!

    • Reply
      Flora
      March 28, 2013 at 1:21 pm

      Thanks so much for such a lovely selection of compliments!! I’m blushing 🙂 I think that anticipation when travelling is one of the best parts of it all – I’ve been living in Ecuador for just under two months and already I’m planning what I’m going to get up to in the rest of the continent. I have to remind myself I’m still in an incredible country and need to get on with exploring this one first! And thanks for signing up for more updates – I’ll do my best to keep the kick ass writing going 🙂 Safe travels to you too – and I hope we do meet on the road somewhere!

      • Reply
        Vishakha
        November 20, 2013 at 4:55 am

        My feelings towards your blog are exactly the same as the comment above, saw that somebody already has given you all the compliments i wanted to give. this is the very first time i came across your blog and was spellbound with awe to see the passion for your dream since childhood. you are truly blessed, lady and are an inspiration to many of us.
        and yeah, that description of India was lovely; accept a word of thanks with a smile from a fellow indian.. 🙂

  • Reply
    Sarah
    March 30, 2013 at 8:56 am

    This is only the second time I’ve visited your blog but I’m bookmarking it. You already inspired me to go to India on my own, hopefully soon. I was wondering if any of the organizations you volunteered with had websites. I’m very interested in volunteering internationally for a few months and it looks like you had amazing experiences. Thank you for your blogs! Good luck!

    • Reply
      Flora
      April 10, 2013 at 2:12 pm

      Sarah, thank you so much for letting me know I’ve inspired you to travel – basically the most rewarding thing a travel blogger can hear! If you want, I can email you some of the organisations I’ve worked with and some companies who might be suitable for you? I’d love to pass on some of the experiences I’ve had to other travellers!

      • Reply
        sara
        May 21, 2016 at 3:36 am

        Hey Flora, your blog is amazing! I have just done a year in Australia and had to do 3 months of farm work to be able to get a second year visa. I am now looking for a more cultured experience and have been tossing up India for months now and feel pretty set on doing it. I’d love to get involved with some volunteering there to give me a direction when i first arrive. Do you know of any non-profit organisations or very budget friendly groups, also when you volunteer in other countries do you usually set this up beforehand or once you’ve arrived? Sorry for the heap of questions, I’m a mature 20 year old and have been travelling since I was 17, I don’t have any money given to me and work for all I get so volunteering is a great way to stretch the money as well 🙂 Thanks for your blog, it’s awesome 🙂

  • Reply
    Rosie
    April 19, 2013 at 1:01 am

    I’m working with an amazing organization in La Paz right now, called Up Close Bolivia. They have so much going on; English classes, eco-tourism development, childcare, football (of course!), murals…whatever skills you have, they will find a way to use them. They have an active Facebook page too, so have a look there for more of an idea.

    I don’t know if you’ll make it to Argentina, but Cloudhead Art in Salta have some very interesting art and community projects going on as well.

    What organization are you working with in Ecuador? I’m heading up that direction in a couple of months.

    • Reply
      Leigh
      April 22, 2013 at 3:35 pm

      Hey Rosie,

      Thanks for mentioning us! And now Flora and I are in touch and will hopefully meet up when she makes it to Argentina.

      Looking forward to it, Flora.

      • Reply
        Flora
        April 25, 2013 at 2:37 am

        The same sentiments echoed by me 🙂 thanks so much for pointing me in the direction of Cloudhead, Rosie!

  • Reply
    Volunteering with Children Abroad: the Issues You Should Know
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    […] Volunteering […]

  • Reply
    Jodie
    June 28, 2013 at 1:48 pm

    Hey! I have been reading about your issues with volunteering and some of the projects you have been part of. Great writing. I went to South Africa myself to volunteer in an orphanage and it really is a great part of travelling but i found it so expensive. I was wondering what companies/organisations you use? Thanks! Jodie

    • Reply
      Flora
      July 4, 2013 at 12:55 am

      Thanks Jodi! Over the years I’ve found that the cheaper organisations are ones found on the ground, rather than through a large, multi-national company. There are no specific companies I use but a few good collaborative sites are Concordia (mainly Europe based, short term programs) and Volunteer South America, which I’m currently utilising on my travels around the continent 🙂

  • Reply
    Jessi
    July 9, 2013 at 11:07 am

    I’ve just stumbled across your blog and wish I had some really awesome comment to leave you … but I’m loving your blog and your writing and you’re currently touring South America, which is definitely on my list in the next few years. (Keep working on the Spanish! I started 11 years ago and have never looked back. Love the language & have lived in Spain and Costa Rica. (The native speaker contact you have is REALLY going to prove invaluable!)

    I’ve been to 16 countries since 2007 (not too shabby since I was also somewhat rooted to home because of college and grad school- I got an MA in Linguistics (& TESOL) and am taking off again for the first time in 2 years (moving to Turkey)… Thanks for getting me stoked again.

    I look forward to your adventures 🙂

    • Reply
      Flora
      July 10, 2013 at 4:47 pm

      Thanks for the Spanish positivity Jessi! I’m loving my slowww immersion into the language – so no plans to stop the learning just yet. Are you going to learn Turkish when you move out there? I’m so happy I’ve rekindled your travel bug as well 🙂

      • Reply
        Jessi
        July 10, 2013 at 7:27 pm

        It’s hard to find materials here to learn because apparently we don’t have a market for Turkish in the States, but I know German so I ordered a book that teaches Germans Turkish and it’s helping. Right now I know a few pleasantries and some random phrases and words and can string together a few sentences (Like my name and saying I’m a teacher, etc.) When I get there, I definitely hope to learn more 😉

  • Reply
    Sally
    August 19, 2013 at 12:49 pm

    I feel the same way about travel… too long without something to do and I feel like I’m wasting my time. I’m getting ready to spend 4-5 months volunteering my way through Central America next year, and also looking for grassroots organizations to spend my time. Twinsies!

    Anyways, I love reading your stuff, hehe.

    • Reply
      Flora
      September 6, 2013 at 12:32 pm

      Wonderful stuff, Sally! I wonder if our paths will cross… Keep in touch about where you’re going to be – and if you need any suggestions for good places to volunteer your time!

  • Reply
    cham (volunteertravel)
    September 15, 2013 at 9:38 pm

    I absolutely love volunteer travel because I feel the same way about travel and that’s why I started my website so I could coordinate humanitarian tours where we do a project for others interested in humanitarian travel at a great price.

    • Reply
      Flora
      September 21, 2013 at 11:44 pm

      Great to hear you’re so passionate about volunteer travel, Cham!

  • Reply
    Caitlin
    November 5, 2013 at 5:11 am

    first of all, you have the best blog name! love it. I also love your writing and have just spent the past 40 minutes scrolling through after accidentally coming across your blog. Your passion for volunteering is something I can totally relate to, as that was what started my trip through south america this past year! anyway, i’ll look forward to reading more of your adventures and if you make it to central america and guatemala, let me know!

    • Reply
      Flora
      November 8, 2013 at 10:29 pm

      That’s such a great thing to hear Caitlin! I’m glad my various volunteering exploits have been so readable 🙂 yep, it’s definitely a passion that can take you all over the place – ten months in South Am and counting..! I’ve been hearing incredible things about Guatemala, so even if I don’t make it on this trip I’ll be in touch when I eventually make it there! Are you based there at the moment then?

  • Reply
    Rebecca Chant
    December 3, 2013 at 1:29 pm

    Quit my job 2 months ago to go travel, and now I am looking for alternative career paths which keep me traveling! Your blog is super inspiring and I plan to read most of it! Keep up the awesome volunteer work!

    • Reply
      Flora
      December 19, 2013 at 4:16 pm

      Thanks for such kind words, Rebecca! Let me know if you ever need any volunteering tips – I’d be happy to help 🙂

  • Reply
    Genia
    December 4, 2013 at 12:47 am

    Flora,
    I have a friend named Jake (both from the US) who said he met you in Iceland and told me to look at your blog because I am 23 and will be traveling to Ecuador by myself this coming March! Well your blog has reaffirmed that I made the right choice in deciding to take this trip. I hope to volunteer a bunch of places in Ecuador and head down to Peru for some time as well. I guess my main thing is that I’m having problems getting hooked up with places to volunteer that don’t charge a bunch. I will be WWOOF’ing on farms for sure but I’d like to do other things as well. Any tips or recommendations would be sososo appreciated!
    Thanks so much and keep on bein you 🙂

    • Reply
      Flora
      December 19, 2013 at 4:19 pm

      Aha yes, I met Jake last year! I can definitely give you some tips for volunteering in Ecuador and Peru – if you send me an email (just head over to the contact page) I can give you a proper rundown and some good links for projects to check out 🙂

  • Reply
    Kirsty
    February 6, 2014 at 12:42 pm

    I am a little bit obsessed with India, after a short trip there in December. I am hoping to go back and spend longer time there, either volunteering or working. I work in digital and social media now, how did you manage to organise your work there? Would love some advice!

    • Reply
      Flora
      February 7, 2014 at 12:13 pm

      I actually had a family friend who knew a contact there, so it wasn’t arranged through any specific organisation I’m afraid. But I’m sure there are a ton of avenues to go down in terms of organising volunteer work in a particular sector. Shoot me an email and we’ll have a think 🙂

  • Reply
    Heather
    February 9, 2014 at 11:07 am

    Hey Flora – I’ve been really enjoying your info on volunteering (ESPECIALLY the stuff about working with children – so many things I hadn’t considered beforehand!) A friend and I are planning on heading down to South America starting in either Ecuador or Colombia, maybe as far south as Peru, in May, and we’re looking to work with programs promoting social justice (vague as that is). I’ve been looking for solid volunteer organizations and feeling kind of lost, so I wanted to ask how you source your volunteer programs and if you have any recommendations… would we be able to chat a little bit over email? 🙂

    • Reply
      Flora
      February 16, 2014 at 6:46 pm

      Of course Heather – just send me an email via the contact page and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can 🙂

  • Reply
    Simone
    March 30, 2014 at 9:28 pm

    AWESOME SOUL, NEVER STOP MAKING BETTER THIS!!
    BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD- GHANDI.

  • Reply
    mobile games
    April 21, 2014 at 6:02 pm

    Good article. I’m dealing with a few of these issues
    as well..

  • Reply
    Udit
    April 28, 2014 at 6:13 pm

    Hey..Good to see what you do, how you think and see the world !! It gives too much positivity towards life !!
    Keep up the good work !!
    Let me know if i can be of any help to anyone in any manner…I am based out of India.

    • Reply
      Flora
      April 30, 2014 at 11:52 pm

      Thanks Udit 🙂

  • Reply
    Kelly
    July 6, 2014 at 6:20 am

    WOW! You have done some amazing things! I am currently taking a year off… and by a year off i mean I would like to do exactly what you have done, travel and teach!
    This has been absolutely inspiring! I have one question, I do not know Spanish… would it be impossible to start venturing into south/central america not knowing the language??

    Kelly

    • Reply
      Flora
      July 11, 2014 at 1:47 am

      No, not impossible at all – I basically did exactly that! It’s mainly that having some Spanish makes your experience a lot richer – so if you’re planning to spend a significant time in the Americas then I’d recommend staying put for a few weeks somewhere and taking Spanish classes – the more intensive, the better in my opinion. Then you’ll find yourself wanting to practice with locals and within no time you’ll have the basics down 🙂

  • Reply
    Remy
    January 13, 2015 at 11:58 am

    Hello Flora

    I realise this is an old blog of yours, but I am very interested in volunteering when I go travelling. How did you organise your volunteering? I am concerned about a lot of volunteer programmes that require you to pay a lot of money, or is this just the way it is?

    Any help/advice from such a serious travel/volunteer blogger would be much appreciated 🙂

    Many thanks

  • Reply
    Marissa - Tiny Pilgrim
    April 15, 2015 at 2:59 pm

    Flora, let me just say – you are incredible. So inspiring. I loved reading about your different volunteering experiences. And on top of that, your writing is top notch, and I’m definitely bookmarking your website for regular reading. Cheers to you!

    • Reply
      Flora
      April 23, 2015 at 2:01 pm

      Thanks so much Marissa, what a wonderful thing to hear 🙂 I hope you find more of my writing just as interesting!

  • Reply
    Chella
    June 14, 2015 at 12:44 am

    Hi Flora,

    I admire you for volunteering. You are creating fun with a cause. That’s noble. You might want to try Philippines next time.

    • Reply
      Flora
      June 17, 2015 at 11:12 am

      Thanks so much Chella! Actually I could well be heading to the Philippines in the near future – fingers crossed..!

  • Reply
    Jerome
    July 23, 2015 at 2:31 am

    Great blog on your volunteering adventures abroad.
    Personally l also love learning about new cultures whilst l’m abroad volunteering. Currently Teaching English in Bali, Indonesia for about 8 weeks and enjoying the Balinese community and their amazing culture. You must come to Indonesia one day to volunteer here also.

  • Reply
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  • Reply
    odyssaa
    September 8, 2015 at 11:22 am

    Wow, love this post! Thanks! I think volunteering is a good way to give back to the community and to share life’s blessings. What made you decide to volunteer? I would like to share with you my last year’s birthday celebration with children – I think it’s best to learn and celebrate with children:
    https://travelwithodyssa.wordpress.com/2015/09/07/throwback-29th-birthday/

  • Reply
    Carol Griffinsocialispiice
    September 22, 2015 at 8:03 am

    If you ask me which place do you like most? My answer will be INDIA for volunteering, I think there are lots of opportunities than other countries.

  • Reply
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  • Reply
    veerleknechten
    November 23, 2015 at 10:25 pm

    Love you stories! Especially, Kenya, I did volunteer work in Cape Town and I am now volunteering in San Francisco in different homeless shelters! So interesting and amazing work. Please check out my blog for my stories: https://lifeasavolunteerblog.wordpress.com/
    Seee you!

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  • Reply
    Sarah
    February 19, 2016 at 12:05 am

    Dear Flora
    Wow, this article truly makes me want to go out and volunteer. I think it would be such a powerful and transforming experience. I just recently started volunteering locally through a site called http://www.gozaround.com but I noticed they had some cool opportunities to volunteer in Ecuador and Malawi (the poorest country in the world) where many volunteers are desperately needed. Maybe I should just take the plunge and do it! Thank you for sharing your story!

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  • Reply
    Sarah
    September 17, 2016 at 8:53 pm

    I volunteered in a few places and have stuck on Guatemala, I share your passion for volunteering that’s for sure and continue to volunteer in Guatemala every week in different organisations! Your blog is really interesting so thanks for sharing your experiences! If you are ever in Central America and looking for a in-country volunteering organisation rather than a multi-national, check us out! http://www.inlexca.org

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  • Reply
    Jasmine
    November 28, 2016 at 12:40 am

    This was awesome! I am a newbie and looking to go on my first volunteer trip to Indonesia next year. Do you have any recommendations on how to go about finding the right place to volunteer?

  • Reply
    Chris Salamone
    December 25, 2016 at 12:15 am

    First of all thanks Flora

    This interesting blog post thoughtful discussions about “volunteering” abroad, including how you can make your experience count and how to prepare for the work.

    Regards
    Chris

  • Reply
    ispiice
    March 3, 2017 at 5:39 am

    Thank you for sharing your experience, great job done. We are a volunteering organization in India. If any body wants any information regarding volunteering work in India, can ask us. We will be glad to assist you.

  • Reply
    Natasha
    May 10, 2017 at 4:43 pm

    HEY! You’re blog as inspired me to go on with my first travel this year in South America as a solo female. Could you pass on any volunteer opportunities that i could sign up for while out there?

  • Reply
    Lea
    June 20, 2017 at 5:58 pm

    Hey Flora,
    Congratulations on your wonderful blog and all informations about volunteering. Reading through your blog I noticed that you haven`t been volunteering in Central America! I would love to invite you to Guatemala, Costa Rica or Nicaragua. I hope you don`t mind me mentioning a wonderful small guatemalan NGO that helps local organizations to attract international volunteers. https://www.inlexca.org/

  • Reply
    Harry Dunry Nay
    August 16, 2017 at 7:39 am

    Such a amazing post, volunteering is best way to convert your skills and help others… thanks for sharing this lovely post.

  • Reply
    Post 6 – Way to success
    October 14, 2017 at 11:16 am

    […] Flora and her volunteering blog section […]

  • Reply
    sanvitolocapobusexpress.com
    May 19, 2019 at 12:19 pm

    complimenti per il tuo Blog e i’impegno che ci dedichi
    grazie

  • Reply
    Manish Pahuja
    August 17, 2019 at 8:07 am

    Loved reading your blog Flora! Don Bosco India started its volunteer tourism program fairly recently.

    I will be pleased if you can read and post your suggestions here:

    https://holxo.in/volunteer-tourism-in-india-with-don-bosco/

  • Reply
    Sagar Kumar
    August 20, 2019 at 11:14 am

    Loved reading your practical tips!!

    We at Don Bosco India started our volunteer tourism program fairly recently.

    I will be pleased if you can read and post your suggestions here:

  • Reply
    Diane
    April 27, 2020 at 3:14 am

    Thank you for sharing your story! It is inspirational and I think it is super important for people to volunteer their time if they can. Plus there are so many benefits to volunteering that I learned from this article, https://www.ez.insure/2019/11/volunteering-benefits/ . People shold read it and hopefully give more of their time if they can.

  • Reply
    Jeanette
    August 30, 2020 at 1:08 am

    Volunteering has so many benefits, according to this article I read, https://www.ez.insure/landing/2019/11/volunteering-benefits/ . I feel like not only are you helping others, but you are helping yourself in a way. I have been looking to get my kids more involved in volunteering so they can learn some more humility and be thankful for what they have. Not only that but they can receive the benefits mentioned int he article. What are your thoughts?

  • Reply
    Unveiling The Secrets: How To Traveling The World for Free - Xerrat
    August 27, 2023 at 10:42 am

    […] that it requires effort, resourcefulness, and a willingness to explore alternative options. Volunteering, house sitting, couchsurfing, travel hacking, home exchanges, and leveraging the power of digital […]

  • Reply
    Go Volunteering
    February 7, 2024 at 9:06 am

    Volunteering not only benefits those in need but also enriches the lives of volunteers themselves. It fosters empathy, gratitude, and a deeper connection to one’s community. The act of giving back can instill a sense of purpose and fulfillment that transcends personal gain.

  • Reply
    Go Volunteering
    February 7, 2024 at 9:07 am

    Volunteering not only benefits those in need but also enriches the lives of volunteers themselves. It fosters empathy, gratitude, and a deeper connection to one’s community. The act of giving back can instill a sense of purpose and fulfillment that transcends personal gain.

    https://govolunteering.org/program/women-empowerment-program/

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