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THERE ARE MANY reasons to volunteer while you’re traveling, and there are literally thousands of charities and organizations that look for help from passing travelers.
Many ask for donations or fees to cover costs and others operate as for-profit businesses, but the list below includes only those that cost little or nothing to get involved with and help out:
1. WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms)
www.wwoof.org – Board and lodging is offered in exchange for a day’s work on the farm. Stays available from one week to many years, and with thousands of hosts available in 53 countries there’s an opportunity suitable for everyone.
For more information, check out A first-timer’s guide to WWOOF-ing.
2. Turtle Teams, Worldwide
A generic name for the thousands of small groups that help threatened sea turtles. Most groups are based at one or two nesting beaches — which are typically at risk from over-exploitation — and appreciate help for even just one night.
All-inclusive, week-long tours range in cost from a few hundred dollars to the thousands, their style of accommodations reflecting the pricetag. However, if you can cover room and board on your own, nearly all sea turtle organizations accept volunteers. A few even offer extremely low-cost housing (though typically very basic) for those willing to volunteer long-term, including Playa Las Tortugas in Mexico.
Search for groups at the local tourist office close to any tropical beach and help a species come off the endangered list. More information can be found at these larger organisations: www.seaturtles.org and www.cccturtle.org.
3. Conservation Volunteers, Australia and New Zealand
www.conservationvolunteers.com.au – Through various short-term projects in Australia, New Zealand, and a few international locations, you’ll work in teams to protect habitats and promote ecotourism.
Projects that include overnight stays, meals, and lodging are typically provided at approximately AUS$40 per night for shorter stays, and starting from AUS$208 for week-long projects. The type of accommodations can vary widely from campsites to bunkhouses. UK-based TCV (The Conservation Volunteers) offers programs for EU residents ranging from no-cost day trips to pricier week-long International Conservation Holidays.
4. Sudan Volunteer Programme, Sudan
www.svp-uk.com – Teach English in one of the world’s most impoverished countries. Placements are at schools or universities, but many volunteers help with community projects in addition to their teaching.
Volunteers must pay for their airfare but all other costs are covered, and a small monthly stipend is provided.
5. Appalachian Trail Conservancy, USA
www.appalachiantrail.org – At over 2,000 miles long, the Appalachian Trail is the classic long trail in the Eastern US and home to almost 2,000 endangered or threatened species.
Volunteers help with trail building and maintenance in return for food and (usually very basic) accommodation.
6. Trip Leader for HF Holidays, Europe
www.hfholidays.co.uk – One of Europe’s most popular walking holiday operators is searching for volunteers to guide their treks. Leaders are provided with accommodation, meals, and the chance to explore Europe in return for sharing their passion and knowledge with the groups they accompany.
7. Help Exchange, Worldwide
www.helpx.net – A website that lists worldwide hosts who are looking for an extra pair of hands, whether it be in their farm or garden, working in schools or on religious projects, building houses or community centers, or simply helping a family take the kids to school.
A small membership fee is required to access host details, but board and lodging is provided in exchange for your work.
8. Peace Corps, Worldwide
www.peacecorps.gov – A unique chance to live and work in another country. Participate in a variety of projects, from healthcare and the environment to business development.
A commitment of 27 months to the placement is required, but for those who are willing, this is a life-changing position. Open only to US residents, but similar projects are available for other nationals with VSO.
9. United Nations Volunteers, Worldwide
www.unv.org – From healthcare and economic development to assisting after natural disasters, the UN offers positions for those that are dedicated to making a difference abroad.
While many positions are open only to experienced professionals, the UN has links to hundreds of international NGOs and QANGOs that are looking for help in similar fields on a less formal basis.
10. Kibbutz Volunteer, Israel
www.kibbutzvolunteer.com – An area that is rarely out of the news, Israel is a land of tight communities but complicated politics.
Being a volunteer here gives you the opportunity to experience this region firsthand while living as part of a socialist community where everything is provided. The region also serves as a good base from which to explore the Middle East and North Africa.
(Note: Traveling between other Middle East countries and Israel can be challenging, though you can fly from Israel to Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey. Having Israeli stamps in your passport will likely cause issues when attempting to enter some Middle East countries. Entry into Israel after having traveled the region is typically not denied, though you may be subject to travel delays for questioning.)
This is just a sample of what’s on offer; be sure to thoroughly research any options before undertaking a project. And remember, while it’s nice to get something for free, just because a project is requesting money doesn’t mean the fees aren’t going to a good cause. 
Matt Scott
Having spent the majority of his adult life traveling and working abroad, Matt Scott has plenty to write about; his writing and photos have appeared in publications around the world, both on line and in print. Originally from the UK he currently lives in Paris, where he works as a trip leader for an active travel company.
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~►I really would like to volunteer out and help other people but the problem is I don’t have the required money to travel to all those countries
~►I really would like to volunteer out and help other people but the problem is I don’t have the required money to travel to all those countries
This is my dreams to be on a mission and help other people even though I’m only 19. I hope I can also join/be a part of this different organizations.
Really good information and resources for volunteer travel. I know there are some very good programs for volunteering that cost money but for the budget traveler it is much easier if we can do some good without spending money.
Hey Matt
I try to do my little bit for volunteer organisations and disabled travelers (we have a disabled daughter) so I’m posting a link to your article on our blog http://www.traveljunkies.com/blog.
If you ‘d like to post an article or I could repost one I’d be very happy to do so. let me know.
Cliff Chapman
traveljunkies
I’m very interested to work as a volunteer but don’t know how and where to start. My issues are family, health, education and community building. I can afford my plane ticket and I’m available from july for 2-3 weeks assignment. Please advice.
ive started a group on facebook called little red wagon, which is gaining support with in last 2 hours got 90 members I’m looking to go to countrys and offer practical help and start food banks where needed, I need support help and offers of places to go, ive walked away from a good career to do this, so if there’s any organisatins that would be interested let me know or contact me. ive started a wish list, offering my labour for passport and practical items fell free to contact me Danny Richards and dannyrichards@outlook.com or phone me 07867100000.
Fantastic
Fantastic
hey friend you are welcome to africa come and work with us at africa village outreach…to reach the poor my name is richard here is my email adress richard@africavillageoutreach.com..or you can log at our wesite http://www.africavillageoutreach.com.
Hey Ritah! Thank you for the love to help people around the world, please would love to you to visit http://www.ihfonline.org It is based in USA but it has centers in different countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Kenya , so please if your interested in working with children , your welcome there! Iam Richard kalema the former volunteer in Kenya under International Humanity Foundation (IHF) or if you can get in touch with me on kalema075@yahoo:twitter .com. we shall do all that is required to help this world.
Thank you
Richard kalema
Hey Rita! you had requested for a chat. Please feel free to email us at nepalihostfamily@gmail.com to get more information’s about our different projects and also please check our facebook page and blog.
It’s not self pity when you simply don’t have the cash! I would love to travel to a country in need, and while it would be nice to get paid for it, I would do it for free just for the experience. but there’s no programs out there that don’t require a fee or payment of some sort. The peace corp is totally free, but only if you have a degree.
No disrespect Caco, but I think you have lived a sheltered life if you think that anybody can just pull a few thousand $ outta their ass!
i got kicked out of my grandmothers home at 15 and didnt have a dollar to my name but i learned how to survive where most teenagers was learning to drive
Please tell me more. My big issues would be healthcare. Glennwoj@yahoo.com
How are you doing it? What countries have you traveled? I am considering selling most everything and traveling for awhile and would love to hear more of how you are doing it!!
I utterly agree with caco. Frugality, creativity and hardwork have allowed me to live a bit outside of the box.
I pay rent, taxes, other bills just like any normal person, came up from humble origins….I work hard for about 7 months out of the year, doing regular work for regular money.
You do not need to buy useless garbage, you do not need to watch tv, you do not need to be trapped within a mundane, rat-race, unhealthy typical western lifestyle–to suggest that alternatives such as the one presented in this article are only for the privilaged is utterly absurd.
Examples: why is your home heated by expensive oil? Free firewood exists all over the place. Build your own solar powered hot-water heater. Baking soda instead of shampoo. Grow your own food. Save money, be healthy, harm the environment less and eventually you just may figure out how to free up some time and break out baby, be free.
You seem to have missed the point. 10 months and $300 was all that Caco’s needed! My brother did something similar last winter, travelling all over Europe, and the biggest purchase he probably made was when I visited and we accidentally got on a train that his Europass didn’t cover.
No one pulls thousands of dollars out of thin air. You have to make travel a priority. A student of mine asked me recently how I’ve been “able to travel so much.” I bought a very inexpensive house (so I could save on rent), don’t have cable or a smartphone, buy used cars, clothing, dishes, etc., grow a garden, and use the money I make for things that matter to me, like seeing this beautiful world!
your not free, if you were you would not be replying to the post here
I agree with Ashleydane, as her situation is much like my own. In a country where education costs an arm and a leg and your parents aren’t rich enough to pay for it, you have to take out a loan. I was fortunate enough to get grants and financial aid to accommodate a large portion of my education but still had to take out several sizable loans which I haven’t even began to pay back. Tuition was $52,000 a year and in reality the only way to make money is to have money. If it was up to me I would walk out of this house and head West. I’m an adventurer and the idea of living off the land is my only dream. Right now money is my only constraint and I need to have a car, an education and this laptop to get anything suitable.
As soon as I get out of debt I’m just going to start walking.
Amen! If traveling is really what you wanna do for a living, you gotta try and find all of the little money saving shortcuts. Travel doesn’t have to be expensive, but the tradeoff comes as less comfort, but often a more genuine experience.
Good article! I have been looking for some good travel humanitarian work which does not involve dropping 3 grand for lodging and scuba equipment.
That is just a flat out stupid comment to make.