Just over a year ago on January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit just outside of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti.  The world watched on in horror as images and reports of the destruction were released.  Thousands donated money to relief efforts and many rested uneasy on the edge of the chairs wanted to go and help in whatever way possible.  The more recent earthquake off the northeast coast of Japan registered a 9.0 on the Richter Scale and triggered a massive tsunami that devastated coastal villages.  Again, the world is sending relief and watching on, but the potential of leakage from nuclear reactors has restrained the outpouring of volunteer clean-up crews. 

It is a shame that it sometimes takes a disaster to remind us that there are people in need around the world, but it doesn’t take a disaster for you to offer your time and skills to help people in need.  Volunteer tourism, otherwise known as voluntourism, is a growing trend worldwide and there are as many different opportunities for a range of budgets as there are individuals interested in volunteering.  There are even luxury vacations that don’t directly involve volunteering, but offer a portion of proceeds to a volunteer cause or a guarantee of sustainability and reliance on local products and support of local economies in exotic locations.  As you plan your next trip or adventure, in the spirit of global citizenship, I hope you will consider one of the following opportunities.

The website VolunTourism.org does a good job of outlining what combining service and travel will offer the traveler and the organization involved.  The website is a bit cryptic for finding volunteer positions and maybe direct contact is the best route, but hidden amongst the information is a link to an excellent survey that might help you understand better how prepared you are to undertake a trip as a volunteer. 

In the vein of the barter system, Workaway connects interested and eager workers with individuals, families and organizations looking for help in a variety of areas.  Good for longer term trips or the increasingly popular “gap year” for recent college graduates, many of the opportunities listed on Workaway will offer the volunteer an opportunity to integrate within the community and learn about the local culture while working for food and board.  While you would pay for your travel expenses reaching the destination of your choice, your room and board would be covered in exchange for working.

For those with the money for a more structured volunteer experience, check out Global Volunteers, Kaya Volunteer or Projects Abroad.  These websites are easy to navigate and offer extensive information about the opportunities available.  When you determine what skills you have to offer and choose a location based on the need for those skills, these sites will help you find something that best suits your needs and talents. 

Earthwatch focuses volunteer projects of scientific research conducted on climate change, ocean health, cultural heritage and ecosystem services with project ranging from archeological digs in Italy to monitoring beaches for turtles in Trinidad and on to assisting research in coffee plantations in Costa Rica.  The cost of the trip does not include the cost of the flight, but does cover room and board expenses while at site.

Lastly, for those that just want to go on a luxurious vacation, look into Six Senses.  Established in 1995, Six Senses has luxury resorts and getaways in Thailand, Vietnam, Oman, Jordan, the Maldives and Spain.  Embracing the “slow life,” the resorts are built using local products, serve organic food and offer guests the opportunity to experience a guilt-free, enlightening and relaxing get-away.