Careers in community development are a way to help the many people around the world with their communities.You can help people in need by participating in overseas community development work during your next vacation.
Antipodeans Abroad
Antipodeans Abroad offers "detours," where you can be a community development volunteer in countries including Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, India, Nepal, South Africa, Vietnam, Ecuador or Peru. Your trip can last up to 12 weeks, should you choose. Antipodeans Abroad offers a variety of community volunteer opportunities, such as building schools, helping at local orphanages, working on health education and working with street children on an outreach basis. For more information, visit the Antipodeans Abroad website.
Volunteers for Peace
Volunteers for Peace, a non-profit organization with no political or religious affiliations, offers volunteer community development projects in more than 100 countries around the world. You might be interested in cleaning up the coastline in Georgia or Turkey. Vanuatu needs volunteers to help build defenses for cyclone protection or construct classrooms. You may be able to find community development work in other countries, including Bangladesh, Botswana, Croatia, Greenland and Iceland. Most projects run two to three weeks. For more information, visit the Volunteers for Peace website.
Volunteer Adventures
As a volunteer, you can travel to rural India to repair daycare centers, schools and houses in addition to educating local residents on HIV and AIDS prevention and hygiene. You can help in orphanages, visit villagers who are homebound due to illness or start a crafts workshop. Peruvians need help repairing or building orphanages, schools and houses. Projects are offered in other countries including Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Mozambique and Zambia. Trips begin at one week durations. For more information, visit the Volunteer Adventures website.
Global Volunteers
Global Volunteers has been organizing volunteer vacations for more than 20 years. Countries served include Greece, Hungary, Jamaica, Poland, Romania, China, Tanzania and Vietnam. As a community development volunteer, you may be asked to build or repair community centers, medical clinics or schools. You can also work with at-risk teens or disabled children. For more information, visit the Global Volunteers website.
Perhaps it was baby boomers lost opportunities (or those that they gained) with groups such as The Peace Corps, that provided the inspiration for today's booming volunteer vacation industry. On the other hand, perhaps the trend was motivated by frugal explorers eager for an adventure and willing to work for it. |
 | Volunteer vacations offer you the chance to experience different cultures close up and hands-on by participating in a variety of humanitarian and conservation projects taking place in the local communities. |
Everyone needs a break on occasion, some time away, a little R & R.Here are six wonderful ways to take a vacation, and do some good at the same time. You'll have so much fun with new experiences, new people and service, you may not want to come home! |
 | You can combine good works and your next vacation by looking into volunteer programs abroad. This will enable you to make a difference in others' lives, learn about different people and cultures in a meaningful manner and still have a terrific vacation. |
Consider becoming an environmental conservation volunteer and make a difference in ecosystems around the world. There are environmental conservation volunteer opportunities worldwide where you can escape from your daily life and help maintain a better Earth. |
