Ask Lonely Planet: where should I go for a holiday with volunteering?

Oct 18, 2011 2:11:38 AM

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In this excerpt from the November 2011 issue of Lonely Planet Magazine, our travel editors advise a reader where to go for a one-month holiday with a volunteering bent.

1. Cambodia, recommended by Asia-Pacific travel editor Shawn Low

Cambodia is perfect for volunteering. The Cambodian smile is as legendary as it is warm; additionally, English is understood in most larger towns. NGOs have set up shop in the major cities of Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Battambang, creating myriad volunteering options in or near places with fairly good infrastructure. Project-wise, there are schools you can help build or teach at, and orphanages and training schools that impart life skills. Rural areas need help improving healthcare and sanitation as well as assistance with agricultural projects. For more information try globalteer.org, volunteer-cambodia.com or projects-abroad.co.uk. When you’re not volunteering, explore the ancient temple complexes at Angkor or kick back on the beach in Sihanoukville.

2. Guatemala, recommended by US travel editor, Robert Reid

It sounds like Guatemala would be a great place for you, with plenty of fun travel experiences and tons of volunteering options. There are a dozen schools that arrange volunteering, such as Juan Sisay. One I’ve enjoyed is volunteering at a Spanish-language school in the colonial city of Quetzaltenango (Xela), which is set in the highlands near Mayan villages and volcanoes. It’s cheap: a week’s tuition, room and board with a local family, while helping Mayan kids to learn English, costs £115 /€131/$US181. EntreMundos lists a number of programmes in Guatemala, such as spending two weeks helping install safe stoves in mountain villages outside of Xela. American Airlines flies to Guatemala City via Miami or Dallas.

3. Sudan, recommended by UK travel editor Tom Hall

Few would consider visiting Sudan, but it is one of the safer places to travel in Africa and the friendliness of locals is at odds with its often bad image overseas. Many volunteer placements require you to commit to more than a month’s stay, simply because of the time it takes to learn the ropes. If you can go for longer, the Sudan Volunteer Programme offers teaching opportunities (svp-uk.com). Bmi flies from Heathrow to Khartoum. For shorter Africa trips, see what Earthwatch can offer. The 15-day project that helps conserve Kenya’s black rhinos costs from £1,915 / €2,195 / $US3,023 for 15 days, minus flights.

Further reading from Lonely Planet Magazine:

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Comments

18 October 2011 8:13PM karencooper Report this comment
Definitely Cambodia. There is an amazing school set up by a local teacher to help children in her neighbourhood learn English. You can contact her directly so no need to pay any fees http://www.shac-smilinghearts.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1
18 October 2011 8:16PM karencooper Report this comment
Laos is another fantastic place to volunteer. I can recommend Big Brother Mouse in Luang Prabang, EEFA http://eefaproject.com/ in Vang Vieng and a new venture in Vang Vieng called http://www.saelaoproject.com.
22 October 2011 2:26PM jaipur1 Report this comment
India is good place for volunteering ,and the north state of INDIA - Colourful Rajasthan , I recommend http://www.travelasvolunteer.org
23 October 2011 12:30PM hiraya Report this comment
Philippines is the perfect place for volunteering. Plus, Filipinos do speak very good english which creates a deeper relashionship with the local people you will meet and help during your mission. For instance you can volunteer by treking and helping in the Ifugao Province, check this out: http://www.hiraya.fr/en
23 October 2011 1:24PM aggietravelagent Report this comment
I have ALWAYS been an advocate of helping those closest to you in need first. My suggestion would be the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. I would even possibly suggest some of the US Colonias along the US/Mexico Border.
25 October 2011 8:14AM choose_carefully87 Report this comment
In 2007 I worked at Wat Sra Kaew Orphanage in Ayutthaya, Thailand. It was an amazing experience; living with a Thai family and delivering basic English lessons to Thai children.
During the school day we would help out with homework, playing games with different year groups (inside and outside of the classroom) and set up activities for the children.
At home, the family ensured we were fully immersed in village life, encouraging us to explore the local environment, helping out with daily household tasks and involving us in the production of some fantastic Thai cuisine!
I would fully recommend undertaking an experience like this if you're keen to help boost children's self confidence and social skills as you keep them busy and excited with different things to do, and build your own confidence as you see how your taking part enriches the lives of the children around you.
Go fourth and volunteer!
27 October 2011 9:46PM marija77 Report this comment
Please think twice before volunteering at an Oprhanage in Cambodia or anywhere else. Voluntourism puts children at oprhanges at risk of predators and in many cases the childre DO have families. Please see the link attached for more information:
http://www.thinkchildsafe.org/thinkbeforevisiting/
27 December 2011 9:28AM jcravens42 Report this comment
I'm really glad marija77 brought up thinkchildsafe.org - there are TONS of orphanage volunteering scams in Cambodia and elsewhere. An incendiary report by South African and British academics focuses on "orphan tourism" in southern Africa and reveals just how destructive these programs can be to local people, especially children. http://www.hsrc.ac.za/HSRC_Review_Article-195.phtml
Here's my advice on choosing a credible volunteering abroad program (with advice on how to pay for such) http://www.coyotecommunications.com/stuff/fundingabroad.html
3 March 2012 6:37AM timcriton Report this comment
You can can find some good places at: http://www.guatemalamissionaryinstitute.com/
18 April 2012 1:05PM joannagigliotti Report this comment
If any one has volunteered through EntreMundos or has more information about volunteering through a local organization in Guatemala I would love love love if you could tell me about your experience. My e mail is joannagigliotti@hotmail.com