Short-Term Volunteer Experiences.
As a Developing World Connections volunteer, you will work as part of a team building a needed community centre, training facility, home or school for 1 - 2 weeks. You can directly assist our host communities as you work side by side local people and community members to improve their own lives and build a sustainable future. You become part of a service-based grassroots movement and a growing community of active global citizens.
You can volunteer on projects in Guatemala, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Rwanda, Swaziland, Cambodia, India, Philippines, Nepal, and Peru.
Join fellow volunteers and lend a hand, explore the host country, build global friendships, and make a difference. What are you waiting for? Sign up today and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!
WHO CAN VOLUNTEER?
YOU can! Anyone with an open mind, an adventurous spirit, and a caring soul. Families. Singles. Couples. Adults. Youth. We have had volunteers range in age from 9 - 83, and their backgrounds have been as different as their ages. No special skills or training is required. If you have physical limitations, you can work according to your ability.
It’s not what you can do and how fast you can do it – it’s about being part of the process. As part of a team, you can have lots of fun and create fantastic memories.
WHO CAN I GO WITH?
Developing World Connections volunteers work as part of a team. You will be accompanied by a volunteer Team Leader. Team Leaders make all the difference by supporting the Team from start to finish. They take time from their jobs and lives to provide the invaluable service of ensuring the well being of the volunteers and work hard to make sure that everyone involved has a great experience. Our Team Leaders are experienced travelers and past participants and possess an intimate understanding of the volunteers’ needs.
Strictly a volunteer position, a Team Leader serves as a recruiter, facilitator, liaison, and advocate of Developing World Connections. Visit our Team Leader page to read about a few of our current team leaders.
HOW LONG CAN I GO FOR?
As part of a Short Term Experience, you can volunteer for 1 or 2 weeks. We recommend spending extra time after your volunteer experience to tour some of the incredible sites each country has to offer. Please contact your travel agent for additional cultural components you could partake in after your Developing World Connections Volunteer Experience is complete.
If you are interested participating in back-to-back project opportunities, please contact us for more information.
WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
You will be doing what the host-partner and community feels is the most important at the time. However, in any case, you will likely have the chance to get your hands dirty building something, likely a community center, a house or a school. Physical infrastructure projects fill an important need and can be completed by teams in a short period – a great way to experience the tangible fruits of your labour.
Building something together is a great way to develop your world connections and create a powerful legacy.
You can volunteer on projects that focus on:
- Education, Training and Livelihood Centres.
Rwanda, Swaziland, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Peru, Philippines, India
India, Cambodia, Kenya
Peru, India, Kenya, Guatemala, Swaziland
- Homes and Community Building.
Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Nepal, Swaziland
WHERE WILL I STAY AND WHAT WILL I EAT?
You won't have to sleep in a hut on the floor - we take great care to pre-screen your accommodations so they are acceptable by North American standards. Short-term volunteers generally stay in 2 - 3 star level accommodations. The accommodations are not luxurious, but they are clean and comfortable. You will be provided the opportunity to sample the local cuisine and also get to eat western fare. In all cases, the food is appetizing and hygienically prepared.Special dietary requirements can be accommodated.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The Program Cost for each country varies between $1,869 and $2,239. Please see the Destination pages for individual pricing for each trip. These costs include a $500 project donation, a $500 program fee, and in-country costs such as meals, accommodation, and in-country ground transport. It does not include airfare, which will vary in cost depending on location and time of year.
Your Volunteer Experience is 100% tax deductible. We will issue a charitable tax receipt for the Program Cost plus your airfare. You may also fundraise for the total cost of your trip including your airfare. In these cases, we will issue a charitable tax receipt to those who donate on your behalf.
I AM INTERESTED...NOW WHAT?
Visit our specific country pages to see where you would like to go and when you can take your trip. Then, go to our Sign Up to Volunteer page and follow the instructions. Someone from the DWC office will contact you to confirm your spot once you have completed the application process.
If you're not sure where to go, need help with the application process, or just have a specific question, please don't hesitate to contact us. We want to make your trip one of the best and most rewarding experiences of your life!
