| The Options
There are two different types of options offered in this section: 1) Those for Leisure Travelers, and 2) Those for Business Travelers - Conventions & Meetings Dele-gates. Each is designated according to its category in parentheses next to the entry.
Our recommendation: Review the options presented here and conduct your own further due diligence based upon our suggestions offered in the Traveler section of this web site or after reading - - "VolunTourists: 10 Things To Consider."
Leisure Traveler Options
Ambassadors For Children (Leisure Travel)
[www.ambassadorsforchildren.org]
Excerpt from The VolunTourist: Former Ambassadair Travel Club President Sally Brown followed her vision to combine travel with serving others and founded Ambassadors For Children (AFC) in 1998. An Honorary Board of Governors was formed with a diverse membership including doctors, educators, travel experts, media specialists and representatives from the business and non-profit sector.
Ambassadors For Children is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting peace and understanding through face to face cultural exchange opportunities. Since its inception, AFC has assisted over 50,000 children worldwide through over a hundred socially engaged travel missions distributing over three million dollars in aid.
AFC betters the lives of children who live, study and play in impoverished communities, while offering volunteers a life-changing experience. AFC trips provide hands-on interaction with disadvantaged children, balanced by opportunities for sightseeing and immersion in the native culture of the community served.
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Aquila Tours (Leisure Travel) [www.voluntouring.ca]
Excerpt from The VolunTourist: Aquila, an Atlantic Canadian Tour Operator, has been organizing meaningful travel programs for groups to destinations around the world since 1982. Aquila has been a member of the National Tour Association (NTA) since 1988, and Aquila's owner, Beth Kelly, was first in Atlantic Canada to receive NTA’s Certified Tour Professional designation.
Since 1994, Aquila has been providing customized educational travel programs for alumni associations, museum groups, nature centers, and special interest groups throughout North America to Atlantic Canada and other incredible destinations around the world such as India, Thailand, Australia & New Zealand, Greece, and many more.
In line with Aquila's own philosophies surrounding giving back and making a difference and to respond to the emerging desire among travelers to give back and make a difference, we are pleased to introduce our voluntouring programs. Through the long-standing relationships that Aquila holds in the travel industry, we are forging new partnerships and creating tremendous opportunities for our clients to travel with purpose and take part in incredible voluntouring programs in destinations around the world.
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Bike & Build (Leisure Travel) [www.bikeandbuild.org]
Excerpt from The VolunTourist: Bike & Build strives to raise money and awareness for affordable housing issues through sending young adults on cross-country cycling trips. Our program not only allows participants to see the housing landscape in every type of community across the United States, but also gets young, adventurous adults involved in a cause they may have known little about.
One of the greatest things about Bike & Build is the varied reasons people sign up to do the trip — some are avid cyclists who have wanted to do a cross-country trip; some are activists who want to spend their summers advocating for social change; some are affordable housing enthusiasts who want to dedicate their summers to the cause; and some just want to do something “crazy” for a summer before they enter the “real world”. Seeing all of these people come together and learn from each other is amazing, and each person comes out of the trip gaining something from their peers they may not have thought they would before the trip began.
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Chachapoyas Tours (Leisure Travel) [www.marvelousspatuletail.net]
Excerpt from The VolunTourist: If you have considered visiting the land of the Chachapoyans, or “Cloud People,” one factor that may entice you to finally make that journey to the northeastern slopes of the Andes near Ecuador is the opportunity to give back.
VolunTourism has found a unique niche in this remote, and until recently, inaccessible, region of Peru through the work of Charles Motley and his team of Los Tambos Chachapoyanos – “The Lodges of the Cloud People.”
So what are some of the unique projects in which VolunTourists can participate?
"One project involves constructing another 4-bedroom ancient style circular lodge building," says Charles. "In the Andes our lodge walls are 14" to 16" thick and covered by an 8" thick thatch or straw roof that maintains constant temperatures. The lodge walls are made of rammed earth or adobe, and a thatch roof may go up to 3 stories high. In Levanto, our present lodge has a public building with kitchen, lounge/dinning room, 2 bathrooms, but only 4 bedrooms."
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Conscious Journeys (Leisure Travel) [www.consciousjourneys.org]
Excerpt from The VolunTourist: In the summer of 2001, Tamdin Wangdu learned that his father had died at age 57 after suffering four long days of acute sto mach pain. Not a single healthcare worker was available in or near Tamdin’s village to prevent his untimely death or even to determine its cause. Tamdin believes that just knowing how to perform CPR could have saved his life. In memory of his father, Tamdin and his wife Tseyang, started the Tibetan Village Project (TVP) in order to fund a medical treatment and prevention program in his village and surrounding areas . Now several years later, TVP has expanded its programs to support schools and community development projects.
Conscious Journeys is a program of the Tibetan Village Project, a nonprofit, non-political organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development while preserving the rich cultural heritage of Tibet. Coordinated by a socially responsible team of Tibetans, our balanced blend of mindful-tourism and volunteerism creates a win-win outcome for travelers and local communities.
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Developing World Connections (Leisure Travel) [www.developingworldconnections.org]
Excerpt from The VolunTourist: The idea for Developing World Connections came from the founders’ humbling and profoundly meaningful experiences as international volunteers with their Rotary club. After many years of conducting hands-on club projects and evaluating projects on behalf of Rotary International in economically under-developed nations, they had garnered an understanding of what makes an international project successful. They also developed an intimate understanding of the joy and personal growth value of participating on these projects.
Of course, because the experience had such a profound impact on their lives and they talked about it often, soon many friends and family members were asking how they, too, could realize this same personal benefit while being of service to others. With no lack of sustainable development projects and an obvious desire from many to participate in the cultural experience, Developing World Connections was formed to respond to the needs of project beneficiaries and Western world volunteers.
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Globe Aware (Leisure Travel) [www.globeaware.com]
Excerpt from The VolunTourist: Globe Aware, a 501 C 3 nonprofit charity, was founded in 2000 for the purpose of promoting cultural awareness and sustainability through short term international volunteer programs. We run programs in Latin America and Asia, with teams made up of 10 volunteers, a local coordinator and an American coordinator.
Focusing on the principles of cultural awareness and sustainability, Globe Aware develops short-term volunteer programs in international environments that encourage people to immerse themselves in a unique way of giving back. This process naturally instills in them values to become lifelong advocates for a better world. Simultaneously the volunteers help to empower the host communities in creating renewable, sustainable programs. While Globe Aware's financial assistance benefits the community economically, it is actually the involvement and collaboration between the volunteers and community that is the greatest mutual benefit.
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Go Differently (Leisure Travel) [www.godifferently.com]
Excerpt from The VolunTourist: The tag line on the web site says, "Don't Follow the Crowd... Go Differently."
Okay, I'm intrigued. But what exactly do you mean by "Go Differently?"
This is part of what I asked Nikki Bond to explain in describing what Go Differently does to support VolunTourism in some of the destinations to which they offer travel packages.
But first, it is necessary to give some background. According to Nikki...
Go Differently has always been an ethical tour operator. By using local guides, local transport and local accommodation and paying fair wages, we aim to ensure that not only do our clients gain a unique insight into the culture they are visiting but also that as much of their money as possible stays in the local community. By working in co-operation with local individuals and companies, particularly in less-developed regions, we also advise clients on any potential impacts of our visits and strive to minimise these wherever possible. In this way, those who travel with us are not greeted as unwanted intruders but rather as welcome guests.
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Hands Up Holidays (Leisure Travel) [www.handsupholidays.com]
Excerpt from The VolunTourist: From its inception 5 years ago, the idea behind Hands Up Holidays was to help our guests visit incredible sights and also to get meaningful interaction with local people, and at the same time to give back to local communities, through volunteering. The reason for this comes from my own experience – I love exploring a country, but found that the most fulfilling and rewarding experiences took place when I contributed in a hands on way to a community (I have taught English in Guatemala and Thailand, built houses in South Africa and Fiji, as well as participated in environmental projects in New Zealand and Thailand).
Hands Up Holidays was conceived to make it easy for people to have a holiday, and a taste of volunteering (in comfort - we are aware that for most of our clients this is their first time volunteering, and so they are going out of their comfort zone, so we most of our tours are 4* in accommodation throughout, so that our guests can have a solace at the end of a days’ volunteering)… and hopefully get inspired to do more volunteering, either back at home, or on future trips, or both.
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HOY Community (Leisure Travel) [www.hoycommunity.org]
Excerpt from The VolunTourist: In 2001, after multiple trips over the years, each one with increasing contact with the peoples and cultures being visited, husband and wife Gerardo Jaime and Katy Barnhart decided to add a new twist to their next journey: incorporate volunteer community work to the itinerary.
Por un mejor HOY was launched in the summer of that year during a life-changing backpacking trip through South America and Mexico. They chose the inspiring Maya legend La historia de los colores to read to children in spontaneous visits at schools, orphanages, after-school and child-care centers, and public squares in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chiapas (Mexico). During this incredible journey, they got a taste of the possibilities for world improvement and personal development through this type of “contact travel.” Getting back to New York in late fall, they decided to legally incorporate Por un mejor HOY as a U.S. nonprofit.
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North By Northeast Tours (Leisure Travel) [www.north-by-north-east.com]
Excerpt from The VolunTourist: North by North East Tours was founded in 1997 by Nick Ascot. We began as primarily promoting Isan (Thailand’s northeastern region), but quickly expanded to Laos, where we have an additional operations office. Nick is a long-time skydiver who first came to Thailand 20 years ago and became enamored with all aspects of the Kingdom. This love translates itself into a strong desire to help the people whose villages we pass.
Why voluntourism? It is sustainable, which fits in to our philosophy of responsible travel. The easiest path is not always the right one. If we wanted to, we could pass thousands of tourists through coaches along the same worn, tired routes that everyone does, but in 20 years what will those destinations be like? Not worth seeing, that’s for sure. Overdevelopment ruins the very character of a place that tourists enjoy seeing. So, it is essential that tour operators and locals must work together in managing a destination for their collective futures.
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People & Places (Leisure Travel) [www.travel-peopleandplaces.co.uk]
Excerpt from The VolunTourist: People and Places has evolved from the recognition that many volunteer recruitment organisations are out of step with the needs of local communities and volunteers. Ours is a truly different approach – to specifically match volunteers and projects. Our starting point for every project is the local community – their needs and those of the project are paramount. Only with a comprehensive understanding and respect for the community and the project will People and Places match volunteers to placements.
We are committed to ensuring that as much as possible of your hard earned money reaches your host country and is used for the benefit of local well being and knowledge. We are committed to ensuring that your placement is as rewarding as possible for you and the projects on which you work. We offer our service at no charge to volunteers and at a minimal charge to the projects.
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The Pepy Ride (Leisure Travel) [www.pepyride.org]
Excerpt from The VolunTourist: The PEPY Ride was born when Daniela Papi and Greta Arnquist co-led a cycling trip across Cambodia to raise funds for educational projects. A group of six people from five countries spent five weeks visiting schools and orphanages by bicycle and teaching the first PEPY environmental lessons. The team raised enough money to fund the construction of The PEPY Ride School in rural Chanleas Dai, Cambodia. In celebration of the school’s opening ceremony on December 31st, 2005, thirty-five people joined PEPY for a one-week trip to explore beautiful Cambodia and to volunteer to help with the school’s opening.
A group from that original volunteer team saw the impact this had on both the travelers and the community of Chanleas Dai and quickly founded The PEPY Ride, an international NGO now registered both in the USA and Cambodia. PEPY works to bring together rural Cambodian people who might not know about or have access to the services of organizations in the city with travelers who are looking to give back but do not know where to best invest their time and money. Travelers who join a PEPY Tour are able to give back while they travel, support PEPY's on-going development projects, learn about this fast-changing country, and experience the benefits of voluntourism. The communities and programs we work with benefit both from the international exchange and time donated by the volunteers as well as funding for their educational programs. Many of our tours are cycling adventures, but we offer a large array of diverse tours.
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Relief Riders International (Leisure Travel) [www.reliefridersinternational.com]
Excerpt from The VolunTourist: On the cover panel of the Relief Riders International (RRI) brochure, appear the following words:
“Relief Riders International is a humanitarian-based adventure travel company. We offer horseback journeys through developing countries, bringing important relief supplies to communities in need.”
If one takes the time to review the various articles written about RRI Founder, Alexander Souri, you will soon realize that his very life has been an adventure. RRI, quite possibly, serves as both a metaphor of his personal journey and the fulfillment of a desire to expose others to a similar trek.
Whether you are intrigued by his family roots – Indian and French, or are impressed by his contributions to the Matrix and X-Men films, you may discover that he has articulated his creative ambition most dramatically through RRI. It is his vision that has combined voluntary service with the wonders of tourism in the unruffled and untamed interior of India.
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Students Today Leaders Forever (Leisure Travel) [www.stlf.net]
Excerpt from The VolunTourist: Greg Tehven, Co-Founder of Students Today Leaders Forever - When I was in high school, I grew up in Fargo, North Dakota, a rural community; I grew up on a farm. After high school graduation I had this opportunity to go to Australia, so my first opportunity to travel and it was a VolunTourism experience. It was to be a camp counselor at the National Leadership Camp in Australia.
And so for me I learned about this concept the 'Pay It Forward Tour' in Australia that they were doing along the Gold Coast. And the man that founded the group to do that challenged me; he said: 'Greg, when you go back to the United States you should really start this up with your friends in college.' And being eighteen years old and pretty naive I kinda said, 'Yeah, sure, no problem,' and didn't think anything of it.
But I went to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where I met some amazing friends in college; and ten days into our college career we started dreaming: What would it look like to do a service trip across the country and make a difference and be able to see the United States during our Spring Break, but have a meaningful experience - one that we could remember and be proud of.
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Voluntourists Without Borders (Leisure Travel) [www.voluntourists-without-borders.com]
Excerpt from The VolunTourist: Track of the Tiger - the 'voluntourists without borders' initiative operator - was established as a specialist soft adventure tour company and adventure tour resort operator in Ban Thaton, Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, in early 1986.
At a time when tour operators based themselves in the city and sent their guests to the outlying areas accompanied by guides, Track of the Tiger, opted to set up shop in the heart of its operational area, to become a part of the community it was based in, to be amongst the ethnic minority groups, and to be within easy reach of the remote areas visited during its daily operations.
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Business Travel Option
Impact 4 Good (Business Travel) [www.impact4good.com]
Excerpt from The VolunTourist: Ira Almeas, CITE, started Impact 4 Good in 2000. As with all ventures, there is a purpose behind the creation. Here us what Ira had to say in terms of the inspiration behind Impact 4 Good:
"I have traveled all my life and it seems that there is less and less to 'buy' or 'bring home' these days and the world certainly has gotten a lot smaller or marketing stronger."
"What I did notice was the best souvenir was that of interacting with the local culture. I remember studying abroad in both Europe and Japan - locals would want my opinion on our president or want to discuss world issues. I felt like an ambassador, although without the proper credentials. What I did learn was that we are all basically the same inside and I felt privileged to share this interaction with different cultures. This is something unique that you keep with you for the rest of your life and hopefully share with your family."
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