where to go to do some good?

April 17, 2006 12:51 PM

I'm interested in like, traveling and doing some volunteer work. You know, where you go somewhere do some charity work for a week or two, then come home. What organizations arrange these sorts of things?

A girl I knew went on a trip to S.F. to work on a habitat for humanity house, and I think there are some other options as well. What are they and how do I get in contact with them? I'd love to go overseas to the third world or something, but I'm not sure if I could afford it. I'd be happy doing something here in the US, but I'd rather get out of Iowa if that's possible :)

Also, Is there a general term for this kind of trip that I could google?

Thanks!

posted by delmoi to travel & transportation (11 comments total)

Volunteer vacation.
posted by By The Grace of God at 12:55 PM on April 17, 2006

Ditto on volunteer vacations. Also, if you don't mind organized religion the church, synagogue, mosque or temple of your choice may have info.
posted by Pollomacho at 12:59 PM on April 17, 2006

Hmm, I'd really rather avoid religious organizations if possible.
posted by delmoi at 1:07 PM on April 17, 2006

How far do you want to go out of Iowa?
posted by Pollomacho at 1:19 PM on April 17, 2006

Sierra club service trip?
posted by jasper411 at 2:11 PM on April 17, 2006

Hmm, I'd like to something to help other people, rather then animals, and it looks like I'm a bit late for the MGSC think Pollo linked too.

Keep the ideas coming :)
posted by delmoi at 3:37 PM on April 17, 2006

You might want to try ACORN or Common Ground if you'd like to do work in New Orleans.
posted by stefnet at 4:47 PM on April 17, 2006

Cross-cultural solutions. Great org, no religion.
posted by lilybeane at 6:07 PM on April 17, 2006

Habitat for Humanity has been sponsoring post-Katrina rebuilding missions to the Gulf Coast region. You can sign up to get e-mail notifications about them from the Habitat web page.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 7:52 PM on April 17, 2006

Earthwatch Institute trips. Okay so it's mostly animals, but not all. There's plants, people, archaeology, history, etc. I did one tagging crocs in a Mexican mangrove study. Man, was that ever worth it.

If you're also interested in trips where you're learning more so than working, and you are interested in politics, history, economics, and international relations, there's Global Exchange Reality Tours.
posted by kookoobirdz at 9:21 PM on April 17, 2006

VFP is exactly what you're looking for.

You also might like to Google for "international volunteer".
posted by hyperfascinated at 9:59 PM on April 17, 2006