Volunteer on Vacation

Plan Your Volunteer Vacation

Earthwatch Institute

Goal: Engage people in scientific research and inspire them to make meaningful changes that support a sustainable environment.

Where: More than 70 projects in 40 countries on six continents.

Type of Work: Volunteers assist in scientific research in areas such as archaeology, paleontology, climate change, human/wildflife conflict, ocean health and threatened habitats.

Habitat for Humanity

Goal: This Christian-based aid organization works to eliminate poverty and homelessness by helping eligible families build or renovate homes and then acquire low-cost mortgages they can afford.

Where: Habitat for Humanity operates nationwide and in dozens of countries around the world.

Type of Work: Home construction and renovation, disaster relief and non-construction "go-fer" activities on the job site.

Sisters of Charity of Nazareth

Goal: Recruit lay volunteers to help improve the lives of impoverished people.

Where: Belize, Botswana, New Orleans, Appalachia and Montana.

Type of Work: Home repair, health care and social justice education.

Global Volunteers

Goal: Provide volunteer assistance to established and ongoing Global Volunteers community development programs.

Where: In the United States and 21 countries around the world.

Type of Work: Teaching conversational English, painting and repairing buildings, providing health care services and nutrition education, and working with infants, toddlers, teens and older people.

Projects Abroad

Goal: Promote mutual learning and respect across cultures while helping impoverished people around the world.

Where: 100 projects in 27 countries, mostly in Asia, Africa and South America.

Type of Work: There are 19 program areas, including law and human rights, teaching, performing arts.

Cynthia Ramnarace writes about families and health. She lives in New York.