Some of the most popular volunteering abroad opportunities are free. Those who are interested in volunteering abroad but unable or unwilling to pay for the experience should look at the free volunteer abroad opportunities below. Many of these organizations require some type of special skill, which is why they are free. But some organizations are simply interesting in enthusiastic individuals with a strong desire to make a difference. Free volunteering abroad opportunities are good for college students looking to do some good work during their summer vacations when they do not have much money. Free volunteering abroad programs allow smart, hard working individuals to travel the world while doing good work.
Realistically not every volunteer program can offer free volunteering opportunities.. Many use the fees they charge volunteers to help run the program they manage. Thus, paying to volunteer can be a good way of giving causes and organizations you care about some financial as well as physical help. However, there are some organizations that just want a pair of strong hands. This is particularly true of agricultural volunteer programs like WWOOF and others, which allow people to trade manual labor on farms for room and board. These types of programs can giving many people a change to travel and explore for minimal cost.
For those interesting in volunteering abroad for free, they should make sure to figure out which skills they have that they can provide organizations in order for the chance to volunteer. Languages and other skills are particularly useful. If you have skills you think might be useful you might well be able to volunteer abroad for free with a number of organizations.
Even if none of the organizations in the list below are able to offer you free volunteering abroad opportunities, there is still hope. Many organizations, which do not list volunteer opportunities, are more than happy to have you volunteer. The trick to getting these unlisted volunteer abroad opportunities is to contact the organizations directly. One of the best ways is to call or email the organizations. Contact them and ask if there are any volunteer positions in their organization that they might need to have filled. Many of these organizations welcome overseas volunteers but do not have the budget to advertise and manage large volunteering programs.
Visit the following organizations offering free volunteer abroad opportunities:
ACDI/VOCA - A private, nonprofit volunteering organization that promotes economic growth and the development of civil society in emerging democracies and developing countries. ACDI/VOCA is a great program to get free volunteer abroad opportunities if one is not a medical professional. Through this organization volunteers get to help spread democracy and non-profit groups overseas. These programs can make a real difference in the political and cultural events of the country. If you are interested in volunteering abroad for free, check out this organization.
VSO - An international development charity that works through volunteers. Offers free volunteering abroad opportunities (long term only) This is one of the largest and most respected volunteer organizations. With decades of experience, it can provide volunteers with a great volunteer experience for free.
Peace Corps - An independent U.S. federal agency designed to promote mutual understanding between Americans and the outside world. For Americans, the Peace Corp is often considered the epitome of volunteering abroad. Peace Corp volunteers are college graduates who are sent overseas for two years or more, often to very remote regions, to develop and manage projects. Volunteers do receive a small stipend as well. For people interested in finding a job in the aid or development fields, having Peace Corp experience is a major plus, especially because many "returning peace corp volunteers" are in the development field and are part of a strong alumni network.
Doctors Without Borders - Delivers emergency aid to victims of armed conflict, epidemics, and natural and man-made disasters, and to others who lack health care due to social or geographical isolation.
Health Volunteers Overseas - Volunteers train and educate local healthcare providers in specialty areas, including anesthesia, dentistry, internal medicine, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthopedics, pediatrics and physical therapy. Volunteers interested in this organization obviously have to have a professional medical degree. It is unlikely a high school or college student will find any free volunteering abroad opportunities with this organization. However, if you do have the skills they need, it can be a great organization to volunteer abroad for free with.
United Nation Volunteers - The volunteer arm of the United Nations. It was created to serve as an operational partner in development cooperation at the request of UN member states. Offers long term volunteer opportunities to professionals worldwide. UNVs are often more than just medical professional. Many police and other experts also volunteer through them. For people interested in a career in international development, spending time as a UN volunteer is a good way to building their resume while not committing too much time. One of the benefits to this program is that it has the full backing of the United Nations, one of the most respected organizations in the world.
Interplast - Provides free reconstructive surgery for children in developing countries. This organization is for medical professionals only. If you do not have medical training of any kind, check out other organizations like the Peace Corp, VSO, or ACDI/VOCA.
American Red Cross- The largest humanitarian organization in the US, depends on volunteers to provide relief to victims of disaster and to help people respond to emergencies. The American Red Cross is also a great option if you are interested in volunteering inside the United States. Many of the American Red Cross' programs are in rural areas of the US and provide much needed health services to those in need.
Remote Area Medical - A charitable organization providing medical care to people in inaccessible regions through a fleet of aircraft and volunteer staff. RAM is definitely one of my favorite volunteer organizations. Using a fleet of small aircraft, including a dated DC-10, volunteers travel to remote regions in the Americas and provides medical and other humanitarian care to people. This sounds like quite the adventure!
Flying Samaritans - A volunteer organization which operates free medical clinics in Baja California, Mexico. Doctors, dentists, nurses, translators, pilots and support personnel fly to clinics in private aircraft. This organization is very similar to Remote Area Medical, but has a more local focus to the SoCal area and Northern Mexico. This could be particularly useful for medical professionals in the Southwestern United States looking for find volunteering opportunities in Mexico and elsewhere.
Flying Doctors - Los Medicos Voladores is a diverse group of medical professionals and volunteers dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the people of Mexico by providing free health care and education to rural villages.
International Medical Volunteers - A clearing house for information between potential volunteers, volunteer organization and other medical people involved in medical assistance to the developing world. This group is a great resource of people, especially medical professionals, interested in volunteering abroad for free. IMV can provide much needed information on groups and opportunities as well as match people's skill sets with organizations.
