Skip navigation and go to content
When you volunteer as part of your vacation, your trip takes on a whole new meaning. Voluntourism is a unique opportunity to contribute to the place you’re visiting while learning about and creating an individual connection with its inhabitants and environment – that’s why we call voluntourists "Change Ambassadors." This page is a chance for all Change Ambassadors to write about your experience and tell fellow travelers about the kind of impact voluntourism can have and what you learned along the way. Thank you for taking the time to share your story!
It often seems that there are two Indias. One is on the streets, right up front - the beggars, the pavement dwellers, the street children who pick through the litter for recyclables when they should be laughing on a playground. It’s noisy, in your face, assaulting you. The other India is cocooned behind all this, tucked away from it; a land of quiet, air conditioning, service and amenities. Mostly...
Shelley S. (Seattle, Washington, United States)
I wanted to bring lasting change to the world, but was forever changed by Africa. The horrific and ongoing genocide in Darfur inspired my trip halfway across the world and my desire to make a change. In the presence of ongoing hate, discrimination, destruction, and poverty, I found that our world can be a warm, caring, and extraordinary place. For four weeks, the people of Bagamoyo, Tanzania welco...
Jennifer D. (Oregon, United States)
Tanzanians must be the most welcoming people in the world. People see us on the streets, and go out of their way to say "Karibu sana," welcoming us to their country. I arrived at the house at midnight, with three other volunteers I met at the airport. Mama Fatuma and the house staff was waiting up for us. They told us this would be our home, and encouraged us to live with them and each other a...
Holly (Atlanta, Georgia, United States)
I am back home now after my amazing month volunteering in Cusco. Since the last time I wrote, more volunteers have arrived at the albergue Hatun Soncco Wasi. It was amazing how ready they were to help and do whatever was asked of them. The volunteer projects consisted of building more fences around the rest of the gardens. Also, we assisted with the children’s sewing classes and their English clas...
Michelle G. (Arizona, United States)
I have been in Peru for two weeks now and I still can’t believe that I am here!! The Travel for Good Change Ambassador’s Grant has been a blessing and I am eager to share my experiences thus far. I chose to volunteer with an organization called Globe Aware. Their program in Cusco, Peru consisted of working at an albergue, a youth hostel for children/teens. This albergue is called Hatun Soncco W...
Michelle G. (Arizona, United States)