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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!
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)
The excitement of winning Travelocity's Travel for Good grant was slightly dampened when I was told the trip I had selected, a coastal development research project in the tropical Bahamas, was full. Coming from Hawaii, I was hoping to learn how they were dealing with development pressures and tourism, and eager to check out their beaches. I spent the following days reading project descriptions, fi...
Kim K. (Honolulu, Hawaii, 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)
My trip was amazing. Our team helped record information from Samburu (Maasai) elders about the medicinal plants they use for all of their health problems, from diarhea to Malaria. We found out how they prepare the plants and also helped collect samples. Then, graduate students involved in the project are evaluating the chemical characteristics of the plants to determine their efficacy and try t...
Mindy B. (West Lafayette, Indiana, United States)
During the month of January I traveled with two companions to Ghana. We volunteered with a school and community organization called Living Faith School. In addition to the school they run a community education center, fish farm, and community radio station. We worked teaching the kids in grades 2-6. Many of these children had never seen a white person even though Sogakope is only about two...
Garrett (Boston, Massachusetts, United States)