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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!
Our trip to Peru was one was the most amazing experiences of my life and I feel like in the space of one week, I learned so much. I went to change one small corner of the world, and it changed me instead. I applied for a $5,000 grant through Travelocity’s Travel for Good program to take a volunteer vacation with a small group. Miraculously, we won and spent a week in Cusco, Peru working in an a...
Alison P.
Like many, I've always wanted to visit Machu Picchu, Peru. When I learned UNESCO was considering placing Machu Picchu on its list of Endangered World Heritage sites because of excessive visitation and uncontrolled development, I wanted to do more than just be a visitor. I wanted to do something to protect Machu Picchu. Then I learned about a special two-week voluntourism program to Machu Picch...
Gene Z. (Yucaipa, California, United States)
As Travelocity Change Ambassadors, my husband and I spent two weeks at the Albergue Hatun Soncco Wasi, or "Big Heart Hostel" in Quechua, the native language. Children from the rural countryside live at the albergue during the week while attending school and receiving a formal education in Cusco that is otherwise not possible in their small villages. As part of a larger group of six Globe Aware vol...
Colleen R. (Oakland, California, 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)