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Cheap Affordable Volunteer Abroad Programs & Low Cost Overseas Projects

Posted January 01, 2016 by Steven Weddle   2 Comments

(Updated for 2016)
We’ve put together a list of nine great volunteer organizations that offer cheap, affordable, and low cost volunteer projects. These volunteer organizations, such as International Volunteer Headquarters, have been picked not only for their low cost and affordability, but also for their reputations and established histories as well. Agape Volunteers is especially worth checking out, since their low fees also include the registration fee and your travel insurance, which many organizations break out as separate charges. Furthermore,Volunteering Solutions offers one week volunteer trips starting at just $200. Not only will we showcase cheap and affordable volunteer programs, we will also provide resources on volunteer abroad scholarships and grants, fundraising for a volunteer trip, and getting free airfare overseas.

Cheap, Affordable Volunteer Abroad Programs & Low Cost Overseas Projects

If you are like many aspiring international volunteers researching volunteer opportunities overseas, you have probably experienced sticker shock by the high cost of volunteering abroad. Indeed, many international volunteers do not initially realize that the average cost of a volunteer trip is $3,000. Before my first volunteer trip to India in 2012, I was naïve enough to think someone would pay me to participate in overseas volunteer work! The trip cost incurred by volunteers includes a program fee, airfare, travel insurance, vaccinations, visas, and other travel costs.

In terms of why you have to pay to volunteer abroad, international volunteer organizations rely on volunteer program fees and your time and labor to sustain their organizations. The program fee not only goes towards providing you room and board while you are volunteering abroad, but also pays for administration costs such as staff salaries, marketing expenses, and direct funding support to the host community. Volunteer organizations differ enormously in terms of the program fees they charge. Some organizations charge a higher program fee so that they can provide first class pre-departure and in-country support to volunteers.  These programs may be more appropriate to prospective volunteers who would prefer to have more support before, during, and after their volunteer trips.

On the other hand, other would-be volunteers may be more independent and require less support during the volunteering process. This article highlights affordable volunteer organizations whose program fees are $1,000 or less to volunteer abroad for 2 weeks. For example, Agape Volunteers offers high-quality volunteer abroad experiences in Africa for $510, which includes your registration fee and travel insurance. For volunteers looking for destinations outside of Africa, consider Volunteering Solutions, which offers volunteer and intern abroad projects starting at $200 for one week exclusive of the application fee and travel insurance. While many aspiring volunteers would love to travel and volunteer abroad for free, the needs of volunteer programs and their host communities can make that very difficult. However, this article will show you how to make volunteering abroad affordable.

In defining cheap, affordable, and low-cost volunteer opportunities, we exclude well-known volunteer programs such as the Peace Corps (USA), United Nations Volunteers, and Voluntary Service Overseas (UK). While these are wonderful programs, both the Peace Corps and Voluntary Service Overseas require two year commitments, which may not be feasible for students and professionals who are seeking shorter duration volunteer projects. Furthermore, United Nations Volunteers requires a six month commitment and can be a highly competitive program. Here are nine great international volunteering alternatives that are cheap and don’t require long term commitments; we've also included one volunteer abroad program that includes free airfare! Read on to learn more about applying to these inexpensive volunteer abroad programs. 

CHEAP, AFFORDABLE, AND LOW-COST VOLUNTEER ABROAD PROGRAMS

Featured Program: International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ)

International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ) is a New Zealand based volunteer organization that provides affordable, safe, and responsible volunteer programs in over 30 different destinations around the world. With program fees starting from just US$180 and over 55,000 alumni, IVHQ is a low-cost volunteer program that has been able to attract a significant number of volunteers to its programs since its start in 2007. IVHQ offers 150+ short-term and long-term volunteer options that range from 1 week to 24 weeks. The organization offers volunteer placements in the following destinations: Costa Rica, Italy, Fiji, Bali, Peru, India, South Africa, Thailand, Kenya, Brazil, Tanzania, Nepal, Madagascar, Argentina, Mexico, Victoria Falls, Laos, Uganda, Zambia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Mexico, Vietnam, Cambodia, Guatemala, Ecuador, China, Ghana, Colombia, Morocco, Laos, Spain, New Zealand, Portugal, and Transylvania.

Some IVHQ volunteer projects that you'll definitely want to check out include their turtle conservation projects in Costa Rica and Bali. For aspiring public health and medical professionals, their HIV/AIDS project in Kenya is a great way to serve others while learning more about the public health and medical fields. Lastly, for a responsible way to volunteer with children, be sure to check out IVHQ's sports education program in Fiji, their childcare program in Cambodia, or their teach abroad program in South Africa!

Featured Program: Volunteering Solutions

Volunteering Solutions offers some of the most affordable volunteer projects on the planet. Founded in 2006, Volunteering Solutions has hosted over 10,000 participants and now operates volunteer abroad and intern abroad projects in 30+ countries. Their volunteer projects in Nepal are the most affordably priced, starting at $200 for one week in addition to a $225 application fee. You also have the option of adding a one week language orientation week for $250 before you start your placement. In addition to Nepal, Volunteering Solutions also operates projects in India, Kenya,Tanzania, and Uganda for under $300 for one week (in addition to an application fee). 

Featured Program: Agape Volunteers

Agape Volunteers operates low-fee volunteer projects throughout Africa. Agape's projects start at USD $510 (£330) and already includes the registration fee and fully comprehensive travel insurance for free, making it one of the most affordable volunteer programs in the world. Agape Volunteers was founded by Oxford graduate, Guillaume Lefevre, in 2011 and boasts a perfect 5-star rating on Volunteer Forever. The program offers volunteer projects in Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, and Tanzania with projects ranging from medical volunteering to coaching a football academy in Nairobi. Definitely check out Agape Volunteers if you are looking for a reputable and affordable volunteer abroad trip to Africa.

Love Volunteers

Love Volunteers is an affordable volunteer organization that provides meaningful, life-changing volunteering abroad programs in more than 34 developing countries worldwide. Every year, Love Volunteers sends thousands of volunteers from all over the world into short and long term international volunteering placements in Central and South America, Asia, Africa, The Middle East, and Europe. Love Volunteers’ international placements start at just $175 for a one week placement along with a one-time $249 registration fee when you submit your application. Love Volunteers offers120 community-based development programs in healthcare, education, sports and coaching, law and legal assistance, social services, engineering and architecture, special needs, Construction, environmental protection and in many more areas. We definitely recommend that you apply to Love Volunteers if you’re looking for an affordable volunteer program with lots of options in terms of placements.

uVolunteer Volunteer Organization

uVolunteer was founded in 2006 by Nathaniel Amponsah-Manu, who founded the organization after volunteering in Southeast Asia. Nathaniel worked at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for nine years and the left the BBC to run uVolunteer full-time.

With over 70 reviews on our website, uVolunteer is one of the most popular volunteer programs featured on Volunteer Forever and was named a top volunteer abroad program for 2015. Indeed, Volunteer Forever’s co-founder, Billy Beltz, volunteered with uVolunteer in Thailand in 2013. Here’s a summary of Billy’ volunteer experience:

"Overall I think their biggest strength is value; they provide the same support & quality experience as many much higher priced options, and I would endorse them to anyone with the skills/knowledge that align the projects they offer."

uVolunteer offers one week volunteer abroad and two week volunteer abroad projects in Thailand, Costa Rica, and Ghana starting at $600 and $705, respectively. Please note that volunteers have the option of staying longer than one or two weeks. uVolunteer's program fee not only includes your room & board and in-country airport pickup, but also your travel insurance. Keep in mind that many volunteer organizations’ program fees do not include travel insurance, which costs about $100 for a two week trip.

READ ON FOR MORE AFFORDABLE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES OVERSEAS

A Broader View

A Broader View is a U.S. based non-profit volunteer organization that was founded in 2007 by Oliver and Sarah Ehlers. The organization has 195 volunteer opportunities overseas in 22 countries and their projects range in duration from 1 to 24 weeks. Based on information from the non-profit directory Guide Star, we estimate the organization hosted less than 500 volunteers in 2012. With nearly 70 reviews on our website, A Broader View is the second most reviewed volunteer organization on Volunteer Forever.

A two-week volunteer project with A Broader View costs $995 to $1180 and the organization offers volunteer opportunities in Asia, Africa, Central America, and South America. Please note that A Broader View’s program fees do not include travel insurance, flights, vaccinations, or visa fees.

While A Broader View’s program fee isn’t as cheap as the other volunteer programs mentioned, the organization may be a worthwhile option if there is a specific volunteer project type or destination that you highly desire that isn’t offered by the other organizations mentioned in this article.

UBELONG Volunteer Organization

UBELONG is a relatively new volunteer organization founded by Raul Roman and Cedric Hodgeman. Raul Roman is a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and Cedric is a social entrepreneur who has lived in and travelled to over 30 countries. I had the pleasure of meeting Professor Roman in Washington D.C. in 2012 just as UBELONG was getting started. UBELONG was recently funded by a prestigious civic accelerator program and has now hosted several thousand volunteers.

Compared to the vast majority of volunteer organizations, UBELONG is quite cheap (I mean that in a positive way). Indeed, Volunteer Forever fundraisers Stephani and Taylor specifically picked the organization for its low program costs. For example, UBELONG offers numerous volunteer projects in Cartago, Costa Rica where volunteers can care for elders, contribute to construction projects, or raise awareness of environmental issues for a local conservation organization. The UBELONG Costa Rica project starts at $370 for two weeks.

UBELONG also offers projects in Quito, Ecuador for only $270 for two weeks. In Quito, volunteers can contribute to local public health education efforts, volunteer in a school, or assist caregivers at an after-school center.

You should note that UBELONG’s program fees include room and board and an airport pick-up. You will still be responsible for your own airfare, travel insurance, vaccinations, and visa fees. With volunteer opportunities in 10 countries, UBELONG is a fantastic choice for the budget-minded volunteer traveler.

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF)

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) offers volunteers the opportunity to work on an organic or sustainable farm in exchange for daily room and board. Volunteers are expected to work 4-6 hours per day and can stay for as short as a few days to several months.

Unlike many volunteer organizations, WWOOF does not charge a program fee. Instead, prospective volunteers pay a subscription fee in order to access host farms on WWOOF’s websites. Each country has its own dedicated WWOOF website and the subscription fee can cost anywhere from $0 to $72 depending on the country.

Furthermore, as a WWOOF volunteer, you are responsible for finding a host farm and working out your volunteer arrangements with the farm directly. Unlike volunteering with a traditional volunteer organization, there is no matching performed by WWOOF.

WWOOFing is a great option for travelers who are willing to volunteer a few hours of their time each day in exchange for food and a place to sleep. Also, the relatively short commitment is conducive to travelers who are only staying in a town or city for a few days at a time. Volunteers should note that they will be responsible for their own airfare, travel insurance, vaccinations, and visa expenses.

For more information, visit http://www.wwoof.net/

Volunteers For Peace(VFP) Volunteer Organization

Since 1982, Volunteers For Peace (VFP) has hosted more than 32,000 volunteers for its overseas opportunities. VFP offers more than 3,000 volunteer opportunities in 100 different countries. Most of the volunteer opportunities are for 2-3 weeks, but there are longer volunteer opportunities as well (1-3 months). The registration fee for a VFP project is $500 for volunteers 18+ and $650 for volunteers under 18 years of age. However, please note that there may be an additional in-country fee for some projects (typically a few hundred dollars). Even with this additional fee, VFP’s volunteer projects are still under $1,000 for a 2-3 week trip and relatively cheap compared to other programs. Also, VFP’s projects are currently only available to U.S. residents or American citizens living overseas.

Here are a few of VFP’s projects that do not charge the additional in-country fee:

Volunteer at a school in KenyaVolunteer at a rhino sanctuary in Botswana
Volunteer at a monastery school in Myanmar
Volunteer at a workcamp in MongoliaVolunteer on an organic farm in the Czech Republic 

VOLUNTEER OVERSEAS PROJECTS WITH FREE AIRFARE

People and Places Volunteer Organization

People and Places is an award-winning responsible volunteer organization that was founded by Sallie Grayson and two of her colleagues in 2006. In addition to being one of Volunteer Forever’s top ten reviewed organizations, People and Places has won a number of awards and accolades including the following:

1. 2014 National Geographic Top 5 Ethical Volunteer Organization
2. 2013 World Responsible Tourism Award
3. 2009 Best Volunteering Organization

The majority of People and Places volunteer projects aren’t considered cheap, but two of their projects stand out because the program fee includes roundtrip airfare, which is quite unique. Indeed, the only other volunteer program (outside of state-sponsored volunteer programs) that includes airfare is Youth Challenge International, who provides a flight bursary for its Ghana and Tanzania programs.

The two People and Places volunteer projects that include airfare are located in the Gambia in Africa. The first project is at a nursery school that has a specific need for volunteers with experience in Early Childhood Development, Teaching English as a Foreign Language, child nutrition, education administration, or arts and crafts.

The second People and Places volunteer project that includes airfare is their “Wealth through Tourism” project. This volunteer project seeks to help the Gambian people by providing them business and craft skills. Specifically, volunteers will be working with small businesses in Gambia to earn a living through tourism. As such, this project is seeking volunteers with the following skill sets: accounting, information technology, general management, business administration, marketing and sales, product design, hospitality and tourism, and agriculture.

As mentioned previously, the program fee for both of these projects by People and Places includes airfare and room and board. However, the volunteer will still be responsible for travel insurance, vaccinations, and visa fees.

Other Resources for Cheap Volunteer Abroad Trips

With the exception of the Peace Corps, United Nations Volunteers, Voluntary Service Overseas, and other state-sponsored international development programs, most international volunteers will be responsible for assuming some costs for volunteering overseas. However, there are several ways to reduce your out-of-pocket costs for volunteering overseas.

First, check out our list of 200 Volunteer Abroad and Study Abroad Scholarships and Grants. Our list includes scholarships and grants from sources like Travelocity, National Geographic, Volunteers for Prosperity, and the Rotary Foundation. These awards range from a few hundred dollars to stipends worth $85,000. You can also click here to join our priority waiting list to be among the first to know when the next award of the Volunteer Forever scholarship ($500-$1000) is announced in Spring 2015.

Next, check out our article on how to volunteer abroad for free by finding no-cost volunteer programs (hint: you’ll still be responsible for your room and board, airfare, and other expenses), finding free airfare, and reducing other miscellaneous travel costs like travel insurance.

Lastly, consider fundraising (aka crowdfunding) for your volunteer trip abroad. Volunteer Forever fundraisers have already raised nearly $1,500,000 for their volunteer trips abroad. In fact, many of our volunteers have completely funded their volunteer trips by fundraising through Volunteer Forever. If you’re comfortable with e-mail and Facebook, then you’ve got the basic skills needed to fundraise online. And if you need a little more assistance, our expert staff will provide one-on-one guidance and support to help you reach your fundraising goals. It's our mission to make volunteer abroad trips affordable for anyone who wants to go overseas. We hope all of these information and resources will help you go volunteer abroad!

P.S. If you're still looking for a volunteer opportunity, check out our list of best volunteer abroad programs and recommended volunteer projects in Africa, Central America, and Thailand. You can also read about 7 Great Medical and Veterinary Volunteer Abroad Projects, 10 Dental Volunteer Abroad Program and Medical Mission Tips for Pre Dental Students, and nursing volunteer abroad projects for students and nurse professionals. Or, if medical volunteer projects aren't for you, be sure to read about our sports and coaching volunteer abroad, wildlife conservation and veterinaryabroad, teach abroad, and intern abroad programs. Lastly, if you're under 18, you may be interested in a teen volunteer abroad program from one of our many great partners. 

Steve Weddle is the co-founder and CEO of Volunteer Forever. Before Volunteer Forever, Steve was a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, where he served a tour of duty in Afghanistan. He is a graduate of Duke University and the University of California, Los Angeles. He is currently pursuing his MBA at the University of California, Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.

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