With the arrival of summer and vacations, many of you may be thinking about volunteering abroad. At Cooperating Volunteers, we offer volunteering opportunities on every continent. But if you’re unsure where to go, let us tell you about the main destinations for volunteering abroad this year.
Within all the countries where we operate and the multitude of programs in each of them, there are three countries that stand out above the rest: Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Destinations for 2021
Uganda is a country where you can immerse yourself in its rich culture. It’s a volunteering opportunity focused on teaching and caring for children. Before selecting Uganda as your destination, it’s essential to know some general aspects:
- It has a climate with predominant rains, but if you travel between June and September, it’s the dry season, making it the ideal time to visit.
- Buses are the most convenient mode of transportation to get around.
- During your free time, you can explore the city, visit its lakes, enjoy the landscapes, go on a safari, or visit museums in the city center.
The price of volunteering includes three meals a day, allowing you to taste typical Ugandan dishes like ugali, matoke, and luwombo.
- Once you’re familiar with these aspects of the country, you need to think about the program you want to join, its duration, and, of course, the cost. Programs range from one week for €300, two weeks for €410, to five or six months for €2,390 and €2,830, respectively. Program options include childcare, teaching, sports, medical assistance, community education, and construction.
Volunteering Abroad in Kenya
Another destination for this year is Kenya. In Kenya, you can participate in projects of significant importance to the community. To choose between countries, you must know their general characteristics. In the case of Kenya:
- It has a tropical climate. If you visit during the summer, you’ll enjoy one of the best times weather-wise, as July to October is one of the dry seasons.
- Local transportation consists of buses or taxis, known as “matatus.”
- A must-do tourist activity is visiting the Maasai Mara Safari.
You can savor typical Kenyan dishes like chapattis, ugali, and githeri.
- The price depends on the chosen program, ranging from €180 to €210 per week of volunteering, with an additional €110 for each additional week. Available programs in Kenya include orphanage assistance, childcare, teaching, medical projects, special education, women’s empowerment, agriculture, among others. For more details on each program, visit their section.
Volunteering in Tanzania
Lastly, we want to highlight Tanzania as another major destination. Unlike the previously mentioned volunteering opportunities, Tanzania requires a medium to high level of English proficiency. Volunteering in Tanzania allows you to discover its rich tradition and culture.
- The dry season runs from May to October.
- The cheapest mode of transportation is the bus, but it requires time, and the roads are not in good condition. For intercity travel, flying is the best option.
- As with all of Africa, the main tourist attractions are the national parks.
You’ll enjoy a diverse cuisine, including dishes with rice, exotic meats, eggplant, and more.
- The average price of programs in Tanzania is €210 per week. The variety of programs in Tanzania includes childcare, teaching, environmental conservation, medical projects, and women’s development.
If you want more information about these volunteering opportunities or other possible destinations, click on this link.