Volunteer for NGOs worldwide

Volunteering for an NGO is an incredible opportunity provided by Worldpackers. 

It is perfect for those who want to leave a positive impact on the places they visit, and for those who want an enriching experience abroad. 

Being an NGO volunteer is something that many people strive to do at least once in their life, so why not go for it? Worldpackers makes it easier than ever to find an NGO that appeals to you and volunteer with them.

What is an NGO?

NGO stands for "non-governmental organization", meaning they are an organization that operates outside the government and they are completely independent. 

Many NGOs are "non-profit organizations", meaning their goal is not to make money, it is to donate the money they raise towards their cause.

Some NGOs may receive funding from the government, but often they rely on donations, sponsors, and of course, volunteers. Most NGOs have a specific humanitarian purpose that motivates them, and everyone is working towards a common goal of fulfilling that purpose.

Some examples of causes that NGOs fight for include animal rights, women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights, clean drinking water for underdeveloped countries, reducing poaching and illegal animal trades, universal education, combating poverty and homelessness, integrating immigrants into different cultures, environmental protection, cleaning the oceans, reducing waste, and the list goes on and on. 

Basically if there is any sort of work that can be done to improve life on Earth, there is an NGO somewhere that does it.

What is NGO volunteer work?

NGO volunteer work is when you provide your skills and your time to help them with their cause. 

Because most NGOs are non-profit, they don't have a lot of income to pay for lots of full time employees. NGO volunteers are very valuable to the organizations that don't have much money, as it shows people are interested in their cause.

NGOs look for volunteers that are motivated, driven, and passionate about their cause. 

There is lots of fundraising, social media, filming and general promotion that needs to be done for NGOs so they can educate the world about the goal they are working towards. Every NGO is different, but there are plenty of skills that can be useful for an organization. 

Some NGOs need people with physical skills, like construction, plumbing, animal care, child care, driving, and more. Some NGOs look for people with soft skills, like communication, organization, and problem solving.

NGOs value all of their volunteers, so anything you can bring to the table will be appreciated. Most NGO volunteers work for free because they know their efforts are being put into a project that will better the world.

Why volunteer with an NGO?

There are so many benefits to volunteering with an NGO. 

There are external benefits that you can see from the work you do. There are so many underdeveloped areas of the world that can benefit from outside help.

Whether it be helping preserve natural ecosystems and fighting to protect rainforests and oceans, or building houses and installing plumbing in rural villages, or rescuing animals from abusive areas and nursing them back to health; there are plenty of opportunities to help the planet through volunteering.

Through helping others, many volunteers see internal benefits, such as gaining a sense of purpose and fulfillment. When you work to support a cause that you are passionate about, you will feel like you are using your skills and your time for good. 

For those looking to make the world a better place, and to feel an incredible sense of self-worth, NGO volunteer work is the perfect way to do that.

Being an NGO volunteer also helps you gain valuable work experience, and employers love to see volunteer travel experience on a resume. It also allows you to travel the world and see some interesting places that tourists may not get to see.

How to volunteer abroad with an NGO

There are millions of NGOs all over the world, and volunteering with one of them is an incredible way to travel and positively impact the communities you visit.

Most NGOs would love to have as many volunteers as possible, so all you have to do is reach out to them and explain how you could benefit their team.

Worldpackers makes it very easy and accessible to volunteer abroad with an NGO. Through the online platform, you can search for NGO volunteer opportunities and communicate directly with the hosts to discuss your plans. 

The great thing about volunteering at an NGO through Worldpackers is that the hosts often provide free accommodation and sometimes meals as well. So you won't get paid for your NGO volunteer work, but your living expenses will be close to nothing.

Once you apply to volunteer with an NGO through Worldpackers and discuss the dates and arrangements with them, all you have to do is book your flight and arrange your visa if you need one. This is a super straightforward and easy way to find NGO volunteer work abroad, and it is an affordable and rewarding way to travel.  

NGO volunteer opportunities

There is a long list of NGO volunteer opportunities with Worldpackers, and all you have to do is browse the website. 

You can travel to so many beautiful countries and volunteer with a business that is bettering the planet. It is very easy to find NGO volunteer opportunities that suit your interests and your passions as well.

If you love working with kids, there are so many NGOs that work for the improvement of childrens' lives. 

For example, you can volunteer at an orphanage in Nepal and help bring a smile to all the kids' faces. Or, you can fly over to Tanzania and teach music lessons to kids, or play soccer with local kids in Togo and help promote their team. You can volunteer with local children in Venezuela, use your basic education skills to tutor children in Kenya, or spend lots of time playing and motivating local kids in Cambodia. In any of these NGO volunteer opportunities, you get to take your love for kids abroad and bring joy to the lives of underprivileged youth around the world.

If you prefer working with animals, there are plenty of NGO volunteer opportunities helping animals as well.

 There are animal rescue centers in Morocco, Peru, Costa Rica and Cape Verde that need volunteers to help them with various tasks. Even if you are passionate about animals but don't want as much of a hands-on approach, there is a NGO in Ecuador that needs help developing a website that promotes the well-being of dolphins and whales.

If you have specific skills that you would live to improve and develop, you can do that as well. 

If you want to work on your social media skills, there are NGOs in India, Brazil, Thailand, and Uganda that need volunteers to help with their social networks. If you are good at working with your hands, you can help with painting and repairs in Colombia, volunteer at an agricultural community in Zambia, help with roof reconstruction in Portugal, or build playgrounds and buildings in Rwanda.

Even if you don't know exactly what you are looking for and you want to try something new, why not go live with the hill tribes in the mountains of Vietnam and learn about tea and work with the locals? 

Or head to South Africa and help children with special needs? 

Or volunteer at a nature conservation project in Indonesia? Or work on a rescued animal farm in Italy?

The NGO volunteer opportunities at Worldpackers seem never-ending, and surely there is something for everyone. 

So take that leap of faith, do some good in the world and become an NGO volunteer!