Orphanage Volunteer Abroad

Romania

Volunteers spend time interacting with the children in the "tabara," while also experiencing Romanian life and culture in the adjoining village, located in the beautiful foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. A variety of activities and projects can be performed with children of all ages. These activities include playing with the children who are in great need of care and attention, teaching them English, and doing arts and crafts. Read more

Ecuador

This project takes place in Quito at a busy day care center that serves over 300 children in a low-income neighborhood. The center strives to better educate and develop the children at a young age.The center has a morning day care program for children from 5 months to 6 years old; in the afternoon, schoolchildren come to the center until their parents return from work. Volunteers will help teachers in caring for the infants during the morning at the kindergarten and during the afternoon they will assist with homework and other recreational activities for the children. Spanish language skills required. Read more

Costa Rica

United Planet's partner orphanage in San Jose is a home where all of the children's basic needs are met (shelter, food, clothes and education). The center also focuses on creating an environment that encourages the children's growth and development. Many of the children have been abandoned, are sick, belong to single mothers or have been separated from their parents by the state to ensure their wellbeing. Volunteers at this site in Costa Rica help do some light construction work such as repairing windows, doors etc. Volunteers can also teach English, organize artistic (theater, music, arts) and sports activities, help the children with their homework or teach agricultural education. Volunteers with no previous experience are welcome and social workers, psychologists and teachers are also needed. Basic Spanish required. Read more

Peru

Work at a state orphanage for kids between the ages of 1 and 18. The children live and eat in 12 different houses where a substitute mother takes care of a maximum of 10 children and sends them to school. Volunteers assist the substitute mothers in taking care of the household, helping the children with their homework, and organizing workshops and recreational activities. This opportunity is open for all volunteers. Intermediate to Advanced Spanish Required. Read more

Tanzania

 Volunteers to Tanzania may work at one of two orphanages - one just outside the city of Dar es Salaam and another in a more rural area, Ilula Ward, located 40 minutes drive outside of the provincial capital of Iringa (8 hours from Dar es Salaam by bus). In the city, volunteers work at an orphanage and education center where most of the children are orphans, while others are street children, children that come from brothels, or other socially disadvantaged children. Volunteer work may include training on topics such as HIV/AIDS as well as helping with leisure programs such as singing and sports. The center in Ilula Ward includes over 100 acres of farmland, and they are currently focusing on building a new secondary school. Volunteer work there may include manual labor, such as farm work, as well as working with the children. Read more

• Preparation & training before departure
• Food & lodging in-country (what’s included may vary by country, call for details)
• Airport transportation
• Cultural activities and excursions
• Emergency medical insurance
• Ongoing support from Coordinators in each country

Fees do not include:

• Visa processing charges
• International airfare
• Any required vaccinations or immunizations
• Local transportation