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Charity Trips Abroad
Charity trips abroad: support community-led projects in India, Peru, Tanzania and South Africa and more, from 1 to 24 weeks, fees from $534.
What a charity trip involves
A charity trip abroad puts you alongside local staff on a project that already has a plan, not something invented for visitors. Depending on the destination you might help at a daycare center, support a classroom, assist a community program, or work alongside coaches on a sports project. Most placements run 1 to 24 weeks, and volunteers join from age 16+ (18+ on some programs). Groups, gap-year travelers, career-break professionals and couples all take part; no special qualifications are needed for most projects, though medical placements require health training.
Volunteering Solutions has organized these trips since 2007, with in-country teams across India, Peru, Tanzania, South Africa, Ireland, Kenya and 15 more countries handling logistics, orientation and day-to-day support, so volunteers work under local supervision rather than taking charge alone. Fees start from $534, with a $249 deposit securing your place, and cover accommodation, meals and in-country support. See program costs explained or read about our B Corp certification.
Projects you can join
81 programs across 21 countries, straight from our booking system — filter by country.
Showing 24 of 81 programs. Every program is listed on its country page: India (9) · Peru (7) · Tanzania (6) · South Africa (5) · Ireland (4) · Kenya (4) · Morocco (4) · Nepal (4) · Philippines (4) · Portugal (4) · Spain (4) · Sri Lanka (4)
Where charity trips run
Each country page lists every program there with live prices, start dates and the local team's details.
Who can join, how long you can stay, and what it costs
Before you apply
- Minimum age 16+ (18+ on some programs); most projects welcome first-time volunteers with no prior experience.
- A clean background check is required before you join any program that involves working with children or vulnerable adults.
- Medical, dental and nursing placements are reserved for pre-med, medical, nursing or registered health professionals; other charity projects need no qualifications.
- Basic local language helps on some projects, such as Spanish in Peru or Argentina, but is not required everywhere; check the program page for specifics.
- Fees from $534, with a $249 deposit, cover accommodation, meals and in-country support; flights, insurance and visas are arranged separately.
- Programs run 1 to 24 weeks with fixed start dates; book ahead if you need a particular date, see the start dates explorer.
Cost by country
| Country | Programs | Minimum age | Duration | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nepal | 4 | 17+ | 1–24 weeks | $534 |
| India | 9 | 17+ | 1–18 weeks | $550 |
| Tanzania | 6 | 17+ | 1–24 weeks | $574 |
| Kenya | 4 | 17+ | 1–24 weeks | $599 |
| South Africa | 5 | 17+ | 1–24 weeks | $653 |
| Morocco | 4 | 18+ | 1–24 weeks | $689 |
| Bali | 2 | 17+ | 1–12 weeks | $719 |
| Peru | 7 | 17+ | 1–24 weeks | $744 |
| Ghana | 2 | 17+ | 2–12 weeks | $799 |
| Vietnam | 3 | 17+ | 2–24 weeks | $809 |
| Cambodia | 3 | 18+ | 2–24 weeks | $819 |
| Madagascar | 2 | 18+ | 2–12 weeks | $869 |
| Sri Lanka | 4 | 16+ | 1–20 weeks | $874 |
| Spain | 4 | 16+ | 1–24 weeks | $962 |
| Thailand | 3 | 18+ | 2–12 weeks | $1,039 |
| Philippines | 4 | 17+ | 2–24 weeks | $1,139 |
| Ecuador | 1 | 18+ | 3–24 weeks | $1,150 |
| Costa Rica | 3 | 18+ | 2–24 weeks | $1,263 |
| Portugal | 4 | 18+ | 1–12 weeks | $1,292 |
| Argentina | 3 | 18+ | 2–24 weeks | $1,649 |
| Ireland | 4 | 18+ | 3–12 weeks | $1,994 |
"From" is the all-in fee for the shortest stay and includes the $249 booking deposit; accommodation, the meals listed for the program, airport pickup where listed, orientation, placement and in-country support are covered. Flights, insurance, visas and personal spending are not. Each program page has the full week-by-week price table.
Which program can I choose during a charity trip abroad?
No matter whether you are a student looking for a work experience abroad, or a couple willing to do something different during your next vacation abroad - opting for a charity trip will surely turn out to be an amazing journey.
If you wish to volunteer abroad, you can choose from the following programs and travel abroad for a charity trip:
- Medical Mission Trips (only for pre-med, medical, nursing, and dental students as well as healthcare professionals)
- Teaching Programs
- Childcare Volunteering Programs
- Community Development Programs
- Women Empowerment Programs
- Wildlife and Environmental Conservation Programs
- Disabled Care Programs
If you have a time crunch, you can also join the specially curated Short-Term Travel and Volunteer Programs, which will give you the chance to work for 2 weeks in your preferred destination, while exploring.
What are the highlights of a charity trip abroad?
As a part of the charity trips with Volunteering Solutions, you'll be:
- Making a positive impact on communities in need
- Gaining a deeper understanding of different cultures and perspectives, while exploring the destination
- Fostering personal growth and empathy as well as developing new skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving
- Making friends from different parts of the world, and working with them to make a difference
- Promoting a sense of fulfillment and inspiring others to follow your footsteps
Keeping charity work responsible
Charity trips can drift toward projects designed to please visitors rather than communities, so we work only with placements requested and supervised by local partners. Volunteers support existing staff; they do not take sole charge of a classroom or childcare group, and only registered health professionals join medical placements. Wildlife-related community projects, where they exist, are welfare-first, with no riding, bathing or posed animal contact. Background checks are required for any project involving children or vulnerable adults, and our in-country teams provide orientation on boundaries before work begins.
- Projects are chosen with local partners, not created for tourism.
- Volunteers assist local staff; they do not diagnose, prescribe or take sole charge of children.
- See our child & vulnerable adult protection policy for details.
Our standards
- Safeguarding policyVetted placements, a code of conduct and background checks where you work with children or vulnerable adults.
- Child & vulnerable adult protectionHow placements with children are run and what volunteers may and may not do.
- Responsible volunteer travelCommunity-led projects, no work that displaces local jobs, honest about what a short stay can do.
- Certified B CorporationIndependently assessed on impact, transparency and accountability.
What our volunteers say
Charity Trips Abroad: frequently asked questions
What is a charity trip abroad?
A charity trip abroad combines travel with hands-on volunteering on a community-led project, such as childcare, teaching or community development. You work alongside local staff rather than running a project yourself. Volunteering Solutions has organized these trips since 2007, and as a certified B Corp, we place volunteers only where local partners have asked for support.
Who can go on a charity trip abroad?
Most projects accept volunteers from age 16+, with some requiring 18+; there is no upper age limit. No qualifications are needed for childcare, teaching or community projects, just a background check and a flexible attitude. Medical placements are reserved for pre-med, nursing or medical students and registered health professionals. Groups, solo travelers, couples and career-break professionals all take part.
What will I do day to day on a charity trip?
Day-to-day work depends on the project and location. You might support a daycare or kindergarten, assist a classroom teacher, help run a community program, or work alongside coaches on a sports project. You always work under local staff supervision rather than taking sole charge. Specific duties, hours and settings vary by program, so check the individual program page before booking.
How much does a charity trip abroad cost?
Fees start from $534, secured with a $249 deposit, and typically cover accommodation, meals, airport pickup and in-country support. Flights, visas and travel insurance are arranged separately. Costs vary by country and project type; see program costs explained for a full breakdown of what is and is not included.
How long do charity trips last and when can I start?
Programs run from 1 to 24 weeks, so you can build a short trip around a vacation or stay longer for a deeper placement. Start dates are fixed rather than open-ended; the next available start is 23 Sep 2026. Check the start dates explorer for the full calendar by country and project.
Which countries can I do a charity trip in?
Charity trips currently run across India, Peru, Tanzania, South Africa, Ireland, Kenya and 15 more countries. Each country hosts a different mix of projects, from childcare and teaching to community development and sports coaching, and fees and minimum ages vary by location. Check individual country pages for current programs, since not every project type runs in every country.
Are charity trips abroad ethical?
We work only with projects requested by local partners and run under our responsible volunteer travel policy. Volunteers support existing staff rather than replacing them, never take sole charge of children, and any medical work is restricted to qualified professionals. Placements are chosen for genuine local need, not visitor demand.
What safety and support is provided?
Every volunteer has access to 24/7 in-country support from local staff who handle orientation, accommodation and day-to-day logistics. Background checks are required for placements involving children or vulnerable adults, and our safeguarding policy sets out how projects are supervised. Travel insurance is required and arranged separately from the program fee.
Do I need a background check to volunteer?
Yes, for any project working with children or vulnerable adults, which covers most charity trip placements. You submit a clean criminal background check before departure as part of preparation. Medical placements additionally require proof of relevant qualifications or professional registration. Check the requirements listed on your chosen program page before booking.
Can I join a charity trip as part of a group or with family?
Yes. Groups, university cohorts and families can join many charity trip projects alongside individual volunteers. If you are organizing a group or fundraising together, see group volunteering for details on booking and support built for multiple travelers. Family-friendly placements are also available; ask your coordinator which programs suit younger participants.
Can I fundraise to cover the cost of my trip?
Yes, many volunteers fundraise part or all of their program fee. See how to fundraise your trip for practical guidance on setting up a fundraising page and reaching donors. The $249 deposit secures your place while you raise the remaining balance ahead of departure.
What is included in the program fee?
The fee covers accommodation, meals, airport pickup, in-country orientation and ongoing local support for the full length of your placement. It does not include flights, visas or travel insurance. Fees start from $534 with a $249 deposit; see where the fee goes for a full breakdown.
Start planning your charity trip abroad
81 programs · 21 countries · from $534 · next start 23 Sep 2026
Free advice, no obligation. Change program, dates or destination free of charge up to 45 days before you start.