World Endeavors Community Development programs connect volunteers with the most pressing needs of their host communities. Many volunteers provide job skills training for the unemployed or teach subjects like computer skills and English, while others assist with community assistance programs like soup kitchens and shelters. Some volunteers also work on improving community infrastructure. Often, volunteers connect with local organizations that work to support marginalized groups and promote social justice. These projects provide an unparalleled opportunity for volunteers to make a difference and help communities around the world realize their full potential.
Volunteering in Community Development
WHAT TO EXPECT ON A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT VOLUNTEER PROJECT
Participants in community development programs do hands-on work that leaves a lasting impact on communities in need. Assisting with challenges that have no simple solutions, volunteers learn about persisting in the face of difficulties and contributing their efforts toward creating necessary, far-reaching change. After volunteering, participants bring home an expanded awareness of important issues and help shed light on the situations of developing communities worldwide.
HIGHLIGHTS & BENEFITS
No special skills or experience are required for these projects, but many kinds of skills can be put to use. Volunteers with expertise in computing, cooking, business, and many other areas can often put this knowledge to work assisting their host communities. Volunteers with or without knowledge of the local language can contribute to these projects. World Endeavors Community Development volunteers enjoy engaging in grassroots efforts to provide communities with new ideas and opportunities.
Our Community Development volunteer projects

Community Construction Volunteer in Hua Hin, Thailand
Community Construction Volunteer in Hua Hin, Thailand
There are many families in Thailand that live under poor housing conditions and many of its local community areas and facilities such as temples, hospitals or schools still need a lot of improvement. To address this concern, this program aims at participants to help improve the living standards of these local people in need by providing support in much needed construction and renovation work by creating proper sanitation facilities, make housing safer places to live and ensuring communities have greater authority over their own development initiatives. Participants will be asked to engage in tasks ranging from light work such as cleaning the area, mixing cement and painting to harder tasks s

Construction and Renovation Volunteer in Madagascar
Construction and Renovation Volunteer in Madagascar
You will work under a local coordinator who will provide you guidance and training to work alongside the local families and other participants. The project involves hard physical and manual labor since you will be laying bricks, doing carpentry, painting, waterproofing, laying tiles, landscaping/gardening, as well as, improving the community’s hygiene and sanitation facilities.

Construction and Renovation Volunteer Project in Nepal
Construction and Renovation Volunteer Project in Nepal
During this project, you will be staying in Kathmandu at our center. Your daily work would involve outdoor construction and renovation activities including, demolishing broken structures, building walls, painting, carpentry, fencing the school premises etc.

Construction Effort Volunteer in Palawan, Philippines
Construction Effort Volunteer in Palawan, Philippines
In this project, you will work alongside local Palawan people and this will give them a unique insight into the lifestyle and culture of the population of this beautiful island. Moreover, you will join other participants from all over the world to jointly work on these construction efforts.
The main construction and renovation activities will consist of painting, building walls, renovating furniture, gardening and so on. Construction experience is not required, anybody can join and give a helping hand to the local people of Palawan!

Food Shop Volunteer in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Food Shop Volunteer in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
The shop is run by a NGO together with passionate locals and your efforts will be greatly appreciated as well.
In this program you will help to prepare lunches and serve these meals to a group of around 500 people (elderly, local workers, person with disabilities, students and children) who come for low cost, good quality and well prepared meals each day!
This program is likely to be one of the most challenging, engaging and, at times, one of the most exhausting things you have ever done, where you loved every minute of it!
Please be advised that the Food Shop program continues to function even when the NGO run facility is closed (including a month long closure around the Tet Holiday). Durin

Construction & Renovation Volunteer in Goa, India
Construction & Renovation Volunteer in Goa, India
Moreover, those with artistic talents can help decorate the walls by creating images and sketches of their home countries and cultures. We have the feeling that this will be a nice way of reflecting the hard and good work that has been done by our participants over the past years.
Other construction efforts might be carried out in the local village (renovating and building houses and sanitation facilities) or working on construction projects at the local hospitals – this very much depends on the needs of any particular time and so our participants will be using their construction skills where they are most needed!

Community Engagement Volunteer Program in Goa, India
Community Engagement Volunteer Program in Goa, India
By lending your time and effort you would help in improving the quality of life of the local communities of Goa. This project is designed to provide basic informal education, life skills, arts and crafts. Participate in our endeavor to empower the local women to start up their own businesses. And provide them with proper materials and training to stand on their own feet. Join us in this project to inspire the less privileged and help the community to build on their own.

Construction and Renovation Volunteer in Ubud town of Bali, Indonesia
Construction and Renovation Volunteer in Ubud town of Bali, Indonesia
In this program, you would be participating in laying bricks, doing carpentry, painting, laying tiles and landscaping/gardening. A local coordinator will provide guidance and training alongside local families.
Through participating in this social project, you will make a difference to the local community by helping in improving their living conditions. You would be in an artistic and relaxed environment where you are in charge of renovating and creating drawings and paintings in several kindergartens and primary schools around Ubud. This activity is fun and it would support your creativity during the process.
For all programs, it is imperative to remember that any money raised to help your p

Coral Coast Construction and Renovation Volunteer in Fiji
Coral Coast Construction and Renovation Volunteer in Fiji
We have initiated the construction project to support the local community by sheltering those in need and start reconstructing some of what had been lost during the cyclone disaster. This project is based in the Sigatoka area and is a fantastic opportunity to provide tangible benefits and assistance to the local community in general and schools in particular. Bring out your carpentry skills and participate along with the local community in the construction project. In addition to the basic project, you may also take part in landscaping the surrounding area, painting local schools and renovating classrooms. Many of the schools we work with do not have the funding to renovate their classrooms

Construction Effort Volunteer in Cambodia
Construction Effort Volunteer in Cambodia
On this project, you will get your hands dirty with construction assignments. Our main construction focus is working at a local school, which has been allocated as an education resource for the children of poor villagers. This school was built with the support and sweat equity of helpers like yourself, along with skilled local tradesmen. Today, more than three hundred children attend classes here daily. Despite previous efforts, the work here is far from done and we continue to construct new buildings, pathways, toilets, walls, drainage systems for rain run-off, etc. to meet the needs of all those using the facility. Those with an artistic talent can help decorate the walls by creating mural

Community Development Volunteer in Tanzania
Community Development Volunteer in Tanzania
Volunteers work to strengthen their host community by addressing some of its most pressing needs and sharing their skills and compassion with the people they meet.

Building Project in Accra, Ghana
Building Project in Accra, Ghana
Assist locals with much needed construction, repairs and renovations. Get your hands dirty and engage with the community! Our projects are dictated by community need. As a result, you may be renovating a school, building a home, or constructing a community center. No matter which phase of a project you join, be assured that your contribution will be lasting and greatly appreciated. No experience is necessary, as you will be working alongside locals with lots of experience using local materials.
By joining a building project, you will bring the human-power that is needed to fuel the construction. Projects are selected by community need, which creates a variety of different projects. Education
Every World Endeavors Volunteer Project Includes
Our carefully designed international volunteer programs encompass everything necessary for your success and well-being while abroad.
YOUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
- Volunteer project customized to match your interests and goals and meet community needs
- Year-round program availability
- Flexible durations from 2 to 12 weeks
PEACE OF MIND
- Comprehensive travel medical insurance
- Mental Health First Aid-certified staff
- 24/7 emergency travel assistance
ACCOMMODATION
- Host family or shared volunteer house, depending on destination
- Vetted and hand-selected with quality and safety in mind
- 2 to 3 meals per day included
PREPARATION AND SUPPORT
- Airport pickup
- Pre-arrival and on-site orientation
- 24/7 local support
TEAM OF EXPERTS
- Dedicated one-on-one advisor
- Local on-site coordinator
- Volunteer project supervisor
RE-ENTRY AND CAREER INTEGRATION
- Re-entry handbook and support
- Assistance with resume updates
- World Endeavors Alumni Network
Our Top Volunteer Abroad Destinations
World Endeavors volunteers support communities in several destinations in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania. Our programs are located in a variety of sites, including urban and rural, economically developed and developing, and English-speaking and non-English speaking.
Available Volunteer Project types
Here are the available Volunteer Abroad project types. Don’t panic if you don’t see your preferred project type listed! Our advisors are proud of their ability to find great volunteer projects in interesting locations and will be able to match you to the best project. Contact World Endeavors today to find out more.
How to choose the best volunteer program
Choosing your volunteer program is easy when you evaluate your priorities. Follow these steps to guide you toward your ideal program.
Explore a New Career
Interning abroad offers a great opportunity to explore your professional and personal interests, and help define your career path. Peruse our internship fields and past examples to find the best fit.
Choose Your Dream Destination
Finding a meaningful way to combine interning and travel to your dream location is a big incentive. Carefully consider which destinations suit your interests and international internship goals.
Improve Language Skills
Immersing yourself in a language-rich environment is the ultimate method for developing fluency. If language-learning is your goal, favor destinations that use your language of choice.
Fit your budget
Explore scholarships and financial aid to determine if these may impact your destination options. Consider the overall cost of the program and cost of living in-country to identify the optimal match.
Try our program finder to filter based on your choices.
Volunteer Abroad FAQs
How old do you have to be to Volunteer Abroad?
For most of World Endeavors’ volunteer programs, applicants must be 18 or older, although we make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. The good news is there is no maximum age for our volunteer abroad programs.
Are there any free volunteer abroad programs?
Unfortunately, we cannot offer any volunteer programs for free. We value the impact our programs make, the partners we work with, and the overall experience of our participants. To provide the best volunteer abroad experience, we require participants to pay volunteer program fees.
Does Volunteering Abroad Look Good on a Resume?
Volunteering abroad enhances your resume by showcasing your cultural adaptability, global perspective, problem-solving skills, language proficiency, leadership, teamwork, initiative, and interpersonal abilities. It highlights your willingness to step out of your comfort zone, make a positive impact, and work effectively in diverse settings, making you a valuable candidate with a broader skill set and a strong sense of civic responsibility.
How to Fundraise for Volunteering Abroad?
There are plenty of ways to make volunteering abroad affordable and fit within your budget. Check out our fundraising page for guidance on to fundraise for your volunteer abroad program.
Where is the Best Place to Volunteer Abroad?
The optimal location for volunteering abroad depends on your interests, skills, and the causes you’re passionate about. Whether it’s teaching in a rural community, conserving wildlife in a biodiverse region, contributing to healthcare initiatives in underserved areas, or participating in sustainable development projects, the best place to volunteer abroad is where your strengths align with the needs of the local community, fostering meaningful and lasting positive impact. Browse all our volunteer abroad programs to see which project and destination stands out most.
Do You Need a Visa to Volunteer Abroad?
The specifics differ based on the destination and volunteer project you choose, not to mention visa regulations and requirements fluctuate periodically. As part of our enrollment procedure, our team will guide you through the steps needed to secure a visa if it’s deemed essential for your volunteer program and destination.
Is Volunteering Abroad Safe?
World Endeavors rigorously tracks travel advisories and exclusively organizes programs where safety is guaranteed, so when you choose to volunteer abroad with us, you don’t need to worry if you’ll be safe.
Our dedication to volunteer safety involves several measures, including a preparatory guide, continuous local assistance, on-site experts, thorough orientations before and after arrival, extensive travel medical coverage, and staff certified in Mental Health First Aid. Your well-being is our priority, ensuring you can flourish as a volunteer abroad with confidence!
Recent blog posts
Why You Should Volunteer Abroad with World Endeavors
New Program: Intern and Volunteer in Argentina
How to apply for a Volunteer Abroad Program
You’ve decided to volunteer abroad – congratulations! Applying for your World Endeavors program is easy and stress-free. We can’t wait to get you on your way!
STEP 1
EXPLORE & ASK
Research and compare. If you can’t decide on a program, we can guide you toward the best fit.
STEP 2
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
Fill out our online application form to share all your relevant details with our team.
STEP 3
ENROLL & PREPARE
Receive your official acceptance and enroll. We’ll give you all the info you need to get ready!
STEP 4
START YOUR ADVENTURE!
You’ve researched, planned and saved. Now you’re ready. It’s time to PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE!