Volunteer

A Brief Guide to Volunteer Wildlife Projects Abroad

Wildlife conservation has always been at the very heart of voluntary projects abroad. Although it is by no means the only option available to the selfless backpacker these days – with opportunities ranging from journalism to helping out on a community project – it is still by far the most popular form of voluntary travel [...]

10 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Volunteering Abroad

Isabel Eva Bohrer has volunteered all over the world. Here, she reveals a few things you should know before you get started.

Our Final Bedkit Distribution in Yellapur, India

Our eighth and final distribution was located approximately two hours south of Hubli in a town called Yellapur. It is known for its two beautiful and natural waterfalls – Magod falls and Satoddi falls. The distribution took place inside of an Ashram. It was beautiful. The grounds were filled with rings of rich purple flowers, [...]

The SCAW Distribution in India Continues: Sitting Down with the Parents

As I mentioned in a previous blog, as a SCAW volunteer, there are many different roles you can play at a distribution – the photographer, the label puller, the counter, the organizer of the kids. One of my favourite roles of all would be the interviewer. Throughout the trip, we were responsible for interviewing a [...]

The Ladies of Belgaum, India

Our largest distribution took place in the city of Belgaum, population of approximately one million people. We handed out 1,000 bedkits that day and believe me, it wasn’t easy organizing 1,000 children and their parents, but it was done and done smoothly, thanks to the local Rotarians and their families.

The Young Humanitarian of Harugari

Our third distribution was in a town called Harugari, approximately three hours from Belgaum, where we distributed 150 bedkits. We had such a great time at that site. At one point, we had the kids running from the moment they checked in, through to the area where they were supposed to get changed, high-fiving them [...]

A 360 Degree Moment in Rural India

Our two days of touring are officially over. We took a flight from Mumbai to Hubli and then drove to Belgaum, our home base for the next five days as we drive in and out of some of the most rural parts of India.

Little Moments in Mumbai

Our second day with our tour guide Amin was even more special than the first. As I mentioned in a previous blog entry, before I left Toronto I sent an email to friends, family and co-workers asking them for donations to an orphanage in Mumbai. As a result I received an entire hockey equipment bag [...]

Touring the Contrast City of Mumbai, India

I’ve been to many countries around the world, but nothing could prepare me for the contrast that I was about to see in Mumbai. I say contrast because of the two extremes – tall modern sky scrapers, BMWs and businessmen you see roaming around the streets, to the extremely poor people, hanging out by the [...]

Lessons from a Volunteer in India: Be Careful What You Pack

Twenty-four hours and two plane rides later, we arrived at our hotel in Mumbai. We are staying at a YMCA International House, which, by the way, if you are ever looking for an economical, clean and modest place to stay while traveling to certain places overseas, I definitely recommend. My friend and co-worker Tom stayed [...]

I’m Leaving on a Jet Plane … to India … with 6 Strangers

Tamara Kaftalovich is working with Maverick PR to assist ‘Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW)’ in providing bedkits to needy children in India.

Voluntourism: Hip or Hype?

With some research, due diligence, and attention to a community’s actual needs, you can put your humanitarian efforts to many good uses around the world.