It’s definitely no surprise that volunteering abroad can be a life-changing experience for volunteers. It’s a great opportunity to immerse yourself in new cultures and support projects that will directly benefit local communities. In addition, it can also be a helpful way to spark purpose and self-fulfilment.
Essentially, voluntourism is travel that combines vacation and volunteering. Voluntourism trips are usually short-term and involve volunteer work, merged with planned excursions and time for leisure. They also typically focus more on the experience of participants; versus the actual impact they leave on the communities in need.
What kind of Voluntourism projects are there?
The point of voluntourism is that you get to see as much of a country as possible while you volunteer for a certain cause during your trip. There are so many possibilities available in Kenya that it will come down to where you want to go and what skills you have to offer. Here are some possibilities that are available for you:
- Teaching
- Cultural immersion programs
- Community support
- Youth development
- Environmental conservation
- Agriculture
- Sports training
- Housing
Top 5 benefits of Voluntourism
It’s hard to name drawbacks when talking about travel and volunteering overseas even if it’s for a short period of time. It’s almost always associated with feelings of positivity. Both travel and volunteering allow people to get out of their usual environment and open up to new experiences. Volunteer and travel and you will be helping the local communities in Kenya. Let’s take a look at some other benefits voluntourism may have in store for you:
1. Valuable Learning Opportunities
Choosing to volunteer and travel will open up a new world. You will learn more about Kenya and its culture and interact with the local community. This will ensure a deeper understanding of the people and their situation. Depending on your volunteer activities, you will gain valuable insights in teaching and other activities. Learn some new skills and witness the opportunities that will unfold. Whether it’s for valuable work experience or a way to spend your gap year. Meaningful travel opportunities await you.
2. Meet new people
You will meet other volunteers and travellers who share your taste in activities and interests. You’ll be connecting with like-minded fellow volunteers and of course locals. This will be a wonderful opportunity for meaningful relationships and cultural interchange. Meet other volunteering tourists that share your love for travel and value for giving back to the community.
3. New Experiences
This is a brilliant way to expand your perspective on life. Issues that seemed huge problems before, may seem trivial after your volunteer experience. New life experiences make you stronger and will empower you for the future. Voluntourism is a great way to experiment and see if volunteering is something you’d like to do more of in the future.
4. Health Improvements
Traveling and volunteering are two ingredients that practically guarantee happiness. Research has proven that traveling is beneficial as it puts people in a completely different environment allowing different parts of the brain to be used. Nature, which is usually a big part of going on a trip, is a wonderful healer for those under a lot of pressure and suffering from stress. On top of that, providing some kind of support, however small, will give you a sense a purpose which is a major happiness influencer. Happy people tend to be healthy people. Volunteer and travel and notice the effects it has on you!
5. Travel
This is your chance to explore and discover some of the most interesting places the world and Kenya in particular has to offer. You’ll be doing this while contributing to a meaningful cause. What are you waiting for? Get out your luggage and start packing for your adventure in Kenya as a volunteer tourist!
Activities
A volunteer traveller returns home getting richer – with new friends and social connections, a family in different land, new skills and learnings, and memories to cherish for a lifetime!
How to get there
Still have Questions?
We're always here to help.
Get in touch whatever way works best for you.
Email: info@safariboratravel.com
Phone: +254 726 554 507 | +254 731 667 877
We have partnered with LEC community org and support their programs.
LEC works to empower disadvantaged communities for a more equitable society. LEC runs several programs spread across several counties in Kenya.
Alternative way to support.
If you'd like to offer immediate help towards any of the programs we have mentioned, you can donate finances. You can specify a program you're donating towards in the donation form.
