Fourteen-year-old Zoe Damaschino from California spent a day of her summer vacation teaching English at a school in Cambodia, or Costa Rica. All you need is an afternoon. Give A Day Global will organize everything for you.
Volunteer Vacations
Many tourists hunt for a meaningful service project overseas, however, most volunteer vacations are for a week or longer.
Family Vacations
What do you do with three teenage kids in Cambodia?
Anthony Damaschino found a unique opportunity for his family to volunteer with Give A Day Global. They made all the arrangements for his wife and three kids to work at an elephant sanctuary for a day.
Feed, Play, Love. Health and Nutrition in Cancun, Mexico. Photo Credits: Giveadayglobal.org
Another day they taught English at an after school program in a local school in the poorest neighborhood of Siem Reap, Cambodia. “The kids who came to the classes understand that learning English is the fastest ticket to get a good job in the tourism business, so the students are focused and enthusiastic. We had kids from eight to 18 year-old, all eager to better themselves,” Anthony explained.
Lifetime Memories
“When you see the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben, it’s impactful, but not half as much as volunteering. We cried when we left the school. It changed my kids. They understood how fortunate we are and how meaningful giving back can be,” added Anthony.
Business Travelers
Volunteer in Kenya for Small Business Training
Kim Parsley found a way to volunteer that fit into her busy work schedule. “While traveling to India for business, I decided to extend my trip one day to volunteer. What a great experience to be rooted in the local culture and to provide a hot lunch to kids in Bangalore’s public schools. Thank you to Give A Day Global for making the connection,” Kim said.
Students, honeymooners and solo travelers
have found an easy way to have meaningful contact with local people by connecting with nonprofit organizations across the globe through Give A Day Global.
Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, India, Kenya, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand
are among the countries where you can participate in a single day volunteer program.
Focus on Mothers and Children
Aiko Yep, a social worker from Los Angeles, volunteered at a midday meal program for mothers and children in San Jose, Costa Rica. She urges other tourists to volunteer too. “If you are seeking an opportunity to get to know the countries and communities you are visiting on a deeper level, definitely partake in Give a Day Global. The teams (in country) were exceptionally helpful and welcoming, leading to my very special volunteer experience in Costa Rica,” Aiko explains.
Currently you can choose among 24 projects with partner nonprofits in 12 countries, and they’re constantly vetting and adding more.
Everyone Benefits
“The short-term volunteers are full of joy when they leave here. It makes a significant impact on our local communities, and many times we are building long-term relationships with the volunteers that extends beyond their one-day experience, ” says Elsa Bonilla, Director of Creciendo Juntos in Costa Rica.
“When I founded Give A Day Global in 2013, it was with the vision that all people should have access to education, healthy food, medical care, a sustainable environment and economic opportunities,” said Kerry Rodgers, co-founder and executive director of Give A Day Global. “As we bring daylong volunteer opportunities to travelers worldwide, our goal is to engage as many people as possible in making a positive impact on our world. We are proud to be the only nonprofit that offers single-day volunteer opportunities for international travelers.”
There is no charge to either the volunteer or the nonprofit (Give A Day Global covers operating costs through donors who are passionate about their work). Give A Day Global does, however, encourage travelers to give a suggested donation to their selected nonprofit when they volunteer there, and 100% of that donation goes directly to the nonprofit. There is an option to crowd fund that donation if the volunteer would prefer.
Currently you can choose among 24 projects with partner nonprofits in 12 countries, and they’re constantly vetting and adding more.