Travel and Volunteering
YOU can make a difference!
If you love to travel, consider ethical and sustainable volunteering!
Make a difference in a community that you are visiting to get a little
more from your travels! Create lasting friendships and memories, and
learn a new skill! Whether it is wildlife conservation, animal
rehabilitation, child development, or eco farms, there are endless
opportunites for all interests!
Be more than a tourist!
I have always felt that working or volunteering in a foreign country gives you a much better understanding of what the country is truly like. It really doesn't compare with spending a vacation somewhere. While working or volunteering you might have a lot less time to go see the sights or lounge on a beach, but in return you get to experience a small part of "real life" in the country you chose to go to.
🐵
A glimpse into my volunteer experience to give you a little inspiration!
I had the priviledge to work with Max, a three month old howler monkey. His mother had been murdered and he was taken by animal trafficers to sell to the highest bidder. When confinscated, Max needed a lot of care. He had no mother to show him how to find food, climb trees, hide from predators, nor did he have the security of a troop. They were long, gratifiying days, mostly spent secluded from others with him perched on my chest, watching him closely climb in a designated tree, hand picking and feeding him cercropia and other plants. Occasionally, I would go into town to the local shop and pick up an apple as a treat. But most of all, I was honored to see him introduced into a troop to be safely released into the wild where he really belongd. By conserving wildlife, we're ensuring that future generations can enjoy our natural world and the incredible species that live within it! To help protect wildlife it's important to understand how species interact with their ecosystems, and how they're affected by environmental and human influences.
That is exactly what Wildtracks has done.
Tips to consider before traveling abroad:
-
DO YOUR RESEARCH!
Not only on the organization that you are intrested in, but also the area. Especially if you are traveling solo!
You want to avoid scams! Some organizations are money traps and most of the money required as a fee won't go toward the animals, children, medicine or supplies. Look for non-profits! - Find something you are passionate about!
- Read reviews from other volunteers.
- Visit travel and volunteer blogs
- Join a FB group page