hands up holidays
61 parkstead rd, uK
%(uK) +44 (0)207 193 1062
%(us) +1 201 984 5372
fax +44 (0) 870 751 8362
[email protected]
http://www.handsupholidays.com
hands up holidays was created to allow
tourists to enjoy meaningful interaction with
different cultures and to give something
back through a volunteering ‘taster’. most
accommodation is four-star, and is always
with local operators. the volunteering portion
of a holiday accounts for approximately one-
third of the trip duration, and may include
house building, repairs and renovations,
teaching english, environmental assistance
etc. hands up holidays is committed
to environmental sustainability and to
contributing a portion of profits to sustainable
development projects in the communities with
which it interacts.
status: limited company.
timing & length of projects: due to the
tailor-made nature of the trips, the timing and
length of projects are up to you, although
typically, guests spend three to five days
volunteering and the remainder of the time
exploring their chosen destination.
destinations: argentina, australia, belize,
bolivia, borneo, brazil, Cambodia, China,
Colombia, Costa rica, ecuador, fiji, ghana,
guatemala, India, Indonesia, Kenya, laos,
libya, malawi, mexico, morocco, mozambique,
namibia, nepal, new Zealand, peru, portugal,
romania, rwanda, slovakia, south africa,
thailand, Vanuatu, Vietnam and Zambia.
Costs: because trips are tailor made, the cost
depends on a variety of factors, including
destination, level of accommodation, length
of trip and time of year. the average cost
per person for a 14-day trip in four-star
accommodation is us$3250 per person,
excluding flights.
eligibility: Clients’ skills and interests are
matched with volunteer projects. there is
a minimum age of 18 unless accompanied
by a guardian. many trips are specifically
recommended for families.
groups or Individuals: both.
annual no. of Volunteers: 200
annual projects: 20
partner programmes: hands up is partnered
with over 60 organisations throughout
africa, asia, latin america, europe and the
pacific, including world Vision, tearfund,
rotary International, and many smaller
ngos.
selection & Interview process: there is a
questionnaire to be completed, and clients’
skills and interests are matched with
volunteer projects. for most volunteer projects
there is no interview, but some do require
it. a police check is required if the volunteer
project entails interaction with children or
other vulnerable people.
In-country support: 24-hour in-country
support is provided and local guides and
trip coordinators are present throughout the
trip (including the volunteer component); all
are fluent in english. training specific to the
volunteer project is provided where necessary.North American
Organisationsaquila tours Inc.
po box 6895 st john, new brunswick,
Canada e2l 4 s3
%800 561 9091
fax 506 658 0969
[email protected]
http://www.voluntouring.ca
aquila follows the ‘voluntourism’ philosophy
of offering an inclusive, seamless volunteer
travel experience from start to finish that
integrates voluntary service in a destination
with the traditional elements of travel.
status: Incorporated private company.
timing & length of placements: the company
primarily offers two-week excursions with
around a week of volunteer work. there are
two to three destinations per year and set
travel dates.
group or Individuals: Volunteers travel as
part of a group of eight to 15 participants.
Individuals or groups are welcome to join
tours.
destinations: destinations vary, but have
included el salvador, thailand and
Zambia.
Costs: not including airfares, the programme
fees are usually between C$1500 and
C$2000. the cost includes lodging, meals,
ground transportation, cultural tours,
orientation materials and a donation to the
local charity. the organisation can make
airfare reservations at a discounted rate.eligibility: participants under the age of 18
must have a legal guardian with them and
children under 16 will be approved on a case-
by-case basis. no special skills or experience
are required. people with disabilities may
apply, but acceptance depends on the nature
of the volunteer work they are applying for.
groups or Individuals: Volunteers travel as
a group. the minimum group size is eight
and the maximum is 20, but there can
be exceptions. friends and families are
encouraged to travel and volunteer together.
annual no. of Volunteers: under 50.
annual projects: 2
partner programmes: 2
selection & Interview process: If possible,
all participants are interviewed over the
phone or in person. this ensures that
potential participants understand the scope
of a ‘voluntourism’ programme, as well as
determining the most suitable destination
for them.
In-country support: ’Voluntourism’
programmes all travel with a team leader
from aquila.
por un mejor hoY Inc
rio mexapa 130, Colonia hacienda tetela,
62160 Cuernavaca, morelos, mexico
%+52 (777) 176-7868
[email protected]
http://www.hoycommunity.org
this us non-profit organisation, which
is based in mexico, engages travellers
in ‘participatory trips’ to underprivileged
mexican urban and rural communities. trips
combine work on hands-on community
projects with sightseeing and cultural
activities.
status: non-profit organisation.
timing & length of projects: one or two
weeks; email inquiries regarding availability.
destinations: mexico urban setting:
Cuernavaca; numerous rural settings in
morelos state.
Costs: one week at Casa hoY in Cuernavaca:
us$350 per person, which includes hostel-
type lodging, breakfast and lunch, local
transportation and bus to and from airport,
all arrangements for volunteer service, one
guided excursion, wireless internet. one
week in a rural setting (morelos state) costs
us$475 per person, which includes very
basic lodging, breakfast, lunch, dinner, local
transportation and bus to and from airport,all arrangements for volunteer service, one
guided excursion. not included in either
option is the airfare to and from mexico City,
visas, travel insurance, meals other than
those specified, and personal expenses.
eligibility: minimum age is 18; minors must
be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Volunteers may be of any nationality, but
must have a basic knowledge of spanish
and a willingness to discover a new culture.
no accommodation is available for people
with disabilities.
groups or Individuals: trips are arranged for
groups: minimum of four, maximum of 15.
annual no. of Volunteers: 40 to 50.
annual projects: 6
partner programmes: 10
selection & Interview process: organisation
founders Katy barnhart and gerardo jaime
personally select programmes and projects
and work with partners to identify short-
term volunteer activities. feedback from
volunteers and organisations determines
whether the partnership continues.
participatory travellers are placed mainly
according to their interests and past
volunteer experiences (if any); their level of
spanish may also inform the decision.
In-country support: a preparatory orientation
covers logistical, cultural, linguistic and safety
issues. Volunteers have 24-hour access to a
local contact person.Australasian Organisations
addventure Vsa,
Volunteer service abroad (Vsa)
po box 12246, wellington, aotrearoa,
new Zealand
%+64 (0)4 472 5759
fax +64 (0)4 472 5052
[email protected]
http://www.vsa.org.nz
new Zealand’s leading international volunteer
agency, Volunteer service abroad (Vsa),
promotes addventure Vsa – a scheme that
offers people the chance to ‘pitch-in’ on a
short-term community project overseas. Vsa
runs these trips in partnership with new
Zealand–based pacific discovery, which
organises small group travel adventures.
status: registered Charity.
timing & length of assignments: addventure
Vsa projects are offered twice to three times05: Organised Volunteer Programmes:Volunteering Holidays