Winter Break Trips To Warm Volunteers’ Hearts

Projects Abroad encourages everyone to stay active and give back throughout the holiday season by volunteering abroad

Projects Abroad Care & Community volunteers distribute Christmas gifts for disadvantaged children in Jamaica

The days are getting colder and longer, and summer is giving way to the fiery red foliage of fall. Winter break is fast approaching and instead of snuggling up indoors over the holidays, start looking for opportunities to use your time to help and support others. To keep the productivity flowing and encourage altruism during this time of year, Projects Abroad offers a range of Winter Break Trips. These short-term group volunteer trips run from 1-4 weeks and are designed to give volunteers the means to make as great an impact as possible in a short period of time. They are ideal for those who want to keep the momentum going over the holidays and give back through childcare or building work or gain practical experience on a medicine program. Each Winter Break Trip gets you out of the house and takes you to a community where you can contribute to ongoing development efforts, meet new people, and explore a different country and culture. Projects Abroad welcomes volunteers of all ages and skill levels on these trips, including vacationers interested in a different experience, students looking to add to their skill sets, and professionals wanting to get away from the office. Volunteers can sign-up on their own or join with friends, family, or a partner. The programs offered by Projects Abroad each have their own schedules for volunteering and sightseeing, and volunteers choose where they want to go. No prior experience is needed to join, says Monica Alarcon, a Program Advisor for Projects Abroad USA. "On your first day, you will be taught everything you need to know about your placement and the culture of the country you are working in. This is valuable for each volunteer, from those who are new to volunteering to those who have previous experience." Rebecca K, who joined the Medicine Project in Sri Lanka last winter, enjoyed the experience of volunteering over winter break immensely: "I learned a lot while abroad, I got to help people in need, and I had a lot of fun. I would recommend to those traveling to arrive with an open mind and an open heart, and to not let your fear of the unknown limit the learning experience waiting for you." Joining a Winter Break Trip is a wonderful way to give back over the holiday season by adding value to both the community and yourself. This year, the following programs are available between December 2016 and January 2017: Care & Community in Ghana (2 weeks) Care & Community in Jamaica (1 week) Care & Community in South Africa (2 weeks or 4 weeks) Care & Conservation in Madagascar (2 weeks) Medicine in Ghana (2 weeks) Medicine in Sri Lanka (2 weeks) Disaster Relief in Nepal (2 weeks) To find out more about how participate in a Winter Break Trip with Projects Abroad, please visit www.projects-abroad.org/volunteer-projects/winter-break-trips.

About Projects Abroad Projects Abroad was founded in 1992 by Dr. Peter Slowe, a geography professor, as a program for students to travel and work while on break from full-time study. The program had its genesis in post-USSR Romania, where students were given the chance to teach conversational English. After a few years just sending volunteers to Eastern Europe for teaching, the company expanded to sending volunteers of all ages around the world on a wide range of projects. Projects Abroad is a global leader in short-term international volunteer programs with projects in 30 countries and recruitment offices in the UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Holland, Hong Kong, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden and the United States. For details on volunteering abroad, visit Projects Abroad’s web site at www.projects-abroad.org.

Volunteers Needed For Cyclone Disaster Relief In Fiji

International volunteer organization Projects Abroad calls for volunteers to help with  recovery efforts in the wake of Cyclone Winston in Fiji More than 20,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Winston in Fiji last month  Tropical Cyclone Winston, which struck Fiji on February 20th 2016, has left a trail of destruction  in its wake. The storm was the most powerful ever to hit the islands and has claimed at least 43  lives and damaged or destroyed thousands of homes. Fiji is in desperate need of aid and Projects Abroad is calling for volunteers to help with recovery work in areas severely impacted  by the storm. The primary goal of the project is to help restore a safe learning environment for children by rebuilding and renovating schools in and around Lautoka, Ba, Tavua, and Rakiraki. Although the Fijian government is doing everything they can to return the children to a normal school environment, there is a great deal of work that must be done to ensure that the schools are safe. As work progresses, Projects Abroad will also be expanding the project to include rebuilding homes damaged by the tropical cyclone. There are various tasks that volunteers will get involved in at the Disaster Relief Project, including conducting damage assessments, clearing debris, building water tanks, replacing window glass and frames, assisting local carpenters, and more. The project is already underway in Fiji and volunteers have begun working at sites in affected areas and distributing basic necessities such as food, water, and clothing where needed. Volunteers can join at any time and stay for as long as they choose, for a minimum of one week.  The project will run for as long as it is needed and the organization anticipates that volunteer aid will be vital for the next several months. During their time in Fiji, all volunteers will be accommodated in secure and undamaged housing with host families in Lautoka and be supported by full-time local Projects Abroad staff. For more information on how to get involved, please contact Projects Abroad or visit www.projects-abroad.org/volunteer-projects/building/disaster-relief/volunteer-fiji. About Projects Abroad Projects Abroad was founded in 1992 by Dr. Peter Slowe, a geography professor, as a program for students to travel and work while on break from full-time study. The program had its genesis in post-USSR Romania, where students were given the chance to teach conversational English. After a few years just sending volunteers to Eastern Europe for teaching, the company expanded to sending volunteers of all ages around the world on a wide range of projects. Projects Abroad is a global leader in short-term international volunteer programs with projects in 30 countries and recruitment offices in the UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Holland, Hong Kong, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden and the United States. For details on volunteering abroad, visit Projects Abroad's web site at www.projects-abroad.org.

Voluntourism: Crystal Cruises Offers Philanthropic Shore Excursions

Sometimes the best way to get to know a destination is to delve into the community and learn about its greatest needs. Crystal Cruises is paving the way for its guests to intimately engage with the communities to which its ships travel by way of the newly expanded “You Care, We Care” voluntourism program.

The complimentary shore excursions are focused on helping communities in the areas of animal rescue, nature conservation, and disadvantaged youth, as well as disabled and underprivileged adults. This is an ongoing program first developed by Crystal Cruises in 2011, but three new opportunities exist for 2014.

WORKING WITH ANIMALS: Guests will help support operations at the Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at St. Peter Port in the Channel Islands. Volunteers can help out in the office, muck out horse stalls, or walk rescue dogs. This excursion is available on the August 1, 17, and 31 voyages.

PROTECTING NATURE: Participants will plant trees to protect the volcanic land in Iceland’s Heidmork Nature Reserve, located inReykjavík, from erosion. This excursion is available on the June 1, 6, and 13 cruises.

IMPROVING CHILD WELFARE: While in Takoradi, Ghana, Crystal’s guests will help out at Father’s Home Care Ministries. You might help construct a building or clean/improve a playground at a home and guidance center for disadvantaged children. This excursion is only available on the March 28 cruise.

In total, Crystal Cruises will help more than 15 communities throughout the world in 2014. Ports of note include Barcelona and Valencia, Spain; Bergen, Norway; Honolulu, Hawaii; Belfast, Ireland; Boston; Singapore; Sihanoukville, Cambodia; Durban, South Africa; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Livorno, Italy; and Tallinn, Estonia.

For more details please visit www.crystalcruises.com 

Contributed by Andrea M. Rotondo 

Volunteers Needed In The Philippines For Typhoon Haiyan Disaster Relief

International volunteer organization Projects Abroad organizes special Disaster Relief project for volunteers to help with recovery efforts in the Philippines

In the wake of the recent Typhoon Haiyan disaster in the Philippines, Projects Abroad is calling for volunteers to help with valuable typhoon recovery work.

To help in areas that have been affected by Typhoon Haiyan, Projects Abroad is directing resources and efforts in the Philippines toward providing volunteers to help in typhoon relief work in the Philippines through a special Disaster Relief project.

Projects Abroad's Disaster Relief project in the Philippines will focus on areas in the northern part of Cebu Island close to the typhoon's path, including Bogo City, Tabogan, and San Remigio, all of which have been affected by the typhoon.

The main objectives of the Disaster Relief project are to bring educational facilities that have been affected by the typhoon back to working order as soon as possible and to look after local children while their parents help with the clean-up efforts.

It may take several weeks for schools and other care centers for children to receive government help while infrastructure is being repaired. Projects Abroad volunteers will help to bridge this through repair and renovation work at schools and childcare centers and by helping to care for children.

Volunteers can join the Disaster Relief project in the Philippines anytime and stay as long as they can, for a minimum of at least two weeks. Work will start as soon as possible and be ongoing for at least several months. It is preferable to plan to arrive on a weekend so volunteers can start working in teams Monday mornings.

All volunteers will be accommodated with secure and undamaged host families and be supported by full-time local Projects Abroad staff.

For more information on how you can get involved, contact Projects Abroad or visitwww.projects-abroad.org/volunteer-destinations/volunteer-philippines

About Projects Abroad

Projects Abroad was founded in 1992 by Dr. Peter Slowe, a geography professor, as a program for students to travel and work while on break from full-time study. The program had its genesis in post-USSR Romania, where students were given the chance to teach conversational English. After a few years just sending volunteers to Eastern Europe for teaching, the company expanded to sending volunteers of all ages around the world on a wide range of projects.

Projects Abroad is a global leader in short-term international volunteer programs with projects in 28 countries and recruitment offices in the UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Holland, Hong Kong, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden and the United States.

For details on volunteering overseas, visit Projects Abroad's web site at
www.projects-abroad.org.