volunteer travel
Volunteer travel trips give something more than just fond memories; tips and recommendations to give back while you Wander.
Homestays: The New Family I Made in Tanzania
The people we connect with are often the very foundation of our existence. Everything we see shapes our perception, but some experiences and connections will take precedent. While volunteering in Tanzania, I had the chance to meet many special people who touched my heart, changed how I saw the world, and whose time I was fortunate enough to share and will be treasured forever. This article is about my host family, the Gwabas, who I had the pleasure of staying with for three months during my placement, and who are certainly some of those special people.
My Gap Year
It’s the end of senior year, everyone has been accepted to their school of choice, or some sort of plan for after (because that’s what you’re supposed to do). As someone who genuinely hates school, the way things are taught, and just the way schools are run in general, I knew I needed a break. My mother recommended a gap year, as she did the same thing when she was younger and said it was the best choice she has ever made.
Jnev StewartPublished 6 years ago in Wander100 Things You Should Bring When Volunteering in the Amazons
Comfortable and easy drying clothes Waterproof boots for hiking and dirty work Anti-insect spray Something against the itch if you do get stung Sunblock T-shirts with long sleeves T-shirts with short sleeves Shorts Pants Older clothes, which you do not mind getting dirty Pantsuits A sweater in case it gets cold Hoodie for the evening A dress or skirt Compression socks Pills against motion sickness Raincoat Flashlight Passport Any medicine you might take Pills against headaches and/or fever Thick socks Thin socks or short socks Underwear Bras Something to sleep in, which is not too warm or too cold. You will probably be sleeping in a hut with other volunteers, so stay covered up. Proof of your vaccinations Some projects require a police clearance A photocopy of your passport A photocopy of your flight tickets and other travel documents Chargers for all your different electronics. A smartphone Headset Earphones Bullet journal Pens and pencils Colouring pencils for organizing your notes or drawing when bored Notebook Deodorant Makeup Birth control if needed Lip balm First aid kit Hairbrush Shampoo Conditioner Body wash Towel Bag to bring on day trips Small bag Backpack Shoes for running or hiking Flip flops for quick errands Waterproof jacket, which can keep you warm but also easy to bring with you when taken off. Waterproof cape Bathing suit or bikini Disinfection gel Toilet paper. Not all toilets have that if there even is a proper toilet. Handkerchiefs Sunglasses Toothbrush Toothpaste Facial moisturizer Hat to protect your head and eyes from the sun Water bottle After sun lotions and creams Full body moisturizer Band-Aids Blister patch iPad or tablet Tablet charger Books or an e-book reader Pads and/or tampons A adapter for your electronics in case the plugs aren’t the same Voltage converter can be necessary. Make sure to look this up before you leave Bring cash, but never carry too much on you. There can be thieves and you do not wish to lose all your stuff Belt bag or fanny pack to keep your personal belongings safe and close to your body You can invest in a water to go bottle if you wish to have access to pure drinking water at all times. Packing cubes are great for longer trips and help you organize your suitcase. Bring plastic bags. You can use these to dispose of trash or your dirty clothes. They can also be used to vacuum your clothes, so you have more space in your suitcase. Waterproof bag for electronics Dry shampoo Nail file Nail clipper MP3-player. It sounds out-dated but it will save your phone quite some power Power bank. You’ll never know when you need it the most. Driver's license. You probably won’t need it, but it’s an ID and could come in handy if you wish to rent a car. Movies. You can either download some on your phone or bring the disc. Series. You can download a bunch of stuff from Netflix to bring with you offline Keys to your home Credit card ISIC (International Student Identity Card) if you have one. A foreign SIM-card can save you a lot of money if you intend to use your phone a lot. Google maps allow you to download maps offline. E-tickets if possible. Just in case you lose the papers. Computer Computer case Please do research your possibilities to keep your computer dry if needed. There are a lot of options and you have to find the one, which works for you. This goes on your phone as well. Make sure to keep it dry at all times. Bring a positive attitude and a good mood. Not all volunteer work is fun, but if you stay open minded you will properly meet some great people and experience the most incredible things.
Cecilie BirkshøjPublished 6 years ago in Wander- Top Story - September 2017
Never Visit a German Horse Farm in December (Episode 1)
So I decided to go and work on a German horse farm in December. I had several reasons for doing so — not least of which was the desire to remove myself very thoroughly from all possibility of having to get involved with Christmas that year. I justified the decision very well, I thought. My reasoning was excellent and my resolve was rock solid. Not a single furrowed brow from any of my friends or acquaintances could sway me. I swept all potential obstacles aside and was so determined to escape Christmas that even a strength-sapping cough at the tail end of a two-week cold bug wasn't enough to stop me from embarking on my incredibly well-planned adventure.
Sarah JanePublished 7 years ago in Wander Stay Safe with Defenselessness
As so many people and/or nations gear up for battle, denounce “others” as the enemy, and contract with fear, we need to take a deep breath and reflect on our situations from a very different, and much more helpful, point of view. We cannot hear too many times that defensiveness does not make us safe; quite the contrary. Many disciplines remind us that only when we are open and accepting, rather than closed and suspicious, are we truly safe. Long ago my husband and I had an opportunity to put this philosophy to the test, one I will never forget. We were touring several South American countries, including Ecuador. As we had planned our trip (pre-internet), I remembered reading in National Geographic about a tribe of indians that lived only in a small area of Ecuador and nowhere else in the world. Dubbed the Colorado Indians, they were so named because they painted themselves up with red berry juice (Colorado in common usage means “colored red” in Spanish), and since we were from Colorado, it seemed like a great idea to find these name-sake Colorado indians and have a look for ourselves.
Carol HowePublished 7 years ago in WanderSUP Boarder Finds Way Across Atlantic In Incredible First
There's a whole lot of ocean between South Africa and the island of Antigua, but Chris Bertish of South Africa covered it on nothing but a paddle board.
Christina St-JeanPublished 7 years ago in WanderChangemakers, Please Stand Up
Close to a month ago, I was traveling on a day train from Coimbatore to Chennai. For the longest time, I seem to have cultivated the habit of standing by the edge of the train doors and gazing at the scenes flashing by. That day was no different. As the winds knotted my messy bun ever more, and my eyes danced in a blur of fields, a middle-aged lady tapped on my shoulder.
Madhumita PrabhakarPublished 7 years ago in Wander