Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Make a Difference
Make a Difference Have you 'made a difference' while travelling, by fundraising or donating time and energy to a worthwhile cause? Are you a non-profit organisation or individual who knows of an opportunity for travellers to help out in a less developed country? Tell us about it and provide contact details.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12 Jul 2008
PocketHead's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sucre, Bolivia
Posts: 535
Looking for a way to contribute in Middle/Sth America

Hello Hubbsters,

Slowly I am approaching the departure for my motorcycle adventure however I still have a big gap in my timeline during my journey. This is a gap which was supposed to be filled in with volunteer work or teaching English. So far however there has been nothing which meets my fussy criteria.

So is there someone out there reading this who could point me in the right direction? It would be nice to contribute using either one of or a mix of the following areas:
  • TESOL certificate (although handicapped by my Australian accent)
  • In depth knowledge of I.T. (first half of a networking degree, a cisco CCNA certificate and 2 years work experience)
  • A very experienced motorcyclist whom is very passionate with off-road riding and planning to travel to many remote and underprivileged areas in the space of a year.
Almost all of the volunteer opportunities which appear in search results are 'package' deals involving things such as helping turtles which isn't really what I am looking for (hopefully something more innovative and less mainstream).

A few ideas which come to mind are helping people build community structures, providing internet access, teaching English to poorer students, delivering healthcare essentials to small communities in remote places possibly even raising awareness through photography.

Ideally something with the Peace Corps would have been nice but I am not a U.S. citizen and I do not have a full degree. One thread I came across mentioned Unicef but I am unsure on how to approach them for a very non-specific opportunity such as this.

So if you have a 'friend' or have heard a 'rumour', read about an opportunity in a newspaper or even just a lightbulb idea then please share with me your extensive knowledge which I know exists here on the hubb

Thank you
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 22 Aug 2008
PocketHead's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sucre, Bolivia
Posts: 535
Hi Caminando,

Sorry I should have replied sooner. If I was to donate to charity it would probably be a local charity, however my reasons were to immerse myself in their culture whilst giving back at the same time. I am currently learning Spanish and may attend a homestay, still considering different options. The half-degree mentioned is actually a 2-year diploma which is a government funded course that is only recognised within Australia but exempts you from the first half of your bachelor degree, it's kind of complicated which is why I just say half-degree. I did look at the VSO website but everything still required a bachelors degree.

Some good news actually, a friend gave me the phone number for a very promising position with a family operated English teaching school in Coatepeque, Quetzaltenango Guatemala which fits my criteria perfectly (and they hire travelers for short and long periods of time) so I plan to Skype them after I purchase my ticket. Not looking to save any money but prolonging the journey would be nice

Thanks for your input, much appreciated.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 22 Aug 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: California
Posts: 92
Habitat for Humanity

Check out Habitat for Humanity. If you can swing a hammer and you are near one of their projects, you may find a fit.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 19 Feb 2009
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 619
Filling Gaps

Hi, I just looked through this section and suggest you check out Volunteer Abroad, Volunteering overseas, International Expeditions, Conservation and Community Projects as they offer some amazing opportunities that might suit you. Linzi.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Tyre Survey - please contribute Chris Scott Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 139 29 Mar 2020 01:24
contribute to my blog..... vectors Travellers Seeking Travellers 1 4 Mar 2007 11:16
BMW circlip thread, please contribute! Mr. Ron BMW Tech 8 27 Feb 2007 16:30
Sleeping-bag survey, please contribute Mr. Ron Camping Equipment and all Clothing 31 5 Jul 2005 19:57
Korea to South/ Middle America OnkelKarle Trip Transport 5 7 Nov 2004 06:11

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:31.