We talked about Volunteer Travel in our first ever #Untravel Twitter Chat, co-hosted by @IndiaUntraveled and @_thealternative. From little things to not so little things, we shared ideas, experiences, recommendations & tips on how to spice up your travels with volunteering.
1. A mix of travel enthusiasts, volunteers, and volunteering organizations joined the chat. Some had volunteered while travelling before. Many were still warming up to the idea, asking how to start, where to go, who to contact.
@IndiaUntraveled #untravel What is a good period to volunteer so that you contribute and travel too? One month or more?
@thesixthking Nice, can you think of anything we can do in our backyard, Kerala? #untravel
@IndiaUntraveled #untravel Is carrying stuff not other way of donating? How would you define real volunteering?
2. We came to a common consensus, you don't necessarily have to be attached to an organization to 'volunteer' while travelling.
@IndiaUntraveled Haven't really volunteered while travelling,but do carry books with me.Donate to schools/kids I meet on the way#untravel
@IndiaUntraveled An example that comes to mind is that of@kaargocult 's bike ride : http://bit.ly/hDC17c #untravel
@_thealternative @thedhruvarora I second that. Helped a tour guide sell post cards last week in Estonia. Little things matter. #untravel
3. Experienced volunteer-travellers & friends of friends offered several recommendations for organizations with opportunities to volunteer in beautiful places that should be on your travel list.
@thedhruvarora Try Sikkim. Amazing volunteering opportunities and organisations working on inspiring issues #untravel
@makeysitlhou check out Wildernest: http://www.wildernest-goa.com/ConS.htm on the way to goa - lotsa conservation ops#untravel
@rtmohan @bulbulimukerje Have a look at http://www.kipepeo.in for responsible travel / volunteering ideas in NE. #untravel
@_thealternative If one is traveling to Ladakh during Summer break, an option is to volunteer athttp://www.secmol.org/volunteering/index.php #untravel
@Iam_vin Yes, people traveling to Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai or Delhi are welcome to volunteer in @TeachForIndiaclassrooms #untravel
@_thealternative The school featured in 3 idiots is another option if you are traveling to Ladakh - http://www.dwls.org/helping.html#untravel
@_thealternative me me. Tried to volunteer at a turtle conservation centre for 2 days in Perhentian. They wanted more time #untravel
@TheOutdoorGene http://www.magicbus.org/ works with kids development through sports. try volunteering with them! #untravel
4. We talked about the 'little things' that could make travelling different - independent, informal ideas to volunteer while you travel.
@thesixthking I helped an old woman for 3 days setting her shop & selling things. #untravel
#untravel Me and my kids picked up a huge amount of trash on the trek down from Har Ki Dun and took it all the way to Dehradun.
5. Common considerations for not volunteering while travelling were voiced.
@IndiaUntraveled If I tell my boss to give me 3 months off for volunteer travel, he will start finding a substitute :P #untravel
6. Then it was agreed that it was surely worthwhile considering volunteering on a holiday. Tips for planning your next trip & for first time volunteers flew around.
@_thealternative Go with an open mind. Don't impose culturally, as an outsider. #untravel
#tips: find something you love, travel and go get some more people to love it! Would do it for dancing any day #untravel
@_thealternative Ah, just enjoy the experience because the joy of giving is just immense. #untravel
@_thealternative Its imp to be flexible wherever you are volunteering. A commitment to learning & open mind makes your exp richer#untravel
#Tips for 1st timers. Go with open mind. It's ok if u r disappointed or things are not as per ur expectations. #untravel
7. Some people left inspired =)
India Untravelled & The Alternative are working on a list of organizations offering volunteer travel opportunities across India to share with all travel & volunteering enthusiasts. If you have ideas, email them to us at shivya@indiauntravelled.com or tweet us @indiauntraveled.
Also see this Storify compilation of the #Untravel Voluntourism chat by The Alternative.
Our #Untravel chat will resume next week, on Thursday at 3 pm. Drop us a note if you have ideas of topics we should discuss, and see you there!
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| Photo by Christian Huegen. |
1. A mix of travel enthusiasts, volunteers, and volunteering organizations joined the chat. Some had volunteered while travelling before. Many were still warming up to the idea, asking how to start, where to go, who to contact.
haven't ever volunteered on a vacation. haven't ever thought about it, to be honest. #untravel
Can someone tell me bout volunteer options in Goa? Hehe, obvious travel destination. #untravel
What would be the best way for most of us to volunteer without having to give up our jobs? #untravel
2. We came to a common consensus, you don't necessarily have to be attached to an organization to 'volunteer' while travelling.
I don't do much volunteering during travel. But i pick up waste on my way whenever I go to a wildlife sanctuary. That's all :0 #Untravel
Haven't volunteered in my travels, only reported from realities such as Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon #untravel cc@_thealternative
social work doesn't need to be formal. next time you're on a trip, spice it up and hire a bicycle instead of a cab. little things! #untravel
3. Experienced volunteer-travellers & friends of friends offered several recommendations for organizations with opportunities to volunteer in beautiful places that should be on your travel list.
Manav Sadanand in Ahmedabad! Met a lot of volunteers there who came to visit Gandhi ashram and stayed back to volunteer!#Untravel
Always wanted to go volunteer in a farm, like the wwoofers do!http://www.wwoofindia.org/host.htm #untravel
I volunteered with Spiti Ecosphere in Spiti last summer. One of the most touching experiences I've had. #untravel
tried to volunteer in Pondicherry. Unfortunately, that requires booking(the guesthouse ) much in advance #untravel
See http://kabani.org RT @Iam_vin: @thesixthking can you think of anything we can do in our backyard, Kerala? #untravel
Toying with the idea of volunteering on farms as I travel. Starting with@Sadhanaforest, following a trail of fresh veggies. :) #untravel
A friend worked at NGO Chirag, teaching kids high up in the Himalayas. The experience changed her life! #untravel
The chennai trekking club (http://www.chennaitrekkers.org/) is doing a great job of cleaning up the coast and water bodies. #untravel
1 of the best places to volunteer in the Himalayas is Spiti -http://ow.ly/bzy6z - Inspired the start of India Untravelled! #untravel
Nilgiris Documentation Centre works for preservation of nilgiris, must-visit organization in Nilgiris(TN) #untravel
Also Goonj. RT @rtmohan: Orgs to connect with on vol travel@IVO_India @theblueyonder @grassroutes, grassroutes journeys#untravel
Is there a common database of live volunteering opps+experiences or would you like to take it up @IndiaUntraveled @_thealternative#untravel
4. We talked about the 'little things' that could make travelling different - independent, informal ideas to volunteer while you travel.
In Bhutan, stop by a remote school on your long trek and share some sweets, ideas, experience. @_thealternative #untravel
If anyone is visiting Leh this year, check with @friendsoflikir to see if they need supplies for the kids they are working with. #untravel
If you're visiting Spiti this year, http://ow.ly/bzxKo need old laptops to teach young monks. #untravel
How about quieter ways of volunteering on travel - Vipassana#meditation #service @eatomaniac said the exp. was awesome#untravel
Gud idea to capture videos of local communities n their issues, and spread it across after coming bk?Might create some impact#untravel
On your way to see the Rann of Kutch,drop of books/learning materials for the school in Dhordo. Last village before the border.#untravel
5. Common considerations for not volunteering while travelling were voiced.
If ur travelling with friends, most of the times if they're not in for it, u don't end up either. Happ in my Mcleod trip! #untravel
Many volunteering orgs ask for a lot of money to let you volunteer, kind of ironic. What do you think? #untravel
6. Then it was agreed that it was surely worthwhile considering volunteering on a holiday. Tips for planning your next trip & for first time volunteers flew around.
While making your travel itinerary you can check orgs where you can volunteer and who would also be ready to host you#cheaptravel #untravel
I generally take books, sketch pens, drawing books etc to give to kids. #untravel
During my travel, I had clicked some photos of street children. Next day I gave them the prints! Got huge smiles in return :) #Untravel
Travelling responsibly is a way of volunteering for the environment.@womensweb suggests some ways - http://ow.ly/bzxWH #untravel
Its exciting to take 6 mnths off. Plan your travel route. Figure out orgs on that route. Stay with them and volunteer #cheaptravel #untravel
But wat bout volunteer travelling in ur paid vacations? Or is that too precious? #untravel
How about volunteer + travel on your corporate retreats. Maybe you can suggest it to your HR? #untravel
Here are some of my stories frm my recent Volunteeringhttp://bit.ly/zpcCy5 http://bit.ly/zWqTvt http://bit.ly/z1wTae #untravel
Tips: Be sensitive, especially when working with kids. Think of the implications once you withdraw your commitment. #untravel
7. Some people left inspired =)
Wow! Nice ideas coming up on @_thealternative's #untravel chat. Never knew we could contribute in so many ways while travelling.
Would love to volunteer in North India, I have read of many opportunities brought about by locals themselves #untravel
Man, i love the suggestions & tips here. All u get on a google search r orgs trying to extract so much money 4m u #commercialism#untravel
Sigh, can i please pack my bags and go somewhere now? this tweetchat is greatly increasing travel angst! #untravel
Are we the only ones to think volunteer travelling as your honeymoon is a hopelessly romantic idea? #fb #untravel
Apt time for Anne Frank to say, "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."#untravel
Loved the chat .a more of learning on volunteering XD #untravel
That was a great enlightening chat,my1st twitter chat experience as well. Thx :) #untravel
It was really nice to meet so many great people full of desire to give and share. #untravel
Much like @rtmohan we were quite transported to a distant land or our own backyard to fold our sleeves & do good. TY for this!#untravel
India Untravelled & The Alternative are working on a list of organizations offering volunteer travel opportunities across India to share with all travel & volunteering enthusiasts. If you have ideas, email them to us at shivya@indiauntravelled.com or tweet us @indiauntraveled.
Also see this Storify compilation of the #Untravel Voluntourism chat by The Alternative.
Our #Untravel chat will resume next week, on Thursday at 3 pm. Drop us a note if you have ideas of topics we should discuss, and see you there!
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