Why Village Volunteers?
Why Donate through Village Volunteers
Simply put, your gift is an expression of your beliefs and interests. We make sure that your hard earned money leaves a legacy that supports self-sufficiency and has an impact on the health and welfare of the communities we serve.
Village Volunteers ensures that:
- your donation is transparent, efficient, and effective.
- your gift has a direct and multiplying benefit
- 95% of your donation goes directly to support projects and programs abroad.
Please consider a general donation to Village Volunteers to allow us to address the greatest needs that are sustainable in collaboration with our partners.
Why Volunteer with Village Volunteers?
Nine reasons why you’ve just found the perfect fit.
You have countless choices when it comes to volunteering abroad. So what makes Village Volunteers so unique? In two words: GRASSROOTS AND SUSTAINABILITY. The collaboration and participation of our volunteers DIRECTLY support the long-term financial and sustainability of the communities in which we serve. So why is this the best choice for you?
1. You want to leave a lasting impact on the world.
When you volunteer abroad with Village Volunteers, you become part of a sustainable system that empowers rural communities. Our programs are entirely managed by locals who know what works in their communities. Your efforts on the ground support their knowledgeable efforts to improve the world around them.
2. You have a skill or knowledge to share and you want to expand your understanding of the world
Maybe you’re a medical or public health student, a soccer player, an aspiring teacher, an artist, or an entrepreneur. Maybe you have a gift for connecting with children or a knack for organization. If you have a talent you want to share or simply aren’t sure where to start, our team can connect you to a community that needs YOU.
3. You are a student and have a career and academic goal
Gain perspective in the area of your specialty and/or develop skills to change your career focus. You’ll work with leaders and social entrepreneurs and customize your experience to fit your skills and interests or work with you to find a program that fulfills your specific institution’s academic requirements. We set up supervision, reporting for academic credit, and will write letters for you for employment opportunities or for applications for higher education to build your skill set and strengthen a resume.
4. You want every dollar you spend to make a difference.
Village Volunteers supports locally-managed volunteer opportunities and initiatives in rural villages that is safe and reliable.
5. You are a student of the world, a Gap year student, and you want to have a realistic view of global challenges
What the world needs are curiosity and humility. Our programs give you the opportunity to learn from local community members in the field. A trip abroad provides you with an enriching experience that will help you be better prepared for the next chapter in your life. You will never see the world the same after being immersed in another culture.
6. You are looking for support and guidance.
From selecting the right volunteer opportunity to planning your trip, to connecting with the people in your host village, we will support you every step of the way. Whether you are able to volunteer for two weeks or three months, we’ll tailor a program especially for you. It’s what we love to do!
7. You want a fully immersive experience.
Our volunteers live and work side-by-side with local community members, sharing the joys and challenges of daily life.
8. You value the stunning power of community.
The exchange of knowledge, skills, and stories creates a meaningful common bond with our global community. Volunteering with your own community of family, friends or colleagues is rewarding, bonds people and changes their global perspective. Volunteering abroad is a gift to young people to expand their understanding of the world. We can plan a trip for any group including clubs, schools, or corporate team-building retreats.
9. You have a heart. And you’re ready to begin your story
Begin writing your own story! We love helping volunteers find their perfect placement. Fill out our Interest Form to get started!
Recognition & Awards
2011 – Red Wing Leadership Award – Seattle Univer
2014 – Interview with National Public Radio station KUOW
2016 – UN Women Award, Project Inspire for Empowering Women Period.
2016 – UN Women Project Inspire People’s Choice Award
2016 – Mazars Financial Inclusion Award “Empowering women through business”.
2017 – Scholarship Awarded from INSEAD – The world’s leading and largest graduate business schools
Media Coverage
HUFFINGTON POST BLOG, September 2016
Women who Skirt the Rules – How a Sanitary Pad Benefits Women, Girls and the Environment
By Holly Corbett
YOUR OBSERVER, January 2014
Sarasota Resident Heals with Art Therapy Process
SEATTLE WEEKLY, July 2012
Village Volunteers Keeps it Classy
By Allison Thomasseau
One of five finalists out of 2,400 in the Hunger and Poverty Relief Category for the Stay Classy Award.
PREVENTION MAGAZINE, December 2011
10 Simple Ways to Easily Improve Your Mood
By the Editors at Prevention
Village Volunteers is listed as a way to volunteer because “People who volunteer are likelier to be happier than those who don’t.”
SEVENTEEN MAGAZINE, June 2011
This Summer Could Change Your Life
By Holly Corbett
I’M THANKFUL RADIO NETWORK, June 30, 2011
I’m Thankful Radio Show (mp3)
Hosts Melissa Daniels and Sue Lundquist
Village Volunteers Communications Director, Kim Clune, speaks about Village Volunteers’ programs in Africa.
NEW YORK TIMES, June 1, 2011
She’s 10 and May Be Sold to a Brothel
By Nicholas Kristoff
The story of M, a child nearly sold to an Indian brothel at the age of 10. M is now safe at New Light, Village Volunteers’ partner program, thanks to Kristof’s readers’ support.
RED WING LEADERSHIP AWARD – SEATTLE UNIVERSITY – April 2011
Article on Shana Greene, Founder and Executive Director of Village Volunteers
By Chrissy Egan
Interview about Shana Greene for the Red Wing Leadership Award.
NAPERVILLE SUN, June 28, 2011
Naperville teacher starts scholarship for Dago students
By Jane Donahue
Brett Weiss, teacher and Village Volunteer alumn, founds the Bernard and Elsie Weiss Scholarship Fund.
EVANSVILLE LIVING, May / June 2011
The Crusaders
By Louis La Plante
On the Odoyo family and Dago Dala Hera Orphanage, a Village Volunteer Partner Program
PHILLY2PHILLY.COM, March 29, 2011
Philadelphia’s Windsor Johnston: News Director at WRTI
Johnston’s experience in Kenya through Village Volunteers
By Sean O’Brien
THE LOST GIRLS, May 11, 2010
The Lost Girls Book Launch
By Jennifer Baggett, Holly Corbett and Amanda Pressner
Includes the authors’ Village Volunteers experience in Kenya
(Visit The Lost Girls’ Blog: Village Volunteers Programs)
AUTHORS@GOOGLE, Nov, 2010
Authors@Google: The Lost Girls Video Interview
Moderator: Lee Stimmel
httpv://youtu.be/I7SeD_cxVxQ
OREGON LIVE, November 3, 2010
Turning an Invasive Species into a Livelihood
By Danielle Nierenberg
Village Volunteers turns invasive water hyacinths to fuel briquettes, fertilizer, chairs, baskets and biodegradable sanitary napkins.
WORLDWATCH INSTITUTE: NOURISHING THE PLANET, October 28, 2010
Innovation of the Week: Turning an Invasive Species into a Livelihood
By Molly Theobald
EXAMINER.COM – Seattle, WA, April 8, 2010
With Common Ground for Africa you are not just a volunteer, but a seed of the future
by Hilary Shemanski
EXAMINER.COM – Seattle, WA, March 15th, 2010
Seattle based Village Volunteers reaching out to Central America
By Hilary Shemanski
AC360, November 2, 2009
Kenya Hero’s Story: Turning a Dream into a Reality
By Anderson Cooper
Cooper revisits Peter Kithene’s work with Mama Maria Kenya (a Village Volunteer partner from 2003 – 2011) since winning the 2007 Hero Medical Marvel Award.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRAVwjOjmok
NPR – WRTI Philidelphia, February 2008
News and Views (mp3 podcast)
Village Volunteer, Windsor Johnston, reports on Mama na Dada from Kunya, Kenya.
MODERN GHANA, January 4, 2008
Village Volunteers Support Education in Have
Source: GBC News
CNN INTERNATIONAL, October 2007 / 2008
Be the Change
Featuring Village Volunteers’ videos, stories and photos.
NEW AMERICA MEDIA, October 28, 20008
In Maasailand, No Child Left Behind Means Building a School Yourself
Words, Video, Photos by Alexandra Moe
How grassroots advocates are leading the fight against AIDS in Kenya
NEW AMERICA MEDIA, September 21, 20008
Village Mentors
by Alexandra Moe
In a village of 10,000 people, Emmanuel Tasur is the only one to hold an advanced degree, and he aims to change that.
CNN HEROES, 2007
CNN Heroes: Medical Marvel Award
Winner, Peter Kithene, is founder of Mama Maria Kenya, a Village Volunteer partner from 2003 – 2011.
Presented by Dr. Sanjay Gupta
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gokirxyoKKk
LOOKING TO THE STARS