Volunteer Abroad Programs Are Selfless Ways to Give Back

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE NEW YEAR WITH PROJECTS ABROAD

Projects Abroad makes it easy for a new year’s resolution to become a reality. With volunteer projects in 25 destinations, including new programs launching in 2011, Projects Abroad offers many ways to enrich the lives of others around the world, while providing a sense of personal fulfillment.

“The new year is a time when many pledge to better themselves or the lives of others, and Projects Abroad offers opportunities to achieve both,” said Thomas Pastorius, vice president of Projects Abroad. “Whether making it possible for villages to have clean drinking water, caring for children in orphanages or making strides in environmental conservation, volunteers will find a project that suits their interests.”

For details on volunteering overseas, visit Projects Abroad’s website at www.projects-abroad.org.

Water and Sanitation Projects

Projects Abroad and its partner Bridgit Water are once again teaming up for two water projects, the first taking place in Bolivia this January, and the second in Tanzania during summer 2011. In Bolivia, volunteers will help install water tanks, pumps and pipes at the Cuidadela Sedeges Orphanage in Bolivia for the children and local staff. The project will begin January 4, 2011, and will run for four weeks. More information can be found at: http://www.projects-abroad.org/projects/culture-and-community/bolivia-water-and-sanitation/.

The Tanzania Maasai Water & Sanitation Project will continue for a second year, running for six to eight weeks this summer. This project takes volunteers north of Arusha to a remote location inhabited mostly by Maasai tribal groups. Volunteers will help ensure that the local community has a self-sufficient water source by drilling a borehole, installing new guttering on the buildings and providing extra water storage. More information can be found at http://www.projects-abroad.org/projects/culture-and-community/tanzania-water-and-sanitation/.

One Week Spring Break Projects

Participants who have a shorter time to volunteer may opt for Projects Abroad’s Alternative Spring Break Trips, which are scheduled to coincide with the 2011 spring break calendars of major U.S. universities. Options include Community Building in Jamaica, Care projects in Costa Rica, Conservation in Mexico and Culture and Community projects in Morocco. The projects are held over specific weeks during February and March. More information can be found at http://www.projects-abroad.org/spring-break.

Global Gap

Projects Abroad will kick off its second annual Global Gap program in October 2011. Designed for recent high school graduates who wish to take a year off before university, the program allows participants to travel and experience projects in five countries: Ghana, South Africa, Peru, India and Thailand. Gap years are growing in popularity among U.S. students, and this program is unique in its design to provide meaningful experiences and develop a variety of skills over the course of eight months. It is limited to a maximum of 15 participants, and interested students should apply by August 2011. More details are available at http://www.projects-abroad.org/projects/global-gap-program.

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 25 countries and recruitment offices in the U.K., Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Holland, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden and the United States.

Source: Ruder Finn, Inc.