Let’s face it, some things in life are best shared! I’m thinking karaoke, scary movies, inappropriate jokes, etc, but even acts of selflessness like donating your time and energy to those less fortunate in a developing country can be way more fun when shared with a group of like-minded people; with a Group Volunteering Opportunity!

Volunteering with a group, whether it be friends, family, school mates, work colleagues, or fellow church goers, is an amazing way for you to not only participate in a life-changing event, but to share this experience with those closest to you. Forget trying to recount the wondrous adventures, the challenges you overcame, and the life-changing epiphanies you had on your volunteer trip abroad, they were all there with you! Your memories are their memories, your stories are their stories, and a story shared is a story remembered! Volunteer with a group and make memories none of you will ever forget!

Not your 'typical' Group Volunteering experience!

Group volunteer programs are specialist projects that are chosen to specifically suit groups, rather than individual volunteers. Not only do they provide an opportunity for groups to make real sustainable benefit within the host community, they are able to support a large number of volunteers all at once. For a program to be considered a viable group placement, certain criteria must be met.

• Can a group participate in a project where all skills and knowledge of every member of the group is being fully utilized?
• Is the outcome of the groups efforts going to have a lasting and beneficial effect on the project/s and the local community?
• Will every member of the volunteer group feel they have succeeded in meeting not only their own expectations, but the objectives of the project?
• Can the project sustain itself without a steady stream of volunteers, but instead with sporadic influxes of large groups?
• Finally, can the program physically support the group with respect to accommodation, food, transportation, and emergency facilities?

For these reasons, some of the more 'typical' volunteer placement projects are simply not viable for groups. Teaching programs, Childcare programs, Medical and other 'Specialized' placements, and even some Wildlife and Conservation programs, are just not suitable for large groups. While these programs certainly need volunteers (and plenty of them), the real benefit to these projects comes from having a steady flow of volunteers. (A word of caution: If an organization is offering a group program within an Orphanage...refer to my points above...and be concerned!)

Conversely, certain projects make ideal group volunteer programs, where no matter what size group you have, every member will be able to 'muck-in', break a sweat, and feel like they have accomplished something wonderful!

Some amazing Group Volunteer Programs Abroad

As an example, here a just a few programs that would be perfect for you and your ‘entourage’:

School Renovation - Costa Rica

What better way to volunteer with a group than building and maintaining a school!? This short duration program is perfect for those volunteer groups who do not have a lot of time but still want to help and make a big difference. The week is planned out to include time building and renovating at the schools, playing and interacting with the children and also planned sight-seeing trips. As they say in Costa Rica.. Pura Vida!

Like this project? Check out similar projects in Nepal and Thailand.

Syrian Refugee Support – Turkey

This is such an amazing program and a wonderful opportunity for groups of all sizes to help some of the 2 million plus Syrians who have sought refuge in neighbouring Turkey. The program allows volunteers to get involved with a wide range of initiatives aimed at assisting the Syrian population deal with the challenges of their new lives in Turkey by helping to integrate them with Turkish society. To top it off, volunteers on this project all stay in central Istanbul – probably the most amazing city in the world!

Like this project? Check out similar projects in Kenya.

Mud House Building – Zambia

This unique project aims to provide safe and sanitary homes for the inhabitants of Mwandi, a small traditional Zambian village on the banks of the mighty Zambezi river. With the majority of locals living in poorly constructed mud huts that simply cannot withstand weather conditions, each year many find themselves without a roof over their heads. That’s where you and your fellow team mates come in, and what could possibly be more rewarding than building homes with your bare hands!?

Like this project? Check out similar projects in Brazil, Cambodia, Rwanda.

Environmental Conservation – South Africa

Cape Town is truly a stunning city, making it a truly memorable place to volunteer, but like all major cities it has its share of environmental problems thanks largely to overcrowding and the extreme poverty felt by a large portion of its inhabitants. Through this project however, volunteer groups can help to alleviate these issues by undertaking hands on conservation work in parks and reserves, or working on initiatives that revolve around educating future generations about conservation. If your looking for an opportunity to do good, in a location that has endless things to offer visitors, this is the one!

Like this project? Check out similar projects in Ecuador, Guatemala, New Zealand, Costa Rica.

Amazon Animal Conservation – Ecuador

Looking for a group volunteering project that’s a little more exotic? How bout assisting in a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre in the middle of the Ecuadorian Amazon! From feeding animals, cleaning enclosures, planting crops to helping maintain vital infrastructure, volunteers assisting on this project will find there is never a dull moment. This is a busy and physically challenging environment, but one that is totally unmissable. Are you up for it?

Like this project? Check out similar projects in Costa Rica, Australia, South Africa.

So, are you ready to share an experience with your besties that you will never forget!? Go on...round up your friends and family, your school mates or work colleagues (or even just a bunch of randoms you met at that party that one time), and get volunteering! You'll thank yourself...and they'll thank you too!