GO SOLO ON A VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Immerse yourself in a new culture and meet lots of like-minded people while volunteering and making a lasting impact on local communities!
What is a solo volunteer trip?
Firstly, there is no such thing as a solo volunteer trip, in the sense that you will never actually be alone. In fact, the only time you will really be alone is on the plane ride to your destination. As soon as you set foot in the destination country, you will be taken care of by the local organisation, which has been approved by the Freepackers team. When you arrive at the project, expect to be immersed in it first hand! Between the project coordinators, the local communities, and all the other participants, you won’t be alone for a second! Solo volunteer trips offer the most freedom for you as a volunteer so you can really make the most of your program.
What to expect?
Every program will be different but in general, you can expect to be picked up from the airport, taken to your accommodation and given some time to settle in before beginning your program. You will be given plenty of instruction and support throughout your project so no worries there! Travelling alone shouldn’t be scary. It’s the perfect way to experience true independence in a safe environment, while making a tangible contribution to a worthy cause of your choice. No matter which program you choose, you are guaranteed to learn new skills, broaden your perspective and make memories to last a lifetime!
Benefits to volunteering solo
Going on a humanitarian project alone gives you freedom and independence that is not as easily found when volunteering in a group. When volunteering solo, it is easier to:
About 70% of our participants are solo travellers, most of them 20-30 year old women, but we have had teenagers as young as 16 and people who are 70 or older!
Where to volunteer solo
When volunteering solo, there is really no restriction on which program or location you can do! Freepackers offers programs worldwide spanning a wide variety of specialisations so you can take your pick! Although you are going to the project alone, once you arrive you will be surrounded by a whole team of other like-minded people.
Communities come first!
On a humanitarian trip, you should accept any task with the understanding that it is a learning experience. The places, cultures, and people of a foreign country have needs, history, ideas, beliefs and traditions that are totally different from those you experienced as a child.
As a participant, it is our duty to respect this. Even if we come with innovative ideas and modern technologies, our perception is not necessarily ” the right one ” for the local communities and it is not our mission to ” save ” anyone. We can only communicate in a healthy way if it is with an open mind, in order to find the best solution for all parties involved.
Remember that you are a guest. The local community agenda operates on a scale larger than your individual existence – and that is beautiful! We should feel honoured that our contribution is part of a bigger picture. Being mindful of this is humbling and encourages a healthy flow of ideas.
Taking the time to contribute to a sustainable development project is a noble endeavour that we value at Freepackers. You place your trust in us, so it is our duty to work only with ethical projects that contribute to both your personal development and that of the local communities. This travel experience should prove that together we can make the world (and ourselves!) a better place.
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