Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development was founded with a clear vision: to create a strong link between tourism, conservation, and community development in Rwanda. What began as a small intercultural center has grown into a dynamic platform supporting environmental protection, cultural preservation, and livelihood development. Our mission is to empower communities through sustainable practices that protect natural ecosystems while improving social and economic well-being. We focus on reforestation, organic farming, waste management, cultural heritage promotion, and education. By integrating these activities, we promote a model where conservation is part of daily community life and contributes to long-term resilience. Volunteers gain a hands-on, immersive experience working closely with local people on meaningful projects. Depending on their interests, they may support conservation work, education programs, women’s cooperatives, or community tourism initiatives. The experience also includes cultural exchange through traditional activities, local cuisine, storytelling, and daily interaction with the community. Above all, volunteering with us is about connection and impact. Volunteers become part of a shared journey—learning from the community while contributing their skills to ongoing projects and seeing tangible results in a grassroots movement for a more sustainable future.
Shekinah Kids is a club within Shekinah Christian School, a community-based school in Wakiso-Bujuuko, Uganda. Founded in January 2024, it currently serves 46 children from kindergarten to Primary 5, aged 3–13. The school was created from a personal story of resilience and aims to support vulnerable children, including orphans, children with sickle cell disease, and those from low-income families. Its mission is to nurture hearts and shape minds, helping children reach their full potential through education, care, and encouragement. The school also works with community organizations to improve health and wellbeing alongside learning. Volunteers support teaching, daily classroom activities, mentoring, and cultural exchange, helping children build confidence, discover talents, and develop life skills.
IPBio is a non-governmental, non-profit organization focused on environmental education and scientific research in biodiversity, ecology, and the behavior of Brazilian fauna and flora. It works to support conservation projects across ecosystems in Brazil. IPBio is partnered with FreeWildlifeBrazil Celine, a non-profit dedicated to native bird release. In 2024, both organizations merged into a joint program, combining efforts to protect wildlife through shared volunteer and internship initiatives.
Friends of Uganda (FOU) was established in 1985 by Mavis and Ken Willand, Cate, and Philip from the United Kingdom after witnessing the impact of war and the growing HIV/AIDS crisis, which left many children orphaned and vulnerable. The organization was founded to support orphaned and child-headed households affected by loss of parents, stigma, and poverty. It began with 137 children and has since grown in response to increasing need. FOU provides holistic care including food, education, healthcare, and psychosocial support. The Children’s Centre at Muguluka was established after acquiring land, offering long-term support for orphans from primary school through university. Among the first group of foster children, 12 successfully completed university education.
IPBio – Biodiversity Research Institute is a non-governmental, non-profit organization focused on environmental education and scientific research on biodiversity, ecology, and the behavior of flora and fauna in Brazilian ecosystems. Its reserve is accredited as an “advanced outpost” by UNESCO. IPBio has contributed to publications in leading scientific journals such as Science and Nature – Scientific Reports. The organization also supports both indirect conservation through sustainable development and direct conservation through reforestation and a wildlife release center in the Atlantic Forest.
Medical healthcare is a basic human right, and ensuring access for all is essential. The hospitals and clinics we work with strive to meet this need and can always benefit from additional support.
Founded in 2013, MRCI is a government-approved organisation in Madagascar working across environmental research, conservation, community development, medical assistance, and content creation. Its projects focus on marine, forest, and turtle conservation, alongside education and infrastructure support in remote villages. In partnership with international organisations, MRCI conducts long-term biodiversity monitoring and species protection initiatives on land and underwater. It also supports community health and education while providing a safe, inclusive space for global volunteers to contribute to sustainable development and conservation in Madagascar.
We strive to spread environmental awareness and promote a regenerative lifestyle through impactful eco-friendly, circular practices.
We're a small but passionate team based in Aparis Village, led by locals who truly care about the community. We welcome volunteers like family and value respect, kindness, shared meals, storytelling, and cultural exchange. You’ll work alongside dedicated community members who are committed to making a positive impact, and we’ll do our best to make your stay inspiring, safe, and unforgettable.
We are a marine conservation organisation with over a decade of hands-on experience protecting the reefs of Koh Tao. Our focus is to protect coral reefs through restoration, research, education, and community action. We train both divers and non-divers to take part in real conservation work, including coral restoration, reef monitoring, citizen science, internships, and environmental initiatives. We collaborate with local dive centres to promote a united, science-based approach to reef protection. As climate change and human impact continue to threaten marine ecosystems, our mission is to provide practical skills and real field experience that participants can apply beyond the program. Our projects focus on both natural and artificial reefs, collecting long-term data and actively supporting reef health improvement. Whether beginner or experienced, everyone can get involved in meaningful marine conservation.
Ssamba Foundation is a hybrid social enterprise based in Uganda, founded in 2006 by Rtn. Isaac Ssamba. We are dedicated to supporting community-led development through ethical and responsible volunteer programs. We partner with local communities, schools, clinics, and organizations to deliver sustainable impact in education, health, agriculture, and water & sanitation. Our mission is to connect global volunteers with local needs in a way that respects community ownership, promotes dignity, and supports long-term development. We believe volunteering should be transparent, responsible, and locally driven, not a replacement for local expertise. What We Do: We offer volunteer programs in four core areas: Education: Supporting literacy, youth engagement, and classroom learning through supervised placements Health: Promoting hygiene, nutrition, and community health education with local clinics Agriculture: Supporting sustainable farming, community gardens, and food security initiatives Water & Sanitation: Promoting WASH education, hygiene awareness, and community water management Who We Serve: Our programs are open to gap-year students, university groups, service-learning programs, professionals and skilled volunteers, families, faith groups, and travelers aged 30–50.
Sex education and menstrual hygiene workshops are conducted to raise awareness on sexual health and menstrual care. Our previous work has trained local women to produce reusable sanitary pads, which were distributed to 672 girls in six schools. We aim to expand this project and welcome new ideas. We also run initiatives to empower women through income generation. This includes providing soft loans to help women start small businesses, as well as training others to produce and sell traditional crafts such as jewelry, handbags, and shoes. We welcome volunteers to support teaching in local schools, assisting with English and other subjects to improve education for children in the community. Our medical health internship offers exposure to real healthcare settings in Malawi. Volunteers observe medical practice, support staff where possible, and learn about healthcare challenges in resource-limited environments. Placements are in government-approved hospitals and clinics, and require open-mindedness and adaptability. Our law and human rights internship allows volunteers to work alongside legal professionals providing free legal aid. Activities include assisting with case preparation, supporting clients, observing court processes, and participating in community awareness on issues such as domestic violence, land disputes, and family law.
We have committed ourselves to working with the community by supporting children and bringing volunteers from around the world to teach different subjects in primary schools. Our mission is to address socioeconomic challenges and promote quality education.
A Love Story That Inspired DAKTARI Ian and Michèle Merrifield officially opened DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage in 2006, after years of dedication and hard work. They first met while Ian was working as a game ranger at Tshukudu Game Lodge and Michèle was volunteering there. While caring for injured zebras, wildebeest, and warthogs, they fell in love and shared a vision of protecting wildlife through education. DAKTARI’s mission is to educate and inspire local children to value their environment while supporting community development. Located in the South African bush near Kruger National Park, DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage is a local NGO founded in 2006. The organization provides environmental education programs where children stay at DAKTARI for five days to learn about wildlife conservation and their natural heritage. Children also help care for animals that cannot be released back into the wild, helping develop empathy, respect, and responsibility toward wildlife. Volunteers from around the world support the program by teaching lessons and helping guide children in animal care activities. In addition, DAKTARI runs an Outreach Program, including weekly ECO Clubs and Wildlife Crime Campaigns, to inspire positive attitudes toward environmental conservation within local communities.
Bali offers several eco-tourism and conservation programs focused on marine ecosystems, including sea turtle conservation, coral reef restoration, and mangrove rehabilitation. These marine camps are typically immersive volunteer or educational experiences run in collaboration with local communities in Bali. The programs combine hands-on activities with environmental education and are designed for volunteers, students, groups, and eco-tourists. Sea Turtle Conservation: Volunteers work closely with turtle conservation activities, including monitoring nesting beaches, collecting data for conservation methods, observing feeding grounds, and assisting in the care of injured turtles in rehabilitation centers. Coral Reef Protection: Coral reefs play a vital role in marine ecosystems, providing habitat for fish and crustaceans. Activities include reef cleaning, coral restoration, reef monitoring, and supporting coral planting programs while helping protect reefs from pollution. Mangrove Ecosystems: Mangroves are essential coastal ecosystems that support biodiversity, produce oxygen, and filter air and water. Volunteer activities include mangrove planting, biodiversity monitoring, and education on their role in coastal protection.
We are an organisation that promotes programs with a purpose.
Our NGO empowers and inspires communities through holistic education. We provide English, IT, and life skills courses to disadvantaged youth in Cambodia while also developing soft skills such as self-confidence, leadership, citizenship, and social responsibility. Students are encouraged to apply their learning in real-life situations. To support our schools financially, we have established an administrative arm that manages three accommodation facilities in Kampot: a boutique hotel, a bungalow park, and a residence/guesthouse. Profits from these businesses directly fund our educational programs across the country. This partnership between our NGO and business group allows us to combine quality hospitality services with meaningful social impact. By volunteering with us, you contribute directly to improving access to quality education and skills training for underprivileged youth in Cambodia. Since 2000, we have reached more than 200,000 students through transformative education programs. We currently operate over 50 schools across Cambodia, Laos, Japan, and Timor-Leste, serving around 15,000 students daily. Our schools in Cambodia and our hospitality projects in Kampot are supported by a vibrant community of passionate volunteers who share a vision of creating positive change. Join us and help make a lasting impact.
Volunteer Action for Change Kenya (VACK) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization founded by young Kenyans in 2015 to promote resilient and sustainable communities across the country. We address key socioeconomic challenges through grassroots action in education, health, leadership training, entrepreneurship, ICT development, and sustainable agriculture. We work to unlock the potential of young people, women, and marginalized communities, helping them become active, confident citizens capable of shaping their own futures. Our focus is especially on rural and disadvantaged groups, supporting skills development, employability, and community empowerment. VACK operates through partnerships with civil society, institutions, and organizations in Kenya and internationally. Our work is guided by voluntarism, intercultural exchange, and development cooperation, ensuring continuous innovation and impact. Mission: To improve and promote the well-being and development of communities through volunteer action. Vision: Volunteer action for sustainable development. Goals: Improve skills of youth and women, promote meaningful volunteering, encourage active citizenship, mobilize resources for community initiatives, and support social entrepreneurship and sustainable development. Strategic Objective: To empower communities to actively participate in society and civic action, enabling them to uphold their rights and contribute to development and policy processes.
We are a small community school located in Tnol Trong Village, just 13 km from Siem Reap, Cambodia. The school is a registered non-profit NGO, founded in February 2013 by our family. Cambodia is experiencing strong growth in tourism, creating future job opportunities, especially around Siem Reap. For these children, English is essential. Our goal is to provide children from disadvantaged backgrounds with free English and Chinese education, helping them access better employment opportunities in the future. We currently offer free English classes to nearly 180 children from the Bakong community. Many families face challenges such as limited access to food, water, healthcare, and school-related costs like uniforms and fees. For many children, education is the only path to break the cycle of poverty and build a better future. We welcome volunteers to support us in giving these children better educational opportunities and brighter futures.
Ecotourism Nusa Penida was created by our conservation community, Nuansa Pulau, which has been committed to protecting the environment since 2017. Since then, we have planted more than 95,000 corals. We actively rehabilitate coral reefs and mangrove forests, preserve traditional seaweed farming practices, and work toward a sustainable future for the island while educating the next generation.