From Passion to Purpose: The Careful Vetting Process Behind Our Volunteer Programs
Volunteering abroad sounds like a great way to travel with purpose, but not all projects are as ethical or impactful as they claim to be. Some exist purely for profit, while others unintentionally do more harm than good.
That's why we take the selection of our volunteer programs seriously—to make sure your time and effort contribute to something real and meaningful.
But how do we do that?
Meet Clare, our volunteering project specialist, who personally vets every project before we offer it to you.
Clare has spent years working in the world of responsible volunteering. She’s passionate about ensuring that every project we offer meets high ethical and impact-driven standards.
She carefully handpicks, reviews, and monitors all programs to guarantee they align with our values. We sat down with her to find out more about how she makes those decisions.
Q&A
Q: What do you look for when selecting a volunteer project?
Clare: "We take extra care in choosing volunteer projects, partnering only with organisations that share our values and commitment to ethical volunteering—built on trust, transparency, and real impact. Every project is carefully vetted to ensure the efforts of the volunteers and contributions make a genuine difference. Sustainability, long-term impact, and genuine local involvement are key factors. We know the NGOs and projects personally, having seen their impact first-hand and this knowledge helps us in all our decision-making."
Q: What are the red flags you watch out for?
Clare: "One major red flag is a lack of transparency. If an organisation can’t clearly explain where the volunteer fees go or how the project is benefiting the community, that’s a no-go. Another is projects that involve direct interaction with vulnerable sectors of the community without proper safeguarding measures. And one more that we look for is how closely a project works with the local community - is the project community involved in identifying projects and goals?"
Q: Can you share some of your favourite projects?
Clare: "There are so many incredible projects, but a few that stand out include:
- SAVE - Sunshine Educare in Cape Town, which focuses on early childhood education
- SAVE - Namibia Wildlife Rescue, helping injured and orphaned wildlife
- Jakera’s Learn Spanish and Volunteer program in Costa Rica, which combines language learning with hands-on volunteering
- Encounter My Way’s Amazon Animal Rescue Center in Ecuador, which rehabilitates wildlife; and the
- Sports Volunteer Project in Eswatini, using sports to engage and empower local youth. Each of these projects makes a real, lasting impact in their own way."
How We Vet and Select Our Volunteer Projects
Now that you’ve met Clare, let’s talk about the process behind selecting the best projects. We follow a strict vetting process to ensure all our programs meet the highest ethical standards:
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Local Collaboration & Real Need: We only work with projects that have a clear purpose and a demonstrated need for volunteers.
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On-Site Inspections: We visit projects in person to assess their impact, regularly checking in and working closely with local teams.
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Transparency in Operations: We require detailed breakdowns of how volunteer fees are used.
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Sustainability & Ethics: We prioritise long-term impact over short-term fixes.
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Ongoing Reviews: We continuously monitor and evaluate projects to ensure they remain ethical and effective.
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Pre-Departure Support: Before you go, we make sure you have all the information and preparation you need. Once you arrive, our trusted partners take over—while we stay on hand if needed.
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Volunteering Done Right
Choosing the right volunteer project is about more than just good intentions—it’s about making sure those intentions translate into real change. With our careful selection process and the expertise of Clare and our Volunteer Specialists, you can be confident that your time and effort will go towards something truly worthwhile.