We constantly hear about problems happening in the world around us– on the news, on social media, and in everyday conversations. There is an ever-present call to action, and this can be overwhelming. Helping to combat the problems faced in the remote parts of the globe seems out of reach. We want to help. We want to make a difference. We wish that we could jump on a plane and fly to the struggling areas of the world and get to work! The reality is, if we truly have that desire, and the means, we can! There are programs already in place that make serving in other countries highly plausible.
Humanitarian trips are convenient, simple, and effective. Everything is already planned and organized, all you have to do is sign up! There are hundreds of organizations that take groups around the world to participate in service projects. In this post we’ll focus on three, but don’t be hesitant to get online and do your own research! Chances are you’ll be able to find a project or foundation that will work for your needs specifically, your situation, and your desires to do good.
img: https://www.hefy.org/
HEFY is an organization that takes groups of people all over the world to serve. These trips are typically 1-2 weeks, and are focused on serving a community in need. HEFY gathers volunteers from all over the United States so you’ll be working with a diverse and unique group of people that you’ll meet once you get to your destination. HEFY promises that you’ll leave your trip with strong bonds, friendships, and connections that will bless your life long after you’ve returned.
HEFY trips are focused on serving others and they also incorporate an emphasis on getting to know God and following the example of Jesus Christ. This organization is run by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and practices its teachings on the trips. However, people of all faiths are welcome and encouraged to participate. Group members will draw closer to God through scripture study and prayer, with messages from inspired leaders along the way. While physically challenging, these trips are also spiritually uplifting and edifying.
HEFY welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds. While groups are mainly composed of youth Builders, parent Builders and trip leaders are needed.
Possible Locations
HEFY has 30 program locations in the following areas:
Africa
Asia
Caribbean
Central America
Mediterranean
Oceania
South America
Click here to see the full list of options
“I was the happiest I had ever been in my life [during] my weeks in Africa. It was the most amazing experience and blessed me in more ways that I could have imagined. I grew to love the people in the African community so much. It was so hard to leave them! I’ll always feel like I left a piece of my heart in Zimbabwe.”
image: Courtesy Jane Paulsen
image: Courtesy Jane Paulsen
NOTE* With the COVID-19 pandemic, travel is subject to change. However, HEFY has planned for domestic backup trips and has made other arrangements and plans to insure that participants get the most out of their experience.
image: https://experiencemission.org/
Mission Trips (1-2 weeks)
People of all ages can participate in mission trips all around the world, including nine communities in the U.S., six different countries in Latin America and the Carribean, and three options in the Africa/Middle East area.
On these trips participants serve alongside a group of people working on relief, rural, or urban projects. They each require hard work, manual labor, dedication, and compassion, but each promise to be a rewarding and life-changing experience.
Possible Locations:
United States
- Georgia, West Virginia, Arizona, New Mexico, Kentucky, Maine, Puerto Rico, Texas
Caribbean / Latin America
- Bahamas
- Belize
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Haiti
- Jamaica
Africa/Middle East
- South Africa
- Israel and the West Bank
Immersion Trips (1, 3, or 6 months)
Immersion trips cater to young adults. These experiences give participants the chance to immerse themselves in a culture and better understand its people. On these trips, participants serve alongside local ministries and pastors for an extended period of time. They live with host families and experience the country from the perspective of a local.
Volunteers in the six month programs have the opportunity to travel to other countries during their service. The three month and one month programs are limited to one country.
Possible Locations:
Six-month trips
- Africa
- Caribbean / Latin America
Three-month trips
- Costa Rica
- Holy Land
- Namibia
- South Africa
One-month trips
- Himba (Africa)
- Namibia
- South Africa
- Cuba
- Holy Land
Gap Year Program (9 months)
Finally, Experience Mission hosts a gap year program. Similar to the immersion trips, gap year trips give people the chance to spend a significant amount of time engulfing themselves in service and unique cultures. The time spent on this program is split. Participants spend the first three months in one country, travel home for a two month holiday break, then return to the program in a different country for the remaining six months.
Available Experiences:
- Costa Rica / Africa
- Holy Land / Africa
- South Africa / Caribbean
Whatever the trip, Experience Mission creates chances to serve, get to know a new culture, develop a greater understanding of the world, and act as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Youth Making a Difference (YMAD)
YMAD is an organization that travels exclusively to India. Participants spend a year preparing for their journey through a leadership training where they learn about the values of integrity, vision, inspiration, courage, compassion, forgiveness, and gratitude. This preparation also includes creating lesson plans to teach in the schools in India and assembling education and clean birthing kits. YMAD distributes these materials upon arriving in their village.
The YMAD groups, made up of high school kids and leaders, spend two weeks teaching at a school in their village. They also have the opportunity to explore the markets and wonders of India. Besides taking groups of high school kids, YMAD hosts teens, adults, and families on various expeditions. YMAD is a unique and exciting experience that leaves participants with a great love for the people they serve and the places they visit.
“I am so humbled and grateful for this whole expedition. I love the whole team, my village team, and all the people I have met along the way. They are all some of the most gracious and loving people I have ever met. They have taught me so many things that I know I will remember forever.”
image: Courtesy Emma Romney
Whether you take a little leap of faith and courage and go on the adventure yourself, or you donate to a program to help someone else get there, humanitarian organizations are a great way to get involved in serving around the world. Not only will you feel the blessings that come from serving others, but you will develop a love and understanding of a culture that is different from your own as you live and serve alongside the people you’ll meet.
Share your experience!
