Volunteer 4 Africa (V4A) is a non profit organization that disseminates information about volunteer opportunities and the wish lists of host organizations and charities. In essence, a one-stop shop for volunteers and responsible travellers interested in making a difference to African animals, the people, and the environment.

If you would like to volunteer in Africa or support the work of African organizations and charities, visit the V4A website to get started. There is a wide range of community service and conservation projects in need of support throughout the African continent. Even if you don’t intend to volunteer in Africa you can still help worthy causes by donating equipment and resources in the area you plan to visit.

There is no fee to use to V4A database and everyone that registers receives a free lifetime membership to the site. Please visit the V4A website for further information plus other features on the site including an overview of the region including its wildlife.

If you want to support V4A and start recruiting your friends to the cause visit their new Facebook page and click the like button.

Volunteer Latin America is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

The trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation is a high-profit, low-risk trade for those who organize it, but it is detrimental to the millions of women and children exploited in slavery-like conditions in the global sex industry. This trade is conducted throughout the world with near impunity, in many cases carrying penalties far less severe than drug trafficking. Though people often associate it with Eastern Europe or Asia, the trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation, with its concomitant human rights abuses and health consequences, is a significant problem in Latin America. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has estimated that sex trafficking in Latin America generates some US$16 billion worth of business annually. Sex trafficking is considered by the United Nations as the third most lucrative illegal business in the world after drug and arms trafficking.

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Who are we?

Alex, Ed, Sam, Tom and Lauren. Hi.

Between us we’ve explored every continent, and done almost every adventure sport on the site. Amongst other things we’ve been conservationists, tour operators, students, football coaches, travel agents, web geeks and waiters.

Now we are better known as the guys at muchbetteradventures.com.

Alex and Ed – Where it all began.

We’ve been climbing, skiing and surfing partners since meeting at university 8 years ago. Regularly we found ourselves in the pub with friends after an epic ride, surf or hike, talking about the next adventure. Where to go? Where should we stay? How can we make it count? Someone always turned out to have great suggestion. What if we collected these ideas in one place? The seed was planted..

It grew during our time on the road, on various stints meandering through China and South-East Asia, North and South America, and much of Europe. We were always on the search for new spots and often volunteering on local conservation and community tourism projects along the way. In between we would be working in various areas of the travel industry, asking awkward questions, piecing it all together and saving up to go away again.

We began to see the huge barriers to market faced by small operators, not for profit community or conservation projects in a travel industry dominated by big marketing budgets, large commissions and green wash.

Finally came the straw that broke the camels back. In late 2008 Alex was volunteering as marketing manager on a community tourism project trying to provide an alternative to deforestation in the little visited or cared for Chocó region of Ecuador. Meanwhile Ed was in the Alps working for a ski operator and becoming increasingly frustrated with the environmental impact of the industry, and the lack of interest in this from everyone involved.

It was time to put together everything we had learnt and let that seed put down some roots.

We have personally funded this website with our own savings, putting in some big hours at the computer and working part-time alongside. If we can get established, cutting costs and generating business for some of the amazing people and places we have unearthed, who are leading the fight for a sustainable future, then it will be well worth it. If we can encourage others to follow suit then that’s muchbetter still.

So far things are looking good for the project. We’ve just been joined by Sam, back from 6 weeks teaching football in Ghana after graduating with a Bsc in Sustainable Development….he’s one from the mould!

It may have slowed us a bit, but all this work hasn’t stopped us getting out there and living it either. Based in the Alps for much of the year, we’re still skiing, climbing, kayaking and cycling. If we are not having muchbetter adventures, how we can expect other people to?

Plans are already afoot for a global, overland, self-propelled research tour. Who’s joining us?

Why is this ‘muchbetter’?

We are collecting the world’s local adventure travel choices in one place.

When we find them, we invite them to be here for free, so you can get in direct contact with them, read latest reviews from travellers like you, and you both save money on commissions.
That’s why you will find adventure choices you won’t find anywhere else and we can claim to building the ultimate free resource for adventure seekers.

We exclusively support small independent businesses, community run projects, not for profits and charities who can’t normally appear on sites like this.

We make the most ethical choice easy thanks to our independent, unbiased sustainability vetting system. That way we reward commitment to sustainable practice, and incentivise others to follow suit. We even provide the advice and tools to help others get started.

Quench your thirst for adventure and help us build a world where your adventure sports directly support conservation and local communities.

Recommend Somewhere 
Check out our blog
Or join us on Facebook and Twitter

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Many people choose to learn Spanish in Latin America because of the wide range of incredible locations in which to learn the language. Students can choose a beach location like Montanita in Ecuador, or a very historic town like Cusco, high up in the Andean Mountains of Peru. Whether you want to explore archaeological sites, experience indigenous culture, observe wildlife, or simply laze on unspoilt beaches, Latin America provides all the ingredients for the perfect learning experience.

If you want to see the jungle or have always wanted to go to Machu Picchu, then take a Spanish course that facilitates these aspirations. For example, El Paraiso Spanish Language School (Costa Rica) enables students to stay in Manuel Antonio National Park, with its beautiful beaches and extraordinary biodiversity. ACUPARI Language School (Peru) is based in Cusco, the amazing capital of the ancient Inca Empire. Some students divide their time between two locations so they can explore the natural and cultural diversity of Latin America.

Another reason people choose to learn Spanish in Latin America is the immense choice of courses available. They range from private one-to-one tuition to a myriad of specialized programmes. For example, Interhispanica (Argentina) offer Spanish and Latin American economy classes. OLÉ (Mexico) offer specially designed programmes for children, teenagers and seniors. Educacion Para Todos (Guatemala) offer customised programmes for social science and medical professionals. Most language schools offer special modules to meet the needs and personal interests of students.

A popular option is to combine a Spanish course with some volunteer work, either once you have finished your language course or during the time when you are not attending lessons. Typical areas of work include helping out in orphanages or nursery schools, working in local community projects, assisting with wildlife or conservation projects. Volunteer Latin America provides information on over one hundred Spanish language schools that offer volunteer work and internships. One such school is Tandem Santiago – Escuela de Idiomas Violeta Parra (Chile), which arranges internships for high school graduates and college students throughout Chile.

Many language schools enable students to combine a Spanish course with adventure and sporting activities. For example, Andean Global Studies (Ecuador) offer Spanish classes combined with diving, surfing or kiteboarding. The Mariposa Spanish School and Eco Hotel (Nicaragua) organizes horse riding trips to the Masaya Volcano. A wide range of outdoor pursuits and activities are offered at other language schools including trekking, paragliding, rock climbing, river rafting, skiing and snowboarding.

In addition to the Spanish courses, most language schools offer extra-curricular activities to suit the tastes of all students. This includes attending sporting events, jungle hikes, guitar lessons, cooking classes, movie evenings, trips to the theatre, parties, and excursions to local places of interest (archaeological sites, indigenous communities, national parks, etc).

From the evidence cited above, it is easy to understand why many people choose to learn Spanish in Central or South America. There isn’t anywhere better to combine a language course with learning new skills and having fun. For example, a Spanish course combined with Salsa, Merengue or Tango dance lessons is a great way of meeting other like-minded travellers and having fun. Many students forge lifelong friendships through such an experience.

So what are you waiting for? Immerse yourself in the Spanish language and culture of Latin America for the most rewarding educational experience of your life.

Forget about Spain, where the accent isn’t as attractive and prices far higher than in Latin America.

Volunteer Latin America is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Rather than sending hard-earned cash to offset companies, we need to examine our lifestyles and consumptive behaviour. We must all do what we practically can to cut down or avoid carbon emissions before signing up to some carbon offsetting scheme. Purchasing offsets can be seen as a way to avoid real behavioural change by individuals in reducing their carbon emissions. Shortcuts are not the answer.

We need to take personal responsibility for the environment (e.g. acquire a carbon consciousness) and directly offset our own emissions. This includes reducing emissions at source by looking at energy conservation and efficiency measures (e.g. making our homes energy efficient, switching off appliances, changing to a ‘green’ supplier of electricity, using solar heated hot water, etc). Carbon dioxide emissions from the housing sector accounts for at least 27% of the UK’s carbon footprint.

We must make the effort to purchase products that have been made with minimal harm to or exploitation of humans, animals and/or the natural environment. Ethical consumerism is practiced through ‘positive buying’ and is a very effective tool in reducing carbon emissions. For example, make a point of buying produce that is sourced locally, is organic and/or fair trade. Think holistically about what you buy – how was it produced, where has it come from (supermarket food travels on average 2,500 km before it gets to you), what networks were required to sustain its production. By favouring ethical products you directly support progressive companies.

Nothing highlights the importance of addressing the consequences of our actions as consumers more than what is happening in the Amazon. Every year large areas of the Amazon rainforest are being destroyed by agribusiness corporations to grow hundreds of thousands of tonnes of soy beans. These companies then export the high protein soy to Europe and China for use as cheap animal feed (90% of soy exports are fed to animals raised for meat – primarily chickens and pigs). Factory farming for meat and dairy is at the heart of a hidden chain that links the food on our plates to rainforest destruction in South America. To make them grow quickly and produce high yields, animals in factory farms are being pumped full of imported soy crops – creating demand for vast plantations that are wiping out forests and forcing indigenous communities off their lands. The UK imports over two million tonnes of soy each year from South America to feed animals and spends £700 million of taxpayers’ money to prop-up intensive meat and dairy production in England.

Although soy is one of the main drivers of Amazon destruction the cattle industry is the single biggest cause of deforestation in South America. The Brazilian cattle industry is the leading cause of deforestation and it is estimated that cattle ranchers destroy at least one acre of Amazon rainforest every 8 seconds. Over the past decade more than 10 million hectares – an area about the size of Iceland – was cleared for cattle ranching as Brazil rose to become the world’s largest exporter of beef. Brazil is currently the fourth biggest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, 75% of which stem from deforestation.

Forests are vital to stabilizing the world’s climate because they store such large amounts of carbon. It is estimated that the Amazon alone stores somewhere between 80 to 120 billion tons of carbon. If the Amazon were destroyed, it would release some 50 times the annual greenhouse gas emissions of the United States. A fifth of the Amazon rainforest has been lost since 1970.

As the destruction of the Amazon rainforest is linked to a handful of the world’s largest food companies and commodity traders, you can help protect it and combat climate change by refusing to purchase factory farmed and imported meat products from supermarkets, fast food restaurants and other outlets (the UK is the second largest importer of processed Brazilian beef in the world – 50,000 tonnes in 2008). This will put pressure on supermarkets and high-street brands to clean-up their supply chains. You should also boycott goods made from cattle that have been linked to rainforest destruction (e.g. leather products and cosmetic ingredients) and the multinational corporations (global brands) behind these products. Better still, why not switch to a vegetarian or vegan diet as what the soy and cattle industry demonstrates more than anything is that meat consumption is bad for the environment and simply not sustainable. Switching to a vegetarian diet would reduce your carbon emissions by a colossal 50% and going vegan results in an even greater reduction.

The ‘Meat Free Mondays’ initiative launched by Paul McCartney and his daughters highlighted the impact of meat production on climate change. Cutting down or giving up meat is the single most effective act anyone can take to lessen greenhouse gas emissions. A ‘meat free’ diet is also better for your health. Fresh evidence from the largest study to date to investigate dietary habits and cancer has concluded that vegetarians are 45% less likely to develop cancer of the blood than meat eaters and are 12% less likely to develop cancer overall.

While boycotts and ethical consumerism campaigns are legitimate attempts to create market pressure to reform specific practices, while rewarding producers with favourable practices, they fail to address one of the most serious problems inherent in modern day societies – the mass production and consumption of goods. Whatever products you buy it takes energy to get them into your shopping basket (e.g. energy to mine raw materials, make the product and ship it). There will also be other hidden costs (e.g. the exploitation of humans, animals and/or the natural environment) infused in the production and sale of goods.

In order to live in harmony with our planet and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we need to go beyond ‘ethical shopping’ and try to divorce ourselves from shopping altogether. We need to simplify our lives, decrease consumption, and thus shrink our economic needs. In so doing, we limit the time that we must devote to waged labour, and regain control of our time, the most precious commodity in our lives.

Simplifying your life is one of the most beneficial things you can do for the environment and your carbon footprint. On a day to day level, it’s about reducing our consumption of the world’s resources, re-using items rather than throwing them away, recycling our waste, buying local foods (or growing your own food), walking and cycling more. Other examples include swapping your car for public transport (cars are responsible for 40% of personal emissions on average) and cutting back (or eliminating) the number of short breaks on cheap flights.

Living sustainably is not only about knowing how to make greener, more ethical, practical choices in our lives. It is also about valuing our health and wellbeing, our relationships and community above the need to consume and exploit.

Proponents of ‘sustainable living,’ ‘simple living’ (voluntary simplicity) and ‘downshifting’ realise that quality of life is much more important than quantity. Consumerism often leads to stress and dissatisfaction because it creates a society of individualistic consumers who measure both social status and general happiness by an unattainable quantity of material possessions.

The evidence cited above clearly demonstrates that making changes to our lifestyles can be a far more effective tool in preventing climate change than the carbon offset model. Instead of paying to rectify the damage once it’s done, we should take steps to reduce our own carbon emissions by taking personal responsibility for the environment, simplifying our lives, and addressing the consequences of our actions as consumers.

Volunteer Latin America is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

It is also understandable why the green lobby and the tourism industry has brought into question the justification for volunteering abroad and why volunteers sometimes feel like they are caught in a conundrum.

Global warming is one of the most serious threats facing the world and some of the leading campaign groups have stated that the most ethical thing we can do for the environment is to stay at home. Whilst we can all agree that the best form of travel is to avoid flying, we should not stop flying altogether. That would send us back to the dark ages with massive unemployment (1 in 10 people work in the tourism sector), business recession, and increased poverty (deepening recession, increased unemployment and worsening poverty is not conducive to creating new lower carbon technologies and lifestyles).

There are many people who rely on tourism for their livelihoods and many natural habitats depend on visitors for their survival. If you want evidence of this you should look no further than Latin America. Tourism is a big contributor to the economy of many Latin American countries and the industry generated nearly US$2 billion in Costa Rica alone in 2007 (three-fifths of GNP). Tourism helps support some of Latin America’s most fragile natural habitats and if we stopped flying there many national parks and private reserves will lose their incomes, deforestation will increase and global warming will accelerate. Unless we support the people and communities now making money through ecotourism they have no other choice but to exploit natural resources.

Similarly, it is worth noting the importance of international volunteers to conservation efforts in the region. Without the commitment and financial support of international volunteers, many organizations would be unable to carry out their vital work. This is because there is generally very little governmental or outside support for these organisations and the projects which they manage. Your contribution as a volunteer could help ensure the long-term survival of a tropical forest or an endangered species. This is because you are actively participating in the conservation of that habitat or species. The participation of international volunteers also enables money to reach grassroots level of society and this can change a small communities perception of their environment or an endangered species.

The question of whether it is possible to be an ethical volunteer seems to largely rest on the ability to make informed choices before and during your trip. If you choose the right project, minimise the impact of your travel, maximise the benefits for local economies, and stay for a considerable period of time, then you can most definitely volunteer abroad with a clean conscience.

It is worth mentioning the importance of choosing the right project before setting off and the key message is – do your research if you want to so some really valuable work. Prospective volunteers must examine the work they will be doing and how it affects local people and the natural environment. Although there are some good placement companies out there, a do-it-yourself placement is the most ethical form of volunteering as you work directly with the host organization. You also have the assurance that all your money goes to the cause rather than paying for the marketing and administration expenses of a volunteer placement (sending) agency. If you opt to work through an agency please be aware that some of these agencies offer little more than glorified holidays and others are more interested in making money than helping the environment or providing sustainable and well-targeted help for local communities. No one benefits from these placements apart from the companies that organise them. An ethical volunteer ensures that as much of their money as possible reaches the grassroots level of society. Eco-conscious travellers should consider contributing to a project that helps reduce the impact of climate change and/or provides a hands-on approach to offsetting their own carbon emissions.

It is also worth mentioning the length of time volunteers spend overseas. You are clearly going to do more harm than good if you travel all the way to Costa Rica from the UK (a carbon-heavy 8,700km flight) to rescue sea turtles and stay for only a few weeks. To maximise the benefits for local communities and negate the environmental impact of your flight you need to contribute to a project for a much longer period of time. A long stay is more sustainable if travelling long distances as this will enable you to minimise the impact of your flight. The time spent as a volunteer is time not spent contributing to carbon emissions in your home country (i.e. non use of home appliances, zero emissions form you car, etc). A long stay also eliminates the need to take several shorter holidays throughout the year.

In reality, the dramatic growth in short breaks and cheap flights is a more pressing issue than questioning the justification for volunteering abroad, particularly if volunteers wish to devote their time and energy to do something positive for the environment. Those who want to stop us flying should focus more on the business and the leisure side of flying rather people wanting to make a difference (e.g. those that fly with a purpose). The destruction of the Amazon and other tropical forests around the world should also be a priority for campaign groups (e.g. air travel accounts for less than 5% of carbon dioxide emissions, clearing tropical forests for agriculture is estimated to produce 18% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions – more than the entire global transport system).

Volunteer Latin America is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Are you looking for low cost volunteering opportunities in Africa?  Volunteer 4 Africa provide information on a wide variety of conservation and community service projects. Their website enables you to search for projects that match your budget. Everything you need to set up a placement is provided, including web links and email contacts. A small membership fee is required to use the site but it is well worth it. Highly recommended.

Volunteer Latin America is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Initially, this didn’t seem an appropriate time to announce the arrival of a new website  but considering Thailand’s need to woo back tourists after recent rioting our timing could be perfect.

Thailand’s tourism industry is suffering from the recent two-month-long antigovernment protests, which ended on 19th May with 88 people dead and some of the capital’s most popular shopping areas in flames. Hotels across the country are reporting less than 50% occupancy after many tourists changed their holiday plans to avoid the trouble.

International tourist arrivals and revenues could fall between 10% and 20% this year.  Such a decline would present serious problems for the country’s economy, which relies on tourism for roughly 6% of gross domestic product and for more than 15% of its jobs.

Despite recent events you shouldn’t give up on Thailand, it still has much to offer and  is great value for money if comparing it to other countries. The food alone makes  
Thailand a worthwhile stop for long-haul and round the world travellers. Thailand isn’t the most popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia for no good reason.

If you are interested in doing more with your time than lazing around on picture-postcard beaches or attending full moon parties, we encourage you to checkout a recently launched volunteer orientated website. It aims to promote volunteer organizations in Thailand and help them recruit international volunteers.

Volunteer Work Thailand lists many organizations actively seeking volunteer assistance on projects such as community development, wildlife conservation, and education programs. The site offers something for everyone, whether you are seeking a long term stay or a short working holiday.

Although the site will only play a small part in helping the Thai travel business bounce back from crises, it will undoubtedly provide much needed support to a multitude of community service and conservation projects in difficult times.

If you are looking for a great way to meet locals and experience the cultures and traditions of Thailand, you know where to start looking.

Volunteer Latin America is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Prof harold Goodwin has been leading the campaign for responsible travel for some 15 years. The following is from his blog

The Experience of a Lifetime? The V Word – caveat emptor by Harold Goodwin on Wed 21 Apr 2010 21:12 BST  |  Volunteering should be the experience of a life time, deeply fulfilling, fun. It should be rewarding, a chance to discover yourself, to test yourself and to get to know people and places.

Too often it isn’t.

Do something about it.

For examples of what goes wrong see www.irresponsibletourism.info

There are plenty of complaints about volunteering companies – look on the web. Many of the organisations offering volunteering abroad are for profit companies, but even if they’re not, they still owe you a duty of care – you’ve paid them for a service. Demand delivery of what you’ve paid for. It is time to raise the bar on volunteering companies.

1.    As a volunteer travelling abroad you should expect the UK organisation that is organising your volunteering experience to treat you at least as well as any tour operator would: if things go wrong, you must complain and assert your consumer rights – you’ve bought an experience and they must deliver.  If the operator is in ABTA consider using the complaints procedure. If not, think about complaining to your local Trading Standards office.

2. Ask yourself how much local communities are gaining from your volunteering. How much of what you are spending will end up in the local economy? I hear of cases where locals are sacked to make space for a volunteer. You should check that you will be adding to the resources in a school – you need to be additional, not replacing local labour. Do not assume that all not-for-profits or charities will offer a quality opportunity – ask questions – check the answers. Expect to speak with returned volunteers and check out the web. I have suggested below some sites to check on.

3.    Demand a worthwhile experience: ask some hard questions of the organisation which you are handing a good deal of money to provide you with an amazing and fulfilling experiences. These questions will help – and you should demand answers. There are answers which suggest the kind of reply you many want to hear at

peopleandplaces suggest that you ask the following questions and think about the answers – if you’re not sure, then don’t spend the money. You are buying an experience.

1. How can I be sure that what you’re telling me is true and not just marketing hype?

2. How and where is my money spent?

3. How will my skills be used effectively?

4. I’m only going to be there for a few weeks – how can my input be of any real use?

5. Who decides what my role will be?

6. Who knows about me before I arrive and what do they know?

7. Whose idea was the project and who runs it?

8. Can I talk to previous volunteers? They will be able to tell you how much they enjoyed it, what they got out of it, whether the experience was what they had hoped and paid for.

9.  Can I talk to local people before I travel?

10. Will I be safe?

11. What’s all this I hear about adequate insurance?

12. Is there any continuity?

13. What kind of support is there for me?

 If you are not happy with the answers go with someone else.

Volunteering was something we used to do at home, in our community. In the UK many of us still do, an estimated 20 million people volunteer in Britain every year and it appears from research to be increasing. Colin Rochester  undertook a review of volunteering in 2006 for Volunteering England and identified three kinds of volunteering: unpaid work, activism and as leisure. As Colin Rochester points out these categories overlap.

Academics and commentators have shied away from leisure volunteering because of the association of leisure with amateurism and hobbyism, and particularly overseas volunteering, with frivolity and fun.

Increasing numbers of people are volunteering abroad, some for months others for a week or so, some for a day or a few hours. Some of the latter are tokenistic, little more than feel-good-photo-opportunities.

There are probably three main motivations for volunteering abroad, they all have altruistic elements, but in many cases one suspects that the altruism is pretty limited

1. To build a cv and get experience – particularly relevant to gappers

2. To learn more about what life is like in another society – a deeper form of experiential travel which is increasing rapidly in importance

3. To put something back – to make a contribution in someone else’s place where the needs appear simpler and more worthy; and the impact which one volunteer can make is large.

So remember – it’s your money, your time, your dream.  Caveat emptor – you deserve a worthwhile experience

Check out the project you are thinking about, you may find these sites useful
www.abroadreviews.com
www.thestudentroom.co.uk

www.voluntourism.org

planeta.wikispaces.com/volunteer

people and places is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Hill Cottage is an entirely organic house, all food and household products are certified organic. This beautiful light filled spacious cottage is full of art, antiques, plants and books. The large double / family room has a double and a single bed, private bath, shower / WC. The pretty single room with shower room / WC overlooks the garden. Raw vegan organic breakfast. Organic vegan / raw vegan three course dinners can be pre booked, £25 per person. Organic packed lunches also available, £15 per person. The house is situated in the lovely village of Wangford between two nature reserves [bird watching, walking, cycling], and is two miles from the beach at Southwold, a historic seaside market town on Suffolk’s Heritage Coast. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/2813.htm

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