Volunteer abroad in the Caribbean
Are you all about the island lifestyle? Are you looking to volunteer while enjoying some incredible beaches? In this case, supporting a good cause by becoming a volunteer in the Caribbean will certainly sound like a great idea to you. After all, the Caribbean is many people's dream vacation destination for a very good reason. However, before you can get excited about your Caribbean adventure, you first need to choose your desired volunteer country and volunteer project. Moreover, there are different types of charity work that you can engage in. From sports to environmental protection, education, healthcare, and marine conservation, there is much that you can do to help as a volunteer in the Caribbean.
This ultimate guide for becoming a volunteer in the Caribbean is thus meant to provide you with some pointers so that you will find it easier to make your decision. Not only will we tell you which field of interests are most relevant in each of the most important Caribbean volunteer destinations. In addition, we will also briefly tell you what each of these countries is about so that you can feel confident in your decision to join your chosen volunteer project. Of course, we provide individual country guides for most of these volunteer destinations as well. In turn, these guides are meant to help you prepare for your time as a volunteer in the Caribbean.
Volunteer in Jamaica
Jamaica is not just known as one of the premiere vacation destinations in the Caribbean. Even though true legends like Usain Bolt and Bob Marley have been fortunate enough to call Jamaica their home, there are many people in Jamaica that are still struggling. The standard of living certainly is not as high in Jamaica as it is in most of the Western world. Nonetheless, these islanders are known for having bright smiles on their faces most of the time - must be due to all that Jamaican sunshine!
As you are getting ready for your Jamaican adventure as a volunteer in the Caribbean, you will likely be fascinated by Jamaica's voodoo culture, which is truly unique. If you are of age, you can look forward to a drink or two of Jamaica's national beverage, rum. Jamaican rum simply tastes the best on one of Jamaica's stunning beaches. Also give Ackee and Saltfish, the national dish of this island nation, a try in order to fully immerse yourself in Jamaican culture. As you can see, there is much to look forward to outside of your work as a volunteer in the Caribbean as well!
How can I help?
There are countless Jamaican volunteer projects that would love your help as a volunteer in the Caribbean. Of course, all of your efforts as a volunteer will directly benefit the local community. Whether you are passionate about teaching or community development, this is the perfect place to become a volunteer in the Caribbean in a truly stunning setting. From teaching a class of schoolchildren to teaching English to the adult population, you might even get to make up your own lesson plans. Keep in mind that becoming an education volunteer in the Caribbean might require a criminal background check, as should be expected when working with children.
From helping to build new schools to hospitals, your work for a community development project will prove to be just as meaningful and important. If you decide to sign up for any one of these volunteer projects, you can provide the local communities with some of the infrastructure that is currently lacking. As such, you can do your part to make the lives of the Jamaican people a whole lot better by volunteering.
Volunteer in the Dominican Republic
While you have probably only visited the Dominican Republic as a tourist thus far, it is definitely time to change that. As a volunteer in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic offers you countless culinary delights along with its rich and colorful culture. The Dominican Republic is the second largest nation in the Caribbean, which is only surpassed by Cuba.
While this island nation is also the ninth largest economy in all of Latin America, this is not to say that your help as a volunteer in the Caribbean will not be needed. In fact, the opposite is the case. There are countless NGOs that would love your help as a volunteer. From fishing to golfing and baseball, which is one of the most popular sports in the country, you will certainly get to enjoy yourself outside of your voluntary work as well. Whether you are craving excellent rum or delicious cocoa and coffee, you should definitely give these important Dominican agricultural products a try. In addition, sugar and tobacco are some of the other main exports that this nation is known for.
How can I help?
If you are looking for volunteer projects that would like your help in the Dominican Republic, you can pursue different types of charity work. As a volunteer in the Caribbean, your chosen volunteer project would love to benefit from all of the skills that you bring to the table. In particular, NGO management and marketing are big in the Dominican Republic. If you want to help the local projects flourish by reaching their fundraising goals, becoming a marketing volunteer in the Caribbean might be for you.
However, if you are planning on becoming a teacher and are passionate about education, this is also a great place to volunteer. Yet, you should keep in mind that you will likely have to provide your background check if you want to work with children. Nonetheless, becoming an education volunteer in the Caribbean is one of the best ways to really get to know the local population and fully immerse yourself in the culture of your chosen volunteer destination.
Volunteer in Cuba
While Americans were not allowed to go to Cuba for a long time, this has since changed. Upon your arrival in Cuba, you will certainly notice how time has seemingly stood still in this island nation. From vintage cars that have taken over the streets of Cuba to stunning architecture that does not seem the least bit modern, you will certainly appreciate the beauty that is Cuba. In the birthplace of the Cha Cha and Mambo, you will find that dancing plays a huge role. So why not take a couple of lessons or get on the dance floor to really get in the Cuban spirit?
This infamous island nation is also teeming with varied wildlife. In fact, any prospective volunteer in the Caribbean should know that you will find the largest number of plant and animal species of any Caribbean nation in Cuba. From birds to fish and reptiles, you might be surprised to find how large Cuba's animal kingdom really is.
How can I help?
Cuba might as well be called the "Wild Island of the Caribbean." For any future volunteer in the Caribbean, this certainly means that Cuba is the perfect place for volunteering if you are at all interested in wildlife conservation. Given that you will find coral reefs, wetlands, tropical forests, and lush coastlines, Cuba is home to more animals than we can name here.
However, joining a wildlife conservation project in the Caribbean is not the only way for you to volunteer in Cuba. Instead, you might want to think about becoming a community development volunteer in order to help the local community. In case you are eager to help in improving the local infrastructure, thus making for a higher standard of living for the people of Cuba, becoming a community development volunteer in the Caribbean is for you.
Volunteer in Haiti
Not just in distant, but even in recent history, Haiti has been hit by various natural disasters. Since this island nation continues to be vulnerable to such catastrophic events in the future as well, there is all the more for you to do as a volunteer in the Caribbean. While Haiti is known as one of the poorest countries in the entire Western hemisphere, this does not prevent the people of Haiti from enjoying life to the fullest. If you would love to surround yourself by such wonderfully spirited people, you will certainly want to become a volunteer in Haiti.
How can I help?
If you love working with children, Haiti is the perfect volunteer destination for you. This is one way, in which you can have a major impact on the lives of the people in Haiti. By becoming a childcare volunteer in the Caribbean, you can make sure that more moms in Haiti can afford to go to work and do their part to provide for their families. As such, the entire Haitian community is going to benefit from your work as a childcare volunteer in the Caribbean.
Volunteer in the Bahamas
The Bahamas are not just known for their infamous pink beaches. If you have always thought the Bahamas is the perfect spot for a vacation, you might be delighted to find that it is also the perfect spot to volunteer. Expect great weather and US dollars being accepted as a method of payment anywhere. After all, the exchange rate is 1-to-1, wherefore paying in US dollars is a good as paying in Bahamian dollars. You will not even have to go without American cable TV during your time as a volunteer in this island nation either! Definitely be sure to give "Conch" a try as the Bahamas are known for this special seafood dish.
How can I help?
If you want to become a marine conservation volunteer in the Caribbean, the Bahamas is the perfect place do to so. With its hundreds of fish species and tropical reefs that are certainly worth protecting, the Bahamas are the perfect place for you to get your hands dirty as a marine conservation volunteer. From sample collection to beach cleanups, you will be asked to perform a set of diverse tasks, wherefore you are sure to not get bored anytime soon.
Volunteer in Trinidad and Tobago
Did you know that Trinidad's Moruga pepper is officially one of the hottest peppers in the world? That's what the experts at the Guinness Book of Records think anyways. According to a CNN ranking, a Trinidad & Tobago accent also happens to be one of the ten sexiest accents in the entire world.
Of course, that is far from all. If you are looking for the world's largest brain coral piece, you will want to come to this island nation and hit up Speyside, a popular local snorkeling and diving spot, as well.So why not become a volunteer in the Caribbean and check out this major nesting destination for leatherback turtles yourself?
How can I help?
Unfortunately, many of the wild animals that live in Trinidad & Tobago are endangered wherefore your help as an animal care volunteer is all the more important. However, if you consider yourself more of a people person, you might like to consider becoming an education volunteer in Trinidad & Tobago instead. Put your teacher hat on and get ready to not just teach your students, but learn a thing or two about the Trinidad & Tobago lifestyle from them.
Volunteer in Saint Lucia
St. Lucia might just be one of the most premiere travel destinations in the entire world. After all, you can expect to find many luxury vacation resorts as well as crystal clear waters that are perfect for snorkeling here. While you will certainly run into many honeymooners during your time in St. Lucia, you can enjoy the beach life to its fullest outside of your work as a volunteer in the Caribbean. Also get excited about paying St. Lucia's only active volcano a visit, which just happens to be several thousand years old. Even better yet, you can expect to find perfect bikini weather in St. Lucia all year long!
How can I help?
St. Lucia might just be one of the most premiere travel destinations in the entire world. After all, you can expect to find many luxury vacation resorts as well as crystal clear waters that are perfect for snorkeling here. While you will certainly run into many honeymooners during your time in St. Lucia, you can enjoy the beach life to its fullest outside of your work as a volunteer in the Caribbean. Also get excited about paying St. Lucia's only active volcano a visit, which just happens to be several thousand years old. Even better yet, you can expect to find perfect bikini weather in St. Lucia all year long!