USA Today
Excerpt from: The Informed Traveler by Kathy McCabe November 27, 2001
Volunteer Vacations Benefit Many
The interest Americans are taking in the world around them has been one of the bright spots of a gloomy autumn. We're volunteering more, reaching out to our neighbors and educating ourselves about foreign affairs.
A "volunteer vacation" might sound more appealing than ever right now. These benevolent, sometimes exotic, getaways not only expand our hearts and horizons, they're giving the struggling travel industry an economic boost...
Cross-Cultural Solutions assists communities in China, Ghana, India, Peru and Russia with health care, education and social development. The organization also has a special license from the U.S. Treasury Department to allow Americans to travel to Cuba.
Teams of 12 to 18 volunteers of all ages spend an average of three weeks on-site and are placed according to their individual skills. For instance, a volunteer with a medical background might take on a special project in a community hospital. Programs run year-round, led by in-country directors, so volunteers are assured of continuity for projects they start.
Volunteers have evenings and two weekends to spend on their own. Prices begin at $1985 for a two-week trip, not including airfare.
Andrew Motiwalla, Vice President of Strategic Development for Cross-Cultural Solutions, says that although signups have decreased since September 11, inquiries about volunteering have held steady.
"A lot of people are thinking that this is something I want to do, just not right now," he says. Indeed, in the long run, Motiwalla expects current affairs will end up creating new volunteers.
"I think there's a growing movement of people doing international volunteer work. There's more of a consciousness of foreign affairs and the importance of being a good ambassador for your country," he adds.
Although it is an international organization, Cross-Cultural Solutions took on a domestic arm following the terrorist attacks. Their World Trade Center Volunteer Program has placed 4,000 volunteers, free of charge, with organizations like the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the Safe Horizons Center in New York City.
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