Ideas: International Ideas
Why limit yourself to volunteer projects that help people in your community? The world is full of people who are in need, and it does not take much time or effort to create a project that helps those who live across the globe. Click here for more information on the importance of helping people overseas.
- Crochet bandages for people who have leprosy
- Gather supplies, make and send school kits to children in Iraq
- “Adopt” a family of immigrants to the United States
- Exchange recipes and cook together with people from different countries
- Share experiences from living in another culture and what you learned
- Sponsor a child living abroad
- Rebuild a bicycle to be sent abroad
- Send a child to school in Tanzania
- Write to a pen pal overseas
- Assist teaching English as a Second Language: children can play together while adults learn
- Trick or treat for Unicef (collect money that will help pay for immunizations for children, wells for villages, etc.)
- Write letters to Congress
- Buy UNICEF cards and gifts
- Become a host family for international students
- Send packages abroad
- Host an International Culture night: give educational presentations about another culture you have experienced or invite a friend from another culture to do so
- Hold a fundraiser to collect funds for children’s vaccines in developing countries
- Raise money for well-digging projects (and other good causes) abroad
- Collect baby clothes, books, and stuffed animals for orphans in Romania
- Help new families to America learn about culture, language, and/or U.S. citizenship
- Share food, music, dance, and stories from other cultures
Find a volunteer opportunity in your community
Do you have another idea for us? Let us know! Send an email here.
*Note: These are general suggestions and not all of these volunteer opportunities will be appropriate for every family, community and/or organization. The ideal family volunteering opportunity is rewarding for your family while serving the needs of your community. While there are opportunities for service for children at every age, parents with especially young children may find fewer volunteer opportunities are available in a formal setting with an organization. Some of the most rewarding experiences families with young children can have may be found in less formal settings as parents serve with young children and help neighbors and friends.
See also “Volunteering as a Group” for recommendations of age-appropriate volunteer projects for elementary school, middle school, and high school age children and youth.