Pod Volunteer
Why choose Pod Volunteer?
Established in 2001, Pod Volunteer is a leading award-winning non-profit organization that specializes in providing ethical, uplifting and supported volunteering opportunities around the world. The projects offered are carefully selected and handpicked to ensure they are set up to fulfill local needs and deliver genuine benefits. Our responsible volunteering approach ensures that we only offer ...
Established in 2001, Pod Volunteer is a leading award-winning non-profit organization that specializes in providing ethical, uplifting and supported volunteering opportunities around the world. The projects offered are carefully selected and handpicked to ensure they are set up to fulfill local needs and deliver genuine benefits. Our responsible volunteering approach ensures that we only offer sustainable volunteering projects with lasting and positive impacts and where there is a true need for volunteers. Volunteers can join our placement programs for a minimum of 1 week up to 12 weeks helping animal, conservation, and community projects. These volunteer projects are available in Belize, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Greece, Ghana, Namibia, Peru, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Our e...
Pod Volunteer Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
Most rewarding and life changing experiences
by: Tyler - United StatesProgram: Care for Rescued Elephants in ThailandMy time at The Elephant Care Project - Thailand was one of the most rewarding and life changing experiences. Working with the elephants everyday allowed me to see first-hand how our collective hard work helps to make the elephants lives so much better. Along with caring for the elephants, the friends I have made are what I will cherish most. I wish I could have stayed longer.
Amazing experience
by: Maddy - United KingdomProgram: Elephant and Wildlife Conservation in Sri LankaThe conservation project was amazing and a great opportunity that I will remember for the rest of my life. I really enjoyed being able to understand the human-elephant conflict of Sri Lanka and the measures this organization have put in place to reduce it. I have really enjoyed all the activities I got to experience while being here, especially visiting and interviewing farmers as well as visiting the National Park and seeing the beautiful elephants.
Rewarding and inspiring experience
by: Luke - United KingdomProgram: Marine Conservation in ThailandI joined the project for 3 weeks, it was a very rewarding and inspiring experience. Everything about my experience was excellent, from Pod’s service in organising my trip to saying goodbye to my many new friends for life from the project. The staff at the project are passionate and hardworking and make you feel welcome right from the start. I will be going back to visit them! Thank you Pod and the Marine Conservation team! The most rewarding thing for me was to see the marine animals using th...
Pod Volunteer Programs
Browse programs you might like
A fantastic opportunity to work hands on with elephants as well as helping an active research team. The project introduces you to the magnificent...
Care for gentle Asian elephants in rural Thailand, rescued from a tough working life. Enrich your experience further by combining Elephant Conser...
Join a local marine conservation project that involves research and restoration dives, learning about initiatives, and making a difference in com...
Join an award-winning elephant conservation team to help protect and research desert elephants in Namibia. Construct walls to protect farmers’ wa...
We are looking for volunteers to join the team and support vital work aimed toward the protection of wild elephants. The project is unique in ...
Dive into this exciting opportunity to work hands-on with horses on the South African coast. The project is designed to care for previously abuse...
Interviews
Read interviews from alumni or staff
Erin Sparks
Interviewed in 2015
Erin has been Placement Manager at Pod Volunteer for five years, and in that time she has organized placements for almost 800 volunteers and been invo...
Erin Sparks
Interviewed in 2015
What inspired you to travel abroad?
I volunteered at the
Alex Tarrant
Interviewed in 2015
Alex co-founded Pod Volunteer in 2002 and currently serves as the managing director. Before starting Pod Volunteer, he spent several years traveling a...
Alex Tarrant
Interviewed in 2015
What inspired you to travel abroad?
You are one of the co-founders of Pod Volunteer, what about your volunteer experience establishing a charity in Africa inspired you to start your own organization?
Gemma Lay
Interviewed in 2015
Gemma joined the PoD Volunteer team in 2010 after volunteering with Pod in Tanzania in 2008. As placement manager, she manages placements in five diff...
Gemma Lay
Interviewed in 2015
What inspired you to travel abroad?
Volunteering in Tanzania with PoD Volunteer was one of the best weeks of my life, it was an incredible experience working with the local community and supporting the charity in the tropical mountains. A year after I returned home a job vacancy came up at Pod and it was my dream job opportunity and I am delighted that I got the role.
Recognitions
Check out awards and recognitions Pod Volunteer has received
