Volunteering In Australia And The Pacific Islands

Wed, 10/19/2011 - 08:00 | Stephanie Heiken

Think volunteers are only needed in Africa, Latin America, and Asia? Think again! Check out these exciting opportunities in Australia and the Pacific Islands!

Smaller Earth

Smaller Earth is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing volunteers with experience in culturally diverse environments to increase overall cultural awareness. For the past 12 years, Smaller Earth has helped individuals pick specific, meaningful service opportunities around the globe. Their programs are designed for nearly any type of time commitment and personality. From South America to Africa and from Asia to the U.S., Smaller Earth offers quality volunteer opportunities worldwide; however, some of their most popular volunteer programs are located in Australia.

Volunteer on Conservation Projects—Queensland, Australia offers volunteers the opportunity to work with professional conservationists on the most practical, yet crucial conservation projects in Australia, including protecting the Great Barrier Reef coastlines, tropical forests, and waterways—specifically to best protect animals that live in these habitats. Projects include endangered species protection, trail construction, heritage restoration, tree planting and more! Volunteers get to experience of living in the Australian Outback and also have the opportunity to travel to nearby attractions on weekends.

The organization works with a variety of partners, including local and federal levels of the government, non-profits, tourism organizations, and community and conservation groups. The program is a non-profit organization established in 1982. Each year, over 2,500 volunteers from outside of Australia take part in this amazing experience.

Most programs do not require any past experience. Internships are also available.

Location: Queensland, Australia
Program duration: 6 weeks
Food and accommodations are provided with the program cost.
Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older to participate.
For more information, click here!

The Esther Honey Foundation

The Esther Honey Foundation (EHF) is the first nonprofit organization to provide animal protection abroad. EHF works to humanely control the population of cats and dogs in the South Pacific, including procedures and education programs for local residents. Outside of domestic animals, some farm animals and wild animals, such as the fruit bat, can also be treated. All animals, whether homeless or cared for, receive equal care and no healthy animal is euthanized.

EHF provides the only veterinary services found on the Cook Islands. The volunteer staff treats over 200 animals each month, providing services such as spaying and neutering as well as the cost of drugs and other expenses, at no cost to those in the community. Annually, nearly 3,000 animals are treated. Volunteers hail from all over the world to take part in this important work.

Volunteers needed are veterinarians, technicians/nurses, veterinary students, administrative staff, outreach/communications, student interns, and animal care assistants. Volunteers work 5 days a week, and can also take this opportunity to conduct research projects specific to the community and how to best serve the animals and people in it to enhance their experiences.

Veterinarian degrees not necessary, just a love for animals!