Serve: More for Less

Those who go on humanitarian service trips generally agree that what they gain from the

experience far outweighs the money they spend. As with all travel, these trips can seem costly.

But by doing a little research into program fees and available discounts, you could find that a

humanitarian service trip may not be outside your budget.

Getting to the Bottom of Program Fees

Nearly all humanitarian foundations that organize volunteer trips have a set of required

fees. These fees vary greatly, depending on the location and duration of the trip as well as the

foundation that organizes it. Generally, the fees include everything that participants need in order

to stay in the country for the duration of the trip: lodging, meals, work materials, and necessary

transportation within the country. Some programs may also include health insurance or language

classes.

By using the program’s facilities and eating the food that has been arranged for,

volunteers can spend less money than they would have spent if they had gone to the country on

their own.

Lowering the Cost

One way that some programs can offer lower fees is by arranging some of the details

through locals. For example, Adam Richardson, a student at Brigham Young University, paid

only $350 for a 10-day trip to Tijuana, Mexico, with the Charity Anywhere Foundation. The

program fees were so low because the foundation had made arrangements with locals for lodging

and meals. They didn’t have posh accommodations—instead, they stayed on the upper level of a

Tijuana clinic, slept on the floor, and had no hot water for showers. “But the food was great,”

says Richardson, because the program had hired a local woman to be their chef. “We really

learned to appreciate the blessings we have, and we had a great time,” Richardson adds. “Plus,

you can’t beat that price.”

Finding Out If Airfare Is Included

The cost of traveling to and from the country is generally not included in program fees;

however, some programs do include airfare. Shereesa Maw, a 21-year-old from North Ogden,

Utah, went to China for four months to teach English with International Language Program

(ILP). She paid a fee of $2,500 for the trip, which included everything previously mentioned as

well as her flight to and from China. The only other things she had to budget for were souvenirs

and sight-seeing travel within the country. For these, she spent about $700, which, she says, was

enough for everything she wanted.

Taking Advantage of Discounts

If you’re on a very tight budget and are struggling to afford a service trip, look for a

program that offers tax-deductible fundraising options or discounts. Some programs even offer

student discounts, and some have bonus deals like a $100 credit if you bring a friend, half off the

program fee for your spouse if you both go, or a few hundred dollars off if you pay the whole fee

up front. Through ILP’s donation and fundraising program, Maw was able to obtain the bulk of

her program fees, and she was left with only $800 to come up with on her own.

Finding the Right Fit

Though at first the program fees can seem overwhelming, the amount could actually be

less than what you might spend at home or at school for a semester. Some countries have higher

living and travel expenses than others, so you’ll need to spend time doing some research before

you decide which program to choose. Because such a great variety of programs exists, most

volunteers can find a program that fits into their budget. Just remember: these incredible

experiences more than make up for the cost of service.

—Stephanie Richardson