Description

In as little as a week or for as long as a year, immerse yourself in the Jamaican culture while helping groups in need. Our projects vary from building playgrounds at schools to designing websites for coffee farmers in the Blue Mountains and everything in between.

VIJON matches volunteers with suitable projects, provides training, project materials, housing, transport and all on-island details. Weekly field trips to waterfalls, kayaking and more are included. We have evening events scheduled every night for college groups, and make sure all participants leave feeling that they have not only made their mark on the island, but have grown and learned in the process.

We host individuals and groups. We offer housing ranging from tent camping up to deluxe seaside villas.

We coordinate everything, participants only need to book their own airfare to Jamaica.

We also arrange non-volunteer cultural immersion eco-tours to the hidden gems of Jamaica for adventure travelers.

Highlights

Nothing beats the smile of a child, their first time down a slide you help build for a playground that was once nothing more than bare dirt with a few old tires.

Gorgeous waterfalls, deserted beaches, exciting Reggae shows, dinner in a Jamaican family's home, learning the latest dancehall moves from a local teacher, kayaking to the coolest bar in the world, and so much more to explore and experience on a VIJON trip.

Travel Types

• BackPacking Abroad
• Birdwatching
• Camping
• Canoeing
• Caving/Spelunking
• Climbing
• Cooking
• Cycling (Mountain)
• Dancing
• Eco Tours
• Fishing
• Heritage Tourism
• Hiking
• Homestay
• Horseback Riding
• Kayaking (River)
• Kayaking (Sea)
• Language Immersion
• Motorcycling
• Native Culture Studies
• Nature Tours
• Off Road / 4X4 Driving
• Photography
• RainForest Tours
• Safari
• Snorkeling
• Soccer/Football
• Sports
• Student Tours
• Summer Camp
• Surfing
• Tours
• Vacation Packages
• Volunteering
• Yoga

Qualifications

* English language

* Open mind, flexiblity, patience and desire to help

* We do provide an affordable way to see Jamaica while helping groups in need, but the primary motivation for joining a VIJON program should be a desire to learn about Jamaica while helping, NOT a cheap vacation.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 500

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad

Program Fees Include:

Above cost is for one person in a group for a one week all-inclusive program, guesthouse room, breakfast and dinner daily, nightly cultural activities, all on island transport, two full day tours, training materials, project materials all on island expenses.

A 6-week program including housing, breakfast and dinner daily and all of the above (with one weekly trip, not two) is just USD 1470.

Costs vary based on # in group, length of stay, housing choice and project cost.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

The typical volunteer is hard to describe as we have young students, retired professionals and everyone in between. Normally our volunteers are college students, early 20's, who have an interest in the Jamaican culture and a desire to get to know the country outside of the resorts while helping.

Age Range

18-108

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Dormitory
• Home-stays
• Independent living
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 0-14

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

6 weeks

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

VIJON- Volunteer In Jamaica Opportunity Network's Mission Statement

VIJON, The Volunteer In Jamaica Opportunity Network coordinates volunteer vacations, linking participants with groups in need on the island with service opportunities. We host individuals and groups from one week to one year. We coordinate service projects with local schools (computer lab construction, playground installations, tutoring, summer camps and more), NGOs, small business, disaster relief and more. VIJON provides full cultural immersion through education, evening activities and field trips / day tours. Our mission is to provide volunteers with meaningful service opportunities that will truly "leave a mark" on the island, while at the same time ensuring that they see an insider's view of Jamaica which highlights the culture, and best in sights.

Year Founded

2003