Volunteer abroad as a couple; let the magic of service and travel bring you closer than ever. ☆ To put it in the words of Mark Twain — “I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.”
That's me (hey!) and my partner while volunteering as a couple abroad in Kenya.
These words are so true, especially when it comes to traveling with your partner, the one with whom you wish to spend the rest of your life.
When I met my partner, one of the things that I loved about him is the very fact that he, too, like me, was bitten by the wanderlust bug! Kenya has been on our mind for long—but we did have different reasons to visit this gorgeous East African country! Being a photographer and biology coach, his obvious choice and major motivation was, of course, the wildlife. On the other hand, I was keen to spend some quality time, serving at one of the childcare centers where the abandoned kids are sheltered. I'm glad that it didn't take much effort to convince him to volunteer, and thus, we experienced one of the best journeys of our life till now!
If I was writing this article a few months back, I wouldn't have been sure enough about how exactly volunteering abroad with my partner might shape up! But trust me, after spending a month in Kenya with him, I've realized how amazing the shared experience can be. Honestly, traveling will bring out the best and the worst in the person you love the most. As we took this journey of volunteering as a couple abroad together and stepped outside our comfort zones, we went through several highs and lows, got to know about each other's strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately discovered some of the deepest aspects of one another.
My experience of volunteering as a couple in Kenya
“Love is not just looking at each other, it’s looking in the same direction.”—Antoine de Saint-Exupery
It's only after volunteering abroad as a couple, did I learn the fact that in order to take up a challenge and successfully complete it, you need to be on the same page with your partner. Even the night before our volunteer work began, we were sitting and talking (rather contemplating, feeling a little confused about what exactly we're gonna do there!), trying to figure out how we can help the kids and what we can do to make things better for them. None of us was sure about dealing with kids, especially infants and toddlers! But the first day when we visited Makimei Children's Home and saw the kids, all our confusions were washed away! We knew that the best we can give them is "LOVE" & "HAPPINESS"—things that we were already prepared to provide in abundance.
We learned a lot about couples volunteer together along the way—and want to share our insights!
Initially, we thought that language while volunteering as a couple would be a problem—and the little ones won’t understand what we would say. But we figured out that emotions speak louder than words! It wasn’t difficult to understand when they want to play, or eat, or sleep. Most of the times, we would talk to them in English but they would respond in Swahili—and in a few days, even we picked up basic words to communicate with them!
Well, they taught us to say "I love you" in Swahili—Nakupenda!
Since we were chiefly looking for volunteer opportunities for couples abroad that lasted at least a month, we did have ample scope to explore Kenya. And to fulfill my bae’s dreams (I, too, was keen for them!), we did go for game drives in Maasai Mara, Hell’s Gate National Park, and Amboseli. The rugged terrain and the vast stretches of Savannah having the largest density of wildlife truly deserves a visit. We didn’t even realize that a month just passed by the wink of an eye, and it was already time for us to bid goodbye to Kenya! (I think other couples volunteering together can relate to it passing by in the blink of an eye!).
9 important tips that you should know before volunteering as a couple abroad
While every relationship has a different dimension and the objective to volunteer abroad as a couple may vary, one can't deny the basic fact that it would enhance the bond between two individuals, making them understand each other's value in a much better manner.
Before you get to experience the bliss of working as a team for something as meaningful as volunteering, it's necessary to be clear that this journey isn't going to be like any other holiday or vacation! It requires a lot of patience & perseverance, especially when you choose to volunteer with children. Hence, it's essential to communicate with your partner and figure out which program you'd like to be a part of, and what exactly are the motivating factors for both of you. Focus on the skills that you both have, and try to keep some space where both of you can do things for your own choice while in the host country, apart from volunteering.
Here are some valuable tips for all those wanderlustful souls who are ready to set a #relationshipgoals by volunteering abroad as a couple:
You'll make tons of new friends, young and old, abroad.
1. Choose your volunteering destination wisely.
Kenya was on our bucket list since forever! We knew we wanted to look for volunteer opportunities for couples abroad there from the very start. It's actually very important that you and your partner agree on the destination you'd like to go to. Think of the things that you'd want to explore in that particular country other than volunteering, and chalk out the places to travel to. This is the stepping stone, and make sure that you don't compromise on this note! For LGBTQ couples who want to volunteer abroad, it’s necessary that you do a research about the country and figure out the social scenario, and seek proper guidance from the program provider.
Luckily, a lot of programs that offer volunteer opportunities for couples abroad offer them in tons of locations around the globe! Many providers offer dozens of options across Africa, Asia, the South Pacific, Europe, and South America.
2. Decide how much time both of you can afford to spend.
Being a freelance travel blogger, I have the freedom to plan my trips as per my convenience. On the other hand, my boyfriend had to manage his work schedule, sort his classes and finally, we figured out that if we travel in the month of March, we can manage to spend about a month. Thus, to speak the truth, it's extremely necessary that both of you know clearly how much time you can spend to volunteer and plan accordingly. If you are going to a far away country, it's better to keep at least 3 to 4 weeks, so that you have enough time to explore as well.
3. Focus on your skills and interests before choosing the volunteering program as a couple.
While there are several volunteering opportunities for couples abroad, you must opt for the program that suits your tastes and preferences. For us, it was an easy choice to work with the kids as we both love to be around them (though we weren't sure how good we would be in managing them!). Thus we opted for the Childcare Volunteering Program in Nairobi, Kenya. But for some people, it might be a difficult situation. Maybe you want to volunteer and teach English at a rural school while your partner wants to be a part of a conservation project! Thus, it's necessary that you discuss before choosing your program, and understand that you'll be good enough as a team in this work.
4. Sort out the financial issues together!
Often, while volunteering as a couple, arguments about finances and traveling are frequent. Thus, I believe that one should have a clear idea about the expenditures, before setting out for the journey. When you choose to volunteer abroad through a reputed organization, you essentially pay a fee that covers your basic transportation, accommodation, meals and offers valuable guidance regarding other expenses that might arise. During our volunteering trip to Kenya, we had decided to go for the game drives in different National Parks, and that was an additional cost for us. Do your research and find out what other things you'd want to do in the country so that you've got a rough idea about the finances.
5. Inform your program provider about your (joint) accommodation preferences.
Be upfront with your program provider about your collective needs!
Couples volunteering together abroad must be on the same page RE: comforts from home. Once you've made up your mind to set out on a volunteering journey, you must know that the accommodation will be pretty basic. While most of the organizations offer both dorm-style rooms in a guest house/ volunteer house, sometimes you might also get home-stay accommodation where you'll be living at a local's place. It's better to inquire about the kind of accommodation you'll be offered so that you're prepared mentally before you land up in the situation. If you have any request (for example, you want a room for yourself or so) you can let the organization know about it, and they'll try to arrange accordingly. Volunteering Solutions was very cooperative in this regards, and they provided a separate room (in the volunteer house) where we were staying in Kenya.
6. Research about the couple-specific visa regulations.
Once you've decided where to go and which of the many volunteer opportunities for couples abroad is the right one for you, the next big thing is to ensure that you're not gonna face difficulties while getting a visa as a couple! Thank God, Kenya has no such thing, and they offer Visa-On-Arrival to all (provided that you've taken the Yellow Fever Vaccine!). While you can easily volunteer abroad with a tourist visa, some countries might ask for a work visa—so it's better that you contact the embassy (especially since information on websites can be out of date) and find out what paperwork needs to be completed and what vaccinations are required.
7. Be open to making new friends.
During volunteer opportunities for couples abroad, you'll get to meet lots of enthusiastic and like-minded people from other parts of the world, who have come to be a part of something similar. Being friends with them will not only encourage you to work better, but also widen your social network, help you to know more about other respective countries and create some beautiful memories that would last for a lifetime. There's no doubt that my best friend and I can never find a better travel companion, and this feeling is mutual. In spite of that, we were pretty open to mingle with the rest of the volunteers, and we did make some amazing friends with whom we would stay in touch for the years to come!
Some days are hard—and it's GREAT to have your partner there to make you smile through the tough times
8. Be each other’s support system!
One of the best things of volunteering as a couple is that you get a shoulder when you're low and someone to lift up your spirits, no matter what. Both of you can encourage each other to serve better, and be each other's support system. In moments when I used to break down (listening about the stories of these kids, how they were abandoned when they were just a few hours or days old, and in what condition they were brought to the home), my partner supported me—both mentally and emotionally. I never knew he could be so great with kids—and it filled my heart with joy when I saw him feeding them, or putting them off to sleep.
9. Keep a note of your experiences—for yourself and others!
No matter whether you maintain a travel journal, scribbling each day's experiences - high and low points, lessons you've learned, etc., or write an extensive blog jotting down every detail - it'll be good to keep a note of your journey. Once you return back, you can read through and relive the moments you've spent together, doing something incredibly beautiful. Also, years later, it'll probably be one of the best chapters of your life to look back and cherish. Not just that, your stories can inspire others - friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances—and you never know, someone might just get interested in volunteering abroad as well.
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Volunteer abroad as a couple this year!
Some journeys are meant to change the way you look at life—and volunteering as a couple abroad is going to be one of that kind. I have heard people saying—"Couples who travel together, stay together." But now I feel that at some point in time, it's really necessary to add that extra dose of challenge and see how both of you are able to cope up with the circumstances. There can be no better way to understand how you both are capable of dealing with unforeseen situations, be each other's support system and together, work, for a more meaningful cause leading to something bigger.
Couples volunteering together abroad know the rewards 100% outweigh the challenges!
This is your chance to meet wonderful people from across the world, have unique experiences, feel the joy of giving and have a chance to do something many people only dream of.
To speak of myself, not only did I got exposed to some of the finest attributes of my partner, but I rediscovered myself as well. And now, I know for sure that no matter what life brings for us, we can live up to it as long as we are together. If you are also keen on doing something beyond your comfort zone and find new meanings for your relationship with your bae, trust me—go for that volunteering trip which you've been postponing since forever, and I know you'll come back and thank me!
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This article was written with help from Volunteering Solutions. Volunteering Solutions was established back in 2006 with the aim of changing the face of volunteer traveling, and in the last 12 years, they have hosted more than 15, 000 volunteers who completed their journeys with life-changing experiences, including offering a number of volunteer opportunities for couples abroad.
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