As destinations worldwide recover from the pandemic, trends indicate that travelers are looking for experiences that allow them to connect deeper to a destination, support sustainability, and positively impact the places they visit.
To meet this trend and as part of its continuing sustainability efforts, Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) launches its new Voluntourism Program for visitors seeking to engage with the local community and culture while making a tangible impact.
“For travelers, voluntourism provides an intimate and memorable experience which allows them to make deep and meaningful connections with our local community whilst leaving a positive footprint on the island,” said Petra Roach, CEO Grenada Tourism Authority.
“We want to connect through their hearts and passions, which will, in turn, increase their propensity to return to the island. We want to join together to be better global citizens and be intentional about ensuring a positive impact and bringing about positive change.”
Voluntourism opportunities are available year-round in a variety of sectors such as agriculture, environment, education, and health.
Agriculture
- Annandale Community Project: Annandale Waterfall is home to the Annandale Community Garden where members of the surrounding community can come to tend to the kitchen garden and take produce parcels as needed at no cost. This encourages healthy eating in homes that otherwise could not afford the cost of consistent healthy diets. They teach the community how to plant and tend to the garden and make meals using the produce from the garden. The project is always looking for volunteers to help garden and teach the nearby school children how important it is to eat what you grow. Donations of garden tools, greenhouse equipment, seeds time and expertise are all needed to flourish.
- Myristic Mountain: Myristic Mountain is home to some of Grenada’s most gorgeous flora and fauna, exciting hiking trails, fertile farmlands, purely organic meals and horseback riding. With so much happening on the mountainside, the team is always open to receiving volunteers to help farm the crops, tend the horses and plant more flora.
Environment
- Beach & Reef Cleanups: The beaches of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique are pristine and improperly discarded wastes are a threat to sea life and coral reefs. Volunteers are needed for maintenance and can team up with dive shops.
- Grand Anse Artificial Reef Project: This charity is the brainchild of Grenada’s Dive Community who have seen first-hand the damage done by global warming. To combat the disappearance of reefs and sea life, Phil Saye at Dive Grenada spearheads building and placing artificial reefs in Marine Protected Areas. Once placed the artificial reefs are monitored and maintained. This includes underwater cleanups, urchin and fish counts, ID tag placement and cleaning. Volunteers in this program can see first-hand new life flourishing.
Education
- Grenada Scholarship Program: The Grenada Scholarship Program provides funding to marginalized youth looking to continue on their educational path. The funds go directly to school fees, books and uniforms. The program allows sponsors to join monthly meetings to give guidance on topics they are most knowledgeable in.
- Mt. Rich Football Club: Grenada is bursting at the seams with young talent just waiting to be seen on the global stage. The Mt. Rich Football Club fosters sportsmanship and healthy competitiveness amongst youngsters. The Club exists because of donations of equipment and people willing to coach and practice with the team.
- Get Swimming Grenada: A non-profit organization that offers free swimming lessons to children on the island who otherwise could not afford private lessons. Volunteers are needed to give swimming lessons to both kids and adults.
- Carriacou Culture Train String Band: Carriacou is the custodian of ancestral traditions and the tri-island’s cradle of culture. The Culture Train String Band teaches children on the sister isle of Carriacou to play string instruments and processions. Donations are needed to help keep the art form alive. Musicians are needed to hold workshops for teachers and students.
Health
- Medical Elective in Grenada: This program engages nurses, junior doctors and medical professionals to lend their expertise to medical services in the tri-island. Medical doctor volunteers are needed to help teach the current doctors different practices to be used in crisis management or using basic types of equipment.
- Grenada Down Syndrome Association: This is an NGO that hosts several annual events that require volunteers to ensure their success. The group celebrates World Down Syndrome Day in March with a host of activities including a national “funky sock day” to help raise funds and awareness for citizens and their families. The “fun day” in August includes yoga, sports, face painting, and horseback riding. In December their Christmas Party volunteers help hand out gifts and host meals.
- Grenada Donation Table: The Donation Table facilitates donations to Grenada’s General Hospital and Public Community Clinics.
For further details on Grenada’s voluntourism programs, please visit https://www.puregrenada.com/voluntourism/.
