“Why should I pay to volunteer!?” This is a question we get a lot. The answer is no, you certainly do not pay to volunteer in the traditional sense, however, you do have to pay a fee to join our projects. A bit contradictory I know, but let us investigate further.
By joining a project, enrolling into a course or embarking on a trip with Jamaica International Projects (JIPVOL), you are guaranteed impactful work in local communities where help is needed. While we do not, and could not in good conscience charge you for the selfless act of giving back, there are certain expenses that are inevitable when arranging sustainable and meaningful projects.
Why You Should Work With A Volunteer Organization
The average person will likely find it daunting to plan a volunteer, study abroad or internship project in a foreign country, especially one where you have never visited, and you have no family or friends living there. By booking your project with JIPVOL we remove all the hassle and guesswork out of planning your trip, as we provide you with pre-arrival support to help plan your trip (including obtaining travel insurance), book comfortable accommodations, arrange an impactful project for you and provide you with a full suite of support services, all before you even arrive.
When you are in Jamaica we take you to and from all your scheduled destinations, provide airport transportation, give you 24/7 emergency support services and accompany you to your project site on your first day to help you settle in. Full projects and courses even include accommodation and breakfast and dinner daily. Your project is guaranteed to align with your goals and will make a lasting impact on Jamaica.
As Jamaica’s Top Volunteer Organization, We Provide You With:
- 100% customer service at your request from the moment you contact us, while you are in Jamaica and after you depart
- Impactful projects where your work is sure to make a difference
- Quick, easy and secure projects arranged, with all the planning and details are taken care of on our end
- Cultural immersion lessons so you can quickly and effortlessly blend in with the Jamaican culture
How Our Fees Are Broken Down
Our project costs can be broken down into these 3 fees:
Non-Refundable Enrollment Fee – This covers our operating expenses, such as office equipment, staffing, volunteer site visits and more. This is included in all projects.
Project Tuition – This covers your accommodation, transportation, daily meals and in-country supporting. Only included in full-service projects.
Adventure/Add-On Fees – This covers any additional tours, cultural immersion trips, and adventures that you purchase for your project. This fee is optional.
So, while you do not pay to volunteer directly, the fees you pay allow us to remain operational and help other awesome volunteers, interns and students like you find impactful work in Jamaica. We are a self-funded privately owned organization, and we do not receive government funding or assistance from any outside entity. This means our operational overhead is covered solely by our owners and the fees that we charge.