20 Reasons to Volunteer in 2020

Make a difference in the world by becoming a disaster-relief volunteer

January 1, 2020

Anyone who has committed their time and energy to helping others understands that volunteering is an act of love. At All Hands and Hearts, we have welcomed more than 59,000 volunteers across 144 nationalities to serve in 19 countries worldwide.

Our community of travelers and change-makers put together this list of 20 reasons to volunteer in 2020. If giving back is on your list of new year’s resolutions, then we hope this inspires you to take the leap.

1. Make a tangible difference

“My voluntary work is driven by my background as a migrant from former Yugoslavia to New Zealand and honors the perseverance and sacrifice my family made for me through times of conflict. I volunteered with All Hands and Hearts, because I wanted to participate in a project that has a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of others. When rebuilding schools in a post-disaster context, you can see the construction site transform on a daily basis, which is so rewarding.” – Sandra, volunteer on the Peru Earthquake Relief Program

2. Create meaningful connections with local communities

“In Nepal, the kids we work with call me Diddi, an affectionate term for ‘older sister.’ I feel a deep connection with these kids, because I am actually an older sister to two curious and kind teens, and I remember growing up and going to school in Asia. The work we do in Nepal is important to help each child realize their full potential. Their Diddi is rooting for them.” – Huan, current staff member and volunteer on the Nepal Earthquake Relief Program

3. Open new doors

“Volunteering with All Hands and Hearts changed my life. I originally signed up for two weeks and after my first week, I started extending the length of my stay. I fell in love with the All Hand and Hearts culture, the volunteers and staff, and all of the work we do to help people every day. I love how dedicated and how hard the staff work to keep the programs running, and I knew I wanted to be part of the bigger picture. I was a volunteer for two months, because I couldn’t get enough, and then, I became a member of staff on two programs for 16 months. My heart grew so much, because I knew all of the hard work I was doing was for the communities I serve.” – Kiara, staff member in Puerto Rico and volunteer on the Hurricane Relief Program in Tortola, British Virgin Islands

4. Discover new places

“I have always loved traveling and exploring new places. It brings me peace of mind and a fresh perspective. Signing up to volunteer with All Hands and Hearts was the best choice I could’ve made. I worked alongside communities, helping those in need, which is another one of my true passions. Then, during the weekends, I’d explore the island of St. John and the rest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.” – Gerardo, volunteer on the Hurricane Relief Program in St John, U.S. Virgin Islands

5. Make life-long friends

“‘He was only there for four days!’ Alix usually says to people while explaining how we became good friends on the Leyte Program. All Hands and Hearts programs bring people from different walks of life, belief systems and values, working together towards a common goal and thus creates unlikely friendships. Alix and me are a prime example of people who in the default world would probably never have met. As crazy as it sounds, I’m happy to report after three Thanksgivings together, we remain best friends and I wouldn’t have it any other way!” – Ike, volunteer on several programs and preparing to return to the Philippines this January

6. Learn new skills

“I originally arrived in Coastal Bend, Texas in early summer to learn more about the rebuild process for my degree in International Disaster Management. I had no construction knowledge whatsoever and felt quite apprehensive. However, I had such an incredible time on the program that I decided to return for another month. When you volunteer, you don’t just become part of the community, you become part of the All Hands and Hearts family. You don’t just learn construction skills, you learn skills that you’ll be able to utilize for the rest of your life. You don’t just rebuild homes, you help give homeowners a positive future.” -Meghan, volunteer on the Hurricane Harvey Hurricane Relief Program in Texas

7. Take a break from office life

“I found All Hands and Hearts when I was searching for a way to apply my knowledge of construction through volunteering. As an architect, I’m usually sketching behind a desk or giving direction on site, but I am never able to pick up a tool. I wanted to be more hands-on with my construction knowledge, and All Hands and Hearts is my way of giving back while experiencing the other side of my job.” – Luke, volunteer on six different Disaster Relief Programs around the world

8. Life an unforgettable experience

“This organization and these people mean the world to me. A month was too short. The aftermath of Hurricane Dorian will be there for many years to come. This was my second program with All Hands and Hearts, and this will most definitely not be my last!” – Kia, volunteer on Hurricane Relief Programs in Florida and The Bahamas

9. Meet people who bring out the best in you

“It’s more than just volunteering, it’s a family. People come from different places and backgrounds but all with the same goal of making the world a better place and giving back. It’s truly inspirational. You meet people with the kindest and bravest of hearts. You meet people who become your best friend, even if you only know them for a few days. You meet people who inspire you to keep going, keep volunteering and keep giving back.” – Katya, volunteer in Hurricane Relief Programs in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Texas

10. Pay it forward

“People helped my family when I was younger, and I’m now in a position to help others. Life comes full circle. Like many, I’ve experienced hardship and painful episodes of loss over the years, but volunteering has always put things in perspective for me. Such is the beauty of giving: the realization that in the end, the intangibles one receives go way beyond what one gives.” – Sabine, volunteer on multiple Disaster Relief Programs around the world, most recently in Mozambique

10. Learn to lead

“I not only wanted to challenge myself physically but also in other ways, so I worked to become a Team Leader where I could gain some administrative experience. As a Team Leader, I learned to incorporate problem solving and critical thinking while working through issues, delegating work responsibilities, communicating effectively with my teammates and taking the initiative when decisions had to be made.” – Trent, volunteer in Tortola, British Virgin Islands

12. Rally behind a clear purpose

“There’s inherent joy in helping other people, but everyone always says that. It’s also about this clarity the work gives you. It’s such a simple idea, finding people have the drive but no tools to help, and connecting them with people in need and donors who can provide tools. It’s really ingenious. It’s like for those days on the job site, you just have no doubts about your life. You’re supposed to be there.” – Nata, volunteer on Hurricane Relief Programs in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Texas

13. See the good in people

“To be honest — it’s hard. This experience has been physically challenging, the work can be very physical, the heat kills you, the wind can be very strong, we’re sleeping on air mattresses every day, we’re waking up very early every morning and the days are really long. Despite all that, I have never been happier in my life. It shows you that there are still wonderful people on this planet, who care for others in such a wonderful way.” – Mathieu, volunteer on the Earthquake Relief Program in Oaxaca, Mexico

14. Get to know yourself better

“You can learn so much about yourself while submerging yourself in other cultures. You’ll learn very quickly what you do and don’t stand for and adapt yourself to new ways of living. Often, you’ll start to question how you lived before volunteering and if that’s right for you. Volunteering abroad gives you that sense of doing good while finding out who you really are. I love the communities I’ve been part of, and seeing families regain something they thought they’d lost is magical. Leave your fears at the airport and jump straight into your new self. You won’t regret it. How can you regret doing good?” – Sam, volunteer on three Disaster Relief Programs around the world and looking forward to volunteering in Mozambique

15. Train your giving muscles

“Since volunteering with All Hands and Hearts in St. Thomas, I now always find a local nonprofit to donate to every time I travel. My friends and I donated gift vouchers to a women’s domestic violence refuge shelter in Ireland when we went there for a bachelorette party.” – Beth, volunteer on the Hurricane Relief Program in St Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

“The highlight for me is being able to use my past experiences to help some of these younger kids, and I don’t mean kids, we’re talking about 20 plus-year-olds, and it’s enjoyable to pass on some of my knowledge to them, so we can all work efficiently.” – Roger, volunteer on the Hurricane Relief Program in Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Earthquake Relief Program in Nepal

17. Honor a loved one

“I was working in Paris but felt I needed to have more of an impact on the lives of others. I decided to quit my job and leave my city to volunteer for All Hands and Hearts. I choose to come and rebuild homes, because my grandfather, who passed away, built homes for a living. It was a way to connect with him and experience what he did for so long. I feel proud of what I achieved in Texas, pushing myself to my physical and mental limits for one purpose: rebuilding homes and hopes for those in need.” – Marine, volunteer on the Hurricane Harvey Relief Program in Texas

18. Bond with family

19. Define who you are

“I realize volunteering is one of the strongest points of my identity. I started volunteering when I was around 10 years old at a factory run by people with Down syndrome. That experience taught me that by being in an environment to which you wouldn’t normally be exposed, you get to learn so much, and it humbles you. By working alongside new people on something you’re not used to doing, you expand your abilities, your skills and your world view. That was my first experience, and I haven’t stopped since, though I have been volunteering a lot more since I became a digital nomad.” – Ang, volunteer on the Earthquake Recovery Program in Mexico

20. Be part of something bigger

“On my way out the door of the volunteer base for the last time, I spotted a wall where volunteers from the past 11 months had drawn outlines of their hands with a message. It was so special to see how many people had come to give their energy, who had experienced the same inspiration that I was feeling. I’d never meet most of them, but we are connected through time and space by that simple act of just showing up. I’ll hold on to the feeling for quite a while – the feeling of family, belonging, and the inspiration to keep making an effort. It really does matter, and we can’t afford to forget that.” – Skyler, volunteer on the Hurricane Harvey Relief Program in Texas