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"I&amp;#039;ve got a 3rd-degree burning desire to take a volunteer vacation\u2014somewhere overseas, to assist with children&amp;#039;s literacy development or community development. In fact, I&amp;#039;d drop just about everything but my career to take off for a year (or three) to do it, and I&amp;#039;d be the best darn voluntourist there ever was. The whole experience, at least to me, sounds like the perfect mix of travel, education and charity. Well, a wanderlust-struck girl can dream. But there&amp;#039;s nothing like the email that was dropped in my inbox this morning to make me consider turning this swelling wish into a reality (if only my bank account was as swollen as my desire).  Planeterra, a global non-profit dedicated to sustainable community development through travel, has just announced 11 voluntourism opportunites for 2010. They sound wonderful. Check them out below. (Oh, and, if you&amp;#039;re wondering how an experience like this might just change someone&amp;#039;s life, read this amazing story.) 1. Project Argentina - Work with Argentinean youth learning life skills in a subsistence farm environment. Well-known chefs from Buenos Aires connect and teach menu planning, food preparation and cooking skills.  2. Project Cuzco Kids \u2013 Meet youth at a drop in center with homework, teach English, help with the cooking, and participate in various workshops such as leather working and jewelry making. 3. Project Ecuador Family Adventure \u2013 Volunteer on an organic farm and at the environmental primary school in the coastal community of Rio Muchacho; enjoy a visit to the local market, canoeing and horseback riding too. 4. Project Ecuador Highlands \u2013 Help at a school or on the communal organic farm while living with an indigenous family. Activities include a guided tour to the Equator, Otavalo market, waterfalls and sacred lakes. 5. Project El Salvador \u2013 The hottest new eco-tourism destination! Work on a highland coffee farm and tour Mayan pyramids and colonial villages, surf pristine beaches and explore the jungle. 6. Project Galapagos \u2013 Help build an eco-playground out of recycled materials on the island of Santa Cruz. 7. Project Peru Amazon \u2013 Volunteer at a rehabilitation and conservation center for wild animals after traveling by motorized canoe up the Tambopata River to a remote jungle lodge. 8. Project China \u2013 The destination is Sichuan and volunteering at the largest Panda reserve in the world between visits to Shanghai, Xi&amp;#039;an, Chengdu, Beijing and the Great Wall. 9. Project Nepal \u2013 In the heart of the Kathmandu Valley, work on reforestation project, plant vegetable and herb gardens and help construct a community center while immersing yourself in local culture.  10. Project Cambodia and Laos \u2013 Explore the historical, sacred and scenic highlights of Cambodia and Laos helping construct a water well, plant trees and getting involved with child literacy initiatives.  11. Project South Africa and Overland Adventure \u2013 Get involved in various community projects around Cape Peninsula near Cape Town followed by bush walking in the Kalahari, canoeing in the Okavango Delta and visiting Victoria Falls. Some technical details: Planeterra&amp;#039;s style of voluntourism combines time spent at a community project (usually a minimum of four days) with adventure travel opportunities exploring the surrounding countryside. Except for international air, a volunteer vacation averages $85 per day and includes most meals, double or shared group accommodations, local transportation, instruction, equipment and guidance as needed, plus escorted adventure tours before and/or after project work. Some trips are priced considerably less, depending on the location and additional services.  A little bit about Planeterra: Planeterra was in 2003 by Gap Adventures, Planeterra evolved out of a long history of travelers committed to finding ways to give back to the people and places they visit. Planeterra selects the projects and works with them to arrange voluntour travel programs worldwide. For information on Planeterra&amp;#039;s year-round voluntour programs please go to Planeterra.org. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/life/news/a44160/planeterra-announces-global-voluntour-opportunities-for-2010-3607/>