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Gap Year with Purpose: 10 Months of Training, Travel & Impact in Southern Africa and the Caribbeans

Gap Year with Purpose: 10 Months of Training, Travel & Impact in Southern Africa and the Caribbeans

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Planet Aid
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Location
Multiple Locations +3
  • Malawi
  • Zambia
    • Katete
  • St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Project Types
Agriculture Childcare Street Children Community Development Building Projects Service Learning Education Health Education

Program Details

Age Min.
18

Pricing

$4,500
Price Details
Full and Partial Scholarships Avaliable
Jan 28, 2026
Wish List
0 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Planet Aid and Richmond Vale Academy (RVA) are looking for motivated young people who want to do something meaningful with their year. The People 2 People Volunteer Program is a 10-month adventure where you’ll learn, travel, and make a real impact in communities across the Caribbean and Africa. You’ll train alongside other volunteers your age, gain hands-on experience, and work directly with local communities on projects that tackle major global challenges like poverty, inequality, climate change, and sustainable agriculture. If you’re passionate about the world and ready to grow, this program gives you the chance to become a confident, empowered change-maker while experiencing life in a completely new way.

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Program Highlights

  • Community Engagement
  • Project Implementation
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Support and Learning
  • Reflection and Growth

Consider your impact: Volunteering abroad can be a rewarding experience for both volunteers and local communities, and at Go Overseas, we believe all volunteers should have the resources to make informed decisions about the type of volunteer project they want to partake in. However, despite best intentions, some organizations offering placements in orphanages may unknowingly place children in danger. You can read about the potential dangers of orphanage volunteering here.

Video and Photos

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Volunteers Participating in a Community Activity
Volunteer With A Child from a Local Community
RVA

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Program Impact

Phase 1: Training (3 Months)
Kick off your journey in St. Vincent & the Grenadines with three months of hands-on learning.

Phase 2: Project Work (6 Months)
For six months, you’ll live and work in your project country.

Phase 3: Reflection & Wrap-Up (1 Month)
Your final month is spent in St. Vincent and the Grenadines looking back at what you’ve accomplished throughout the program.

Program Start Dates: April and October

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Questions & Answers

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Brianna Pollock

Program
Gap Year with Purpose: 10 Months of Training, Travel & Impact in Southern Africa and the Caribbeans
Job Title
Volunteer Recruiter
My name is Brianna Pollock, and I work as a volunteer recruiter for Planet Aid. My role is to serve as the first contact person for people who are interested in making a global impact.
Brianna Pollock volunteer recruiter for planet aid

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memory was backpacking through Europe on my first international trip. Experiencing different countries in such a short period of time was incredibly eye-opening and pushed me far outside my comfort zone. I loved seeing how differently people lived, communicated, and connected with one another across cultures. That experience sparked my curiosity about the world, deepened my appreciation for cultural diversity, and played a major role in shaping my desire to travel with purpose and engage more meaningfully with global communities.
 

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I have grown significantly since working in my current role, both personally and professionally. Speaking with individuals every day who are motivated to make a global impact has been incredibly inspiring and has strengthened my sense of purpose. Through these conversations, I have gained a deeper understanding of global development, community-driven solutions, and the importance of meaningful service. This experience has also reinforced my desire to eventually participate in our volunteer program and directly support communities in Africa and Brazil, allowing me to contribute beyond my role and continue growing through hands-on service.
 

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

The best story I’ve heard from a return student comes from my supervisor, who participated in our volunteer program when she was just 18 years old. Her experience had such a profound impact on her that it shaped the direction of her life and career. She was deeply inspired by the communities she worked with and the mission of the program, which ultimately led her to pursue a career in this field. Seeing someone grow from a volunteer into a leader within the organization is a powerful example of the long-lasting influence our program can have.
 

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

If I could participate in any program our company offers, I would choose the 10-month People-to-People volunteer program in Malawi. I am especially drawn to the Preschools of the Future development project, where volunteers work closely with preschool students and their families. Supporting early childhood education and engaging families at the community level creates a strong foundation for long-term growth, and I would find it incredibly meaningful to contribute to a project that helps shape children’s futures during such a critical stage of development.
 

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Our company is unique because we focus on creating lasting, long-term impact rather than short-term solutions. Instead of traveling to a community simply to provide temporary support, we prioritize educating and empowering local partners so they can sustain and continue the work long after volunteers have returned home.

I was especially proud of our team when I saw how intentionally we collaborate with local communities—listening first, adapting our approach, and ensuring that our efforts support long-term self-sufficiency rather than dependence.
 

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

The biggest factor in being a successful company is genuinely believing in the work you are doing and the mission behind it. When employees are personally motivated by making a global impact, their work is driven by purpose rather than obligation. This shared belief fosters stronger collaboration, accountability, and long-term commitment, allowing the organization to remain resilient, adaptable, and focused on meaningful outcomes rather than short-term gains.
 

About Planet Aid

Planet Aid is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that collects and recycles used clothes and shoes and supports international development projects. Our clothes collection boxes can be found across many major metropolitan areas of the United States, helping to save resources and lessen environmental impacts by reducing waste. Planet Aid supports...

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