Where can I volunteer abroad right now?|COVID-19 Travel Updates

Plan My Gap Year

Aug 29

🐕 For every LIKE this post gets, PMGY will help to VACCINATE A DOG AGAINST RABIES IN NEPAL for one day 🇳🇵 ⁠
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To mark International Dog Day this past week, our latest Instagram campaign helps provide protection against rabies for dogs in Nepal.⁠⠀
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The rabies virus causes a severe infection of the central nervous system and disrupts the proper functioning of the body. The infectious disease is prevalent in poorly sanitised countries like Nepal. Immunising 70% of dogs in a community virtually eradicates the threat of this deadly virus. ⁠⠀
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Just LIKE this post between now and 15th September and your small effort will make a huge impact to a dogs life. ⁠⠀
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#pmgy #planmygapyear #pmgynepal #pmgywildlife #internationaldogday⁠⠀ #nationaldogday #dogstagram #instadog #doglover #dogday #puppylove

May 10

Name us a better duo than turtles & sunsets, we'll wait 🐢☀️🇱🇰

#pmgy #pmgysrilanka #pmgywildlife

Apr 15

Is Sri Lanka calling your name? 🇱🇰🐘🏝️🐢☀️🛺

PMGY Sri Lanka programs are currently open to UK and worldwide participants in line with local government and health guidelines. 🌍

More info 👉 http://bit.ly/pmgy-sri-lanka

#pmgy #pmgysrilanka

Jun 6

📣🇬🇧 Brits looking to travel and make a difference this summer listen up! The big question is “where can I volunteer this summer with current travel restrictions in place?”

🇬🇭 Consistently rated as one of our best programs, Ghana ticks all the boxes right now and is currently our most popular destination for Brits abroad. There is no quarantine procedure on arrival in Ghana but you are currently required to self-isolate at home for 10 days when you arrive back in the UK.

#pmgy #pmgyghana

May 5

@ the person who you’d spend the day here with 😍🇿🇦🐧

#pmgy #pmgysouthafrica

Feb 18

🙌 Hands up if you'd rather be in Costa Rica right now

Join from 7th March onwards

#pmgy #pmgycostarica

Mar 15

Is Ghana calling your name? 🇬🇭🐘🛖☀️

PMGY Ghana programs are currently open to UK and worldwide participants in line with local government and health guidelines. 🌍

#pmgy #pmgyghana

Apr 1

🙋 Raise your hand if you don’t know what you’re doing with your life and just want to travel this summer...

#pmgy #pmgyghana

Mar 28

Sri Lanka this April? Oh go on then… 😍

Volunteering abroad is currently exempt from the UK travel ban and participants are now arriving in Sri Lanka on a regular basis. If you need a break right now you can join a purpose-led trip and help make a difference in Ambalangoda.

PMGY have government certified accommodation and protocols in place to ensure a safe and meaningful experience while in Sri Lanka.

#pmgy #pmgysrilanka

Oct 1

🚨 NEW PROJECT ALERT 🚨

Kefalonia, is an important breeding ground for loggerhead sea turtles. Sadly, there are many threats that push the sea turtles of Kefalonia closer to the brink of extinction. Both human and natural threats damage and destroy many of the eggs laid on the island’s sandy beaches.

Through this inspiring initiative, international volunteers help protect and preserve the sea turtles of Kefalonia and their ecosystems. Practical measures to do this include surveying nesting beaches and protecting turtles’ nests, This extends to monitoring the population’s health, identifying threats and public awareness campaigns.

#pmgy #pmgygreece #pmgywildlife

Apr 11

"This is my 3rd time visiting Ghana doing the childcare project & I love every minute of being here! I was sceptical due to Covid but everything ran smoothly and as safely as possible. A great team of people. Seth caters to your every need, the chefs are amazing, Madam Flo will be your shoulder to cry on, the taxi team are fabulous and security is top-notch. I felt safe, happy and at home here!”

📸: Bethany Russell
📍: Ghana Childcare Volunteers

#pmgy #pmgyghana #pmgyweekends

May 14

Sloths 🦥 Surfing🏄‍♀️ Rainforests?🌳

Is Costa Rica our dream destination? Pretty much! 😍

#pmgy #pmgycostarica #pmgyweekends

Apr 8

Dear South Africa, you make my heart smile 💛

#pmgy #pmgysouthafrica

May 27

Good things come to those who wait... ⏱🇮🇩💜

#pmgy #pmgybali

Apr 19

Can we just skip to the part of my life where I can travel the world again?

#pmgy #pmgytanzania

Apr 30

📢 Greece has recently re-opened for travelers coming from the UK, EU & USA.

Kefalonia is an important breeding ground for loggerhead sea turtles. Sadly, there are many threats that push the sea turtles of Kefalonia closer to the brink of extinction. Both human and natural threats damage and destroy many of the eggs laid on the island’s sandy beaches.

Through this inspiring initiative, international volunteers help protect and preserve the sea turtles of Kefalonia and their ecosystems. Practical measures to do this include surveying nesting beaches and protecting turtles’ nests, This extends to monitoring the population’s health, identifying threats, and public awareness campaigns.

#pmgy #pmgygreece #pmgywildlife

Jul 25

True education comes from a passion for learning 💙🇱🇰

#pmgy #pmgysrilanka #pmgyteaching

Jul 19

✨ Looking to volunteer overseas but worried about being alone?

Around 90% of our volunteers travel solo but all return home having made life-long friends (even during the pandemic!). The social element is a huge part of the PMGY experience as you get to share your journey with like-minded volunteers from all over the world!

#pmgy #pmgytanzania

Apr 27

Is Tanzania calling your name this summer? 🇹🇿🐘🛖☀️

PMGY Tanzania programs are re-opening this weekend to worldwide participants in line with local government and health guidelines. 🌍

#pmgy #pmgytanzania

Aug 19

🚨 NEW PROJECT ALERT🚨⁠⠀
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Being a dog in Sri Lanka is a tough life. As a result, we've teamed up with the Department of Health in the Southern Province to establish a new dog shelter project starting in early 2020. 🐕⁠⠀
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#pmgy #planmygapyear #pmgysrilanka #pmgywildlife⁠⠀

PMGY VOLUNTEER REVIEWS

Feb 22

Happy Monday from sunny South Africa ☀️🇿🇦

🦛🐒🦓🦒🐘🦏

#pmgy #pmgysouthafrica #kwantu

Nov 24

As the Dalai Lama said, “To learn English is to spread the word”.

🇳🇵 Many young Nepalese men spend a period of their life training as a monk. The majority of the children at the monasteries are Tibetan refugees and impoverished children from ethnic hill tribes. Therefore becoming a monk offers many children the chance of a better life.

Training to become a monk starts at an early age. Firstly, young monks are taught about Buddhist practices and philosophies as well as receiving general mainstream education – including learning English. Consequently, the ability to speak English allows monks to translate religious text and communicate the teachings of Buddhism to all.

Join the monks’ daily routine, practise meditation and helping these communities to learn English.

#pmgy #pmgynepal #pmgyteaching

Mar 7

What country is your travel squad reuniting in this summer? 👭👫

#pmgy #pmgysouthafrica #pmgyweekends

Feb 11

🇻🇳✨ Happy Tết New Year to all our friends and colleagues in Vietnam

Chúc Mừng Năm Mới

#pmgy #pmgyvietnam #tet #tetnewyear

Feb 14

Weekends in Ghana look like...

#pmgy #pmgyghana #pmgyweekends

Feb 8

🌍 Africa can't wait to welcome you back

#pmgy #pmgyghana

Dec 23

This city has captured my ❤️

#pmgy #pmgytanzania #pmgychildcare

Jan 24

💚🌟📚 Happy International Day of Education 2021 from Cambodia

Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth and adults behind. 🙏

For many children living in rural villages in Cambodia, learning English is seen as the only way to progress in life. Through local initiatives, such as the Hope School, international volunteers can help provide free English lessons to children from low-income families in the local areas.

A big shout out to all the PMGY teachers who have helped inspire and promoted the importance of education across the globe! 👊

#pmgy #pmgyteaching #pmgycambodia

Oct 31

Life is meant for good friends and great adventures ✈️ Go for it!⁣

#pmgy #pmgysouthafrica

Dec 5

🧡✨🇬🇭 Happy #InternationalVolunteerDay from Ghana

We should never underestimate the ability to make someone’s life better - even if we never know it. Over the course of 2020, our daily lives have changed considerably as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The past months have brought many challenges for communities around the world.

Today we thank all our PMGY Volunteer Alumni for 10 years of incredible service across the globe. 🙏

#pmgy #pmgyghana #internationalvolunteerday

Dec 19

Get out there and chase those waterfalls in 2021 💦🏃🏼

#pmgy #pmgycostarica #pmgyweekends

Jun 1

In Peru, education is considered the most important factor to contribute to wildlife conservation efforts. The sad reality is that many animals are vulnerable to wide-ranging forms of mistreatment. Examples include localised problems such as abandonment or a failure to properly feed and house animals.

Wildlife rescue centres play a big role in recovery programs, animal rehabilitation, and reproduction programs. Through the support of international volunteers, engagement, information, and communication, stronger respect and understanding for nature, wild animals and endangered species can be achieved.

#pmgy #pmgyperu #pmgywildlife

Nov 4

❤️💛💚💙💜 As we all continue to manage and navigate throughout this crisis, we would like to say THANK YOU for all the support shown around the world. ⁠

Everyone has their own unique story and has been affected in so many different ways. We really appreciate all the support from PMGY participants, local teams and our overseas project network. ⁠
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We will continue to do our best to assist each and every person involved with PMGY throughout this crisis and for many more years to come. 🌏

#pmgy #pmgytanzania

Dec 16

🚨 South Africa Re-Opening March 2021

🇿🇦 It is estimated that 80% of young children in South Africa’s townships do not have access to early childhood development education. As a result, many lack the support required to develop to their full potential. Since the end of Apartheid in 1994, poor government funding and flawed policies have hit the most vulnerable South Africans hardest.

International volunteers have the chance to support a range of local initiatives to help tackle this ongoing issue. All based centrally in the city within Cape Town. These facilities provide essential childcare to impoverished families of nearby communities.

#pmgy #pmgysouthafrica #pmgychildcare

Dec 2

Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone! ⠀

What are you doing in 2021 to live life to the fullest?

#pmgy #pmgysouthafrica #pmgyexperience

Nov 28

🚨 Costa Rica, Ghana, South Africa & Tanzania Programs Re-Opening in March 2021 🚨

We are pleased to announce that we will be beginning a phased re-opening process from March 2021 onwards.

These countries have opened their borders to international travellers and our local teams are able to safely host participants once again.

#pmgy #pmgysouthafrica

Mar 3

✨ On this year's #WorldWildlifeDay we remind ourselves that we can all play our part to help protect species across the world. In so doing, we will contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and making the planet a better place for all. 🙏

A big shout out to all the PMGY volunteers who have helped contribute to efforts around the globe. 🌎

#pmgy #pmgywildlife

Sep 25

I came to teach them, but instead I am the one learning so much! 🙏💛🇮🇳

#pmgyindia #pmgyteaching #pmgy

Nov 13

💚✨🇿🇦 Happy #WorldKindnessDay from South Africa

Today we remind ourselves that we can do with more kindness in our lives, both received and given. 🙏

A big shout out to all the PMGY volunteers who have helped contribute to a kinder society across the globe!

#pmgy #pmgysouthafrica #pmgychildcare

Sep 28

⚠️ Important Travel Update for Future Participants ⚠️⁠
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Due to the continuing and evolving situation of the COVID-19 global pandemic, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to continue to suspend our trips up until 31st December 2020. The majority of our local teams are now in a position where they are able to re-open the programs on a local level. However, there are still major hurdles to overcome including but not limited to - the UK Government advising “against all but essential travel overseas”, overseas airports being closed, visas not being issued, potential quarantine processes on return to your home country etc. As much as we would love to welcome back our participants it does not seem practical that you will be able to get to our in-country locations in a pragmatic or safe manner. This news probably does not come as much of a surprise to you and we hope you understand and respect the reasoning behind this.⁠
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We have contacted all participants due to depart during this period and would encourage all affected to contact us ASAP to discuss alternative opportunities. You can contact us on info@planmygapyear.co.uk for immediate assistance.⁠
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We are trying to provide as much flexibility as possible to participants during this period and this includes the option of a cash refund for your Program Fee. Like all travel organisations, we would prefer participants to defer their trips to a later period but we acknowledge that people may prefer a cash refund.⁠
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Although we are a small team we are managing the situation to the best of our ability and trying to be as fair, flexible and transparent as possible. This includes being readily available via the phone, email and online chat whilst working from home across the world. We are aiming to provide an immediate response to emails and refunds are processed within a timely fashion. If you are unsure of anything or would like to discuss your plans or anything else then we would love to hear from you across any of our support channels.⁠
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We are doing our best to communicate with everyone affected as quickly as possible, and we thank you for your patience and understanding.⁠
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Please stay safe 🙏