“On mountaintop. Great view. On a small Caribbean island. Pineapple and wax apple farm. Building in construction. I live with my 3 kids. 3 German Shepherds 1 Dobermann, in the unfinished building. This is a child friendly environment. St.Vincent is a lovely island, non touristic. I can offer food and lodging for your help. I appreciate your assistance. Please come and help out with farming, construction, creating greenhouse, landscaping, plumbing, carpentry, organic planting, house stay, restoring antiques, handyman, domestic work, kids homework, kids activities, decoration, home reorganization….We speak Flemish, English, French, Dutch, but all nationalities are welcome to apply.”
The above is just one of hundreds of listings found on HelpX.net (short for Help Exchange), a website that connects host organic farms, non-organic farms, farmstays, homestays, ranches, lodges, B&Bs, backpackers hostels and even sailing boats with volunteers who exchange short-term work for food and accommodations. This particular listing is for a property located on the island of St. Vincent in the Caribbean, and the family has already hosted numerous volunteers, some of whom have posted reviews of their experience. Kurt wrote:
“I loved the saltfish and bread fruit. Accommodation is very nice, your own room and bathroom. There is plenty of work, maintenance of the pineapple fields and landscaping around the house and odd jobs. Trips to town are often and you will get to mingle with the locals. When taking the local bus…hold on 🙂 it is a ride.”
HelpX is a refreshing departure in a world where “Volunteer Travel” has become big business. Google the term and more than 25 million results will be returned. One offering on the GoAbroad.com website advertises: “Volunteer and Travel Abroad Experience Starting as Low as USD $499.” But the offerings at HelpX are volunteer opportunities in the purest tradition – in most cases the volunteers pay nothing. In the rare instances where money exchanges hands it is usually a small fee to help pay for food in the poorest countries.
In order to view complete listings at HelpX potential volunteers must sign up for one of two levels of membership, Free or Premier. Although the site states that Premier membership costs 20 Euros for two years and allows the helper to contact all hosts and read all host reviews, I was able to read complete reviews and access host emails with only a free membership. Hosts in Europe, South America, Canada, Mexico, SE Asia, Australia, and New Zealand sought helpers for tasks ranging from farm work in New Zealand, to teaching English to children in remote villages in Thailand, to working in resorts, and in a few instances were even searching for volunteers who could design websites for their budding businesses.
HelpX is not the only such organization. If you’re seriously considering this option for travel, you may also want to check out this article that compares Worldpackers and Workaway, two other organizations that facilitate volunteering abroad in exchange for free accommodation and, in some cases, meals. Since learning about HelpX and other similar services, my mind has been working overtime. Maybe I could just travel full time, going from place to place, volunteering my time in return for places to stay and food for my belly. It would certainly be a great way to see the world without spending a wad of money and this type of travel would be authentic, allowing me to really get to know a place, rather than just rolling through as a tourist.
Hello my name is Carlos, I’m looking for a place to live… I have a great deal of experience in maintenance and some with computer software such as: ms office.. I offer an intelligent person with experience in many fields for a place to live and a nominal fee. my email is: [email protected].
Hi my name is CG Bostwick i am 23 years old and am interested in going back on the road but this time i would like to do it in a moe productive way not just for money . i would like to help somebody in need and possibly learn a new way of life. im a hard worker who is dedicated and willing to work long hours please contact as soon a availability is open [email protected] looking forward to learning and working
Hi my name is Jason. I have an Associates degree and am 34 years old. I am looking to relocate to the San Diego area. I have an injured knee but am still able to do physical labor such as work on a farm etc. if you can find a job for me.
I would not mind teaching others to read or something to that extent. While in California I plan on finishing my Bachelor’s online in Bio environmental engineering.
Jason: This blog has no association with Help Exchange, I simply wrote a story about them. To apply you must go to their website – just follow the link in my article.
Hi – We are Steve & Denise, owner operators of Camp Full Monte, a clothing optional, off grid, eco campsite and eco project in Montenegro. We have volunteer positions available from May 2012 to September. See http://www.full-monte.com/volunteer for more details.
I have a nature reserve on the Caldera river in Chiriqui, Panama, with three cabins. LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP, WITH PLANTING, COOKING ETC. WEB PAGE, www.rioencantado.com
Frank [email protected]
What a wonderful idea! I would love to explore this more and will be posting information on this site on my blog for other travelers who might be interested. Now if I could only get my husband interested…………
Barbara, my husband and I are planning on Helpx-ing our way around the US next year…for a year or longer. My mind, like yours, went crazy when I figured out that I could travel for an unlimited amount of time for practically nothing. So we’re going to do it! I’ve signed up for helpx, paid the tiny fee, and have spent hours adding homestays in the US to our “favorites” list. We’ll stay with friends and family around the US in between homestays. 8 months and counting – we’re so excited!
Zoe! So excited for you. Please report back how your trip goes and specifically how your experience with HelpX went. Best of luck, and have a wonderful time.
Hi, we are offering a free room and food in exchange with the cleaning around the house. Its a beautiful single family home in Virginia. We would like to get someone who wants a home to live into and wants to become a member of this family. If youre interested email me at ([email protected]) .
I am a 21yr old American from SW FLA. I come from a broken family and I have nowhere to go. My granny loves me but my paapaw resents feeding me. I am a good guy and I will work hard, you can talk to my granny at 239-415-1861 — ask for Barb. My name is Roy Wayne H. Plz call if you need some help — I am willing to do any work. Thank You. 8-5-2011
Barbara – did you ever end up trying this? I’ve heard of similar sites and also have had similar ideas of simply working for room and board in order to stay traveling! I’m sort of doing that through GeoVisions this winter in the Middle East – but it is more of an official volunteer program actually. Thanks for the info – would love any follow up if you did it yourself.
do you still need help with your farm, if so please get back with me asap!
my email is [email protected]
lamell
Lamell: If you want to connect with a farm owner, you must do so through Help Exchange – I am a travel writer who featured the program, but have no connection with them.
Hi’good day
Hi’ i’m lui my education english teacher and pass time tour guide in phuket Thailand ,may some one know me when few year i work in the speed boat go to phiphi island,met many people, in my trips , now i want to more to new zeland or australia few month to stay in the fram and work , and want to contact with any people to made business for home stay, if any people like to have some please contact direst to me, i very appreciate to have afriends , and exchang,
thk alot for NY PEOPLE HELP
LOVE BESTREGARD
LUI
early child education?this sounds great…looking for such a person to help take care of boys/girls from village in mauritius as well as working as handy man restauration to house and garden in exchange for free borad and lodging…travel costs on your side…
You know, I have to tell you, I truly savour this site and the great insight. I find it to be energizing and very clarifying. I wish there were more blogs like it. Anyhow, I felt it was about time I posted a comment on Help Exchange Hosts Provide Free Room and Board for Volunteers | Hole In The Donut Travels – I just wanted to say that you did a great job on this. Cheers dude!
hi’ any people
i mr.lui thai chiness,born in THailand now 53 year graduate english teacher tour guide in Phuket Thailand i would like to move to newzeland few month to stay in the fram and met some one, i can work in the fram vegetable, dri a truck car motobi,if you widows all singer,and need some one let’s i know,
bestregrad
palit
the Caribbean island looks similar to my island – mauritius
Hi, i’m a 22 year male from London England. I’m looking for a room to board in NYC or ATL in exchange for cleaning/daycare etc.
If you are able to help, Please contact me for more details…
[email protected]
Hey, very nice website. I actually came across this on Ask Jeeves, and I am happy I did. I will definately be returning here more often. Wish I could add to the post and bring a bit more to the table, but am just absorbing as much info as I can at the moment.
Thank You
Italian mature professional looking for free accommodation for short period of time in exchange for babysitting/housework/italian teaching.
That will help me starting off a working experience in England volunteering while searching for a job and accommodation. Area requested: Greater London/Southern England.
[email protected]
For me working and holiday are two words that don’t sit too well together. It brings me out in a cold sweat thinking about working when I should be relaxing….
There are various completely different towns for one fine holiday worldwide. I don’t recognize exactly why, nevertheless i’m sure i find nice largely these asian region for a travels, as a result of i do believe the folks one can find and so advantageous and great
Hello,
I am looking for any work in South America in exchange for bed and board. I can not afford the flight and bed and board. I have taught English in Africa, China and England but would be happy to do any job required of me.
Thank you
hello i am very interested in working for room and board.
proficient in the english language and speak spanish as well
please let me know
how I can go about this
thanks
[email protected]
Will teach ENGLISH in central america
in exchange for food and accomodation
BIG CORN ISLAND NICARAGUA
ZAPOTERA
TAMARINDO COSTA RICA
CANCUN MEXICO
JANUARY 2010 TILL MAY 15 2010
EMAIL:
[email protected]
gracias
I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS SINCE 2006!!!
My name is Daniel Fenton Jr, I have been going to a local community college and working full time at a meat market as a supervisor. I feel like i want to see the world and the people in it, and help someone or some cause. I am not sure how this works or who will read this, but if you can e-mail me @ [email protected] with more information on volunteering i would really appreciate this.