Affordable Special Needs Volunteer Abroad Projects | IVHQ

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Are you a patient and compassionate person looking to provide support for people living with mental and physical disabilities? International Volunteer HQ has a wide range of Special Needs and Special Education volunteer opportunities that cater to solo travelers, students, pre-meds, healthcare professionals, physiotherapists and more.

IVHQ offers affordable and life-enriching Special Needs volunteering programs across Africa, Europe, Asia, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and the Pacific.

As a Special Needs volunteer, you’ll work in special needs centers and schools supporting a range of tasks, including feeding, physical therapy, education, vocational skills development and recreation, as well as helping maintain the facilities.

• Choose from 18 Special Needs Care programs across 17 destinations worldwide

• Volunteer alongside Special Education staff in centers and schools

• Promote better health and wellbeing outcomes for disabled people

• Gain valuable healthcare, teaching and physical therapy career experience

See all Special Needs Care projects

Why do Special Needs volunteering with IVHQ?

Program fees from only $285

Low cost, high impact programs

Aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals

Goal #3: Good Health and Well-Being

Accommodation, meals, orientation & in-country support included

Fully hosted volunteer experience

Pre-departure guidance and 24/7 in-country support

Unrivaled safety & support

What to expect from Special Needs volunteering abroad

IVHQ has a range of Special Needs volunteer programs, so whether you’re looking for practical career experience, special education volunteer opportunities or you simply want to spread joy to those with disabilities, we have a program suited to your goals.

While specific work varies by location, the objective of your role is to work closely alongside the school or center staff to promote better health and wellbeing outcomes while engaging in a cross-cultural learning exchange with the people you are working with and caring for.

If you love working with youth, you can provide personalized support for disabled babies and children on our Special Needs Care program in Guatemala. For those passionate about special education volunteering, join our Special Education program in Jamaica - a unique opportunity to provide targeted educational support within local schools.

Best Special Needs Care volunteer opportunities abroad

All regions Africa & Middle East North & South America Asia Europe

• All regions
  • All regions
  • Africa & Middle East
  • North & South America
  • Asia
  • Europe

Argentina

Special Needs Care in Cordoba

Program Fees from $360 for 1 week

View project Apply

Cambodia

Special Needs Care in Phnom Penh

Program Fees from $805 for 5 weeks

View project Apply

China

Special Needs Care in Xi'an

Program Fees from $345 for 1 week

View project

Colombia

Special Needs Support in Medellín

Program Fees from $380 for 1 week

View project Apply

Costa Rica

Healthcare in Manuel Antonio

Program Fees from $1540 for 3 weeks

View project Apply

Costa Rica

Healthcare in San Jose

Program Fees from $650 for 1 week

View project Apply

Croatia

Special Needs Support in Split

Program Fees from $1110 for 2 weeks

View project Apply

Guatemala

Special Needs Care in Antigua

Program Fees from $548 for 1 week

View project Apply

India

Special Needs Care in Kerala

Program Fees from $455 for 1 week

View project Apply

Jamaica

Special Education in St Mary

Program Fees from $535 for 1 week

View project Apply

Jordan

Special Needs Support in Amman

Program Fees from $864 for 1 week

View project Apply

Kenya

Special Needs Care in Kenya

Program Fees from $385 for 1 week

View project Apply

Nepal

Special Needs Care in Kathmandu

Program Fees from $285 for 1 week

View project Apply

Peru

Special Needs Care in Cusco

Program Fees from $548 for 1 week

View project Apply

Romania

Special Needs Support in Miercurea Ciuc

Program Fees from $877 for 2 weeks

View project Apply

Spain

Special Needs Support in Barcelona

Program Fees from $1250 for 2 weeks

View project Apply

Sri Lanka

Special Needs Care in Kandy

Program Fees from $390 for 1 week

View project Apply

Vietnam

Special Needs Care in Ho Chi Minh

Program Fees from $410 for 1 week

View project Apply

Showing 12 of 18 projects

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Why volunteer for Special Needs abroad?

For those living with disabilities, getting access to individual care is extremely important. Oftentimes, those in under-resourced communities aren’t able to get the support they need.

As a Special Needs volunteer, you’ll supplement the important work done by local staff and provide extra care, attention and connection for people with disabilities. This is a unique way to add value to a local community while gaining practical experience volunteering with disabled people. Your time and energy will directly support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals #3: Good Health and Wellbeing and #10: Reduced Inequalities.

IVHQ’s Special Needs programs are available year-round and are well suited to caring, compassionate volunteers who want to help those who face physical and mental disabilities.

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #3: Good Health and Well-Being

Good mental and physical health is key to sustainable development and building healthy and happy communities. Now more than ever, we must increase access to free healthcare and health education across the globe to achieve an acceptable standard of living and wellbeing for all.

Read reviews from IVHQ volunteers

”SO MANY AMAZING MOMENTS.. I was able to see a young girl who had lost her legs in a house fire walk home from school for the first time in her life using her new prosthetic legs.. That was amazing. My time in Kenya was some of the best months of my life. I felt joy, love, and compassion stronger then ever before. I've been gone from Kenya for 3 days now and I have already begun planning for my next trip back later on this year!”

Georgia Barron, Canadian, 20

Special Needs Care volunteer in Kenya

Read reviews from IVHQ volunteers

See more reviews

Why volunteer abroad with IVHQ?

300+ projects across 40+ countries

Volunteer programs running in more countries than anyone else

Most affordable & flexible

Award-winning, fully hosted experiences from only $20 per day

Ethical, responsible & regenerative

We're a Certified B Corporation

Unlimited free changes & flexible booking

Book your volunteer trip with confidence

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Find your perfect program

Search programs 326 projects 48 countries 1 to 24 weeks Search programs

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How to get started

Pick a destination + project and apply for free Meet your personal volunteer travel expert Pay the Registration Fee to secure your place and upgrade your MyIVHQ account Get ready to volunteer abroad, we’ll support you every step of the way! Apply now

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