Welcome to AFCA’s “Vacation with a Purpose” program. “Vacation with a Purpose” (VWP) offers individuals, families and groups the opportunity to travel internationally while supporting the programs of AFCA’s partners in sub-Saharan Africa as well other international organizations serving the needs of children around the world. The “Vacation with a Purpose” experience provides amazing travel opportunities with unique insights into foreign cultures while offering opportunity for participants to make positive contributions to the world in which we live.

VWP team sizes typically range from 6 to 10 people and last 10 to 14 days. We welcome solo travelers, groups, students, and families (minimum age 14). Teams generally take one of two forms:

· Open Teams comprised of individuals, many of whom do not know each other prior to arriving in the host country. This works well for those travelling alone, in pairs or in small groups. For Open Teams, our goal is to recruit team members that create a diverse team profile.

· Closed Teams are typically comprised of church, corporate or large friends-and-family groups where the team is not open to outside participants.

Each team travels with an experienced team leader (see “Team Leader Bios” section). Your team leader is responsible for planning the trip, working with the partner program on team logistics, building the team, organizing pre-trip team requirements, keeping team members informed, serving as team liaison in-country, administering team finances, and monitoring safety.

Our trips are not luxury vacations and they are not like a typical vacation travel tour where every minute of the day is planned for you. Instead, our goal is to make a difference, to develop friendships, and to experience someone else’s culture while catching a glimpse into their life, all while lending a helping hand. It’s all a part of what makes a volunteer vacation so memorable!

So take the challenge to come, see, experience, and make a difference in the lives of others!