Volunteer/Travel

[hurr111]

So I got my first trip under my belt...I pretty simple trip to Europe. I always knew that for me Europe was like my practice trip. I wanted to see if I could go somewhere alone and life in conditions I was not used to. I had a feeling I would have no problem and it turned out I didn't.

So now with that out of they way, I want to start planning for what I truly want to do. That is to go somewhere for an extended period of time (no less the 6 months) to combine some volunteer work with traveling. I am really just starting to piece together what it is I want to do. I seem to be more drawn toward South America and Africa, though I would not rule out Asia or the Pacific Islands. I am more interested in helping children and animals directly then doing stuff like farming. I have no college education.

Has anyone had any opportunity to do anything like this? Does anyone recommend any particular company? I have looked at some stuff online, but it seems like everything is the tour groups of Volunteer work. If that makes any sense.

Like I said this is all just the start of my planning process. I just know that settling back into my "old life" is not going to cut it for me.