VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Practicing compassion. Opening your heart and mind. Challenging yourself. Learning something new. Forging friendships. Transcending boundaries. Exploring unknown cultures and lands. Sharing experiences and knowledge. Spreading kindness…there are myriad reasons why international service-learning trips are meaningful and often life-changing to those who choose to embark on such adventures.
At Visions, we emphasize not just the “service,” but also the “learning.” These are the 2 critical components that define the type of experience you will have if you decide to join us abroad. While we each have ideas, knowledge, experience, etc. to share with our friends abroad, we also have the opportunity and the responsibility to learn from our peers as they share their culture, their work, their experiences, and their lives with us. Our service-learning trips are driven by the idea that we are all equal and that we can help achieve development objectives best when we work together as allies & partners.
Since 2003, Visions has had well over 300 volunteers join us abroad from countries all over the world – including the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Switzerland, Zambia, Singapore, Qatar, Russia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, and India – to participate in service-learning experiences that are both meaningful and impactful to both the volunteer and the community(-ies) with which they work. These international volunteers have been joined locally by hundreds of local volunteers from the host countries where we work – Sri Lanka, India, Ethiopia and Nicaragua – and have carried out all sorts of service activities and work over the years.
Visions Service Trip Opportunity: NICARAGUA (YEAR-ROUND)
Visions Service Trip Opportunity: ETHIOPIA (AUGUST 2026)
*itinerary and trip details are subject to change
OVERVIEW
This summer, we are heading back to Ethiopia to work with our local counterparts at Visions Ethiopia in helping support our ongoing efforts to educate and empower the Deaf community in Ethiopia! All international air travel will be in and out of the airport in the capital city of Addis Ababa (ADD) where we will spend just one night (8/1) on arrival. After taking a short domestic flight the next day (8/2) to the southern city of Hawassa, we will stay at a very comfortable hotel in the city (for the next 8 nights) and conduct all our service activities at our Visions Academy - School for the Deaf for the next week. We will be working with our staff (half of whom are Deaf), Deaf youth of all ages and their families, and the community at-large. At the end of the trip, for those who wish to see a little more of the country, including the incredible biodiversity of this area, we will spend 3 nights relaxing and touring the stunning area of Zima.
Our summer service trips are open to anyone and everyone regardless of your professional background, nationality, age, linguistic proficiencies, abilities/disabilities, etc. While these trips tend to be quite focused on the service work, we still find plenty of time to immerse ourselves in the culture, make local connections, have fun, learn, and explore!
Visions endeavors to enable equitable inclusion for all and to make reasonable accommodations as we are able in order to ensure that everyone who wishes to participate in this experience is able to do so equally. If you have any accessibility requirements or requests, please share those details with us.
ITINERARY
August 1, 2026 - Date of arrival at Addis Ababa (ADD) where we will spend 1 night only; individual airport pick-up arrangements will be made for each volunteer depending on your arrival details (hotel: TBD)
August 2, 2026 - Domestic flight to Hawassa (AWA) in the afternoon where we will be spending the following 8 nights; visit the Visions Academy School for the Deaf and meet with Visions Ethiopia staff and volunteers (hotel: Haile Resort Hawassa or comparable)
August 3 - 9, 2026 - Conduct service activities with Deaf students, their families, our staff, and the community at-large with periodic sightseeing in / around Hawassa throughout
August 10, 2026 - Return domestic flight to Addis Ababa for those who are heading home; afternoon shopping and/or sightseeing; return international flight home (*typically, departing flights are offered only late at night or early morning the following day so plan to fly out the night of the 11th or very early on the 12th)
August 10 - 12, 2026 - For those who elect to stay for the retreat add-on, we will drive to the rural area of Zima where we will stay for 3 nights of sightseeing & relaxation (hotel: Halala Kella Eco-Lodge)
August 13, 2026 - Return by car to Hawassa, then take a domestic flight to Addis Ababa; afternoon shopping and/or sightseeing; return international flight home (*typically, departing flights are offered only late at night or early morning the following day so plan to fly out the night of the 13th at the earliest or the following morning of the 14th)
PROGRAM FEE
Your trip program fee of $1800/person includes all of the following:
e-Visa (tourist visa valid for 30 days, single entry; fee is $82)
Double room / shared accommodation for 9 nights at mid-range hotels (*single room accommodation will incur an additional charge)
All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and bottled water for the duration of the trip itinerary (10 days)
Emergency medical evacuation insurance
All scheduled cultural activities and related entry & guide fees
Roundtrip domestic airfare, including check-in baggage allowance (Addis Ababa —> Hawassa)
Local transportation (either by privately hired vehicle & driver and/or taxis) for the duration of the trip itinerary (10 days)
Essential tips for hotel and restaurant staff, drivers, guides, etc.
Shared expenses related to having Visions Trip Lead with the group throughout our stay and all service programming activities
*The trip program fee does not include the cost of international roundtrip airfare, alcoholic beverages, or any personal shopping.
*Payment plans are available for those who are interested in paying incrementally throughout the year!
OPTIONAL RETREAT ADD-ON
The optional retreat add-on of $450/person includes all of the following:
Double room / shared accommodation for 3 additional nights at mid to upper range hotel (*single room accommodation will incur an additional charge)
All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and bottled water for an additional 3 days
Transportation provided by a privately hired vehicle & driver for an additional 3 days
Any park entrance fees, guide fees, additional cultural activities, tips, etc.
APPLY NOW!
To apply, simply fill out the “2026 Visions Volunteer Application & Release” form (link below as well) and mail us your application to:
Visions Global Empowerment
18800 Von Karman Avenue, Suite A
Irvine, CA 92612
We look forward to having you join us in Ethiopia this summer!!
A brief video overview / introduction to this trip opportunity presented in American Sign Language:
In this brief video below, Visions Board member Mary Grace Hamme in conversation with Visions Ethiopia volunteer (2023) Bonnie Sue Mahnick about Visions' "Deaf Education and Empowerment" annual service opportunity in Ethiopia.