And here's the address for the youth program, which invites young people to spend school breaks helping others get a home of their own:

http://www.habitat.org/youthprograms/int/

     Then there's "Adventure Travel, Habitat Style." They ask, "Want to change the world - and be changed in the process? Take a short-term, house-building trip to one of Habitat's many destinations around the world and work alongside homeowners and local volunteers of all backgrounds, races and religions."

http://www.habitat.org/hw/dec_2006/feature7.html

WORKING ABROAD

     The WORKING ABROAD website lists some great possibilities – and, if you’re a student looking for something for the summer, January is the time to investigate. They also have opportunities available this spring. Please note, however, that these volunteer opportunities are almost all unpaid:

http://workingabroad.com/page/3/volunteer-organisations.htm

     But you can get a paying job teaching English as a foreign language if you take the appropriate short course. This would work, not only for young people, but for seniors seeking adventure and anyone looking for a change of pace. (Let me suggest, however, that you do a Google search to see what people are saying about a program before you commit yourself to it.)

http://workingabroad.com/page/4/tefl-and-teaching-abroad.htm

     If you are a full-time U.S. teacher or administrator, you may want to check out the FULBRIGHT TEACHER EXCHANGE PROGRAM.

http://www.fulbrightexchanges.org/

     Or an AFS INTERCULTURAL PROGRAM. AFS “provides intercultural learning and volunteer opportunities for students, young adults, teachers and families through international exchange.” They have a program for high school students and ones for people “over eighteen.” Find out more here:

http://www.afs.org/afs_or/home

     You may also want to check out the GLOBAL VOLUNTEER NETWORK, based in New Zealand. It connects volunteers to communities in need worldwide.

http://www.volunteer.org.nz/