Volunteering at Leilani Farm Sanctuary is a major highlight of Andrea and David Boyd’s annual Maui vacation. “It’s always great getting to see the friendly animals we’ve met in past years, and we have so much fun helping out with projects on the farm,” explains the couple from Chicago.

Voluntourism, a blend of volunteering and tourism, is considered the fastest-growing travel trend. Travelers participate in volunteer work in an area where they are vacationing, usually for a charity or a non-profit.

Many voluntourists arrange travel to volunteer for specific causes, but some simply include volunteering as part of an otherwise traditional vacation. By choosing responsibly managed programs, voluntourists ensure that their efforts contribute to the host communities.

“Leilani Farm Sanctuary offers a variety of projects for vacationer-volunteers,” notes Laurelee Blanchard, Director. “We welcome people to come and brush the goats and the donkey, do gardening, comb cats, pick fruit, spread straw, clean the barns, feed animals and collect eggs. It’s a win-win situation: vacationers enjoy a one-of-a-kind Maui experience, and the Sanctuary benefits from their work.”

Volunteer days are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:00 a.m. To schedule sessions at the Sanctuary, please call or email Laurelee at 808-298-8544; info@leilanifarmsanctuary.org.

Volunteering could supercharge your vacation, as it did for Andrea and David. “Knowing that we were supporting a wonderful cause made it all the more special for us,” they reflect.