We turn travelers into Changers!
For over 15 years, Be The Change Volunteers has sent travelers overseas to serve on education-focused projects for communities in need. Here at BTCV, we believe that “creating better education creates better jobs, and a better job is the only way out of poverty.” Our BTCV teams are diverse and comprise individuals from all walks of life, such as high school students, college students, adults, and retirees. We see groups of friends and families offer their time, treasure, and talents to help too. In addition to serving the community, volunteers can establish lasting relationships with the residents and learn more about their culture.
Our volunteers are self-funded for their charitable mission, and many of them use our fundraising tools to completely fund their entire participation expense. Funds for each of our charitable missions include a gift to the BTCV project fund which is applicable for use towards all BTCV projects, travel coordination, team leaders on-site, three meals daily, ground transport, accommodations, and a Global Rescue medical evacuation membership. To learn more about the Global Rescue medical evacuation membership click here.
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and like us on Facebook to learn more about our recent service projects and stay in the know on all things Be The Change Volunteers!
Our volunteers are self-funded for their charitable mission, and many of them use our fundraising tools to completely fund their entire participation expense. Funds for each of our charitable missions include a gift to the BTCV project fund which is applicable for use towards all BTCV projects, travel coordination, team leaders on-site, three meals daily, ground transport, accommodations, and a Global Rescue medical evacuation membership. To learn more about the Global Rescue medical evacuation membership click here.
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and like us on Facebook to learn more about our recent service projects and stay in the know on all things Be The Change Volunteers!
What type of volunteer are you?
Where will you go next?
2026 Projects
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BTCV Partner sites
BTCV works with many partners globally. We do not own or operate schools rather we come alongside schools and communities as partners. Together we complete all planned work and then BTCV will step back respectfully so that communities may operate and run their schools without endless outside dependance or oversight. Check out the projects below some of these partners are actively in an annual phase construction plan some have successfully completed all planned work.
AfricaMalawiRwandaUganda
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AsiaCambodiaIndia |
North AmericaPuerto RicoU.S.A. |
South AmericaPeruSOuth PacificPapua New Guinea |
BackGround Checks
All Volunteers are required to complete a background check through SentryLink before joining a team.
This strengthens our protection of the children in our care and for the communities, we care about.
This strengthens our protection of the children in our care and for the communities, we care about.
TRAVEL NOTICE: New UK ETA Requirement Effective January 2025
Effective January 8, 2025, all U.S. citizens transiting through or traveling to the United Kingdom (UK) for tourism, family visits, business meetings, conferences, or short-term study for 6 months or less will require an
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to travel. U.S. citizens can apply for ETAs beginning on November
27, 2024. Information on the new requirements and how to apply can be found on the UK Government website.
To apply for an ETA, please visit the official UK ETA website.
Effective January 8, 2025, all U.S. citizens transiting through or traveling to the United Kingdom (UK) for tourism, family visits, business meetings, conferences, or short-term study for 6 months or less will require an
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to travel. U.S. citizens can apply for ETAs beginning on November
27, 2024. Information on the new requirements and how to apply can be found on the UK Government website.
To apply for an ETA, please visit the official UK ETA website.
Booking Flights
Booking flights for a BTCV service trip is easy with our partners at Lawson Travel. Lawson Travel has worked with BTCV teams for over 10 years and is the only approved travel agency for booking with a BTCV team. This ensures that our teams stay together and that team leaders have a single point of contact for any travel delay issues that may affect the entire team.
Travel for charitable purposes may be tax deductable BTCV is a registerd 501(c)3 non-profit in the USA
Learn more here.
1) Email [email protected] and [email protected] to review a flight plan and get an estimate
2) Determine if your flight plan will require a Transit Visa for countries you connect through
4) Determine if you will need to book a hotel for any layovers
5) Confirm with BTCV that your flight plan will arrive and depart with your team
6) Pay for booking directly to Lawson Travel and email a copy of the "eInvoice" to BTCV
+ Extra fees for seat selection, upgrades, and add-ons apply per airline
+ Travelers may need to add travel days accordingly based on departure/return location
+ Flight selection is based on Airport Dispatch Schedule and Reliablity reporting of availible flights, appropriate connections and routes
+ Budget airlines are not an option.
Travel for charitable purposes may be tax deductable BTCV is a registerd 501(c)3 non-profit in the USA
Learn more here.
1) Email [email protected] and [email protected] to review a flight plan and get an estimate
2) Determine if your flight plan will require a Transit Visa for countries you connect through
4) Determine if you will need to book a hotel for any layovers
5) Confirm with BTCV that your flight plan will arrive and depart with your team
6) Pay for booking directly to Lawson Travel and email a copy of the "eInvoice" to BTCV
+ Extra fees for seat selection, upgrades, and add-ons apply per airline
+ Travelers may need to add travel days accordingly based on departure/return location
+ Flight selection is based on Airport Dispatch Schedule and Reliablity reporting of availible flights, appropriate connections and routes
+ Budget airlines are not an option.
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
What is STEP?
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Benefits of Enrolling in STEP
1) Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
2) Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
3) Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Benefits of Enrolling in STEP
1) Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
2) Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
3) Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.
Every traveling volunteer with BTCV is enrolled in a Global Rescues Medical Evacuation package.
*note this is not insurance it is a medical evacuation service
*note this is not insurance it is a medical evacuation service
High School and College GroupS
Be The Change Volunteers has sent student volunteers all over the world to Hand Deliver Hope. Working directly with global community and school partners we have opportunities for high school and college groups to travel and serve together either on their own private service teams or as part of regular BTCV teams. If you are a student or teacher looking for an opportunity to serve Click Here
