Volunteer with Refugees: Make a Real Impact Around the World

In a world where more than 100 million people have been displaced due to conflict, persecution, or natural disaster, the call for compassionate, committed individuals has never been greater. Volunteering with refugees is one of the most powerful and meaningful ways to offer support, restore dignity, and promote hope for those forced to flee their homes.

Whether you’re drawn to education, community outreach, women’s empowerment, the arts, or hands-on construction, IVI offers a range of impactful refugee support programs. From Europe to East Africa, you can make a difference in the lives of displaced people while gaining unforgettable life experience.

Why Volunteer with Refugees?

Refugees face unimaginable challenges—displacement, trauma, poverty, and discrimination. But they also possess resilience, creativity, and a strong will to rebuild their lives. As a volunteer, you can:

Support access to education for refugee children and youth
Provide emotional support through arts and recreation
Help women gain independence and valuable life skills
Contribute to better living conditions through hands-on aid
Learn about global migration firsthand and become a stronger advocate

Let’s explore how you can volunteer with refugees through IVI’s programs in Greece, Turkey, and Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp.

Greece: Refugee Humanitarian Work

📍 Location: Chios, Greece
🤝 Program: Refugee Humanitarian Work – Greece

Greece has been a major gateway for refugees arriving in Europe, particularly from the Middle East and Africa. While the crisis may no longer dominate headlines, the need for support is ongoing.

What You’ll Do

Volunteers in this program provide practical and emotional support to refugee families, especially in underserved communities. Tasks can include:

Assist in any way you can, providing vital supplies to the refugees
Help with essential items distribution and packing
Work in the warehouse or in the free shop, providing clothing and toiletries to camp residents

You’ll work alongside local NGOs and community leaders in safe, structured environments. This is a people-focused role, perfect for those who are empathetic, organised, and eager to roll up their sleeves.

Why It Matters

Many refugees in Greece face bureaucratic delays, poverty, and social isolation. Your presence offers a helping hand—but just as importantly, it shows compassion and solidarity. You’ll also learn a great deal about refugee policy, grassroots support systems, and the resilience of displaced communities.

Turkey: Community Empowerment for Refugees

📍 Location: Izmir, Turkey
🤝 Program: Refugee Humanitarian Support – Turkey

Turkey hosts the largest refugee population in the world, with more than 3.6 million registered Syrian refugees, along with others from Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond. In Izmir, IVI’s program focuses on empowering marginalized refugee communities through education and outreach.

What You’ll Do

As a volunteer in Izmir, your role may involve:

Supporting refugee children and youth with basic English and literacy
Assisting local teachers and NGOs in community-based education centres

Socialisation and concentration activities
Teaching English, maths and other subjects

Whether you’re an aspiring teacher, a creative spirit, or a compassionate communicator, your efforts will help provide stability and opportunity for young refugees.

Why It Matters

Many refugees in Turkey live outside of official camps, often without consistent access to education or social services. This program empowers volunteers to be part of long-term, sustainable community support, where every day brings a new chance to connect and make a difference.

Kenya: Volunteer at Kakuma Refugee Camp

📍 Location: Kakuma Refugee Camp, Northern Kenya
🤝 Programs:

Kakuma is one of the largest and most established refugee camps in Africa, home to over 200,000 people from South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Burundi, Rwanda, and the DRC. The camp operates more like a small city, with schools, clinics, markets, and community centres—but resources are stretched, and opportunities are limited.

IVI’s diverse programs here give you the opportunity to match your passions with real needs.

Women Empowerment

Women and girls in refugee camps are often the most vulnerable, facing limited education, gender-based violence, and early marriage. The women’s empowerment program focuses on:

Teaching life skills like sewing, computer literacy, and English
Supporting income-generating projects and entrepreneurship
Promoting health education and rights awareness
Providing a safe space for women to grow and lead

This is ideal for volunteers who want to uplift women and promote gender equity.

Teaching

With thousands of children in Kakuma and limited teachers, education is a critical need. Volunteers can help:

Teach basic English, math, and science
Assist local teachers with lesson planning and classroom support
Offer after-school tutoring or holiday programs
Create a fun, safe, and inclusive environment for learning

No formal teaching qualification is needed—just patience, creativity, and a love for learning.

Sports Coaching

Sport is a powerful tool for healing and connection. In this program, you’ll:

Run football, volleyball, or other team sports
Promote teamwork, leadership, and fitness
Support mental well-being and confidence through physical activity

It’s a fantastic opportunity for athletes, coaches, or just active volunteers who want to make a difference through play.

Music, Dance & Drama Education

Arts and culture are key to emotional healing, especially for children who have experienced trauma. This creative program lets you:

Lead music, dance, or drama workshops
Help children express their stories through performance
Organise community shows or talent showcases

You don’t need to be a professional artist—just someone passionate about the arts and their power to inspire.

Environmental Conservation

Life in the camp depends on fragile ecosystems. Volunteers in this area work on:

Tree planting and community gardening
Waste reduction and recycling projects
Teaching environmental awareness to youth

This is great for eco-conscious volunteers who want to protect the planet while helping people.

Construction

With limited infrastructure, construction volunteers can assist with:

Building or repairing classrooms, shelters, toilets, and kitchens
Working on community centres or recreational spaces
Using local materials and learning sustainable building methods

Hands-on, physical, and fulfilling—this role is perfect for those who like to see tangible results from their efforts.

What You Need to Know Before Volunteering

1. No Experience Necessary

Most IVI programs are open to volunteers of all backgrounds. Training and guidance are provided on-site. What matters most is your willingness to help, cultural sensitivity, and adaptability.

2. Affordable, Ethical Volunteering

IVI is a non-profit, and our humanitarian program are kept at a low fee – you will only pay the application fee which helps to coordinate your program, and local support from our NGO partners.

3. Make New Friends for Life

You’ll meet fellow volunteers from around the world and build bonds that last. Living and working together creates a shared sense of purpose—and plenty of fun moments along the way.

4. Grow Personally and Professionally

Volunteering with refugees challenges you to step outside your comfort zone. You’ll develop cross-cultural communication, problem-solving, resilience, and global awareness—skills that stay with you forever.

Conclusion

Volunteering with refugees is not always easy—but it is deeply rewarding. You’ll witness the realities of displacement, but also the power of hope, community, and human connection.

Whether you’re supporting women in Kakuma, providing free essential supplies to refugees in Greece, or running creative education classes in Turkey—you’re offering more than your time. You’re showing up. You’re standing in solidarity. You’re being the change.

Are you ready to make a real impact?
Explore IVI’s refugee programs and start your volunteer journey today.