A Carib Team program is a short-term service and learning experience where you can volunteer abroad or in your home country with Caribbean with Purpose.
All programs vary based on the location and itinerary, but all of them offer a mix of work, learning, rest and reflection. You will not only work in partnership with the community to build or improve reading literacy and S.T.E.A.M, but you will also have the opportunity to learn about educational needs and solutions from the local community’s perspective.

Program costs range between $2500 - $3200.
Caribbean with Purpose’s Carib Team program works to ensure that programs are well planned and coordinated as well as safe and constructive for volunteers and the local community.
The program donation varies by location, but it includes a donation to the Caribbean with Purpose’s country program, ground transportation, meals, accommodations, select activities, travel accident and sickness insurance, trip cancellation insurance (international programs only) and in some instances, a subsidy for team leader expenses.
Program donations do not include airfare in and out of the country, activities beyond what is outlined in the program details, visa and exit fees and any associated vaccines. For more information, read about your program donation.

No specific technical or professional experience is needed — a desire to make an impact is enough. Please note, however, that manual labor is a part of the program, so all volunteers should be in good health.

Our country programs are able to accommodate typical dietary restrictions. If you have significant concerns, do not let it stop you from serving with Caribbean with Purpose! Contact your team leader to request additional information about meals and what can be accommodated.

You can find new and unique ideas and information about fundraising for your program in our Fundraising Handbook.
Caribbean with Purpose volunteers have the opportunity to use our peer-to-peer fundraising platform at no additional cost to fundraise for their program. Details on setting up your fundraising page will be provided with your program registration confirmation.
If you are joining a private team, speak with your team leader about fundraising options before accessing our fundraising platform.

Caribbean with Purpose has a long history of working in the Caribbean, and volunteer health and safety is our top priority. Our partners in these nations know and live in the area, and help ensure a safe and valuable experience for volunteers year after year. We also regularly follow international travel advisories closely. While we cannot guarantee personal safety, we do everything possible to keep volunteers out of harm’s way, both on and off the work site, and also include travel accident and sickness insurance in the program donation. However, it is up to each individual to review the Caribbean with Purpose country program guidelines and follow the instructions of team leaders and country program coordinators for the best experience possible.

You will likely need a passport, but requirements for passports, visas and vaccines vary by country. Visit the volunteer resources section for additional information.

Be sure to visit with your family doctor or a nearby travel clinic as your program approaches. You should also review the information provided on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov/travel for traveler’s health information, recommended preparations and vaccinations.

All Carib Team volunteers must comply with any program country COVID-19 requirements, including but not limited to entry and exit requirements and all health protocols in place at airports and other ports of entry. Any costs related to program country COVID-19 requirements are not included in your program donation and are your sole responsibility. For more information on your program country’s COVID-19 requirements, contact your team leader or the Carib Team office at [email protected]

Work assignments can involve strenuous physical activity ― sometimes at high altitudes. Team members should be in good physical health when considering a program.

Travel always contains some risks. While Caribbean with Purpose has a comprehensive safety and emergency management plan in place, and all registered volunteers are covered under travel medical and medical evacuation insurance policy, all volunteers participate at their own risk. Volunteers should refer to the volunteer waiver for further information regarding potential risks.

Reformatting a classroom is no simple task! Construction activities vary in length, but most likely you will not reformat a classroom from start to finish in only one week. With the help of your donations, construction continues even after you return home as we work towards a world where every student in the Caribbean has access to reading literacy and S.T.E.A.M. education.

Carib Team programs are holistic experiences in which you will expand the depth and breadth of your understanding of Caribbean with Purpose’s work in the country, learn about the challenges impacting access to reading books and S.T.E.A.M. literacy, and how local communities are addressing these needs by working alongside local administration and educators to implement solutions to empower future generations by improving literacy and providing hope that build strength, stability and self-reliance. Community interaction activities vary by location and may include visiting local markets and cooperatives and engaging in socio-cultural activities in the region.

Caribbean with Purpose is recognized in the United States as a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization. For many U.S. citizens, the program donation is tax-deductible. Please consult a tax professional for current rules and interpretations. Citizens of other nations (e.g., Canada, Germany, Australia, etc.) will have different rules concerning tax deductibility, based on Caribbean with Purpose’s tax status in that nation. Consult a tax adviser for any other specific questions on the deductibility of your program-related expenses.

You can read more about the program donation and tax information on our website.

Caribbean with Purpose has been organizing Carib Team programs since 2018.

We are fortunate to have a passionate and diverse group of volunteer team leaders who spend countless hours organizing the Carib Team program experience for volunteers. Leaders serve in a volunteer capacity and have successfully completed a background screening and our training curriculum to effectively facilitate your Carib Team program experience.

For more information on leading a Carib Team program, read our Carib Team team leader FAQs.