Volunteer tourism is not a variation on 'singing for your supper'. Going on a project costs money, just like a regular holiday. Some of the fee usually goes directly to the cause, some covers the cost of hosting the volunteer (accommodation, meals, etc) and the rest goes to operational costs, such as running the bookings website. It is a chance for tourists to develop an intimate connection with the place they’re visiting and leave a positive legacy. And make good on at least one new year’s resolution.

Work with animals
Wildlife projects at Cape Town company Aviva include working with vervet monkeys in KwaZulu-Natal and horses on the Wild Coast, doing whale and dolphin research in Plettenberg Bay and rearing lion cubs in the Eastern Cape. Birders can devote their time to African penguin conservation through SANCCOB. Animal lovers stay in dorm rooms in a fully equipped house and work five days a week, for two to 12 weeks.

• Cost: From R3050. Aviva may be able to offset some costs for locals.
  
• Qualifications: None. Training provided.
  
• Need to know: Most projects not suitable for under-18s.
  
• She did it: Megan John spent six weeks at SANCOBB: 'Within a few days we were being trained to handle the birds and by the end of six weeks we were trusted to look after entire pens on our own.'

Save the planet
Conservation options at UK organisation i-to-i, which has volunteer projects in 34 countries, include restoring bird habitats in New Zealand, cleaning beaches in Thailand and replanting forests in Kenya. Placements are two to 24 weeks. Accommodation may be in a homestay, volunteer house or guesthouse, but is always locally owned and run.

• Cost: From about R5500.
  
• Qualifications: In some cases, volunteers may have to learn the local language.
  
• Need to know: Volunteers organise and pay for visas and flights. There are projects for 16- to 18-year-olds, as well as families.
  
• She did it: Victoria Mann worked at a South African lion park: "I often had to dodge the odd zebra or giraffe on the way to the shower blocks. At night, I became accustomed to roars of the lions or howls of the wild dogs, instead of the traffic back home."

Improve the lives of children
The Joshua Project is a haven for homeless and vulnerable children in Jeffreys Bay. Volunteers spend two to 12 weeks working at the children’s home, from 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. Part of the day is spent with the kids in art and drama classes or sports programmes. The rest is devoted to improving the centre — painting, building sports facilities, buying food and stationery. Accommodation is in dorm or private rooms and the fee includes use of a bicycle.

• Cost: From R3960 for two weeks. The Joshua Project is run by 50% For The People, so half of the fee goes straight to the cause. The rest pays for accommodation, food, transport, extracurricular activities and admin. qualifications None.
• Need to know: Not suitable for under-18s. Placements are during school terms.
• He did it: Ben Frischer helped with teaching: "Unlike large non-profit organisations, there isn’t a lot of hand holding or red tape at the Joshua Project. As a result, one individual can really affect a lot of change."

Build communities
Volunteer Africa 32° South runs education, conservation and humanitarian projects around Chintsa in the Eastern Cape. The Keiskamma Project is a chance to help a community suffering because of the many people living with HIV/Aids. The orientation programme includes lessons in conversational Xhosa and an overnight stay in a Transkei village.

Volunteers spend four to 12 weeks helping to care for patients in the clinic, cooking, tending vegetable gardens and doing maintenance work, such as painting and fencing. They may also get involved with literacy, art and drama classes. It’s a 9am to 5pm day, five days a week. Trained medical staff are encouraged to stay for a minimum of three months.

• Cost: From about R14 000, all inclusive, with accommodation in a communal house. A big portion goes to the Keiskamma Project.
• Qualifications: Basic to good English and no criminal record.
• Need to know: Not for under-18s.
• He did it: Matthew Rake spent a month building schools and working with animals: "I met so many great people… it was an amazing experience. I would love to go back!"

Heal the sick
Global organisation Mercy Ships runs a fleet of hospital ships. Ships dock off the coast of developing nations and medical personnel provide free services to communities. Volunteers' work ranges from developing subsistence farming skills to performing intricate cosmetic surgery on children born with deformities.

The flagship, the Africa Mercy, has six operating rooms, a dental clinic, X-ray unit and laboratory. Volunteer stays may be from two weeks to two years, working 8am-5pm weekdays. In addition to medical personnel, volunteers are needed to maintain the ship and serve its 500-strong crew. Onboard are a bank, post office, hairdresser and grocery store.

• Cost: R2500 per month. Volunteers must find their way to and from the Africa Mercy, docked off Liberia until the end of this year.
• Qualifications: None for support staff. Medical staff must have valid qualifications.
• Need to know: Mercy Ships is a Christian organisation, but people from all faiths are welcome. Crew members need proof of health insurance. Long-term crew (more than a year) may bring their families on board.
• He did it: Plastic surgeon, Tertius Venter, has been on the ship 14 times: "I do reconstructive surgery. To serve the poor just for the sake of helping people in desperate need is a life-changing experience."