For a while now, I've been interested in volunteering my time and labor while visiting a country I normally would not visit for concern about safety or other restrictions. I'm thinking about places such as Haiti, Cuba, South Pacific Islands or Central Africa. I'm not religious so I am not interested in any work associated with a religious organization. I don't mind paying my own way to get someplace but I would want to work with an organization that takes care of ground transportation and accommodations - even if it is in a private home.

Have you helped inoculate children? Set up computers? Helped with hammer and nails? Something else?

I'm curious to hear about what you did, where you went and if you felt the experience was valuable. Did you have time to yourself to visit tourist sights on your "day off?" Details about accommodations and safety/security are appreciated as well.