Humanitarian Trips

Experience the joy of serving others as you help transform lives

Volunteers with Unto® humanitarian trips work with partners and churches in countries across the globe to serve people in need and express the kindness of Jesus. For more than 25 years, our expert trip leaders have taken more than 180 groups to 30 countries. Unto is the humanitarian ministry of Cru®.

Reasons to Join a Humanitarian Trip With Unto

  • You share physical aid and the hope of Jesus.
  • You grow closer to God.
  • You forge lasting relationships.
  • You learn to serve in a different culture.
  • You can receive the blessing of blessing others.

It Is Easy to Join an Unto Humanitarian Trip

Upcoming Humanitarian Trips

October 30-November 11, 2024

North Africa

North Africa Vision Clinic

Team Leader: John

Cost: TBA

Imagine being unable to see clearly the faces of your family and friends or being unable to work because you cannot see well enough to read. Millions of residents in North Africa experience impaired vision and struggle with issues such as these. You can help solve this problem for many of them by providing a simple pair of glasses.

By joining Unto® as a member of this mission team, you will travel to a desert nation to host eyeglass clinics. At the clinics you will have opportunity to interact with hundreds of local people one-to-one as you assess their vision and provide glasses. In so doing, you will demonstrate the kindness of Jesus.

Through this project, our field partners will be able to build relationships with individuals and families and show them Christ’s love and hope.

Time will be allotted for sightseeing and experiencing local culture.

No medical experience is required. At the start of the trip, participants will receive training for testing vision and fitting glasses.

 

November, 2024

Cuba

Cuba Vision Clinic

Team Leader: Scott

Cost: TBA

Cuba combines beautiful beaches with colonial cities and historic sites, making it a popular destination for visitors who want a cultural experience in addition to a sun and sand.  It is also home to the historic city of Havana and impressive colonial architecture.  Cuba treasures 253 protected areas, 257 national monuments, 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 7 Natural Biosphere Reserves and 13 Fauna Refuge among other non-tourist zones.

Be part of an Unto® volunteer trip that helps relieve suffering by providing eyeglasses to many with impaired vision.

The team will conduct eyeglass clinics in the city, as well as in nearby rural areas. During the clinics, as you will meet with individuals to provide basic vision testing and needed glasses, you will be able to demonstrate the kindness of Jesus.

No medical or ministry experience is required. Trip participants will receive training for eyeglass fittings at the beginning of the trip.

February 14-24, 2025

Suriname

Suriname Vision Clinic

Team Leader: Kim

Cost: TBA

Suriname is the smallest country in South America.  It is covered with beautiful tropical rainforest. Suriname gained it independence the Netherlands in 1975.  It is considered to be culturally caribbean.  Dutch is the official language, however creole based English is also spoken.

Be part of an Unto® volunteer trip that helps relieve suffering by providing eyeglasses to many with impaired vision.

The team will conduct eyeglass clinics in the city, as well as in nearby rural areas. During the clinics, as you will meet with individuals to provide basic vision testing and needed glasses, you will be able to demonstrate the kindness of Jesus. You might also have the opportunity to talk with students at the local university campus to share the hope of Jesus.

Accommodations will be camp style all woman in one dormitory and all men men in another one.

No experience is required. At the beginning of the trip, participants will receive training for vision testing and fitting eyeglasses.

March, 2025

Honduras

Honduras Vision Clinic

Team Leader: John

Cost: TBA

In the past Honduras was developed by the Mayas before Spanish colonization.  It is now a predominantly Spanish speaking and Roman Catholic.  It is in Central America and it is rich in natural resources.  They produce coffee, tropical fruit and sugar cane.

Be part of an Unto® volunteer trip that helps relieve suffering by providing eyeglasses to many with impaired vision. You will also restore dignity to those who may not being able to work or be successful in school.

The team will conduct eyeglass clinics in the city, as well as in nearby rural areas. During the clinics, as you will meet with individuals to provide basic vision testing and needed glasses, you will be able to demonstrate the kindness of Jesus.

No experience is required. At the beginning of the trip, participants will receive training for vision testing and fitting eyeglasses.

March 7-16, 2025

Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia Vision Clinics Spring Break

Team Leader: Joy

Cost: TBA

The prevalence of blindness and low vision in this Southeast Asian country is relatively high compared to other developing countries. Most of the causes of blindness and low vision are treatable or preventable. Landmines and other war-related injuries are a major cause of ocular injury.

You can help with this need by joining an Unto vision clinic trip to tropical Southeast Asia. Through the clinic, you will help provide glasses to hundreds of people who need simple vision correction. You also will work alongside Unto partners, helping them expand their ministry through serving those in need.

During the clinic, you will meet with local people one-to-one to assess their vision and provide glasses. As you spend time with them, you will have the opportunity to show them the kindness of Jesus.

Time is allotted for visiting local sites and enjoying Southeastern Asian culture.

No medical experience is required. At the beginning of the trip participants will receive training to test vision and fit eyeglasses.

March 15 - 22, 2025

Orlando, FL

Becoming People of Welcome (Immigrant and Refugee Care)

Team Leader: Bekah

Cost: Student price: $450 (quad occupancy) Cru Staff/Community Members: $650 (double occupancy) Commuter: $150 (not staying in hotel)

Cru City: Immigrants, Internationals and Refugees (IIR) and Unto invite you to join us in Orlando, Florida as we seek to spend our time serving and learning how to be effective in connecting with our refugee and immigrant neighbors. Our desire is to live out the Great Commission AND the Great Commandment amongst our new neighbors.

This trip is open to college students, Cru staff, and key volunteers who desire to co-labor together. We will serve with organizations on the ground in Orlando and then learn from those who serve in the immigrant/refugee sphere around the nation.  Our time serving will be in the community, while our learning times will be spent at Cru Headquarters.

Our desire is you would return home with a greater desire to welcome the nations in your community, be equipped to engage in spiritual conversations, and gain a biblical understanding of expressing kindness to the immigrant and refugee in our communities.

Come join us as we seek to Become People of Welcome!

March 22-29, 2025

Guatemala

Guatemala Vision Clinic Spring Break

Team Leader: Scott

Cost: TBA

During the 10th century, a complex network of trade routes turned Mayan cities into commercial and spiritual hubs. Guatemala still has that mystique today in historic cities like Antigua. However, in the capital, Guatemala City, the effects of the 36-year-long civil war (1960-1996) still can be felt, causing Guatemala to be one of the poorest countries in Central America.

Be part of an Unto® volunteer trip that helps relieve suffering by providing eyeglasses to many with impaired vision.

The team will conduct eyeglass clinics in the city, as well as in nearby rural areas. During the clinics, as you meet with individuals to provide basic vision testing and needed glasses, you will be able to demonstrate the kindness of Jesus. You also will have the opportunity to talk with students at the local university campus to share the hope of the gospel.

No experience is required. At the beginning of the trip, participants will receive training for vision testing and fitting eyeglasses.

March 29 - April 5, 2025

El Salvador

El Salvador Spring Break Vision Clinics (Destino)

Team Leader: Wes

Cost: TBA

El Salvador — a land of beautiful beaches, sprawling coffee plantations, and lush rainforests — is the most densely populated country in Central America, with 40 percent of its population living in poverty. Be part of a Unto® volunteer trip that helps relieve suffering by providing eyeglasses to many with impaired vision.

As a student on this trip, you will travel to the nation’s capital, San Salvador. The team will conduct eyeglass clinics in the city as well as in nearby rural areas. In the clinics you will meet with individuals to provide glasses and demonstrate the kindness of Jesus. You also will have the opportunity to talk with students at the local university campus to share the hope of Jesus.

No experience is required. Trip participants will receive training for eyeglass fittings at the beginning of the trip.

Students only. This trip can accommodate a maximum of 15 people.

April 3-15, 2025

Middle East

Middle East Refugee Care Vision Clinic

Team Leader: Tiffany

Cost: TBA

Refugees have entered this Middle East country in staggering numbers, having left behind families, friends, and homes to seek peace and safety. Many lack basic necessities and care. Unto® field partners in the Middle East serve the local residents as well as the thousands of refugees by supplying items such as clothing, food, and school supplies. Unto humanitarian trip teams help with another serious need — vision impairment.

On this trip, you will travel to a country well known as a tourist travel destination and for its exceptional food. You will meet with refugees and residents one-to-one to assess vision needs and provide glasses. Through this project, you will have an incredible opportunity working with refugees to show the kindness of Jesus and help Unto field partners build ongoing relationships in these communities. In addition to providing glasses through our vision clinics, we will spend a few days in the capital city working to meet the needs of at risk people groups in crisis.

No medical experience is required. Trip participants will receive vision-testing training at the beginning of the trip.

May, 2025

North Africa

North Africa Vision Clinic

Team Leader: Kim

Cost: TBA

Imagine being unable to see clearly the faces of your family and friends or being unable to work because you cannot see well enough to read. Millions of residents in North Africa experience impaired vision and struggle with issues such as these. You can help solve this problem for many of them by providing a simple pair of glasses.

By joining Unto® as a member of this mission team, you will travel to a desert nation to host eyeglass clinics. At the clinics you will have opportunity to interact with hundreds of local people one-to-one as you assess their vision and provide glasses. In so doing, you will demonstrate the kindness of Jesus.

Through this project, our field partners will be able to build relationships with individuals and families and show them Christ’s love and hope.

Time will be allotted for sightseeing and experiencing local culture.

No medical experience is required. At the start of the trip, participants will receive training for testing vision and fitting glasses.

June, 2025

Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia Vision Clinics

Team Leader: Joy and Scott

Cost: TBA

In Southeast Asia, 21 million people live with untreated vision impairment. Without glasses, people are unable to see family members, and they struggle to read and work.

You can help with this need by joining an Unto® vision clinic trip to tropical Southeast Asia. Through the clinic, you will help provide glasses to hundreds of people who need simple vision correction. You also will work alongside Unto partners, helping them expand their ministry through serving those in need.

During the clinic, you will meet with local people one-to-one to assess their vision and provide glasses. As you spend time with them, you will have the opportunity to show them the kindness of Jesus.

Time is allotted for visiting local sites and enjoying Southeastern Asian culture.

No medical experience is required. At the beginning of the trip participants will receive training to test vision and fit eyeglasses.

August, 2025

Southeast Asia

Summer Southeast Asia Vision Clinics

Team Leader: Tiffany

Cost: TBA

The prevalence of blindness and low vision in this Southeast Asian country is relatively high compared to other developing countries. Most of the causes of blindness and low vision are treatable or preventable. Landmines and other war-related injuries are a major cause of ocular injury.

You can help with this need by joining an Unto® vision clinic trip to tropical Southeast Asia. Through the clinic, you will help provide glasses to hundreds of people who need simple vision correction. You also will work alongside Unto partners, helping them expand their ministry through serving those in need.

You can help with this need by joining an Unto vision clinic trip to tropical Southeast Asia. Through the clinic, you will help provide glasses to hundreds of people who need simple vision correction. You also will work alongside Unto partners, helping them expand their ministry through serving those in need.

During the clinic, you will meet with local people one-to-one to assess their vision and provide glasses. As you spend time with them, you will have the opportunity to show them the kindness of Jesus.

Time is allotted for visiting local sites and enjoying Southeastern Asian culture.

No medical experience is required. At the beginning of the trip participants will receive training to test vision and fit eyeglasses.

 

 

 

Lives Are Changed

Frequently Asked Questions

Participants from 16 to 80 years old and of all skill levels may take part in Unto trips. Volunteers with a personal relationship with Jesus and with sound health are welcome. Not all trips will be suitable for youth because of the type of work required or the emotional toll they may take. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent. Some trips may require more specialized skills, such as medical training. If special skills are required, this information will be mentioned in the trip description.

Team size depends on the destination and the trip strategy. Teams can be as small as four people or as large as 40.

The trip cost includes all in-country transportation, shared hotel or dormitory accommodations, three meals a day (plus drinking water), interpreter services, in-country visa fees, emergency evacuation assistance, and all taxes, tips, and fees.

The trip cost does not typically include airfare, pre-trip visa fees (if required), passport costs, immunizations, medications, baggage charges (unless you are asked to carry a bag of Unto aid), trip cancellation insurance, airport meals, or additional gifts or snacks you choose to bring.

No. We will plan travel and provide an airline itinerary for you through our travel agents. Then we will send you the information to contact the agent and purchase your ticket. Through the travel agent, you will be able to arrange both your domestic and international travel. Arranging travel in this way lowers flight costs and allows you to book “through” travel straight from your home airport while still traveling with the team internationally.

Trip participants and their supporters can pay by credit card through the participant’s giving page or by phone. Payments can also be made by check. All payments and donations are tax-deductible and non-refundable.

All contributions to Unto are income tax deductible and are made with the understanding that Unto has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds. Should you not go on the trip, or should more funds than needed be raised, we will consult with you to determine if the money will be held in your account for a future trip, be used for other expenses associated with the trip, or be given as a general donation to Unto Humanitarian Trips.

Your trip leader’s primary responsibility is the safety of the team. We are in touch with the U.S. State Department on all trips and are alert to changes in safety and security while overseas. While we do live in a complex world, Unto trips do not include what we consider unnecessary risks, either in locations visited or activities implemented.

We work to make sure all trips are as safe as possible. All Unto trip leaders are experienced in international ministry and trained in crisis management and CPR/first aid. At all times a crisis manager is on call in the states, and contingency plans are in place before all trips begin. Emergency evacuation coverage and supplemental health coverage are included in the cost of your trip.

In most cases the entire team will meet at the international departure airport in the U.S. and fly together to the destination country. Most trips require no pre-trip preparation or meetings as a team. If a trip does require pre-trip preparation, the team leader will provide this information before accepting you for the trip. Some trip leaders may schedule a group call before the trip for team introductions. Your trip leader will be in touch with you on an ongoing basis as you prepare for the trip.

Accommodations will vary depending on the country. Usually teams stay in a hotel or guest house chosen or recommended by our national hosts. Rooms are generally shared by two people of the same gender or by spouses. If you prefer a room to yourself, a single supplement fee will be charged.

In the areas where Unto serves, it is usually not possible to make accommodations for special dietary needs.

All available trips are listed on the website. If you do not see a trip that works for you, you can contact trips@unto.com to receive updates in the future. New trips are added all the time.

You can contact the trips department by emailing trips@unto.com.