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®.
Whether conducting a vision clinic in Central Asia, helping plant a garden in Zimbabwe, or serving refugees in the Middle East, you will experience the joy of serving others as you help transform lives through a dynamic, hands-on humanitarian trip.
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.
Upcoming Humanitarian Trips
March 7-14, 2020
The Bahamas
Spring Break Disaster Relief Week 1 (Cru Campus Students)
March 14-21, 2020
The Bahamas
Spring Break Disaster Relief Week 2 (Cru Campus Students)
March 13-21, 2020
Greece
Spring Break Refugee Care (Cru Campus Students)
In recent years, news broadcasts have been filled with stories of violence in the Middle East — especially Syria — and of the resulting refugee crisis. Syrian men, women, and children flee from their homes, jobs, and friends, hoping to escape war and poverty. More than 1 million refugees traveled through Turkey, piled into small, overcrowded rubber boats, and faced the dangerous journey across the Aegean Sea to the shores of Greece. They hoped to pass through the islands and continue into Europe.March 13-21, 2020
Central Asia
Central Asia Vision Clinics
Imagine being unable to see the faces of your family or being unable to work because you cannot see well enough to read. In Central Asia more than 1 million people live with untreated vision impairment. You can help solve this problem for many of them by providing a simple pair of glasses, and at the same time point them to Jesus.April 3 - 14, 2020
Middle East
Refugee Vision Clinics
Refugees in the Middle East left behind families, friends, and homes to seek peace and safety, yet many lack basic necessities and care. Unto™ partners in the Middle East serve local residents and thousands of refugees by supplying items such as clothing, food, and school supplies. Unto humanitarian trip teams help with another serious need — vision impairment.April 17-27, 2020
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Community Agriculture Project
Last year drought plagued Zimbabwe, making it extremely difficult for many people living in rural villages to grow crops and provide for their families. This year the opposite is true — too much rain created problems with crops. Together with Unto™ field partners, you can work alongside villagers to help them improve their garden yield.Summer 2020
Various
Cru Campus Student Summer Missions
June 4-15, 2020
Southeast Asia
South East Asia Vision Clinics
June 3 - 15, 2020
Kenya
Kenya Vision Clinics
Kenya, known for its abundant wildlife and home to the famous Masai Mara and Amboseli national parks, has a largely rural population. In the more remote areas of Kenya, including where we will serve on this trip, there are significant humanitarian needs to be addressed.June 4-18, 2020
Tanzania
Tanzania Vision Clinics
Tanzania, home to the famous Serengeti and Mount Kilimanjaro, has a largely rural population. Many people in remote villages lack access to necessary resources. Unto™ partners in Tanzania build relationships with people in many small villages and provide resources such as bucket irrigation kits, food, and medical supplies. You too can help villagers by providing for another great need — eyeglasses.July 10-19, 2020
Zambia
Zambia Vision Clinics
August 6-17, 2020
Uganda
Uganda Vision Clinics
August 2020
Panama
Panama Vision Clinics
September 2-13, 2020
Southeast Asia
South East Asia Vision Clinics
September 2020
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Community Agriculture Project
Sept 30 to Oct 1, 2020
Tanzania
Tanzania Vision Clinics
September 2020
Zambia
Zambia Mobility Clinics
October 2020
Central Asia
Central Asia Vision Clinics
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.
If you have other questions about trips, contact trips@unto.com.
