Certainly, we have all heard of the need for volunteers in countries such as Haiti and Indonesia. However, there are many countries which would benefit from the hard work of dedicated volunteers. This week our top-10 list highlights ten volunteer opportunities in obscure countries you may not have heard of. Participating in any of these programs would certainly be a unique and fulfilling experience. We've also included additional information about each country to serve as an introduction.

Be sure to leave a comment below if you feel we have missed something about a particular country or program!

10. Djibouti - Africa

Official Name: Republic of Djibouti (Wikipedia Article)
Capital: Djibouti
Population: 740,528 (July 2010 est.)
Why You Should Go: Djibouti is still recovering from a devastating civil war in 2001. The country also suffers from criminal human trafficking activities.
Search for Programs: Volunteer in Djibouti

9. Lesotho - Africa

Official Name: Kingdom of Lesotho (Wikipedia Article)
Capital: Maseru
Population: 1,919,552 (July 2010 est.)
Why You Should Go: This small African nation suffers from high rates of HIV and AIDS, as well as other serious medical concerns.
Search for Programs: Volunteer in Lesotho

8. Togo - Africa

Official Name: Togolese Republic (Wikipedia Article)
Capital: Lome
Population: 6,199,841 (July 2010 est.)
Why You Should Go: The people of Togo are looking for an improved education system in order to progress economically.
Search for Programs: Volunteer in Togo

7. Myanmar - Asia

Official Name: Union of Burma (Wikipedia Article)
Capital: Rangoon
Population: 53,414,374 (July 2010 est.)
Why You Should Go: Myanmar is a source country for human trafficking. Many of these victims will be forced into manual labor or sexual exploitation. Many other human-rights violations also exist.
Search for Programs: Volunteer in Myanmar

6. Brunei - Asia

Official Name: Brunei Darussalam (Wikipedia Article)
Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan
Population: 395,027 (July 2010 est.)
Why You Should Go: Much of Brunei's natural resources are under threat from commercial exploitation. Volunteers are needed to raise awareness.
Search for Programs: Volunteer in Brunei

5. Vanuatu - Pacific Island

Official Name: Republic of Vanuatu (Wikipedia Article)
Capital: Port-Vila
Population: 221,552 (July 2010 est.)
Why You Should Go: Habitat loss and commercial exploitation of natural resources threaten the sea-turtle population of Vanuatu with extinction.
Search for Programs: Volunteer in Vanuatu

4. Belarus - Europe

Official Name: Republic of Belarus (Wikipedia Article)
Capital: Minsk
Population: 9,612,632 (July 2010 est.)
Why You Should Go: Community service projects aimed at enhancing the lives of disadvantaged children and adults.
Search for Programs: Volunteer in Belarus

3. Moldova - Europe

Official Name: Republic of Moldova (Wikipedia Article)
Capital: Kishinev
Population: 4,317,483 (July 2010 est.)
Why You Should Go: Another country that suffers from severe human trafficking activities. Many young women are exported for sexual exploitation.
Search for Programs: Volunteer in Moldova

2. Kyrgyzstan - Middle East

Official Name: Kyrgyz Republic (Wikipedia Article)
Capital: Bishkek
Population: 5,508,626 (July 2010 est.)
Why You Should Go: The Kiva program aims to provide micro-loans to small communities that would otherwise be unable to fund local community and commercial projects.
Search for Programs: Volunteer in Kyrgyzstan

1. Guyana - South America

Official Name: Cooperative Republic of Guyana (Wikipedia Article)
Capital: Georgetown
Population: 748,486 (July 2010 est.)
Why You Should Go: Local communities are in need of volunteer teachers to come and provide education to disadvantaged youth.
Search for Programs: Volunteer in Guyana

Map of Volunteer Opportunities