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The French have a word for this: it's called a 'congé solidaire' (holiday in solidarity?) which makes it easy to google. I believe the French government actually grants citizens the right to take time off to donate time to support economic development in select countries, so there's an entire mini-industry supporting this in France. If by some chance you speak French, you might try googling congé solidaire and see what comes up. I see Routard has a site about this kind of vacation. I know there are also Swedish companies that specialize in volunteer holidays abroad.

English-language companies also exist that do this kind of thing. VSO in England is a large organization that arranges volunteer work abroad for non-experts (I mean people who don't have local knowledge or an expertise in charitable work). Instead of looking for someone who specializes in working holidays, which may in some cases be more good intention than good works, try talking to a volunteer abroad organization. You will be far from the only ones asking about short stints. Maybe you can negotiate something with them. You might be able to use your skills or you might not, only someone who has more specific knowledge about volunteer abroad programs will be able to tell you. Keep in mind that there's often a sunk cost for sending out volunteers, which is why there's more demand for people willing to make longer-term commitments.

I haven't heard of any companies that specifically cater to the technically inclined.

What is the name of the organization you work for ?

I currently work for the University of the South Pacific (no link, slashdot would kill it).

Most of the ICT4D stuff I did was through VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas). They tend to prefer people with solid industry experience and who have some exposure to cultures other than their own. They recruit throughout Europe, North America and in Kenya, Uganda, India and the Phillippines. In Canada, they recently amalgamated with CUSO. They work in dozens of countries the world over.

There are a ton of organisations seeking talented professionals to do this kind of work. It takes a little time to find the right combination, and some volunteering work is almost always required before you can start contracting your services professionally.

A few good places to start looking:

• The Grameen Foundation - Founded by Nobel Laureate Mohammed Yunus, this micro-finance group does fascinating IT-based work throughout the developing world. Very high standards.
• VSO - One of the best volunteering organisations, in my opinion. They require strong professional skills and experience, and typically provide good in-country support (YMMV from country to country).
• GeekCorps - Founded by Dot Com millionaire Ethan Zuckerman, this group is focused on answering the question of what comes after we've established the basics (e.g. roads, power and water). Interesting work and interesting people.

You give up a lot to do this kind of work, and you need to remember that it's never about you - it's about the people you're working with. But once you stop worrying about career and how to pay for your next Xbox, you'll find the rewards are tremendous.

For my part, just seeing the look in people's eyes when I show them what the Internet can do is enough. Watching them take your work in directions you could never have foreseen is enlightening and humbling. I wouldn't trade this life for the world.

After 20 years of desk dwelling, perhaps something more physical would be a good change. Perhaps drop down to part-time at work, and start part-time in something completely different to try it out. Seven random ideas:

1. Mountain bikes - maybe a courier, park guide, selling and servicing bikes
2. Food - open a niche food business, or a more general offering
3. Gourmet coffee - people can't get enough of the good coffee, not just the rocket fuel from the bigger chains, but decent single estate coffee roasted that same week, ground just before brewing
4. Garden & plants - landscape gardening, or, if the outdoors is too cold and wet, specialise in indoor plants and arrangements.
5. Trades - plumbers, electricians - will always be in demand, learn a new technical skill, troubleshooting when things go wrong
6. Art - either creating it, or buying it and arranging it on behalf of others (banks usually have curators for their art collections)
7. Spend some time overseas with someone like VSO http://www.vso.org.uk/ - friends have done this, and found it to be very worthwhile.

I have only spent 7 years in IT, and also work for "the largest financial company in the world". I already have one foot out of the door probing new careers for myself. Good luck with the change!

"I wrote to them asking where I could send $100 to sponsor the creation of the laptop.. I was automailed a response."

While you're waiting, why not consider supporting other IT-related work that's changing lives in the developing world? Take a look at the GeekCorps, a volunteer sending agency that specialises in short-term volunteer work in the developing world. I find their Mali Project, where they're building a nationwide wireless network for peanuts, especially interesting. I'm on their mailing list, and if I weren't already doing the same kind of work in another part of the developing world, I'd be working for them.

Or you could do what I'm doing and spend a couple of years working as a VSO volunteer. VSO Canada recruits across North America, and VSO international recruits throughout the EU. If you're tied down by other commitments and don't have a couple of years to devote to development, you could think about a short-term stint with BESO, which provides tactical assistance with business and technology skills development.

Young Canadians with nominal IT experience can give a hand too, through the NetCorps programme, operated by the government of Canada through VSO Canada and CUSO. I've worked with a few of them, and they all love what they're doing.

I can say from experience that this kind of work does save lives, and it's incredibly gratifying. In fact, I like the work so much I've extended my contract for an extra two years, and I've decided on a career in international development.

"I wrote to them asking where I could send $100 to sponsor the creation of the laptop.. I was automailed a response."

While you're waiting, why not consider supporting other IT-related work that's changing lives in the developing world? Take a look at the GeekCorps, a volunteer sending agency that specialises in short-term volunteer work in the developing world. I find their Mali Project, where they're building a nationwide wireless network for peanuts, especially interesting. I'm on their mailing list, and if I weren't already doing the same kind of work in another part of the developing world, I'd be working for them.

Or you could do what I'm doing and spend a couple of years working as a VSO volunteer. VSO Canada recruits across North America, and VSO international recruits throughout the EU. If you're tied down by other commitments and don't have a couple of years to devote to development, you could think about a short-term stint with BESO, which provides tactical assistance with business and technology skills development.

Young Canadians with nominal IT experience can give a hand too, through the NetCorps programme, operated by the government of Canada through VSO Canada and CUSO. I've worked with a few of them, and they all love what they're doing.

I can say from experience that this kind of work does save lives, and it's incredibly gratifying. In fact, I like the work so much I've extended my contract for an extra two years, and I've decided on a career in international development.

I've been living in the lovely South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu for nine months now, all expenses paid, in exchange for putting in time making computing and communication better here.

It's called 'volunteering'. Try it some time. 8)

"Wonder what you do for a living?

Not that full time unfortunately, just a few months every couple of years.

From the VSO web site
<cite> VSO is an international development charity that works through volunteers. We enable people aged 17-70 to share their skills and experience with local communities in the developing world. We passionately believe we can make a difference in tackling poverty by helping people to realise their potential.
...
VSO currently recruits volunteers of any nationality who are living in the EU, Canada and the United States. In addition we are currently running pilot programmes recruiting volunteers from Kenya and the Philippines. We have established offices in Canada and the Netherlands. </cite>

In the UK, VOIS might be one to investigate, or FHIT, or Oneworld, or even VSO. The Information Works build database solutions for non-profit groups. There is also an Oxford based charity 'dedicated to strengthening the capacity of not-for-profit organisations in the third world through the use of information and communication technologies'.

Thse guys pioneered a 'circuit riders' concept in the US. The Technology Project in the US is 'dedicated to accelerating social and political progress by building technological capacity for community collaboration and citizen engagement'. For current news about technology and non-profits, see here.

There are several organisations working in 'developing' countries, such as this one working to 'accelerate socio-economic development and education through the use of emerging technologies in Ghana and throughout the African continent'.

In Australia, the Computerbank project works in redistributing computer equipment and providing training.

Many charity recruitment pages also list vacancies for IT professionals.

I have a big bunch of more academic links on ICT and non-profit management if anyone's interested.

-Rob