World Youth International

What World Youth International does

World Youth International (WYI) is an Australian-registered non-profit charitable organization founded in 1988 by the late Robert Hoey and headquartered in Modbury, South Australia. The organization develops and operates international volunteer programs targeting healthcare professionals (nurses and allied health), students, families, and corporate groups, primarily placing participants in Kenya, Nepal, and Uganda. WYI is family-run, with the Hoey family (Ralph Hoey as Chairman, Terry Hoey as General Manager, Ann Hoey as Secretary) maintaining leadership since 1996.

The core product portfolio comprises two flagship volunteer programs — Nurses in Action (a team-based 2–4 week program for 6–12 healthcare professionals delivering primary healthcare in Kenya and Nepal, priced AUD $2,395–$3,595) and the Global Adventurer's Program (individual 2–8 week health and teaching placements in Kenya and Uganda, priced AUD $2,395–$3,995). WYI also operates a permanent education and healthcare infrastructure footprint: the WYI School in Gokarna, Nepal (550+ students, 96.5% pass rate, opened 1999), Sapana Dreaming Children's Home (2001), and Mama Ann's Odede Community Health Centre in Kenya (35,000+ patients since 2013). Additional revenue/advisory lines include Education Pathways child sponsorship, Friends of Odede/Friends of Rangi monthly giving programs, a Gift Catalogue, Health Camps, and bequests. The technology stack is minimal — standard website with Stripe for payment processing, Facebook/Google social login, and social media channels — consistent with a grassroots human-services NGO.

Revenue is generated through a combination of program fees (one-time payments covering in-country expenses) and tax-deductible donations/sponsorships. Go-to-market is sales-led and event-driven: direct engagement through workplace and university presentations, webinars, information packs, and alumni referrals, with a 10-year preferred travel agent partnership with STA Travel. Customer segments include nurses and allied health professionals (primary), nursing students, families with children 10+, individual donors, and corporate partners (e.g., Computershare, Icon Group). Australian nurses can claim CPD hours on program fees, providing a tax-deductible incentive. Over 3,000 volunteers have been facilitated since inception, and the organization has been recognized with the 2020 Gold Award for Most Innovative Charity & Employer Partnership and the Order of Australia AM (Chairman Ralph Hoey, 2006).

Name

World Youth International

Legal name

World Youth International (Aust) Ltd

Website

https://worldyouth.org.au/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

World Youth International is a non-profit organization that develops opportunities and assists in improving health and education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Volunteer & Humanitarian Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Health & Medical Volunteering Programs (EDAIAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB)

Keywords

• International volunteer programs
• Humanitarian healthcare services
• Community development programs
• Overseas nursing placements
• Education pathway programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Modbury

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Volunteer Program Fees: Charges fees to participate on overseas volunteer programs. Program fees cover in-country expenses (transport, meals, accommodation, placements) but not airfares or travel insurance. Fees vary by program duration and destination: Nurses in Action from $2,395-$3,595, Global Adventurer's Program from $2,395-$3,995. Australian nurses can claim CPD training hours making program fees tax-deductible.
2. Donations and Sponsorships: Accepts tax-deductible donations for various causes including general donations, child scholarships, health camps, and specific projects like Friends of Odede and Friends of Rangi. Also accepts bequests through wills.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

World Youth International is a family-run, Australian-registered non-profit founded in 1988 that delivers international volunteer and community development programs in Kenya, Nepal, and Uganda. It places individuals and families into fee-based volunteer experiences focused on healthcare delivery (nursing), education support, and cross-cultural community engagement. The organization is sustained by volunteer program fees, donations, and partnerships with travel providers such as STA Travel.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Nurses in Action: Team-based volunteer programs for nurses and allied health professionals providing primary healthcare services in Kenya and Nepal.
• Global Adventurer's Program (GAP)
• Education Pathways Program
• Personal Empowerment Program (PEP)

Products and services

• Nurses in Action
• Global Adventurer's Program
• Education Pathways Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 40,000+ people accessed healthcare through WYI programs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Icon GroupcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Australia's largest dedicated cancer care provider partnered with WYI to facilitate Health Camps in Kenya. Donation enables hundreds of people to be tested for malaria and HIV during health camps with testing stations and pharmacy setup.
• ComputersharecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Major corporate partner with employees participating in Trek Nepal programs. Computershare has been WYI's primary global beneficiary, funding WYI School extensions to Years 11-12, classroom improvements, and teacher training. Raised AUD 143,000 in 2019 trek for children's education.
• STA TravelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreferred travel agent partnership for 10 years. STA Travel agents are briefed on WYI programs and preferred travel routes. They can access databases to place volunteers on same flights and provide competitive rates.
• B1G1minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness for Good organization supporting WYI's charitable initiatives
• Hog Haven FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting people of Nepal since 1998; Joanna Giles is Patron of Sapana Dreaming Children's Home
• AltairaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to improve access to healthcare within vulnerable communities
• Scrub LabminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare supporter providing resources for WYI programs
• Coral HealthcareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare partner supporting WYI initiatives
• Kenshi CandlesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner encouraging gift-giving back through candle purchases
• Moments CondomsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare product supporter
• Helen ZahosminorOthersNurses In Action Ambassador, Emergency Nurse and Paramedic who has volunteered in disaster areas around the world
• Jamie YoungminorOthersSupporter; Jamie Young Cup established at WYI School in Nepal

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Projects Abroad: Projects Abroad operates volunteer programs in developing countries including healthcare and education placements in Africa and Asia. Directly comparable to WYI as both organizations place international volunteers in healthcare and community development roles.
• International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ): IVHQ provides volunteer abroad programs in 50+ countries with healthcare, education, and community development focus. Directly comparable to WYI's Nurses in Action and Global Adventurer's Programs with similar fee structures ($200-$3,000+) and target audience of professionals and students seeking international volunteering experiences.
• African Impact: African Impact specializes in volunteer programs in Africa (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya), with healthcare, teaching, and community development placements. Directly comparable as both place healthcare professionals and general volunteers in African communities.
• GoEco: GoEco offers volunteer abroad programs in Africa, Asia, and Latin America with healthcare, wildlife, and community focus. Comparable volunteer placement model with similar target demographic of healthcare professionals and students seeking meaningful international experiences.
• Raleigh International: Raleigh International runs youth volunteer expeditions focused on community development, environmental conservation, and adventure in developing countries. Comparable to WYI's model of placing young professionals and students in structured team-based international volunteer programs.
• Plan My Gap Year: Plan My Gap Year provides affordable volunteer abroad programs in Africa, Asia, and South America with healthcare, teaching, and community placements. Comparable fee-based volunteer placement model targeting gap year students and young professionals.
• Global Volunteers: Global Volunteers runs volunteer programs focused on healthcare, education, and community development in developing countries. Comparable volunteer abroad model with similar focus on healthcare professional placements and structured short-term programs.
• Love Volunteers: Love Volunteers provides volunteer abroad programs across 30+ countries with medical, healthcare, teaching, and community development placements. Directly comparable fee-based volunteer placement model targeting similar demographic of healthcare professionals and students.

Broad incumbents

• VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas): VSO is a large, established international development organization placing skilled professionals as volunteers in developing countries. Comparable in volunteer placement model and international development mission, though VSO operates at much greater scale and primarily places experienced professionals for longer-term assignments.

Regional players

• ChildFund Australia: ChildFund Australia is an Australian-headquartered international development organization focused on child sponsorship and education programs in developing countries. Comparable in Australian-based international development mission and child education focus, though operates through sponsorship model rather than volunteer placement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wyiaustralia
• Facebookfacebook.com/NursesInActionAustralia
• Instagraminstagram.com/wyiaustralia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about World Youth International