High School Community Service & Volunteering Programs in South Africa

My name is Jane. My son Alex is 14 years old. We live in Macclesfield, UK. Alex travelled with his school to Thailand for 3 weeks this summer.  GVI was chosen by the school and I must say, I?m glad they did.  From the beginning, I was impressed by the amount of information given to us about the expedition, a detailed itinerary was provided which was obviously a chance of a lifetime for students like my Alex to explore, learn, gain life skills and experience the wider world, assisting in research and conservation projects in Thailand.  As the expedition drew closer, GVI organised online meetings and discussed in detail, aspects such as health and safety, practicalities, relevant documentation requirements etc. No question was too small or insignificant, all concerns were addressed professionally. The GVI staff who were to accompany the school, introduced themselves on the online discussions, they were very friendly and enthusiastic.  Sending my 14year old son to the other side of the world for 3 weeks, I must admit was scary, however GVI were amazing with their knowledge, understanding, reassurance, immaculate planning and support. I felt confident that any situation would be dealt with appropriately and with care.  Alex had an amazing experience and I feel that he has returned home with a more mature attitude and mindset. He has learnt skills that will help him achieve his goals. He has observed and experienced life away from Macclesfield and indeed the UK and I feel, given him a better understanding of the world?s culture and how we must care and conserve our environment.  I would not hesitate to recommend GVI to anyone who is interested in becoming immersed in such an an amazing adventure.

I participated in the program "Dolphin and Whale Conservation Teen Volunteering" in the Canary Islands During my program I was able to participate in various activities such as land survey, beach clean and the census of cetaceans observed during boat excursions I found the staff very pleasant, and the organization of the stay was perfect. The project was really interesting and enriching. The choice of this field for my future profession is widely possible. I would like to go back with this organization next year for a new project. During my GVI experience I was able to see the amount of waste on the beaches, I also realized how much tourist activities have an impact on the marine environment. This project was advantageous for me because I was able to improve my level of English during these two weeks in total immersion.I am very happy to have met children from all over the world, it allowed me to learn more about the different cultures and lifestyles abroad. For someone who plans to do a GVI program, I would advise him to really want and be motivated because it's not easy every day, but if he's sure of himself, don't hesitate, he won't regret it