Staff Interview with Luis Felipe Murray

What inspires you in your work?

The best part of my work and what really inspires me is when I receive the feedback from volunteers telling me about the great experience they had and how meaningful the program was, or from local projects in our destinations thanking me for sending them committed and hard-working volunteers that helped them develop better work. This really makes my day!

Describe a typical day at work for you.

My days are never typical, every day is different. One day I might be working at the office in Rio de Janeiro during the whole day, while on the other days I can be taking volunteers to local projects in Brazil or running inspection visits in other countries and projects. I also like to personally greet volunteers at the airport when possible. It is a very exciting and rewarding job. 

What is your favorite part about your job?

To witness the social and environmental achievements that our volunteers do through our programs. There are no words to express what it is like to see a group of children attending school or playing sports where there were no chances before, people being fed or getting proper healthcare, animals being preserved, the environment being protected, among many other activities.

How have you used your educational background and international experience to develop Iko Poran over the years?

My first BA was in performing arts and it helps me a lot to deal with volunteers from different backgrounds and cultures. In 2001, I completed a Master’s Degree in Executive Marketing and started to teach social marketing courses in universities. This helped me to see the opportunity to offer affordable volunteer programs when there were only for-profit companies making fortunes on top of volunteers, and to understand the challenges that development and conservation organizations face.

What makes Iko Poran special?

Iko Poran is a non-profit organization based in Brazil. We are the only international volunteer organization based in a developing country that also runs its own developing projects. Most of the other providers are mainly profit-oriented travel companies based in first world nations. We are the real spirit of this initiative! We believe that volunteerism should not be expensive for the ones with good hearts that want to lend a hand. 

The Brazilian Ministry of Justice recognizes Iko Poran ad a Public Interest Organization since 2007.

Why should volunteers choose Iko Poran over your competitors?

Iko Poran Volunteer Abroad (IKPVA), has been receiving volunteers in Brazil since 2003, and has the experience of having received thousands of volunteers with our own special recipe to satisfy and reward volunteers, while achieving long-lasting positive results in our partner projects.

IKPVA sees volunteerism as a partnership which must satisfy the volunteers involved as well as benefit the partner projects concerned: fulfilled volunteers are more committed and mutuality of interests between the organization and the volunteer will produce value for each partner.

Because IKPVA is a non-profit organization and not a travel agency, our application fee is one of the most affordable in this world. And, last but not least, volunteers pay their programs fees directly to the local team, which guarantees that there are no hidden costs – the program fee goes directly to where it is needed.

What are the most commonly asked questions you receive and how do you respond?

Safety is the most asked question, followed by project, working hours, and free time. I tell them that safety is the number one concern of our volunteer organization. The local volunteer coordinators frequently check all our placements, accommodations, and projects to make sure they are totally safe and secure. Volunteers also receive a welcome pack with security advice and training tools that help them stay safe and make the most out of their placements. When our volunteers are abroad, our local teams give them face-to-face advice and are always there to help them understand the local culture and avoid any risks. We are very committed to caring for our volunteers’ safety and security. We have been working in this field for more than 15 years with zero records of a major problem. 

Why do you think it is important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?

There are many things you can gain when exploring different places, such as making new friends, living new experiences, and learning about new cultures. Travelers also get a better understanding of the people living in the places they visit. Also, some studies show that you can improve your health when you take some time out. From cutting down on stress, the health benefits of traveling are huge.

Volunteering abroad is also really the best way to experience a different culture from a local perspective whilst you have the chance to leave your mark and learn the local language. Volunteers work side by side with local people and community groups and we give them all the information and support to have a safe and unforgettable experience.

What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?

When we sum up what we learned from our alumni, we can say that tomorrow's volunteers should come in a spirit of generosity and sincerity, open themselves to the experience, be prepared to deal with a lot of positive and negative experiences, which will bring them emotional ups and downs; remember that volunteering is not on an air conditioning bus tour and that they are experiencing real life, so they should also be open-minded to the unexpected things that will happen, not be intimidated by the strange culture, and be independent, adaptable, and motivated.

Sometimes, this rollercoaster ride can be challenging, but at the same time, it is also the thing that makes the volunteer experience worth it.

In the end, it is the rollercoaster ride which makes the volunteer experience so challenging and different from any other form of tourism. It makes the volunteer experience into the productive and meaningful experience our volunteers are looking for.