As Head of Operations at Volunteering Solutions, what does a typical day of work look like for you?
In the office, a typical day generally consists of overseeing the operations of our various volunteering projects around the world. This involves tasks like communicating with our partners from around the world, coordinating with my team in the office and making sure all the ground operations and volunteer programs are run smoothly, and ensuring any issues on the ground are dealt immediately.
How do you continue to support the ever-evolving interests, needs, and expectations of international volunteers?
We are continuously evolving our projects and adding new destinations and programs looking at the interest and expectations of the international volunteers. Our aim is to provide adequate help to the underprivileged societies of the world, and for that, we are glad to help out our volunteers in whatever way possible.
What is the best way Volunteering Solutions provides support for incoming volunteers?
Right from the time a participant shows interest in volunteering with us, we make sure that we resolve all the queries with utmost efficiency and help him/her in this noble journey. As the volunteer arrives at the destination, our in-country coordinator is there at the airport to receive the participant and take him/her to the accommodation. We provide a detailed orientation about the program and the country, in general, in order to make things familiar. Our in-country team is present in all the destinations, are active 24/7, and ready to help the volunteers whenever needed. We've chosen all our accommodations at safe locations, with all basic facilities available.
We take care of every little thing the volunteer might need and ensure that it turns out to be a memorable journey for them.
You’ve had the opportunity to visit a number of Volunteering Solutions’ projects around the world. Which project stands out the most to you?
I have travelled to numerous project locations around the world and appreciate the work done by our volunteers in all the different projects. Two projects which stand out for me the most are the Girl's Education Project in Tamale, Ghana and the Street Children Project in Delhi, India. Both the projects have made a great impact on the lives of the children involved, and with the support of the volunteers for long, the projects have made great improvements over the years.
What makes Volunteering Solutions projects different from other volunteer organizations’ programs?
At Volunteering Solutions, we believe in giving personalized attention and care to each of our participants joining our programs. Every participant is assigned to a program advisor who shall be their point of contact from the time of applying for the program till they complete their program. All our programs have been personally inspected by our operations staff or management who have travelled and inspected the different programs. Due to the personal attention and car we give to our participants and extensive pre-departure support, we get many returning participants every year who join our programs in different countries.
We also offer an interesting mix of programs which range from volunteer programs, internships, and summer programs to zero to two week specials which offer participants an opportunity to volunteer for two weeks and also travel on the weekends as a part of the program.
In your mind, what country has the greatest need for volunteers today?
In my opinion, there is not one particular country that has the greatest need for volunteers. We offer programs in certain developed countries, such as Australia and Spain, as well where the projects run with the support of the volunteers only.
Every country has different worthwhile program options where volunteers can contribute their efforts toward a cause.
Why do you think volunteering abroad is important for people from every corner of the globe?
I believe volunteering abroad is definitely important for people from every corner of the globe. Volunteering abroad involves meeting people from across the globe and interacting with them, understanding their way of life, problems, and issues. By volunteering abroad, participants not only lend a helping hand to the projects in need of volunteers, but also appreciate their own life in a better way.
Volunteering abroad involves getting out of one's comfort zone, adapting to the environment, and being open minded and flexible to the conditions. Participants stay in host families and understand the way of life of the locals in the communities and immerse in the culture. This is a very important part of international volunteer programs as well. People from across the globe should spend time volunteering in different countries making them appreciate each other's cultures in a better way as well as lend a valuable helping hand and giving support to numerous projects.
You recently launched some new gap year programs. Tell us a little about your #GoDiscoverAbroad initiative.
Through our new initiative and brand, Go Discover Abroad, we want to offer a ride variety of programs and tours for travellers on a gap year, as well as for those who are simply looking for a variety of travel options. We are offering an amazing range of programs for young students and backpackers, targeting people in the age group of 18 to 30 years of age. We are also offering adventure trips, which include activities such as cycling, kayaking, and hiking, as well as great trips especially targeted for families. Go Discover Abroad will also be offering language lessons, internships, and responsible tours, bus tours, rail tours, and multi-country tours. In all, it will be a one-stop destination for enthusiastic travellers.
What do you love most about working for Volunteering Solutions?
It is interesting to meet and interact with people of all ages, from all around the world, who are so keen on bringing about change through volunteering, and interested in making a difference to the lives of underprivileged people. Also, I get to travel to different program locations and meet participants on our programs regularly and know about their experiences.
We also support local grassroots level organizations and NGOs, allowing them to promote and support their humanitarian aid efforts. The entire journey is absolutely incredible for me.
