GIVE Laos: Community Empowerment & Wildlife Conservation

I traveled with GIVE to Laos in the summer of 2026 and the trip impacted me in ways I never thought possible. The volunteer projects included building a road up to the village of Sop Chem, and teaching English to the local children. Each project was so important and taught me a lot about hard work and dedication. The adventures we went on were always so fun yet informative. We got to go to: the UXO museum to learn how Laos was impacted by (and continues to be affected by) the Vietnam War; the Save the Bears wildlife refuge; hiking; camping under the stars; swimming in different waterfalls; and so much more. There was never a dull moment. While the volunteer work and fun adventures were great, they are not the most enjoyable part of the trip. The most memorable part was just interacting with and working alongside the local people in Sop Chem each day. The people in Laos may not have many physical riches but they are so rich compassion, community, and love. They taught me to always live in the moment, accept the uncertainty of uncomfortable situations, and to appreciate the little things. Even though there was a language barrier, I still have such a strong connection with many of the women there and I’ll always value the many lessons they taught me. If you are wanting to step out of your comfort zone, volunteer on amazing projects, and travel the world, I highly recommend traveling with GIVE!

GIVE did it again with giving me a second 10/10 trip! The Laos team is nothing short of AMAZING, inspiring, and smart and I am grateful to have gotten to travel with them and learn from them all. Being in the village of Sop Chem was special as I became close to several locals and had the privilege of gaining knowledge of their culture. Beginning with breakfast and ending the day with “good vibes” this organization does one incredible job establishing a personalized and thoughtful itinerary for us travelers. It was an amazing experience working with locals while constructing a road and teaching English to the students of Sop Chem! I also appreciate the pay now, book later option making trips like these more accessible for college students like me! Thanks again GIVE, looking forward to Tanzania and Zanzibar!

This trip completely changed my outlook on life and what I want to do in the future. I grew so much as a person and did things that were out of my comfort zone. Teaching english left the most impact on me, as it was something I never thought I would get the opportunity to do. It was the coolest thing I have ever done and I cannot wait to go on another trip!