Sports Development Volunteer Abroad Programs

What I felt I gained from the experience was the ability to immerse into a next culture and to develop a teaching style best suited to the children. I would advise just throw yourself into it. It’s the most rewarding and life changing experience you could do.

Join the Sports Education project in Nairobi! It's a great atmosphere. The people are great and I had loads of fun playing football with the kids. They were so happy to have other children visit them as volunteers (they especially loved my Messi t-shirt). I loved their positivity and never giving up attitude.

IVHQ were great, the preparation they gave me was really helpful and the resources I received were amazing. The local team were the best if ever we needed anything they would be there to help. The impact the children and the school have had on me has been huge, the kids were always so happy despite their disadvantages and it has created a new sense of the world for me. My host Mum was amazing and the food was always amazing too. The house was always clean. I would suggest to anyone hesitant about joining a program to just go for it. I was also hesitant about joining and it was the best thing I've ever done. Everyone is in the same position as you and also there for the same experience.

As a volunteer teacher in Maasai, Kenya you will make bonds and memories and there's nothing better than putting yourself out there. The program will also give you joy as you will be making a difference.

I spent 6 weeks in Córdoba, Argentina as a sports volunteer. Even though school was not in session, I was able to attend 3 different sports camps and even volunteered at a soup kitchen. The experience was rewarding, allowed me to practice my imperfect Spanish and I met fellow volunteers from around the world. The local team opened their home and hearts to the volunteers and made us feel welcome, answered our multiple questions to the best of their ability and created a safe and fun environment for all. It was my first volunteer experience abroad and it won't be my last!

We volunteered as a family (children aged 11 and 15) on the Sports Education Program in Nairobi and we had a great experience. We were all stretched in different ways, contributed in different ways according to our strengths, and gained differently from the experience. At the same time it was a superb experience to share and support one another in! Having IVHQ and the local team support gave me the confidence to take my kids to places I would never have dared to take them alone. Playing sports with disadvantaged children was an excellent way to connect across cultures, and we were astounded by how much joy was shared. We were also so impressed and humbled by the energy and commitment of local staff and volunteers from the community setting such a positive example to us all. We gained more than we could have imagined!

Volunteering is not an easy thing and it’s definitely way out of my comfort zone but 100 percent one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things you’ll do in your life. Seeing different cultures and realising how happy you can be with so little made a big impact on me and being able to connect with the students at the program was a favorite moment of mine.

I gained valuable experience of how different life is in certain parts of the world, which is easy to forget sometimes when you are caught up in your own life. Learned to be more open minded when approaching situations, try to maintain a positive outlook as almost everyone who I met out in Kenya seemed to have.

My experience volunteering was transformative. I gained valuable insights into the local culture, resilience, and warmth of the people, and broadened my perspective on the global community. To anyone hesitant to join this program, I'd say: don't let fear or uncertainty hold you back. This experience will challenge, inspire, and transform you. Trust that you have something unique to offer. Your presence, skills, and passion can make a real difference in the lives of others.

I feel like I personally gained a new self confidence, it was my first time solo travelling. Going through IVHQ made it so that I wasn't alone though, I made so many new friends. My advice would be to embrace it, it is obviously a different world to what you are used to but if you come with an open mind you will have the most amazing and rewarding time as well as meeting so many amazing people.

I was certainly out of my comfort zone, however, the host for the Sports Education program in Kenya made the week special. To enjoy the week, you have to let go of your anxiety, trust the process and go all in.