Volunteer in Animal Care in South Africa

From the very moment I was just considering volunteering abroad I was given all the help I needed to make my decision. After committing to the program and destination, I was given a user friendly check list, and any help I needed, and that continued on through the entire experience.. everything from the airport pick up, volunteer house and my surroundings were safe and comfortable. And of course, the program itself was a compassionate meaningful experience with a truly amazing staff. It was very hard to leave :( I will absolutely volunteer again and this time, bring my son as well!!!

When I signed up for the South Africa program through IVHQ I was a little lost and at a crossroads of sorts. I had just graduated from university and was having a hard time finding use of everything I had just spent years learning. I didn't really have a path for the rest of my life beyond getting my 2 degrees but IVHQ gave me that. Because of my experience in SA I know I want to help fight the growing epidemic of illiteracy and the lack of fundamental education. The greatest moment of the trip was at the end of the second day of class; students rarely get 1-on-1 help because classes ar between 30 and 50 students for a single teacher. I was able to spend a good portion of the class time giving 5 students 1-on-1 help; at the end of class each one came up to me and gave me a hug and looked up at me with a huge smile and said, "Thank you sir!" Because of IVHQ I have found a calling and am currently in the process of forming a non-profit to help schools like the one I was helping at form after school tutoring and special education programs.