Volunteer in Special Needs Support in Spain with IVHQ

International Volunteer HQ I feel fortunate living in Los Angeles, California. Raising my children to be open-minded with an awareness of the world and others are values I hold dearly. IVHQ is an amazing organization that allows me to instil these values. My values are about having a moral compass and direction. We live in a place where things can be taken for granted. With IVHQ, we found a way to define our family values through good works, and the chance to be around people from different backgrounds. For the past 2 summers my daughter and I have traveled to do community service outside the US—to see and experience the world and what it means in a different way. Through IVHQ, my daughter (now 14) was able to choose the countries and work that interest her. My daughter, thus far, has chosen Spanish-speaking countries so she could work on her Spanish skills. She chose Ecuador and this past summer Spain. Further, after choosing the countries she wanted to travel to, she was able to choose the volunteer work. She continues to enjoy working with young children. IVHQ gives us the opportunity to be aware of the world and the needs of others and to be humble in the face of those who don’t have the opportunities that we have. IVHQ is a remarkable organization. It is safe and well-run. We intend to go every summer. We highly recommend! Cheryl and Alexa

Being placed in two projects over the course of two weeks was exciting but also brought about different demands. IVHQ eased us into the project so it did not feel like we were put into something unknown. Assisting the elderly was pleasant as they were very accommodating. The only issue I found that prevented me from giving my all to this project was the language barrier. So I started learning Spanish everyday to help myself assist them better with their activities. The second project was assisting individuals with autism which was quite challenging. But it is all within the learning experience and it comes with with the job. It is a great way to gain experience by assisting these lovely individuals with their activities. I really recommend this project for those who would want to pursue a career in this aspect. IVHQ will place you in projects that need assistance, so even if it does not feel you make an impact within any group, trust me, your presence makes a difference in the lives of the individuals you assist. Other than the language barrier I faced in these projects, there were no other difficulties at all. The remainder of the day was spent exploring Madrid with friends from the IVHQ House. The house was very lovely and catered to our needs. Using the google translate app for those who do not understand Spanish is a great help. Using the Madrid transportation app helps as well! Best way to experience everything about your weeks in Madrid is to be open to the experience and doing things that you might normally do. It will be worth your while.