Women's Empowerment Volunteering in India - Kerala with IVHQ

I participated in the Women’s Empowerment programme in Fort Kochi, Kerala, with IVHQ and had a truly wonderful experience. The IVHQ team were very quick to answer any questions and solve issues which came up before departure, which I found to be very reassuring. The local team were consistently available, approachable, and responsive, and their support made a real difference throughout my stay. The accommodation was comfortable and well maintained. The bedrooms had bunk beds with en-suite bathrooms, and even with four people sharing, they felt spacious. The rooms were cleaned daily, and I found my bed to be very comfortable. I also really enjoyed the meals. There was always plenty of food, with a great variety, and the quality was consistently excellent. There is no evening meal on Sundays which give volunteers the opportunity to try out the numerous restaurants in Fort Kochi – more taste experiences! Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Fort Kochi and would happily recommend the programme to anyone considering it. If you’re unsure, I would definitely encourage you to just go for it. Fort Kochi is a very safe destination and particularly well suited to solo female travellers of all ages.

Take the step and do it! As my first solo trip Kerala, India was the best possible location for me and the program I wanted to commit to. I always felt safe, the other volunteers were so welcoming and the local team really guide you throughout. Working with the ladies on the programme was the ultimate reward, their light, love and compassion was just overwhelming. It will stay with me forever. I’ve done some volunteering previously on more of a local level but the integration of travel and the immersion of culture really has made this experience off the scale. It was hard leaving India, but I’d love to return again. IVHQ were great from start to finish and I will definitely consider another project in the future!

I already volunteered with IVHQ in 2017 and was happy about the support given and the professionality of the planning. The fees are also relatively affordable compared to other projects I checked. The preparation guide and all the website to prepare is very clear and with all the steps easy to follow. The local team were really helpful for any request personally I needed, from tips for local places to helping me to wrap a sari! The food was very nice and loved to try local food, and even accommodating to my needs (dairy intolerant). The cooks were really great and willing us to enjoy the meals. My favourite moment was connecting with all the different women in the project from a broad variety of ages, I learnt from their culture and felt really welcomed, and I hope I could also contribute a little to make them feel more confident and empowered for the future. The biggest impact this volunteering trip had on me is giving me perspective of different cultures, approaches in life. The experience of living in a new country in a volunteering house is a completely different way of travelling, getting to know its food or traditions, but also connecting with all the women in the project and finally meeting all the other volunteers in the house, all coming from different parts of the world, with completely different backgrounds but working together for a common purpose. Volunteering abroad has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. It is not only important because I wanted to make time for giving back, but also how much I learnt from myself and the possibility to immerse yourself in a different culture not as a tourist, but being part of the way people live instead. This is my second time doing it, and I would definitely do it again!

I was astonished at how safe I ended up feeling despite initial fears once I realized that the team was literally calling my driver's cell and asking to speak with me to ensure I felt safe and was enjoying my trip. That spoke volumes to me. Thank you!!! My heart overflows with gratitude and love for the team that enabled me to meet such a lovely group of ladies in Kerala! They were willing to let down their guards and allow me into their conversations and homes which far exceeded any expectation I had. They were truly a blessing to me and my personal growth. One of the ladies in our second class of the day shared with us that several women of Kerala are now business owners as a direct result of taking the grammar classes through this program. Even now, I get goosebumps when I think of something that sounds so fixable. Overall, I couldn't be more thankful for this opportunity and very much look forward to scheduling another trip!! This trip reminded me yet again that life is all about perspective and one's willingness to embrace it.

The project coordinators were amazing. They were so kind, calm and always willing to help. I loved them. I came thinking I wouldn’t be able to actually give anything to the women but I leave with my heart full-filed, knowing that I had an impact on them. Maybe it was the longer time that I stayed but I am sure that we made an amazing connection. They are amazing and I will never forget them. The accommodation was very clean, big, comfortable and perfect location. I had so many favorite experiences with the rest of the volunteers, the staff and the women. It’s really hard to choose one but one of them might have been a trip we made to a waterpark for women’s day. It was so exciting to see all of the women that happy. There was a specific moment that I will never forget. In the waterpark there was a “Rain disco” that consisted in a place outside with water falling from the roof while there was very loud music. We danced and jumped and laughed. It is impressive how in totally different parts of the world, everything is actually very similar. Human will always be human that want to love and be loved. Doesn’t matter where, woman stick together. It can be scary to go out from your comfort zone. It can be scary to leave your home and get to a random place on earth with totally new people but I assure you it will be amazing. This is an experience that will stick with you for the rest of your life. Go for it and bring the best out of it. It is okay to feel a little ignorant, that’s why you’re there: to learn.

The guidance and preparation resources I received from IVHQ before starting my trip were perfect, IVHQ have thought of everything! The local team were fab, they were always on hand to support, keen to help us get the best out of the experience and make sure that we were delivering what we needed to as volunteers too. It’s unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced, mostly just understanding another culture and way of life, but also feeling that I’ve done something really positive with my time. It is hard to choose my favourite moment, but I think hosting a live debate with our intermediate English class for and against love or arranged marriages. It provided me with an understanding of a different culture and perspective on life and core values.

The guidance was perfect, the personal contact persons as well as the website. The local team were also just fantastic, thank you so much! I felt very much welcomed and surrounded with all kind of support. The entire experience is a mixture of all facets of the volunteer program: the destination, the project, the volunteer team, the local IVHQ team, weekend trips & tours, travelling alone before / after the stay. The total impact is a very deep experience which I wouldn't get from any other job or vacation. Great location, the house is very suitable for the kind of usage, the freshly cooked food was great! The very positive feedback from the project participants (women's empowerment) gave me a strong self confidence doing new things I never did before. You can't compare it with any vacation or job abroad. It is a 360° holistic and very emotional experience. It us a challenge to leave the comfort zone, but the outcome is worth it a 100 times. No other trip gives you authentic insights about a culture and a the topic of the chosen program. If you want to try out completely new circumstances, you can do this ideally with a volunteer project as it provides you a very safe framework.

Enjoying the company of the friendly women on our programme, as well as feeling welcome was my favourite moment! Also, how fun we made the games for the children and how much importance we were to them. My recommendation for someone still hesitant about volunteering abroad is to still do it! You'll always have doubts, but you'll be surprised as to how much easier and safer it is than you expect- and International Volunteer HQ made you feel it's possible as a first time traveller.