Volunteer Abroad & Make a REAL Difference - From US$175!

I previously participated in a trip abroad to represent my country abroad in the field of art and music, and we got third place in singing. I am a girl who loves to travel and help others, especially since I am a doctor. I am used to caring about the health of others. I strive to volunteer in many fields

I had a time of my life i just want live the real life, compartir my time in this moment with real people. See other culture, expand my mind, compartir saberes, be a friend and connect with people a través the universal awareness.

Tirana is a safe, interesting city with lots of places to visit and eat. The people are very respectful and friendly and transportation in the city is excellent. Albania is country full of history, with a variety of museums to visit, from history to art. There are a variety of restaurants, cafés and bars where you can eat and relax. The people are very relaxed and polite. Altin was very friendly and kindly provided airport pickup and departure. He also recommended places to visit. Maria is a lovely lady who cares deeply for animals and there is some really crucial work being done at the shelter such as sterilisation, rehabilitation and adoptions. There are too many animals at the shelter and not enough people to ensure all the dogs for example have enough environmental enrichment and exercise but of course I understand this is difficult and differs from country to country and hopefully will begin to change as the attitude improves toward animal welfare in Albania. TIPS: Make sure you go out into the city and sample traditional Albanian food, visit the attractions such as the museums. As for the project don't be afraid to suggest doing certain things, such as taking the dogs in the clinic outside for exercise as well as interacting and spending time with as many of the dogs as you can. Maria is very open and will listen to suggestions. Cleaning the shelter takes up a lot of time, however there are staff employed at the shelter which gives volunteers time for this crucial interaction.

It was a rewarding experience to work in Bamenda. It is not easy but worth it. Having worked in a few other charitable places, I found it much harder to work here. But the people still benefit from your help. Cameroon is a poor country when seen from a volunteer's point of view. I have traveled in many parts of the world, including Africa, Latin America and Asia but I was very sad to see the state of Cameroon in the 21st century. People are extremely lovely, especially the ones in English speaking part of Cameroon! It might have something to do with the fact that I don't speak French! Although there was a conflict going on in Bamenda at the time, it does not affect you as far as you stay away from the no-go regions. Be prepared for a little corruption (I had to pay a small bribe at the airport for bringing in my own local anaesthetic cartridges). There are no fast food chains or anything similar in Bamenda. I found one local restaurant in Douala which had similar standards as a standard western outlet. Otherwise most other eateries are not the cleanest. Home cooked food at my homestay was good. The project I worked on was well managed and organised. I had some help from the Cameroonian counterparts, but not a lot till I arrived there. Once I arrived and people realized how serious I was about helping and then things went smoothly. My host cooked some lovely meals for me every day. The meals are simple but delicious. don't expect sweets/ puddings everyday. Usually you will eat only twice a day. The homestay is very safe. The toilet and bathroom is basic but acceptable. Your host will have a means of transport (motor bike) and he will take you around anywhere you need to go. My host was extremely helpful and went out of his way to help me in achieving my goals. TIPS: 1) Don't be put off by the news. Your in-country organisers will take good care of you and make sure you are safe. 2) Be prepared for serious poverty, especially when it comes to resources, such as medical consumables, stationary etc. If possible, bring your own supplies. 3) The town of Bamenda has very few roads and thus it gets very dusty. Take wet wipes with you! 4) some of the standards of cross infection in the hospitals might not be up to scratch. Put your foot down and demand better standards (you might have to carry a few consumables yourself, such as gloves, masks and hand sprays).

The experience was good. I felt that we enhanced the program they are already running, especially for younger volunteers. Sr Lanka is a beautiful country. The people are friendly and welcoming. The staff were organised and easy to speak with. They are well suited to the position. TIPS: Have some ideas, songs and activities organised for the age group. If you can take some English picture books as they have very few and this would enhance the children’s learning.

It was my first-time volunteering abroad and by myself. I have already been involved in several humanitarian projects, but this was a brand-new experience. Volunteering in a developing country, 10 000 km from my home taught me a lot of new things. Helping people in need while I am myself losing my bearings in a new environment made me more mature and allowed me to discover myself more. Working with children also taught me to be patient. South Africa is a beautiful country with amazing landscapes and places to see. Local people were very nice. I was also struck by the inequalities in South Africa and the water shortage situation there at the time. TIPS: Rent a car if you have a driver's licence. Bring warm clothes during winter. Stay open minded and be patient.

My general impression is that I loved the volunteer program. South Africa is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It is rich in culture, food, and wildlife. I am very content with my project and staff. Everyone was generous and willing to teach. The staff really made my volunteering experience enjoyable. My tips for the other volunteers is to come with an open mind and to be open to new experiences.

Fantastic first impression of volunteering. Personally rewarding and I was left with a real impression that we had made a difference by being there, both at the school and with the handicapped children - who were utterly delighted to see us each day. Amongst the 10 volunteers onsite we had a real connection that also made it incredibly enjoyable both at the school and back at the house. This will not always be the case, but for me, this was another highlight! See my comments below, but I would highly recommend Love Volunteers for facilitating this incredible experience. Badulla was a super-friendly place, aided by the fact that there were no other tourists, and wherever we went people smiled, honked their Tuk Tuk horns etc. I will never forget these smiles In the more touristy places, however, this was not the same, but the people remained very friendly. Another good example is that the public buses were very friendly as few tourists use them. I suppose this is the ""progress"" you get from tourism and so we were probably utterly spoilt in Badulla. That said, the people were super friendly if you consider the conditions in which many of them live, and for this reason it does make them pretty exceptional as a nation. I would whole-heartedly recommend Srti Lanka to friends and family :-) Shivanthi, the volunteer coordinator in Badulla, was the sweetest person you could ever imagine meeting - there was not an irritated or nasty bone in her body and she was so incredibly helpful, hospitable and just plain nice. This was not commercially-driven, it was just her nature. TIPS: Be open in your new environment and feel free to immerse yourself and try things you never realized you knew you could do! Always carry a smile with you into each day and above all enjoy the experience as your enjoyment is felt by those around you

The children were a pleasure to work with and having seen their living conditions, I believe that the local team makes a real difference to their lives! I hope they will keep up with their amazing work, but it would also be amazing to see that the lives of their employees improve through their honest work, not just charity of other people.. The country is absolutely beautiful and lush green due to frequent rains (the rainy season lasts 9 months a year! Whilst Rwamangana district is a poverty stricken area and people are hardly managing to get by, the country's capital is up to date with the modern world. There is a lot of contrast between how people live. The country is super safe and I wasn't even scared to walk by myself after dark, the people are very trustworthy. On the other side people are a little reserved and not very smiley unless they get to know you. As mentioned above, the staff were amazing and the project was very rewarding. I was overwhelmed on numerous occasions by the poverty in the area which was very, very obvious - which made me admire the staff even more. All of them are incredibly patient and also dedicated to the mission of the charity. TIPS: bring rainproof outwear bring good shoes - there is a lot of mud here when it rains! learn a few phrases in Kinyarwanda to break the ice don't expect the local people to speak English be very patient - the pace of life is very slow :)

Volunteering was a highly satisfying and challenging experience. Everyone I worked with was warm and welcoming. My only regret was that I missed two days of construction work and that there was no way for me to makeup the time I missed working on the house, which leaves me with a feeling of unfinished business. The environment is clean to an almost shocking degree. The people are extremely kind and welcoming. Rwanda is the most community-oriented and forward-thinking country I've ever been to. The project was appropriately challenging and satisfying to complete. All the staff were extremely receptive and supportive. No complaints. TIPS: - When working with wet mud, wear the tightest gloves available, as wearing looser gloves causes mud to buildup on them and makes your job more difficult than it needs to be - Learn to say "Good morning," "Good evening," "Thank you," "Sorry," "May I help you?," "You're welcome," "Yes" and "No" in Kinyarwanda before arriving, as these are basically all the things you've ever need to say or understand - Drink lots of water - Visit Akagera National Park! - The project center has wifi, but it only works well early in the morning, so do all internet-related things in the morning.

This was an absolutely amazing program! I felt completely at home and everyone treated us very well. I felt safe the entire time and the people at the program were always there to help and answer any questions I had. It was the most amazing time of my life and I cannot wait to do it again. Everything in Rwanda was perfect and the childcare and development program opened my eyes to a new sense of the world and changed my life completely in a good way. I will never forget all the amazing people I have met there, and I look forward to doing it again. The country was absolutely breath-taking, everything is so beautiful and safe and really opened my eyes to a new perspective.

My experience with Love Volunteers has truly been great. During my stay in Cusco I've been able to recieve a lot of love from the locals, the hosts and especially the kids. I will never regret this decision, nor will I ever forget this experience. If you do have the chance to go, just do it! Going to Peru had been a dream of mine for quite some time and it was all that I had imagined and more. There are poverty and a lot of noise and differcies to what I'm used to but there are also so much beauty to take in, interesting culture, great food and many wonderful people. At arrival I got some briefing which was very helpful. Whenever I've been in doubt or had any questions, I was able to turn to our contact person and there I got my answers within a short amount of time. The hosts were wonderful. I was able to stay in Cusco for two months and it really did feel like my home away from home. I must admit though that knowing some Spanish is very helpful, also when communicating with the staff or at the project. About the project I'd say that at first it was a bit challenging to know how to assist and help out in the best way, but the kids opened up immediately and it was easy to just love them and try to be there for them. TIPS: This is an experience that you won't regret, you will build relationships that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. To be able to get out the most of it I'd advice you to try to pick up on some Spanish before you go since most don't really speak English. Also, if you are able to stay a bit longer then do it. I went for two months and honestly wish I'd stayed a bit longer. There are some wonderful people out there and also great things to see!

I absolutely loved Nicaragua, Granada, and Carita Feliz! The people I encountered were friendly and helpful. Granada is a beautiful town. The security is unbelievable. To think that men can stand on the corners outside banks and other stores with wads of money, cordobas and dollars, and make fair exchanges is incredible...would never happen in Washington, DC or Bethesda!!!! I found travel very easy, once I got informed. I took taxis, chicken bus, and local minibuses and the ferry. Very impressed with the promptness, much better public transportation than DC. On the weekend I had the opportunity to go to Ometepe, Merida on the smaller half to the island, the peaceful surroundings, kayaking, walking, enjoying the sunset, just the perfect setting. I guess I pretty much answered this above. At Ometepe I was told that 40% of the country’s energy is renewable. I saw wind farms and solar panels being used. People told me that the energy was being sold to neighbouring countries and they were a little frustrated about who might be benefiting from the sales. A lot of roads were in very good condition. A particular highlight was that El Berrinche Ambiental was having their 9th annual week together, always in Granada. It is an international group of street performers committed to the environment. Their week entailed learning from each other, working with the local community-especially the kids, and performances every night where they again engaged the community. I was so spoiled. My understanding is that the two main coordinators are social workers at Casa de las Botellas. It was such a delight to watch them interact with the kids. One night I got included in the show with 3 clowns competing for my affection, fun. Carita Feliz was absolutely the highlight of my trip. Meylin, Ivania, other staff, and the children have left a lasting impression. One feels the love just walking into the building. All the kids and adults just seem so comfortable and everyone contributes to making the community center a place of welcome, education, exercise, and health. Shantall Cerda was very attentive and helpful. She showed me around the town, took me to Carita Feliz, introduced me to my family, helped me set up Spanish classes. TIPS: Changing money-yes, you can trust the guys on the street to give you a fair exchange. Look up the current exchange rate before you go out just to confirm. Use the local transport, but if you're taking a chicken bus get there early if you want a seat. We were at least 15 minutes early for a 0630 trip to Rivas and got 3 of the last 5 seats. If you're catching a local minibus the guy will grab you on, push you in and the bus may start moving before you really realize your on, very efficient, similar dismount, don't fall. The Convento de San Francisco gives a great overview of the history and culture of the town including a huge relief map...a great orientation. I felt very safe walking around the town. Cafe Sonrisa is a great place to get coffee or breakfast. Staff is deaf and mute so just point to the menu. Very welcoming. Also make hammocks. Garden Cafe is great. Eskimo has wide selection of ice cream, sundaes and banana splits for a hot afternoon. Just sitting in the Plaza Central relaxing is delightful.

This volunteer opportunity was life-changing! The work was absolutely amazing and the experiences I had were once-in-a-lifetime. The women's empowerment program was something so needed in this part of the world, so it felt like we were truly helping people. I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to make a difference for marginalized communities, while being immersed in a new culture and meeting a group of like-minded people from around the world. Nepal is absolutely amazing. I love how friendly and helpful the people are there and how they are always willing to welcome you into their home for tea and conversation. The entire country is vibrant with culture, history, and natural beauty. The support in the months leading up to the program, the communication with the staff, and the induction process were all very helpful. The staff were great with answering any and all questions. TIPS: Do your research on the project and your responsibilities beforehand, but don't worry too much because there are always people to help you!

I had an amazing and life changing experience. Our local contacts made our arrival and settling in smooth and pleasant - and everyone at our Monastery was extremely welcoming and kind. I wish we could have stayed much longer than two weeks! I'm extremely grateful for the time I had in the Monastery and with the Monks, and I hope to go back to visit someday. Nepal was an amazing place to visit. My first time in the developing world, I had a little culture shock initially., but quickly felt comfortable and enjoyed the country. The Nepali people and Himalayas both make it is a special place i'd like to visit again. Don't underestimate the value of the volunteer work. Volunteers at our Monastery were the primary source of exposure to English language and other core educational concepts for the kids. So even if only volunteering for a weeks, the cumulative effect can no doubt have a significant impact.

This was a wonderful programme and an experience of a lifetime that I know I will never get anywhere else! Nepal is an amazing country but so poor. The people live in extreme poverty and its very sad to see. The project is very rewarding and all the members of the community went out of their way to make sure I was happy and comfortable at all times. TIPS: Be prepared to live without your usual luxuries during your programme. Take your teaching seriously. Prepare for your lessons. Come prepared with lesson plans. Bring stationery with you. Bring teaching notes, photo copies, lesson plans etc. Don't try to "wing it". Its unfair to just arrive and think you will just "take it as it comes". The monks are serious about their English lessons and so you should be too. Also participate in every day monastery life as much as possible.

I was grateful for the immersion into the monastery life and learned as much as I taught. Nepal, specifically Pokhara was very welcoming. There were no concerns about safety or wellbeing. Other than bargaining on the price of everything, the Nepalese are very helpful and welcoming! You'll get back as much, or more, than you give!

This has been the most humbling experience of my life! The people are genuine and happy. The countries overall cleanliness was the most startling observation as garbage is sure to be seen anywhere you go. The culture and history is unbelievably fascinating. Staff was unbelievably nice, communicative, caring, and had contagious happiness. TIPS: Expect the unexpected and go with the flow. Be engaged with the monastery as much as possible and live in the moment. I did get travels Diarrhea, extremely weak, chills, extreme stomach cramps, and blurry vision one day. The cramps lasted for a few days, but the travelers Diarrhea lasted for 3-5. I am still unsure the cause of this, but I do believe it to be the food. So be careful with what you eat and if you need to get something different then what they serve everyday there's a store right next door that has oatmeal, snacks, etc.

The experience was amazing, and it was a great opportunity to work alongside the students and get to know them better. I really enjoyed my time at the share house and enjoyed meeting other volunteers as well. The staff were very helpful as well. Nepal is a beautiful country with amazing views of the Himalayan Ranges. However, there is a lot of pollution in the country taking away from the natural beauty that the country has to offer. This is quite disappointing to see. Nevertheless, there is a lot of history and much to see and do. It is quite clear at the time that the country was still recovering from the recent earthquake which has destructed a lot of buildings. The staff were lovely. The Project was quite an experience. Watching my student Sahinder, understand mathematical concepts, playing games with him was very rewarding and an experience that I will never forget. TIPS: Make the most of the opportunity. Ask for more duties and activities. Bring coloured pens and pencils as the children love this!

Well organised and communicated about what to expect. The information provided beforehand to read was super helpful prior to arriving. Such a beautiful country with beautiful, kind, warming people who make the most of what they have and go over and beyond to make you feel welcome and comfortable. From the moment of arrival Manoj was very helpful, kind and knowledgeable in regards to any questions about Nepal, Buddhism and just life. Also very helpful about exchanging money and getting a SIM card for Nepal and providing recommendations on what to do in Pokhara. Lama Gupte and his wife Omi Kumari are so kind and beautiful and made me feel so welcome and I felt like family. All the other Lamas and Lama Guptes family that are there at the moment are so kind and beautiful also - I truly feel so grateful to having this experience. TIPS: My tips would be to go with an open mind and be patient with yourself that it may take a few days to adjust to the culture change, but it will be so worth it. Also, to have some form of ideas of what you would like to teach the Monks with classes that can be adapted to the levels of literacy.