Love Volunteers

Born in Zimbabwe in the 1970s’ makes it a special destination for me and I would love to offer my support and learn more about my birth country. I can offer workshops seminars training f for staff and teachers and drum workshops for children.

I volunteered in Bosnia and Herzegovina for two months while teaching English, arts and crafts and some other workshops to the youth in the host city and it was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. From working with the very youngest children to some surprisingly talented young adults, it was a journey of discovery of not only what I could contribute but also learnings for my own life. The best part of the program is the degree of freedom that is offered - as long as your idea makes sense and attracts participants, you will be fully supported to put it into practice, hopefully for the long run. In the abundant free time offered (the whole weekend, except during summer holidays), feel free to visit one of Europe's most underrated destinations, which is filled with culture and cost-effective transport and stays.

My experience in mental health support as a volunteer has been a transformative journey that has brought hope, healing, and positive change to individuals facing mental health challenges. Through my dedicated involvement in a volunteer program, I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact that compassionate support and advocacy can have on the lives of those struggling with mental health issues. As a volunteer, my focus was on providing emotional support, guidance, and a listening ear to individuals navigating their mental health journeys. I worked closely with mental health professionals and other volunteers to create a safe and non-judgmental environment where individuals could express their thoughts, share their experiences, and receive the support they needed. Each interaction was an opportunity to offer empathy, understanding, and encouragement to those facing mental health challenges. I engaged in one-on-one conversations, support group sessions, and community outreach initiatives, all aimed at destigmatizing mental health, promoting self-care, and encouraging individuals to seek professional help when needed. The impact of my volunteer work extended far beyond the immediate moments of connection. Witnessing individuals find solace, experience breakthroughs, and regain a sense of hope and purpose was incredibly gratifying. Through consistent support, I observed individuals develop coping mechanisms, build resilience, and embark on their personal journeys towards healing and recovery. The cultural diversity within the volunteer program further enriched my experience. I had the opportunity to engage with individuals from various backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences. This diversity fostered a sense of inclusivity, allowing for the exchange of diverse perspectives and the discovery of common humanity. It reinforced the importance of cultural sensitivity and tailored approaches in mental health support. Now, I am passionate about spreading the word about the significance of mental health support and the power of volunteering in this field.

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

Hi, I just finished my time volunteering with LV in Costa Rica and wanted to share my experience, as I mostly only could find reviews for African or Asian countries on the internet before my trip. I was in Jaco Beach and joined the Educational Support programme by LV. Unfortunately I would absolutely not recommend this programme. I was supposed to stay for 6 weeks but left after just 1.5 weeks. I think that because Love Volunteers is such a huge organization who have programmes all over the world, they don’t really know what’s going on at every project location. I had so many struggles arriving before even volunteering. The circumstances of the project don’t allow volunteers to actually help and make a difference. The programme description on the website was very different and while you expected to actually make a difference here and feel like you could make an impact on the children life, you were just disappointed. I was supposed to go into schools and help the children learn English. Firstly, we were at a public school, where they desperately needed our help with English but unfortunately the school was super unstructured (which is of course normal that the circumstances are not the best) and the English teacher was barely there (the English teacher had personal issues and was barely coming to school to teach). The children were just missing out in their opportunity to learn English. We weren’t allowed to teach a class ourselves, so we were just assigned random cleaning tasks around the school. Because we were upset about not giving the chance to help the children (while also only being in school for an hour daily) they managed to assign us to a different school. The new school: A private bilingual school, teachers from the US, students fluent in English…no help needed. Now that sadly wasn’t the intention of the programme at all anymore. Those kids at the public school needed the help but sadly the school and programme managers couldn’t make it accessible to them. This of course is just a single experience, but I think that the situation at the school has been like that for a while. Which LV should’ve known about and in my opinion shouldn’t have offered this programme anymore. Also, which for me is also a part of volunteering, that I expected was to be in a community of other volunteers who are helping out as well. If you’re looking for a fun experience with other volunteers who share the same passion for helping as you, then definitely don’t join this programme. When I arrived there was one more guy here, who before me was alone for a few weeks. If you’re planning to stay long term than you should maybe consider that. If I had know about it before, I would’ve thought twice about it. Of course this is also only because I’m a young student taking a gap year and wanna have fun experiences while volunteering. Overall, I think that other locations might be a better option if you rlly wanna make a difference and volunteer. But what I rlly appreciate is that LV tried to better my experience here and look for alternatives. They also rlly just weren’t aware of the situation here and tried to adjust it.

Great experience in Rwanda! The local staff are very, very friendly and helpful. The place is very safe and they try to make it as convenient as possible. A chance to interact with local people and see how they work and live. Everything worked, very very well!

Building a mud hut for AIDS orphans is a very impactful and meaningful time in rural Zambia, where families live typically on <$2 per day. No previous experience needed - just optimism and some manual work in the sun to create a home for a village family. Wonderfully friendly people - we’re in our fifties now and loved the time with the project leads Paula and Matt who both live locally now. Jump in! Give it a go.

An experience that surpassed my expectation! I really cannot pin point to a single moment, and say this was the best. As the experience as a whole was amazing and brought back a lot of memories. From the warm welcome from Alli, Leila & Amina, meeting other volunteers at the house, to interacting with the kids & meeting the hospital staff will always be cherished. It was an adventure from volunteering, living with other volunteers & sharing our experiences, to exploring the cities; overall well planned so we can have some time to unwind and relax. A lot of respect for the team so dedicated to the projects and thinking of those in need. Surely will continue to explore other countries with Love Volunteers, and at some point would love to go back to Rabat.

The project was far beyond what I had expected. I spent three weeks in the department of cardiology of Somdech Phra Pinklao Hospital in Bangkok. On the first day I received a thorough schedule of what I was going to see and learn in the next weeks, but the best part was the team: they gave me a kind and hearty welcome and everyone was very nice and willing to share with me everything they could and wanted about both cardiology and Thai culture. The clinical part of the internship was in English and, as I don't come from an English speaking country, I had to get familiar with a different terminology, which was challenging for the first few days, but at the same time it was the most useful thing I got from this internship for my future medical career and what I am most thankful for. Living in such a wonderful and different city like Bangkok is truly a life changing experience. I needed a great open-mindedness to live this experience, but since diversity and uniqueness are two of the thing I love the most, it wasn't difficult for Bangkok and Thai culture to find a place among my best and beloved memories.

Good project interesting care about nature and help to grow trees and ultimate natural program his amazing program is a long term project which aims to deliver significant environmental and community benefits in the Christchurch region. Working in diverse locations from inner-city parks and waterways to scenic hilltops overlooking the Pacific ocean and coastal reserves, volunteers will work on restoring biodiversity in the area, support.

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.

I am Ahmed from Bahrain. I've volunteered in a middle school in Istanbul to help the Turkish students in the English lessons. It was the most challenging experience I've ever had. I felt in love with the environment and everything was going in the right way. The children were lovely and grateful and they were utilizing their efforts to learn and practice more. I hope that I'll come back again soon. My thankfulness to Love Volunteers for offering me this great chance which increases my self-confidence and my desire to help others. Istanbul is a wonderful city in which you cannot get bored in it. Many activities you can do in your free time. It has a perfect transportation system including buses and metro stations as well as the taxies which were found everywhere. You will not face any difficulties in hiring to the project site. It is better to have a mobile 4G service with internet connection so that it'll be easier to find your correct way. You'll enjoy the Turkish cuisine which are diverse and delicious. The school staff were very friendly and cooperative especially the English teachers as they help to break the language barrier with the children. They are always available when I require any help. The children were very friendly and intimate, and they accept my presence with them. Other teachers were very gregarious, and they invited me to attend their classes. TIPS: You will absolutely get familiar with your stay in Turkey. You will love the project and the environment. Everyone here sends their greetings to you. It's better to have an internet connection with you to stay in touch with your assistant. I recommend volunteering in this project with Love Volunteers.

Everyone in the volunteer programme were friendly and welcoming. The children we helped were absolutely gorgeous and so warm and fun to be with. They enjoyed all the donations I supplied, eg play doh, textas/ pencils, masks, plasticine, stickers, koalas and stickers. The country of Argentina is amazing. So much to see and do. The people are so friendly and helpful. I will definitely return to Argentina. If you have the time and money you should visit the Iguazú Waterfalls. This was the highlight for me. TIPS: The children were lovely so come with an open heart. Bring some art/ craft activities for the children. The ages seem to range from three to 13 years of age. If you speak some Spanish this will definitely help.

Overall, I am very glad I decided to visit Nepal. Staying at the monastery was such a unique cultural and spiritual experience. Nepal is a very unique and naturally beautiful country. The people are so incredibly friendly and interesting. I think this has to do with how religious the country is :). And the food is amazing. The only thing I wasn't very prepared for was the amount of dust/pollution. TIPS: Research a lot about Nepal and the city you are staying in before you visit so you can be more comfortable and confident during your stay! Make a general list of things you want to do but also be sure to live like a local and go with the flow! That is when the most unexpected and memorable experiences happen. Also, try to travel around Nepal a bit or elsewhere in Asia if you have time.

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.

I loved my childcare project. The children's home was a lot of fun and a really valuable eye-opening experience. Its an awesome way to see a different culture and get to know people, and there was plenty of down time to explore the area! Nepal is an awesome country. Everyone is very nice and helpful - although do you need to be assertive and able to say no especially when walking alone. The scenery is beautiful on a clear day. I also went paragliding, trekking, and to other attractions around Pokhara. The staff at the children's home were great! There were really helpful if we ever needed anything and happy to help organise things. The project involved helping the children get ready for school, walking them to the bus stop, helping with their studying, teaching some English, and just spending time with them. We also cut vegetables each day for lunch and dinner. I loved my time here so much! We left the children's home a couple of times to teach the children how to ride bikes at the park and to wash clothes at the river.

A wonderful experience. Very friendly and helpful staff. Highly professional organisation. Pleased to have participated. Incredible location and much better living accommodation than I'd expected. Very fond of Thailand. It is unpretentious and has a certain honest. TIPS: Try to look at life and not your phones !!!

I feel like I got the perfect blend of insight on everyday life and tourism. I loved Kenya. It was very peaceful and the people were very friendly and hospitable. I loved working at the Wema Hospital. Dr. George and the nurses were very nice and I got a lot of hands on experience. TIPS: My housing ran out of water while I was there. It would be helpful to make sure you have enough clothes for the whole time, because you might not be able to wash them.

Overall, this was an amazingly beautiful experience! :) Both teachers, volunteers and students were all very passionate, loving and excited about learning/teaching. To be surrounded by an atmosphere of positive people doing their best to improve (either themselves or others), can't help but leave a smile on your face from ear to ear! You fall in love with the Lao young people almost immediately! Lifelong relationships were absolutely formed and I would return with the snap of my finger if I could! :) Additionally, the logistics of the entire program were handled seamlessly. From the transportation from the airport, to establishment at the guesthouse, to our restaurant that provided meals everyday, it all flowed together, was within walking distance and overall very efficient. Luang Prabang and Laos overall is a very, very beautiful place! I see why there are SO many tourist in that UNESCO World Heritage town. Surrounded by mountains, rivers and a green blanket of nature, Laos/Luang Prabang is absolutely worth a visit either as a volunteer or nasty tourist! ;) The LV local team & staff are 200 percent incredible! The Lao teachers are some of the most loving, caring and supportive teachers I've ever seen. They truly care about the Lao students who are learning English and have great patience for all. They warmly accept volunteers into their classrooms and are not afraid to use us to the maximum extent possible; which is great because we are there to serve! They don't treat us like a nuisance and the whole Club knows the importance of having English speakers participate because it's such a powerful learning tool for their students. TIPS: Volunteer here! Now! Your help is wanted, valued and appreciated! The most important things you need to bring is energy, passion and a smile!:) Having a heart that is excited when the lightbulb turns on for the Lao young people is also needed. Everything else will fall into place. Having confidence too in front of a classroom and not being a weirdo in a bad way (I'm a weirdo but in a good way?) also help. Bring appropriate clothing to teach/volunteer since the location is at a monastery but to be honest that's what the Night Market is for; you can buy clothes there for real cheap and that's a great way to assimilate into the culture. Overall, you will love Luang Prabang. It's safe, clean and a vibing city to live and volunteer in. Just do it!

Great, well-balanced mix of service and tourism. Well organized and very welcoming local team in India. Fascinating country with so much to see and learn. -Street children project was very fun and rewarding. -Elephant project at Wildlife SOS Mathura was the highlight for me. Thoroughly enjoyed the staff and experiences afforded by volunteering with rescue elephants -Local staff in Delhi was fantastic! They look after every detail and need. They also coordinated trustworthy guides and drivers in the other tour cities, Agra and Jaipur.