Volunteering Solutions

I just returned from a volunteer program in Borneo. I was the only volunteer. The other volunteer, there were only 2 of us, was with another U.K. company. Volunteering Solutions the ONLY thing they do is charge you a high price to send you there. I feel like I have been SCAMMED by Volunteering Solutions. They only care about the money and that you send them pictures of the project or share your profile with them. To sign up for any program they force you to pay a fee of 199 euros. In my case, I asked for a single room and had to pay almost 170 euros extra, that's in addition to the 1,500 euros that the 12-day program costs (not including flights, of course). In total I paid about 1,900 euros. The other volunteer did NOT pay any fee to the company, and she did not pay anything for the single room and I did. I have claimed these amounts but they refuse and make excuses. The program met my expectations, in Borneo there is a Malaysian company that works all year round in this project, it is APE Malaysia (Animal Project and Envioriment Education). They are the ones who take care of absolutely everything. Surely it is better to contact them directly, and cheaper!!!

If you have never been to India, however always wanted to this is a great experience. From walking out of the arrivals hall in Delhi, being greeted by a friendly face is truly a wonderful way to begin. our accommodation in Delhi was in an apartment within a gated community, walking distance from shops, restaurants and bars. Briefings were thorough at every step of the experience and our questions and concerns answered and actioned. The school in Delhi gave a real insight into how a large portion of the population live. We were made to feel very welcome and both children and teachers seemed so grateful for our involvement. Due to the age range of between 4-15 were had been advised prior to arrival, that activities both fun and educational be our focus. Indeed we arrived armed with quantities of items for the children - colouring books, pens and pencils and clothing.Our second week in a different location at the foot of the Himalayas had us refurbishing two classrooms with the opportunity to engage and play with the children during break times. Our final week was effectively touring the Golden Triangle. There is a lot to take in both from a cultural and physical aspect however I would urge anyone thinking about India to take the leap and go. Incidentally this was my 10th visit to India and already planning another. India is a country of contrasts whith areas of poverty you cannot imagine, however you will be welcomed with wide, warm smiles together with often life changing experiences. Whilst as westerners, we may look at their situation and feel sorrow, its best to remember these wonderful people, in the main, have nothing else to compare life to - they are happy.

The website is good. The Pre Departure Information is useful. The service staff was helpful and my questions were answered immediately. I lived with a family and enjoyed that a lot. I was satisfied with the meals. The local coordinator was an experienced and friendly person. During the introductory seminar, we got a lot of useful information about Cambodia. We also learned some Khmer and me used simple words in the Khmer language like greetings, thanks, and numbers every day. Teaching basic language skills is a good idea. The local coordinator took us to the Killing Fields, where we got a lot of information about the events in the late 70's in Cambodia. He also took us to the War Tribunal and we all appreciated being part of historical moments.

The Pre-Departure Information Booklet was very complete. The general service of the staff regarding the answers to my questions was very good and helpful. I enjoyed working on the project and placement where I had the possibility to work. My experience was very good, I would repeat it if I have the possibility to do it. The coordinator was very helpful, I would surely recommend Volunteering Solutions to others.

I volunteered at the Day Care Center in Cusco, Peru, for 2 weeks and it was an amazing experience. The program was very well organized, the staff was very good, and they made me feel very safe. I had a lot of fun being a part of this program. It was great working with the kids. I also opted for a hiking in the Rainbow Mountains. I would recommend this program to all because it is very well organized and the program is not very expensive.

experience has shown me how goodness exists in the human being. exciting work with children even in a short period of time. I will never forget the face of each one of them. in addition the program took all my doubts and showed me the India that I always dreamed to meet! Would go back a thousand times! and I point out to everyone who wants to join the passion of traveling with the will to help.

The Pre-Departure Booklet was extremely helpful, had all the very useful words in it to learn as well as things to bring with me. My placement here was fantastic. All the classes were extremely well organized and the guides were very helpful. The accommodation was top notch like staying in a hotel. I felt the warm welcome and my room was always cleaned. The highlight of my trip was the trips to a different excursion in and around Delhi. I will surely recommend Volunteering Solutions to anyone who wants to learn about India in details.

Every year we come to Delhi with a group of about 12 volunteers. We have been doing this for almost 6 years now, and we think it is an excellent addition to our school program. We aim to combine the cultural and volunteering aspect of the journey. This year, we have worked at 2 schools in the slum areas, teaching the children English and Maths, and supporting them with educational materials as well as with other necessary items like water coolers, fans, carpets, audio system and wall paintings. Our students enjoyed working with the children - the exchange of affection, helping them to learn. They were surprised at how quickly they could bond with the children and amazed at how thankful the slum kids are with the small things. Our students from the Netherlands realized that their lives are so different from that of the people here in India and that they take things for granted. They loved painting the walls and see the classrooms improve. They created a more interactive classroom environment. The cultural highlights were visiting old Delhi, the Lodhi Gardens, Jantar Mantar, and of course, shopping at the markets. And not to for the Akshardham Temple. They regretted that they had to leave so soon, and we hope to come back next year.

I am sharing this feedback on behalf of myself and my cousin, Ciara Fenlon, as we traveled together. On this volunteering trip, I enjoyed meeting the other volunteers in the house and making friends with the locals, experiencing the local way of living and our weekend trip to Mole National Park. Also, the 'Thank You Concert' put up by the village school children on our last day and giving the toys that we bought for the children in the orphanage are few of those special moments that we cherished during our stay. The overall living experience was excellent. It was very comfortable and homely stay with all the facilities I could have asked for. The in-country staff was very friendly and supportive. They made the program easier and smooth. The service staff was outstanding. I would recommend VolSol to anyone I know is willing to volunteer abroad; mostly because of the variety of programs.

My journey began on Friday, August 5th 2016. The volunteer coordinators were all so hospitable. They gave us a tour of the M. Block Market to ensure we retrieved the essential items we requested for a comfortable stay in New Delhi, India such as, a cell phone data and service plan, snacks, culturally appropriate wear, etc. We spent time touring many different places in New Delhi, India such as, the Lotus Temple, India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb, to Qutab Minar. After becoming acquainted with the area, we began our volunteer experience. I volunteered with ‘street children’ at Kamal Loachan Society. The volunteers an I were welcomed with lays, blessed with bracelets, and milk tea. I spent my time teaching English, mathematics, playing, singing, dancing, and learning from the children themselves, as they taught me even more than I could ever teach them. After volunteering, we would head off to some more tourist activities such as, visiting the Akshardham Temple and watching their magnificent water show. After spending time with the children for a week and having the honor of celebrating India’s Independence Day with them, the volunteer travel group an I headed to Palampur, India. During our stay in Palampur, India, all the volunteers worked to paint educational items along school walls. Once our paintings were completed, we headed off to trek the Himalaya Mountains, in particular, the Triund peak, which has an elevation of 9,325 feet. After our trek down, we headed to the Taj Mahal and then Agra Fort. We ended our last day by visiting the City Palace, an Elephant Village, and a Monkey Temple. My journey may have ended on Saturday, August 27th 2016, but the lives I encountered touched me for a lifetime. I saw, I witnessed, and I experienced so much while on this trip, but my most precious memories are with the children at Kamal Loachan Society for their hearts are so pure, full of joy, love, laughter, compassion, and generosity. I took a 7,386 mile journey from Ann Arbor, Michigan to New Delhi, India to learn, grow and experience a world unfamiliar to me, only to be impacted so immensely by the children I encouraged. They have such little, but gave so much, and for this I am forever grateful and blessed for this experience.

Meeting and working with all of the wonderful children and many volunteers from around the world, being able to apply my knowledge, gain experience in the nutrition field and pushing my limits and experiencing something new, were the highlight of my trip. This experience was so rewarding and opened my eyes to the world around me. The opportunity has given me a new perspective and I felt like I was able to truly make a difference in the lives of those I worked with. The house was clean and spacious, and in a good neighborhood. The food was alright. The staff was very friendly and supportive. They made the program easier and smooth. I would recommend VolSol to anyone i know is willing to volunteer abroad; mostly because of the variety of programs.

I definitely loved the children and the moments when they smile and laugh. An amazing experience was the safari in the Masai Mara and my trip to the Hell's Gate National Park. I would recommend every future volunteer to go there. The local staff at the orphanage is really friendly and caring. But, even though it may be normal for Africa, the work there wasn't well organized. Sometimes the food was really good and I loved it but sometimes I only had e.g plain spaghetti. There should have been more vegetables and less carbs. The accommodation was really nice if you compare it to the African standard. I would recommend VolSol to anyone i know is willing to volunteer abroad; mostly because of the variety of programs.

I always wanted to go and see Machu Picchu and that is one of the main reasons I choose to go to Peru to volunteer! It was an amazing experience to say the least. Jenny took great care of us and the host mama - Lucy was so sweet and made us feel at home. We were 4 volunteers living with her and she always cooked fresh meals which were both delicious and filling. I volunteered with young children in a day care center, the main tasks were to play with them, help local staff in cleaning, feeding the children. Overall it was a great experience and I would be happy to recommend.

We attend Tugop Elementary School from 8:00 am to 12:00. It's only 4 hours. Students are very nice! Very different from the ones we have in Mexico. They are very attentive. They enjoy the activities we do with them and they always do their homework! I couldn't believe when 5th grade said they wanted to stay in class rather than go out for break time! We assign different activities such as verb dictations, tongue twisters, storytelling, exercises on the board, writings, readings, memory games in teams. They always receive us with enthusiasm. Last Wednesday we had a school event. The principal invited us to participate and meet students' parents and school supervisors. They let us sing and play guitars and the harmonica in front of them. It was really nice being there and hang out. We shared our similarities and our differences. We talked about food, traditions, and the words we have in common. Going to Tugop is a nice trip. We walk through clean fresh air. There is no traffic, only palm trees, grass, hills and gentle people who we can totally trust. Waking up early isn't difficult here as the sun rises at 5:00 am! Our host family is also kind! They really treat us as family members. This last Sunday they took us to a resort called Cold Spring. We went with all the family! Kids are very friendly and they always call us kuya (big brothers) it was nice to spend some time with the family! We laugh a lot! We really want to volunteer again next year. We would like to stay longer but due to our jobs schedules in winkMexico, we can't stay more than two weeks. However, my brother and I are planning to come back. We love Philippines! In fact, we're learning the language! We bought an English-Tagalog dictionary here in a local store. Thanks "Volunteering Solutions" for all your support !

I stayed a total of 7 weeks in Cape Town. There I lived in a volunteer house with approximately 15 other volunteers from all over the world. I shared a room with 4 other girls. The house was located in the sea point area which was a very good location because the promenade, W&A Waterfront and many other nice places were very close. The first half of my time I worked at St. Paul's Primary School in Bo Kaap. They told me that I can choose in which class I want to be so I decided to take the Grade R's. My tasks were: helping the teacher to prepare stuff for the lessons, reading stories to the children, singing songs with the children, playing games, puzzles, teaching the children new finger games, correct and grade the tests, copying worksheets etc.. I really enjoyed working there because the colleagues and also the children were very nice and I felt were welcome there. After 3 weeks of working there I moved to a creche in the township ''Imizamo Yethu'' in Hout Bay. There I switched between the baby-class and the 2-3 year old children. In the morning we always sang songs together with the children, we drew with the kids and played with them. Around lunch time the kids got something to eat and afterwards they had a nap. The kids there were very friendly and lovely as well and I enjoyed working there! In my leisure I did a lot of trips with the other volunteers from the hostel. We saw all the staff like Cape of Good Hope, Cape Point, Boulders Beach, Table Mountain, Lions Head, did a wine tasting, went Shark Cage Diving and Skydiving as well. We also did a Safari-tour and when the weather was very good we went to Camps Bay or Clifton Beach and just relaxed and enjoyed the weather.

I have had Nepal in my list for a very long time. I decided to check this off by experiencing Nepal by joining a volunteering program in this beautiful country. I went to Nepal through Volunteering Solutions which had placed me a school in Kathmandu Valley. Volunteering Experience : Teaching program in Nepal was spectacular. Every morning after breakfast, me and couple of other volunteers would go to the school. I had been placed in a pre primary class of 20 children with a school teacher. We taught them rhymes, jingles. I was amazed by seeing how helpful the teacher and school staff was. They really made efforts to educate everyone. One of a new entrant in my class was a little girl whose parents both are low income laborers. The school staff made sure that every one attended the classes and not skip the lessons. It was an enriching experience to work with the wonderful people and ever smiling children!! Nepal - The Country! Surrounded amidst the Himalayan lies Kathmandu which is heaven! Not a single moment is dull there. The city is rich in heritage and have the warmest people I have ever met. During the evenings, I was free to explore the city. Taken the utmost advantage of my free time, I explored the city. I personally loved Thamel for its vibrant cafes, shops. Do visit the Monkey Temple to get the breathtaking city view! I also explored Pokhara in the weekend. For mountain lovers, this place is heaven! The beautiful annapurna peaks, dramatically shaped ranges on one side and the green lake on the other makes this place stand out! Cafes and food is another reason to try out this weekend getaway. Food Food was great! Nepal food is bland with less spices. Momos, sukuti are my personal favorites and must try!

I joined teaching program in Uganda through Volunteering Solutions. Earlier I was bit concerned about Uganda as destination but then I had a desire to do something at a place where the need is the most. I had read about Entebbe which was related to Edi Amin and a plane hijack and nothing more I knew about Uganda. When I arrived at Entebbe International airport, coordinator with smiling face welcomed me and when we drove through the roads of Entebbe and Kampala I realized the extent of poverty. When we reached our program location in Mukono, I was taken to a volunteer house where family of the coordinator was also staying. My helpful coordinator Issac took me around the city to make me familiarize with the area and I found that despite of the poverty and lack of ultra modern amenities, people were helpful and hospitable. When I started my placement in a school, I was introduced to the local staff. Children in the school were pretty happy to see me as they probably knew they will get something to play and to do. Children were absolutely lovable and adorable. Many of them were from extreme poor backgrounds but they had a great instinct and aptitude to learn new things. I had taken with me paint books, crayons, maps and basic English books for them and the happiness was clearly visible on their faces when they got it. It is indeed a rewarding and eye-opening experience for me during my stay. On a weekend Issac took me to Jinja, source of Nile and the trip was amazing. Next day I visited Entebbe zoo to get the glimpses of the wildlife in Uganda. Due to time constraint I could not go for a safari, but next time I will surely do it. Our coordinator was cheerful, always smiling and helpful. He answered my all questions without any hesitation (and I asked him too many questions). Accommodation was very nice, in a peaceful locality and absolutely safe. Meals provided in the house were excellent and I got to know about daily life and culture of Ugandan people. I will definitely go again to Uganda and I will certainly recommend the program to others.

I enjoyed my placement and working with kids was one the most rewarding experience of my life.I really enjoyed playing with kids, teaching them, and learning about the Indian culture. Accommodation was excellent and very comfortable. The in-country staff was very friendly and supportive. They made the program easier and smooth. The overall website design was quite attractive and navigating the site was easy. It seems perfect to me. The pre-departure booklet was completely helpful. Got all the information I needed. The service staff was outstanding. I would highly recommend VolSol to my friends and family; mostly because of the services. I would rate this overall volunteering experience as 9 out of 10.

Volunteering with children in Morocco has truly been an enriching and fulfilling experience for me. Volunteering Solutions was supportive from the moment I decided to participate in a programme with them. Ali, our programme director in Rabat has been there to ensure our experience is unforgettable. He met us at the airport, advising us on how to keep ourselves safe, recommended some places to visit that match our interests. Working with kids not only develop your personality, but it also inspire you for future. The children enjoyed listening and getting involved with the story books which we brought with us, played bingo, danced with them. These kids remind us that it takes very little to be happy and just a hug to spread it all around. All they want is care and love. Volunteering in Morocco has changed my perspectives of life and I am feeling so complete after meeting those innocent faces. It also gave me the opportunity to meet with other volunteers and learn about their home countries. Living with a Moroccan family was one of the highlights of the programme. Overall, participating on a programme with Volunteering Solutions has been unforgettable.

I was in Peru (Cusco) for 6 weeks where i volunteered at a day care center for children. The main reason i chose Volunteering Solutions was their swift and to the point response to all my queries. Also, their programs were very affordable in comparison to many other organizations which i checked online. And it was amazing to see the kind of facilities they provided in such limited budget. We had everything in the volunteer house where me and all other volunteers were accommodated. The orientation session at the start of the program also helped a lot to understand about the country and the program. The local coordinator was very supportive and sweet in nature. I am planning another trip this year to Nepal and certainly will be traveling with Volunteering Solutions only. Would recommend them any day.