Disaster Relief Volunteering in Philippines

Wonderful people, caring staff, beautiful experience . Been a couple different locations, same experience, just different longitude. And the locals, and local workers part of family. I'm not sure i know 200 words, O, 200 characters, some can repeat, got it. Interaction on free time with other volunteers, enjoyable, educational. Everyone you meet knows something you don't know( especially me) so listen with passion.Looking forward to next available program.Hopi g for many natural disasters to occur, of course with no injuries or community damage, which I'm guessing could still be a program? Good luck to all, continued succes., and making the world a better place, which you have.

I spent a week in Florida volunteering in hurricane cleanup relief as I travelled around America. The program was as expected with good facilities, friendly people, good after hours events but the physical cleanup work was harder and hotter than I expected!

Para querer ayudar con el corazón . No existe ningún obstáculo. Gracias a todos por participar en este proyecto con all Hans. Ver el trabajo unido de todos por ayudar los demas, es admirable . Dejar la comodidad de tu casa para que otros tengan el mismo.

All Hands & Hearts is a fantastic organisation with well-run volunteer programs that are exciting and great fun. The people (both staff and volunteers) are a fabulous mix and the local communities are a delight to be a part of. I've volunteered with All Hands & Hearts on three different occasions in three different countries (so far) and have loved every second of my time on site and on base.

I had such an amazing experience with All Hands. This was my first experience traveling alone away from home and I felt safe the entire time. I made wonderful friends. I truly felt like we were making an impact. I was seen as a human by the staff who allowed me to use my passion for photography to help make an impact and that changed my life. I made this video!

Wonderful Experience with All Hands and Hearts! I had the privilege of volunteering with All Hands and Hearts Smart Response in 2019 in Sindhuli, Nepal. It was an incredible experience that left an indelible mark on my life. Our team constructed 3 schools and a water supply project, providing the local community with essential infrastructure for quality education. Working with AHAH was a dream come true, as promoting education in underprivileged areas is a cause close to my heart. The organization's dedication to providing disaster-relief and supporting local communities is truly inspiring. The best part of my experience was the opportunity to work with an amazing team of volunteers and staff from diverse backgrounds. We shared a common goal, and our camaraderie made the experience even more enjoyable. I spent three unforgettable weeks in Sindhuli, and I wish I could relive those moments again. As someone who has worked with various humanitarian organizations and runs an orphanage for girl kids in my area, I can confidently say that AHAH stands out for its professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to making a difference. If I could, I would join AHAH again and again. I highly recommend this organization to anyone looking to make a positive impact in the world. Rating: 5/5 stars

AHAH Maui has a dedicated and passionate staff who is genuinly invested in teh wellbeing on local/ Native Hawai'ian people. You will get what you put into immersion with the community. The base is in a very rural area, and is extremely simple. I respect that the program has volunteers campso as no tto take away from limited housing on the island. They really need volunteers right now and I would encourage anyone visiting Maui to give back to the island by supporting organizations like this that uplift local Native organizations.

I volunteered on the program in Abaco, Bahamas in 2020 (cut short by COVID). Some parts of the experience were great, others less so. I wish there had been more emphasis on the impact that we as volunteers have by choosing to fly to a location suffering from a disaster associated with climate change, and I wish there had been more connection with the local community. We were kind of an entity unto ourselves on the base, and the only way I learned about Bahamian history, culture, and lifestyle was from a Couchsurfing host I stayed with the day before flying to Abaco. What made the experience really worthwhile were the people I met on the program, the experiences we had together, and the ability to learn about disaster recovery through restoration and rebuild work. What made it less so was the lack of organization at the time (for instance, I didn't get an orientation, and at one point my site leader was a volunteer promoted to the leadership role that week. She didn't follow proper safety protocols and we accidentally left someone stuck in the rafters with no ladder on the lunch break). My experience on the program was worthwhile and I would do it again, but I wish it was a bit more organized. I know that each AHAH experience is different depending on who the leadership team is for any specific site, so I don't mean this to be a critique of all AHAH locations. I think it's a great initiative and do hope to participate on another project.

Lovely. Pleasant. Felt safe knowing all the protocols All Hands and Hearts had in place. Sometimes it even felt too controlled, but understandable given the situation in Ukraine. Community engagement English club was great.

I had been wanting to volunteer with AHAH for years and finally got the chance this November. I was only there for 2 weeks, but they were the most incredible and fulfilling 2 weeks of my life. It’s true what they say, you get the AHAH bug and never want to leave! I’m already planning my next trip and this time I’ll be going for longer. The sense of community, shared hope and purpose is what’s magical about AHAH. I connected with new people, learnt new skills and experienced a new culture. I now feel part of the AHAH family and know I will always be welcomed back with open arms.

I am one of the many people who is totally addicted to All Hands and Hearts. I have been on 3 of their programs now, and all have been fantastic. The work is very fulfilling, I feel so proud of myself coming back from site and knowing that I have positively impacted a struggling community every day. Base really feels like home, and the other staff and volunteers feel like my family. I adore the experience and will continue to return for many, many years to come!

I volunteered with AHAH in 2006, when they were just getting started, so my rating on accommodations and amenities is lower, because they were figuring things out. BUT they had lots of everything needed to go out and volunteer day one. We stayed in a church loft (a big one, above a basketball court). Everyone brought their own sleeping bag and blow up mattresses. There were 2 meals served per day, and groups took turns preparing. Our group had about 1/3 who were not physically able to do heavy work, and these folks were our cooks, or they did a huge data entry project. AHAH did their best, but 150 people quickly wore out the plumbing system. However, there was always an option for a bathroom, and they built a few outdoor showers for us. You need to be responsible enough to get up and going early, as the best jobs are already staffed if you wake up late, but there was always something to do. As for projects, we did lots of neighborhood cleanup, helping exhausted homeowners sort through the mess on their properties. Another big job was dangerous tree removal, and mold abatement. There were plenty of tools, PPE, and MREs (for our lunches). I also did dog walking at the local shelter, and a really fun thing we did was help with the local Biloxi, MS MLK parade. It was an experience of a lifetime. The last thing I'd say is bring all your stuff you need. There might not be a store available. AHAH did such a great job with logistics. Transportation is renting your own car, or loading up in a truck to go to a work site. Please volunteer for this organization. They are so amazing.

My time abroad was a transformative journey, both Academically,professionally and personally. I immersed myself in diverse cultures and business environments, which expanded my perspective on global financial systems and administrative practices.

AHAH is a fantastic organization that I could not recommend enough to others. At its core the program is there to work with local communities after disaster to help rebuild in anyway necessary. The vibrant people you will work with- of all ages and parts of the world- take the program to the next level. AHAH is a unique way to connect/ learn about a culture and from the locals as well as a way to meet other good natured people from all over. The work has been inspiring, emotional, and transforming for me as an individual and I look forward immensely to the next opportunity I get to volunteer with AHAH again.

I'm sharing this to inspire other to do the same volunteering with All hands and hearts Has been one of the most rewarding experience of my life. It has given me the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives off others and has made me a more empathetic and compassionate person. It was a absolute honour to volunteer with other volunteers and the local community seeing everyone on the project giving it there all working with such passion and creativity hit me right in the heart. On top off that volunteering has given me the opportunity to meet the most amazing people from all over the world I feal inspired and overwhelmed with emotions right now and once again to everyone I wish you all the best with you futures stay safe and lots off love Dazza ??✌️✌️❤️❤️❤️

I fabulous 3 month experience with All Hands and Hearts building a school in an area affected by 2015 earthquake of Nepal but still trying to recover today. Really well structured routine for every day, everyone knew what they needed to do and when. Meals provided by locals employed to cook so authentic food and healthy. Great communal accommodation and sleeping facilities indoors or alternatively people can bring their own tents. All basic needs are met by the organisation. Support from the team of staff is excellent and you really feel part of a community. Socially, lots of activities. I particularly loved the camp fire nights and any sporting opportunities that arose with the locals and the school children. Phenomenal experience ... You get to work hard and play hard!

My first volunteer experience with AHAH (All Hands and Hearts) was in Puerto Rico. I am an Army Veteran and have so longed for an organization that not only cared about others but cared about their volunteers. In volunteering for almost three months in Puerto Rico, the one thing that the program director ensured each volunteer knew was that they were always part of the AHAH family. I loved Puerto Rico. The community was so grateful to have volunteers fixing their roofs. I also volunteered in Texas and Louisiana with AHAH. This organization does provide housing and may not provide food on your days off. However, this was fine as we knew what was provided before we volunteered. There were many base activities when I volunteered in Puerto Rico as well as the stateside programs. This organization has been completely upfront in regard to its expenses. Also, I have a medical condition that was accommodated while I volunteered. This organization is by far a great organization to volunteer with. There are faults with any organization; however, this organization does its best since you may be volunteering for long periods of time and staying with its staff members.

I’ve been on Hurricane programs in Houston and NOLA. I fell in love with this type of service after my first volunteer trip. So much so, that I have spent the last few years downsizing my life and making changes so that I will be available to volunteer for several more weeks a year than I’ve been able to so far. Such a humbling shift (for the better!) in perspective on life. Connection with people and communities on this level is better than anything I’ve experienced so far in life?

As a Puerto Rican I decided to give back to my people in the island after Hurricane Maria. I can't truly explain the feeling I felt after I did my two weeks. To help my people after the hurricane was a truly lovely and emotional for me after completing the assignment and seeing the smiles of the home owners. Truly recommend to become a volunteer. You will never regret it.

I volunteered in Louisiana, USA and Oaxaca, Mexico! In both programs, I saw some of the worst destruction, but the most dedicated communities, volunteers and staff. I learned so much about how the disasters affected the communities and the thoughtful process All Hands and Hearts put in to respond effectively and to work alongside the community to hear what is most needed. Along the way I met volunteers and staff from around the world who came together for one mission and I'm extremely grateful for these memories!