Legal Aide Volunteer Programs in South America

I'm extremely satisfied to have been part of this great program helping children, their future and the future of the country. Accommodation - I was very happy and comfortable in a clean and pleasant environment. Food was always delicious, transport was always good, and cleaning was perfect. Staff were very kind and friendly with very good support; I was always able to reach them. I enjoyed every experience. Thank you so much for everything.

I enjoyed being part of the teaching program very much. Teaching English to year 3&4 was challenging at times but also a lot of fun. Receiving an email 2 weeks before arriving regarding school, classes would have been good. Emphasising the need for a laptop for lesson planning would have helped. I was very satisfied with accommodation; beds and pillows were comfortable, though upgrading to aircon was needed. Having 2 people in hot climate was better than three. Food was excellent and fresh with a great selection of meals all prepared by lovely, helpful staff. Having the occasional chicken meal was welcomed. Enjoyed experiencing Kerala food. We didn't need transport and the room was cleaned once a week & bathroom a few times each week. No complaints. All the staff were incredibly helpful, answering many questions. Working with Reshma was great both in and out of the classroom. She was extermely supportive when doing lesson planning & her help in the classroom with translation & classroom management was fantastic. Staff knew where various yoga places were always willing to suggest places to visit. Great suggestion by Shamla for cooking lesson and Kathkali.

Fantastic experience if you want to challenge yourself, seek out new cultures and information whilst having a paternal support behind you. The Organisation provides you a great foundation from which to intiate a living abroad experience, with your liasing support person there to assist for all your queires. More so the organisations are forthcoming with educational experiences and allow you to immerse yourself into the work culture. Colombia itself is an amazing country to be explored and by doing an internship you are given plenty of time to do so. Cannot recommend enough!

The Intern Group responded to this reviewDecember 11, 2023

Thank you Jorja for sharing your experience! We are glad that you have had an enriching experience and we look forward to seeing where your career takes you.

I did my internship with The Intern Group in Colombia and I don’t have enough words to describe how amazing it was. The internship experience was beyond my expectations and the activities that were set up by the company were amazing. I cannot express how much this helped me in a professional matter. Also, our coordinator Maria was amazing and was always there for us. Please don’t think twice about doing your internship in Colombia! You will never regret being in such a beautiful country and with such beautiful people.

The Intern Group responded to this reviewDecember 11, 2023

Thank you Helena for sharing your experience! We are glad that you have had an enriching experience and we look forward to seeing where your career takes you.

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 did the Colombia Internship Programme as part of my Year Abroad at university. I saw this as a chance to both improve my Spanish and develop skills which would improve my employability further down the line. TIG delivered this and more! Living in Colombia for three months without knowing anyone there is a daunting prospect, but TIG set my mind at ease on so many levels: they found me a great internship; lovely accommodation in a great part of Medellín (El Poblado); and organised all the logistics of the taxi from the airport etc. During my internship I was afforded a great level of responsibility and independence, which really helped me develop my independence and organisation. I was supported by my team and enjoyed getting to know my colleagues. I also loved the social aspect of the programme. I met some great people and really enjoyed the excursions planned for us including trips to Guatapé and Comuna 13, and a tour of Medellín with a coffee tasting. All in all, I came out of Colombia with much more confidence in my Spanish, in myself and in my career. I won't forget my time there, and I'm really grateful to everyone at TIG for making it run so smoothly. I can't wait to go back to South America soon!

TIG gave me exactly what I was looking for. An opportunity to immerse myself in another culture and grow as a person while gaining valuable professional experience I can use in my career. I was mostly impressed by the organization provided for me by the TIG coordinators. This allowed me to leave my home country and arrive in a foreign land without having to worry about the logistics involved or my safety. The apartment I was provided allowed me to live in a safe neighborhood with all of the amenities I like to have. I was walking distance to work, a bus drive for groceries, and my building had a gym/sauna/steam room which I used almost everyday! As much as I was challenged in my working environment, I was so relaxed and happy normally while exploring my new city, speaking with the locals, and hanging out with the friends I made through TIG. This trip truly changed the way I think about my life and I've continued to apply the way of thinking to my life now. Being from Canada, I know what it's like to enjoy a high quality of life with live in a safe and secure community. However, with that being said I can't wait to get back to Latin America. I would love to end up in Medellin for part of my life! Such a beautiful city. I was really happy with the people assigned from TIG to work with me in organizing trips, deal with issues I experienced in my time there, and just plain hang out. I think the people involved with TIG were the best part of my experience in Medellin and they truly provided me a solid foundation that I could use to excel at work and while living in the city. I would recommend TIG for anyone looking to shake things up in their lives and challenge themselves to grow.

Studying in El Salvador, I had not found many opportunities in the sustainability/renewable energy sector, given that the sector is new and companies are rarely open to interns. The time I had at Hybrytec, a solar energy company in Colombia, was truly unforgettable and I got to learn about the way panels work and are installed, I got to see the roofs before and after installations, and many more operational aspects within the company. Being a native Spanish speaker, I did not have problems with the language barrier, which also made it easier for me to ask questions and talk to people around Colombia. I got to spend my birthday, Christmas, and new year in Colombia, although this made me nervous at first, it was lovely to spend it with the intern family. I met awesome people, interns, and coworkers, that I'm sure will be friends for life. The knowledge I acquired at Hybrytec is priceless and I am sure it will open many doors for me when I graduate later this year and search for a full-time job. Without hesitation, this program was one of the best decisions I have made for my personal and professional growth. It's an experience that truly changes you, from getting used to foreign public transport, being thousands of miles away from friends and family, meeting someone new every day, and so much more. The staff made sure we had everything we needed from the moment we arrive. The apartment was located in the safest neighborhood in Medellin, we had an orientation that was really helpful to know the details provided in advance. The people in Medellin are amazing and some of the friendliest I have ever met. I would do it again and recommend everyone seeking international opportunities/experience to do it!!

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.

Love Volunteers responded to this reviewMarch 24, 2019

Hi Rebeca,<br/>Thank-you so much for this enthusiastic review of our programs. We completely agree that volunteering is a fantastic way to connect with people and travel around the world doing humanitarian work.<br/>Thanks again for being a part of what we do here at Love Volunteers.<br/>The Team @ Love Volunteers

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.

Love Volunteers responded to this reviewMarch 28, 2019

Dear Rhys,<br/>Thank-you for this amazing review of our Animal Welfare program in Tirana, Albania. Your care for animals is so apparent in this account and your contribution on the program was highly valued by the local team.<br/>Reading reviews such as yours provides future volunteers an invaluable insight into volunteering and the crucial role that they can play in areas where help is so desperately needed.<br/>How amazing to be involved in such a rewarding project whilst staying in a city as historical and beautiful as Tirana! Great tips btw!<br/>Thanks again for your contribution to the program for being an amazing Love Volunteer!<br/>From all of us at The Team @ Love Volunteers

Hi, I'm grateful to have found Linguistic Horizons and to have been able to participate in such a wonderfully coordinated and beneficial internship. One can come to the sacred valley for a variety of reasons, but this was certainly the right reason for me. I came to study and practice with traditional Andean plants and work with their application in the clinical setting. Through Linguistic Horizons and it's great leadership of Nicole Berry and Erika Quintanna, I was able to not only gain the clinical aspect of what I was hoping to gain but I was also able to enjoy more than I could have ever imagined of the Sacred Valley and it's fascinating landmarks, history. The experience was greatly fulfilling and enriching. The clinic was a family run clinic and you hit the ground running. The staff is wonderfully knowledgeable and experienced and if you are willing to help, engage it will be a good fit for you. Speaking, understanding Spanish is a plus but you will be able to make by with understanding just medical/hospital spanish terminology. I was able first hand help assist in the most traumatic of cases to patients presenting for frequent treatments for a variety of conditions ranging from scoliosis, dysplasia, bone fractures, skin conditions, arthritis, etc. Seeing and understanding their use of Andean plants in their treatments was incredible, and seeing the patients response, recovery was even more impressive. My goal was to gain a better understanding of traditional practices here in the sacred valley and take that knowledge home with me. I believe I have accomplished just that. I was able to build a strong relationship with the clinic and I know I will be back and will continue to develop professional exchange. Their incredible humanitarian services and help to the community was notable on every interaction. They fed me like family and helped fulfill a long term goal of mine. This program was wonderful and Nicole is a great leader. They are very thoughtful, the accommodations were nice and the food provided was delicious. She and Erika are very responsive and helpful. I hope you decide to experience Urubamba and the sacred valley with Linguistic Horizons.

Linguistic Horizons responded to this reviewFebruary 12, 2019

Thank you for the review :) I'm so glad you had such a positive experience. It was a pleasure having you in Peru! :)

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).

Love Volunteers responded to this reviewJanuary 30, 2019

Dear Sagar,<br/><br/>We can't thank-you enough for your contribution as a qualified dentist on the medical program in Cameroon. As you yourself know well it's a challenge getting things done in Africa and it's a testament to your commitment that you were able to achieve so much during your time in Bamenda.<br/><br/>This review is hugely valuable in letting potential volunteers know about the difficulties and the rewards of volunteering in Cameroon and we appreciate the time you have taken to share your experiences and your continued support of upcoming volunteers.<br/><br/>Thanks again and we wish you all the very best for your dental career and hope to have you join us again in the future if you are able.<br/>The Team @ Love Volunteers

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.

Love Volunteers responded to this reviewJanuary 28, 2019

Hi Karen,<br/>Thanks so much to you and your daughter for the wonderful contribution you both made on our Education Support program in Badulla, Sri Lanka. You absolutely enhanced the lives of the children, both through your teaching and the thrill that having you with them brought to their daily lives.<br/>Thanks also for taking the time to provide this feedback and advice to future volunteers - much appreciated!<br/>All the very best to you both. The Team @ Love Volunteers

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.

Love Volunteers responded to this reviewJanuary 28, 2019

Dear Noëmie,<br/>Volunteering abroad is a challenging and rewarding experience and you have summed up the combination wonderfully in your review. We're so pleased that you enjoyed your time in beautiful Cape Town and want to thank-you for your time and effort on the Social Welfare program that tackles the inequalities you mention in this diverse city.<br/>We wish you all the best for your future travels and hope to have you join us again.<br/>The Team @ Love Volunteers<br/>

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.

Love Volunteers responded to this reviewJanuary 28, 2019

Hi Jazmin,<br/>We couldn't have put it better ourselves: an open mind and flexible attitude is absolutely what make a great volunteer! Thanks for your commitment to the Medical Internship program in Cape Town, South Africa and for taking the time to share your experience.<br/>The Team @ Love Volunteers<br/>

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

Love Volunteers responded to this reviewFebruary 04, 2019

Dear Chris,<br/>We really appreciate you taking the time to share this wonderful review of the education program in Sri Lanka. It's extremely helpful to potential volunteers to hear advice and feedback from volunteers like yourself.<br/>Thank-you for your dedication to the children and your polite and friendly nature to everyone you met. I'm not surprised that there was such great camaraderie between the volunteers on-site with you.<br/>We hope to have you join us again in the future - until then we wish you well in all you do.<br/>The Team @ Love Volunteers

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.

Love Volunteers responded to this reviewFebruary 04, 2019

Hi Mateo,<br/>Fantastic to see your commitment to the house-building construction program in Rwanda! Please don't worry about missing a few days as your input on the other days was significant. The local staff really can't achieve what they do without the aid of dedicated volunteers like yourself.<br/>Thanks so much for sharing your tips which will assist further volunteers on this program - and hopefully encourage others.<br/>The Team @ Love Volunteers

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 :)

Love Volunteers responded to this reviewJanuary 31, 2019

Dear Beata,<br/>Thank-you for this frank and informative review of volunteering in Rwanda. It's fantastic to hear volunteers testify about how safe they felt and how friendly and welcoming the staff and locals are. It's often a concern for potential volunteers and, although we at LV can provide assurances, there's nothing like hearing it direct from a volunteer.<br/>Your description of the beautiful countryside and frequent rain gives readers a great image of the country - quite different to what they may have expected.<br/>Thank-you so much for giving so generously of your time to the amazing community of Rwamagana. The dedicated staff couldn't do what they do without volunteers like you and we and they say a heartfelt THANKS!<br/>The Team @ Love Volutneers<br/>

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.

Love Volunteers responded to this reviewJanuary 31, 2019

Hi Emilie,<br/>What a joy it is to read this review of your time in Rwanda and feel how much it meant to you to be there and to interact with the children.<br/>Life is Rwanda is so very different from what we are used to and it's wonderful that you enjoyed every minute and can't wait to go back!<br/>We love volunteers like you with a passion for helping and experiencing different cultures and embracing the way of life in poor communities.<br/>We look forward to having you back with us again in the future!<br/>The Team @ Love Volunteers

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!

Love Volunteers responded to this reviewJanuary 31, 2019

HI Anna,<br/>What a fantastic account of your time volunteering with the children in Cusco, Peru!<br/>You so accurately sum up the benefits of volunteering over being a tourist: not least of all the support that is available throughout your preparations and while in-country, from the moment you are met on arrival at the airport. Another benefit of course is staying with a host family which is such an absolutely wonderful way to improve your Spanish skills and see what real life in Cusco is like for the locals. Rather than skimming the surface as a tourist, volunteers dig deeper and as a result enjoy an experience that's so much more memorable and rewarding.<br/>We agree that knowing some Spanish is essential when volunteering in Cusco - and every volunteer's Spanish improves markedly during their placement! <br/>Muchas gracias for the generous contribution of time and energy you gave to this program and to the wonderful children.<br/>The Team @ Love Volunteers