Extra for Ecuador

As more and more volunteers are joining us in Ecuador, we have two extra projects for those keen to assist in Quito!

The Kindergarten project, which is open from October to May, offers a new opportunity for volunteers to assist Ecuadorian teachers in primary and kindergarten classes and collaborate in pre-school math, writing, reading and art lessons, as well as helping out with lunch and playtime. This project is a fantastic option for aspiring teachers, volunteers with no experience in planning curriculum or teaching, as well as those wanting to improve their Spanish.

Our new Administration Support project in Ecuador gives volunteers the chance to get involved in the behind-the-scenes operational work of our partner organization in Ecuador, enabling them to widen their reach and help more children in Quito. Volunteers can assist with translation, record keeping, fundraising and grant writing, publicity, campaign scholarships, systems review and communication.

 

Instagram of the Month: April 2013

Cassie Jetton brings us our Instagram of the Month from South Africa - featuring her upside down friend, Rosemary!

Remember to tag your volunteering photos with #IVHQ on Instagram and you might just pop up in our next newsletter! 

 

Tweet of the Month: April 2013

We love following your journeys on Twitter and it's always exciting to hear from our volunteers abroad!

Our Tweet of the Month for April comes from Mariam Magsi, who has just set off on her second IVHQ trip, this time volunteering in Cusco!

 

 

IVHQ Video Tour: Sri Lanka

After touring our volunteer programs across Asia, the IVHQ Video Tour zooms in on our final destination – Sri Lanka!

Let’s head behind the scenes and hear from our camera crew on location...

Sunday 24 March

As we arrive in Kandy on a weekend, most of the volunteers are off exploring the beautiful countryside of this enchanting country. Many are out on the coast at one of the golden sand beaches, while others are away hiking in the hills.

We spend the day site seeing around Kandy. Firstly, we visit a wood factory where the local staff demonstrate the process of creating wood crafts, which are popular souvenirs in Sri Lanka. Next, we visit a clothing factory where the women are using the traditional Batik technique to create beautiful dresses and sarongs. 

We then head up Bahirawakanda Hill to a Buddhist temple with magnificent views over all of Kandy. Here, we drink tea with one of the monks while he explains the significance and history of the temple. In the afternoon, we take a walk around the lake and visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which is home to Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic – the tooth of Buddha.

In the early evening, we go to watch a popular cultural show, combining traditional Sri Lankan music and dance.

Monday 25 March

This morning, we visit a temple situated up high in one of the hills surrounding Kandy. Two volunteers, both from the UK, are teaching English to the young monks that live here. 

Our next visit is to a baby orphanage where three volunteers have just begun working. They help the local staff to nurse, feed and bath the babies. There is also a kindergarten located here where the volunteers can also work, helping the young children learn things like shapes, colours and numbers.

On our drive back to Kandy, we stop off for lunch at a local roadside street food market. Here, we try local specialties such as Aappa (Hoppers), Pani Walalu and a herbal tea drink.

Later in the afternoon, we visit another temple, which is located in Mawilmada very near to the volunteer house. Several of the volunteers have been working here to help the monks restore the temple and today they are beginning to re-paint the walls.

We then walk to the home of a local family where the volunteers are being taught how to cook several traditional dishes. They will help to prepare the entire meal before heading back to the volunteer house for a delicious feast!

Tuesday 26 March

This morning, we take the early train from Kandy down to the south west coast of Sri Lanka. The train ride has to be one of the most spectacular ever! Leaving at 4am means we catch the sunrise, and as the mist rises, the lush jungle and gorgeous blue sky is revealed. Once we pass through Colombo, we catch glimpses of the ocean, the turquoise blue waters glistening in the sun.

Our final destination is Ambalangoda, where the Turtle Conservation Project is based. Volunteers working here assist local staff to protect endangered sea turtles, as well as to rehabilitate turtles that have been harmed by commercial fishing. We arrive right on feeding time, so we get to watch the volunteers feed the turtles their fish for the day. The volunteers undertake a range other jobs here as well, such as cleaning the beach and turtle tanks, releasing turtles back to sea and educating visitors. 

Check out the IVHQ Video Tour: Sri Lanka album to see more photos from the tour.

This brings us the to end of the Asia section of the IVHQ Video Tour with seven diverse and beautiful countries visited, many kind and generous hosts met, and many more amazing volunteers interviewed. Thanks to everyone who has been involved! - Kate and Geroge.

Visit the IVHQ YouTube Channel or keep an eye out on the IVHQ Facebook Page to follow the video tour releases!

 

Be in Bali with IVHQ

It's official - the IVHQ Bali program is now open!

International Volunteer HQ is pleased to announce the establishment of our newest volunteer program, based in Bali's cultural center of Ubud.

Volunteers in Bali have the opportunity to join a wide range of projects, including Teaching, Kindergarten, Healthcare Education, Environmental Education, Construction and Renovation, or Turtle Conservation.

Building on our Turtle Conservation efforts in Costa Rica and Sri Lanka, from June onwards, volunteers in Bali can assist in collecting baseline data of the local turtle population. Based on the island of Nusa Penida, volunteers on the Turtle Conservation project will play an important role in identifying turtle species, collecting eggs, monitoring nests and seeing hatchlings are released safely to sea.

Unique to our  Bali program, the Healthcare Education and Environmental Education projects allow volunteers to work in local schools, educating and engaging the children in basic hygiene practices or clean-up activities.

Living in a volunteer house in the village of Penestanan Kaja, volunteers can experience quintessential village life and interact with local families, putting newfound language skills into play!
 
Visit our Volunteer in Bali page for more information, or tweet your questions to @IVHQ.