International Volunteer HQ on Facebook!
IVHQ is now on Facebook. We have our own page which can be reached and joined by CLICKING HERE The purpose of this group is to allow all volunteers (past, present and future) to network, share photos, memories and videos, plan trips and contact previous volunteers. Remember to access this page you will need to have a facebook account. If you do not have one you can create one free and easily. Join IVHQ on Facebook today!
London Visit - 14th to 16th October 2008
19th August 2008
In September and October, Daniel is travelling back to India and Ghana (to open new programs), Kenya and Tanzania (program inspection and restructuring). After these visits before returning home via Mexico (to hopefully open our final program for 2008), he has a stopover in London.
After our successful interview trip to Sydney earlier this year, we are giving all UK based volunteers an opportunity to meet with Daniel (registered or potential volunteers) and ask any questions you may have. Our volunteers in May found the trip to Sydney was very productive and a great opportunity to put a face to a name and ask any questions you have face to face. Anybody interested in meeting with Daniel over these three days (14th to 16th October) please email us at IVHQ so we can organise a time.
Blanche Mackinder - Vietnam, Thailand and Nepal Visit.
1st August 2008
Next week Blanche Mackinder (one of IVHQ's program coordinators) is leaving on a whirlwind two week trip to Vietnam, Thailand and Nepal to meet with current volunteer partners and local staff. This should be a very productive trip in regards to improving programs through getting direct feedback from volunteers and working with local staff to continually improve our programs. One of the real strengths of IVHQ is the commitment we make to continually improving our programs by having our office staff visit them regularly. We look forward to hearing about her adventures upon her return in late August.
Central America Visit.
27th July 2008
Daniel has just returned from his four week trip to Peru, Mexico and Costa Rica. The trip was extremely productive with Daniel spending the first week and a half working with volunteers and local staff on the Peru program (continuous improvement of programs is one of our main goals at IVHQ). During this time we helped to implement some new structures and processes that will improve this program over time.
The remaining two and a half weeks were spent visiting Cusco (Peru), Mexico and Costa Rica with the goal of opening new programs in these areas to add to our growing list. While Mexico still has some work to do and will not be offered until at least October 2008, Costa Rica and Cusco programs should be on the website within the next two weeks. While the Costa Rica program is slightly more expensive than most IVHQ programs (this is a direct result of the higher cost of living in Costa Rica) these programs will offer some real variety to our current opportunities with construction and conservation work to name a but a few of the new programs we are now offering. We are hopeful our web designers should have these programs on the site within the next two weeks....... Watch this space!!!
Daniel on Tour in Peru and Mexico.
29th June 2008
Executive Director Daniel Radcliffe is currently on 4 week trip back to Peru and Mexico to continue developing International Volunteer HQ. He is in Peru, until the 11th July inspecting the programs in Lima and Huancayo and helping the local staff with developing these. He is then moving onto Cusco where we will be opening a new program before heading to Mexico for 2 weeks where we are looking to develop a program in Cuernavaca. WATCH THIS SPACE! IVHQ is optimistic we will have both programs online and being offered by the beginning of August!
International Volunteer HQ shifts into new offices!
16th May 2008
As International Volunteer HQ continues to grow we have had to shift into new offices to accommodate growing staff numbers. We are now located at 4 Buller Street in New Plymouth (New Zealand). We also have a new postal address but don't worry if you are using our old one as we are still receiving the mail from that address. We have some exciting developments with the new office which are to be announced soon. We will be providing accommodation options for volunteers travelling through New Zealand and also a "Work for Your Keep" system whereby volunteers travelling through New Zealand before or after their trips abroad can come work at the IVHQ offices for a few days in return for free food and accommodation (2 days accommodation for 1 days work). More to come soon...... watch this space!
SPECIAL VOLUNTEER MENTION - Suneil Parmar and Dustin Martin
5th May 2008
Two of our current volunteers that deserve a special mention are Dustin Martin and Suneil Parmar. They have been on the Kenya Maasai Community Development Program for the last 4 months and in that time, have built new toilets and kitchens at the local schools - Olmararoi and Kimuka, built a huge number of desks for the local schools that did not have enough desks for the children, installed some new toilets for the local schools. Finally, they are building a new school room in Kimuka for local children to get extra tuition and home work help from volunteers after school and during holidays. In addition to this, they have also set up an online Maasai market to help the local Maasai sell their goods directly to people abroad. Dustin and Suneil have raised a HUGE amount of funds to do this work and their efforts are extremely appreciated by everyone involved. We have received some great feedback at office here in New Zealand about these two particular volunteers and they are certainly leaving a legacy that will improve the education levels of the children in this district for many years to come. To read a news article in their local Canadian paper about their efforts, please visit the link HERE.
PHOTO AND VIDEO COMPETITION!
10th January 2008
IVHQ has started a photo and video competition for all of our past, present and future volunteers. Post photos and videos from your time volunteering on the IVHQ Facebook group page and each month the team at IVHQ will choose the best photo and video submitted that month to win US$50. At the end of each year, IVHQ will choose the top three photos and videos (two separate categories) submitted throughout that year and reward the volunteers with US$250 - 1st Prize, US$150 - 2nd Prize and US$50 - 3rd Prize. Best of all you can enter as many photos and videos as you like, increasing your chances to win. Submit today and remember you have to be in to win!