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FAQ

How do I know that IVHQ is a legitimate international volunteer placement organization?

International Volunteer HQ is a registered New Zealand organization and our incorporation number is 1936998. We have partnerships with numerous international NGOs such as Network of Change. We are also registered and verified by a number of international volunteer travel portals. Furthermore we have a page on Facebook that you can access by clicking here (you will need a facebook account, which if you don't have you can create easily and free of charge). This page links volunteers (past, present and future). If you wish to talk to a staff member from IVHQ feel free to ring us anytime on +6467587949. If you wish to travel and visit us, you can as well. Based in Taranaki, New Zealand we have now shifted offices with accommodation options available for volunteers from out of town (almost all of our volunteers!!!) - read more about this here.

Why volunteer with IVHQ?

IVHQ was set up to provide affordable, quality and flexible volunteering projects for people wishing to volunteer abroad.  The organization is built on ten strong foundations that we try to provide every volunteer with – AFFORDABILITY, FLEXIBILITY, QUALITY, SUPPORT, SAFETY, FRIENDSHIP, NEED, LOYALTY, EXPERIENCE and ENJOYMENT. Click here to read more about why you should volunteer with IVHQ!

Why volunteer abroad?

Volunteering is based on the concept of giving through the donation of your time, your skills, your energy and often just simply your presence to help others in need. However, while volunteers have a tremendous effect on the people they work with, you will very rarely find a volunteer who feels they have given more than they have received. The lessons and benefits that a volunteer receives while volunteering are endless and can include increased self confidence and social awareness, development of life skills, personal growth, friendship and building of independence. Furthermore, volunteering can help to enhance career prospects. Not only do volunteers increase their skill base, work experience and international contacts through volunteering, employees often look favorably upon those that are willing to go outside of their comfort zone and give up their time to assist other.

Why pay to volunteer?

As a volunteer you are giving up your time and your skills to help those in need, therefore many people fail to see why they should also have to PAY to volunteer. The program fees you pay go directly to an NGO in the country you will be volunteering in and are used to pay for expenses associated with your stay such as food, accommodation, transport, orientation and  staff salaries to ensure your volunteering stay in the host country goes as smoothly as possible. All our partner NGOs are funded almost entirely by volunteer fees and therefore in order for the program to continue it is imperative we charge volunteers for their board, meals and transport. While in the perfect world, these costs would be funded by a large NGO such as UNICEF, every organization has priorities and cannot be everywhere at once. To see exactly what you receive for your fees click here.

How do I volunteer with IVHQ?

Click here to see the booking process for IVHQ or simply book online now.

Can we volunteer as a group? 

Yes. International Volunteer HQ accepts group booking and can even organise special projects and discount rates, please email us to find out more about a specific country.

Can I volunteer with a friend(s) or partner?

Yes. International Volunteer HQ can ensure you are placed in the same accommodation and project as a friend or partner. All we ask is that when you apply you make a note on the application form with your friend's name stating you wish to be placed together.

Do I need specific skills or qualifications to volunteer?

Generally the only requirement for volunteers is to be fluent in English. However, in most of the medical and health placements, volunteers must be qualified or training in a relevant medical field (documentation be presented to partner organization on arrival in host country).

Can I donate money through IVHQ to developing countries?

IVHQ is focused solely on providing the most affordable, quality and flexible volunteering opportunities available and therefore we try to stay away from playing the role of intermediary in donations. If you are about to volunteer you will find many worthy causes when you arrive in your host country that you can donate the money to directly. If you are not volunteering a very worthwhile charitable organization that always needs more funding is Network of Change. Donate directly to them by clicking on the link to their website.

Can people from outside of New Zealand volunteer with IVHQ?

Yes, although IVHQ is based in New Zealand, we are an international volunteer placement organization and therefore accommodate people from all nationalities.

Which countries do volunteers come from?

Volunteers come from a variety of countries but we find the majority come from countries such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Ireland, France and Japan.

Will I be working with other volunteers?

Some of our programs are flexible and if you wish to be placed by yourself you can, however in most cases you will be working and living with other volunteers.

Is travel insurance included in the program costs?

In order to keep costs as low as possible for the volunteer we do not include travel insurance in our fees as we have found that generally volunteers can acquire it cheaper by getting it privately. While travel insurance is not compulsory to volunteer on our programs, we do recommend it.

Do I require a visa to travel to the host country I wish to volunteer in?

Every situation is different and depends on the country you are travelling to and your home nationality, however in the large majority of cases you will have to get some type of VISA. More information is provided on this when you sign up to our program.

Will IVHQ provide a reference or act as a referee for me once I finish volunteering?

Yes, your IVHQ volunteer travel consultant will provide you with a reference on completion of your volunteering stint. Furthermore, they are usually more than happy to act as a referee after consultation with our partner organization in your host country.

What is the accommodation and meals like?

These vary from country to country. For more information on this click on the specific country you wish to volunteer in from the programs page.

What vaccinations will I require?

Generally the only vaccination REQUIRED is Yellow Fever when you volunteer in Africa, however we will send you a list of recommended immunizations when you sign up to your particular program.

Do I need to be able to speak the local language?

The answer to this varies from country to country but for the most part is no. Only on our Latin American programs (Ecuador and Peru) do you require some Spanish (at varying levels for different programs). For all other programs, the only language you require is English. In a lot of cases our partner organization will provide you with a basic language course to assist you in your day to day activities and you will pick up a lot of phrases and terms over your volunteering period.

Can IVHQ help with fundraising?

Yes. When you register with International Volunteer HQ, we will provide you with some links to some great fundraising sites to help you raise the funds to travel abroad and volunteer. Furthermore, we can also provide you with a verification letter that verifies you are volunteering and gives potential donors some information about what you are doing to help you raise money.

Can I take time out from volunteering to go sightseeing?

Yes! We believe it is extremely important to "soak up" as much of a country as you can while you are there. Volunteer travellers will often spend thousands of dollars on their airfares and while we believe our trips are the most authentic way to experience a country (living and working with local people), tourist activities and in country travel will only enhance your experience. Our partner organizations are very flexible and often encourage you to take time out from volunteer work to travel and explore your host country. Our partner organizations also have partner tourist organizations and contacts to make this easier for you.

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