Testimonials
The website was very easy to use and the information was not hidden. Good job IVHQ.
Joshua KukowskiNationality: American
Age: 30
Host country: Colombia
Programme: Teaching
Date: July 2010 - 2 weeks
The project itself was with Renu Bali and her New Delhi rural school. To attend this school each day alongside other volunteers, was an enlightening time, as we had very little information previously as to what we were to become part of. We grew daily with the role of volunteer. Most important was the belief that we were not going to make a huge difference but the difference was in the mere fact we were there with an open mind and a 'can do' approach.
Discovering who the remarkable Renu was and is, with the passion she has to uplift the children and women in this rural sector was awe inspiring to say the least. The area was chosen by her twelve years ago to start a school because at the time it had the highest illiteracy rate in New Delhi. This became her challenge.....to make a difference. Our project with the women was centred around jewellery as their source of income, and in our small way we as volunteers have contributed to the success of this.
Nationality: New Zealander
Age: 58
Host country: India
Programme: Women Empowerment
Date: July 2010 - 2 weeks
The first time I volunteered, I had about a thousand questions. Most of them could be found in the information booklet, it's just a matter of reading through it. Absolutely loved my homestay. The best part about Lima was our host mom. She was super nice and she and her family treated us equally like family. She made fresh meals for us everyday, always put out fruits for us to eat and always helped us when we had questions. She once took us all the way to the bus station at 5 in the morning because we didn't know where to go; she took us on a day trip to celebrate Peru day. I love IVHQ and I don't have any complaints.
Holly TriebwasserNationality: Canadian
Age: 21
Host country: Peru
Programme: Orphanage Work
Date: July 2010 - 3 weeks
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Bakthapur in Nepal, the family and the children were beautiful.. The conditions were fine. I feel extremely lucky to have been placed there, I intend to go there again in the near future. It was very hard to say goodbye, I felt really appreciated, loved and cared for. I would like to thank you Blanche and your team for this opportunity, I'm very lucky to have volunteered with IVHQ.
Sarah GoodyearNationality: Australian
Age: 26
Host country: Nepal
Programme: Orphanage Work
Date: July 2010 - 4 weeks
My favorite experience volunteering would be all the moments spent with the kids. Teach them card games, playing in the park, and just having fun with all of them was rewarding, fun, and just a great experience! I also loved taking trips around the rest of Colombia and really getting to see many parts of the country. The country was beautiful and the locals were very friendly and nice. It was great meeting tons of people and making lots of new friends!
Aaron LongNationality: American
Age: 22
Host country: Colombia
Programme: Teaching
Date: June 2010 - 6 weeks
This was my first volunteering experience abroad, and also the first
time I traveled outside of North America ever since I was 5 years old!
Your organization definitely helped boost my confidence and instilled
an interest in traveling to other countries, learning about their
cultures and volunteering in the future.
Nationality: Canadian
Age: 25
Host country: Peru - Cusco
Programme: Medical Placement
Date: July 2010 - 3 weeks
I really loved playing with the kids and they seemed to appreciate me too. To be a part of the lives of the children and staff of the hospital has been so good and they have have responded so well. The kids are really so affectionate it makes it all worth while. Loved every minute.
Henry WestNationality: Ausstralian
Age: 63
Host country: Vietnam
Programme: Caring for disabled Children/Orphanage Work
Date: August 2010 - 1 week
Outstanding, 10 out of 10. I hope to do another volunteer program through IVHQ. The construction project was very good, exactly what I though it might be. The fees are very reasonable. I would recommend (and have) IVHQ to anyone interested in volunteering. My favorite experiences were staying with my host-family and seeing the fruits of our construction work. All in all, a great trip.
Thanks Blanche and IVHQ!
Jesse MondryNationality: American
Age: 35
Host country: Costa Rica
Programme: Construction and Renovation
Date: July 2010 - 1 week
The booklet was super helpful. I read it a whole two times and knew everything about the program before I even got there and got the run-down by big AL. You guys were so helpful! And very quick at responding! I had very little anxiety with your organization. The fees were absolutely fair. I can tell by the cost that both IVHQ and the local staff genuienly just want to help the world. It has nothing to do with earning money. It is all about changing one community at a time. My favorite moment was when we did the Wednesday Night Feed the Homeless. It was such a rewarding experience. It is still hard for me to explain because it was so emotional I don't even know yet how to explain it. Also, every day we walked into the orphanage the kids would shout our name and jump on us. They were so excited to see us. I will never forget that.
James RamseyNationality: American
Age: 21
Host country: Colombia
Programme: Teaching
Date: June 2010 - 4 weeks
After spending two months at the God's Eye Orphanage (the brown program) in Nkwanta, Ghana, I definitely was not ready to leave.
The local partner organization of IVHQ in Ghana is a fantastic source of support and they are currently heading 5 different programs in Ghana. God's Eye Orphanage is home to 54 children and are desperately in need of aid in the form of manpower and also funds. Despite the many frustrations that arose due to the lack of resources, the children were definitely the best part of my experience. I still wake up every day, missing them and wishing that I could channel all my energy and focus into supporting them. The in-country support staff were helpful and were great sources of information too whenever I wanted to travel to other parts of Ghana.
Nationality: Japanese
Age: 20
Host country: Ghana
Programme: Orphanage Work
Date: June 2010 - 8 weeks