IVHQ were extremely prompt in replying to all our queries in preparing to go which we greatly appreciated. We also appreciated that IVHQ were open to answer questions about the breakdown of our fees and where our money goes.
The orientation was fantastic. We were given loads of information and made to feel very welcome in Ghana. It was clear that the local staff were very organised and on top of everything.
We had many memorable moments from our placement. One of our favourites was teaching the alphabet to a 15 year old boy who had never been to school before.

Nuwan Leitan
Nationality: Australian
Age: 25
Program: Ghana
Project: Orphanage Work
Date: January 2013 - 3 weeks

Doing night patrols along the beach under the moonlight, taking breaks laying in the sand gazing at the stars, and discovering nesting turtles along the way were my favorite moments.

Andrew Ahmed
Nationality: Canadian
Age: 22
Program: Costa Rica
Project: Turtle Conservation
Date: January 2013 - 2 weeks

The local staff are caring and friendly, and very flexible.
The children were so sweet, and I really felt as if I was making them happier. My favourite moment was when a 3 year old autistic child in the room we were working in stopped staring at the door every day for his father to come and started playing with me. That first day, he didn't even notice when his dad came to the door to get him.

Mason Slavner
Nationality: Canadian
Age: 18
Program: Thailand
Project: Childcare*
Date: November 2012 - 12 weeks

The local staff were incredibly friendly, personal, helpful, and responsive when help is required. The facilities were also outstanding.
Our project went above and beyond what we expected. We were able to partake in engineering jobs which actually improved our experience as engineers. Working at a coffee cooperative, we weren't expecting to gain engineering experience. As Green As it Gets was an outstanding organisation to work with.
My favorite moment was during a trip we took with As Green As It Gets to a secluded coffee farming community called La Suiza. The community had requested help with providing the women of the village pilas (large concrete sinks). My task was to empower women who were not used to doing anything outside of the home to make their own pilas. The most incredible moment was when the women went from shyly standing around to picking up tools and imitating my actions, stuffing pila moulds with concrete. In the end, their colorful traditional skirts were all dusted with cement, mixing their own concrete while laughing.

Kayla Dill
Nationality: American
Age: 25
Program: Guatemala
Project: Eco-Agriculture Conservation
Date: December 2012 - 8 weeks

The project more than suited what I wanted to be doing. I did not think I would be teaching all day, every day, but it was a bonus and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment with the children. I definitely felt my time was appreciated as the children really wanted to learn English and I could provide that everyday for them. I had a fantastic experience not only through teaching the children and playing with them on my days off but also being placed in Pursat which is away from touristy areas and packed full of culture. The accommodation was great. My room was large and comfortable with a fan that kept me cool during the night. The hosts were extremely friendly, and although they didn't speak a lot of English, were always there if you needed help. My favourite moments were of course teaching the children and seeing them progress. Other touches made it so great such as the children walking me home or meeting me outside the home stay house every morning.

Daniel Warren
Nationality: British
Age: 23
Program: Cambodia
Project: Orphanage/Childcare
Date: January 2013 - 2 weeks

I found IVHQ to be very efficient and effective with answering the questions in which I had before arriving overseas and starting my project there.
Our local co-ordinator Serei was exceptionally helpful and always available if you needed contact him which was very reassuring when you are in a foreign country. So I am very appreciative of his help.
The kids at the orphanage and director were so friendly and welcoming and always showed us the appreciation if our time and effort. Kids were always happy see us and overall the experience was very much worthwhile and I am very glad I partook in this project it has taught me slot and I hope in return I have taught children a lot of useful English.
The favourite moment for me is when the kids would wait at the end of the road with smiles on their faces waiting to walk us to the orphanage to teach them. I was also very proud of the kids determination and patience to succeed in topics and tasks we set them and it was always so rewarding to see them happy with themselves for doing well and wanting to show us the end product of their work.

Sarah Hunt
Nationality: British
Age: 22
Program: Cambodia
Project: Orphanage/Childcare
Date: January 2012 - 2 weeks

We enjoyed living in the homestay, although there were often interruptions with water and electricity.
We got along with the local people very well, and we will cherish the international friendship.
The days at the orphanage were the most memorable. We brought the children all kinds of stationery and accompanied them playing games, singing, dancing, painting, playing football and watching TV. When the children knew that we were leaving, they sent us lots of paintings. I was deeply touched by their behavior. If given the opportunity I will go to visit them again.

Jiarong Li
Nationality: Chinese
Age: 19
Program: Nepal
Project: Orphanage Work
Date: January 2013 - 2 weeks

I went through IVHQ because it was the cheapest option and it ended up being the best as well!
The orientation was good. Very informative about everything I need to know.
I loved both projects, Childcare and Turtle Conservation!
I LOVED my host family. I think that was my favorite part of the whole experience. It is amazing how much you can love people you have only known for a short period of time. I feel like they became my real family. The food was fantastic and the house was always really clean. I felt so safe there.
I loved the people. My family, the kids I worked with at the daycare, and working with the turtles.

Kelsee Hart
Nationality: American
Age: 21
Program: Costa Rica
Project: Turtle Conservation
Date: January 2013 - 4 weeks

When I first came across IVHQ in my search for volunteer abroad opportunities, it felt a little too good to be true. The prices were extremely affordable, the company had a professional website, and all of the testimonies from past volunteers were more than positive. However, after conducting further research into the organization, the company still checked out, and I made an application. I am so glad I did. IVHQ and its Ghanaian partner organization, Volunteer Corps Organisation, were absolutely amazing. From the moment I was accepted into the program through my final taxi to the airport on my way home, they were by my side. Upon receiving confirmation of my enrollment, I was sent a detailed information booklet and matched with a personal travel consultant from IVHQ. I was able to email her with any questions I had, though most were addressed in the booklet, and she always responded promptly. When I left for Ghana, I did so without anxiety for the time I was about to spend there. When I arrived in the capital city of Accra, a staff member was at the airport waiting for me, and he arranged a taxi for us to return to the volunteer house. The house, which was about half an hour’s drive from the airport, was well run and included three meals a day. Getting to meet all the other volunteers there was an awesome experience, and I can now say I have contacts from all around the world. The orientation we received at the volunteer house was thoroughly informative, and I again felt prepared as we headed out in hired tro tros with a staff member to our placements. Once we got there, the staff was always just a phone call away at any time of day, and they even recommended hotels when my room mate and I wanted to go to Cape Coast for a weekend. Overall, I was highly impressed with the security I felt traveling with IVHQ. Though I was technically traveling alone, I was very grateful to have the guidance and support of the very accessible and friendly staff. If you want an affordable and safe volunteer experience, this is the way to go.

Hannah Strickland
Nationality: American
Age: 20
Program: Ghana
Project: Orphanage Work
Date: January 2013 - 2 weeks

Just want to say thank you for giving me an amazing project and experience that I will remember for a lifetime. I had such a great time and it was great fun hanging out with the other volunteers in the house, especially going for weekend excursions with some of them.
I absolutely enjoyed teaching a Buddhist monk, Chandananda. He was calm, patient and very eager to learn, I enjoyed teaching him English and seeing him improve his English skills everyday.
I loved teaching the village Muslim kids inside their lovely home. They are shy most of the time, but so well behaved and eager to learn more and more everyday. They are all very smart and it was a great pleasure working with such intelligent kids who are not afraid to correct me as a teacher as well. They had great dreams in life and I wish they achieve these dreams one day.
I went to the home for the elderly for 2 days. I spent half of the day with them and took time to get to know them and listen to them. This program touched me deeply and I loved spending time with all of them. They remind me of my grandmother. I loved playing bananagrams with them and listening to them and just touching their fragile hands. This project is so rewarding and I highly recommend it to anyone. I will always remember the smiles of all the elderly people in the home and playing my music and dancing to them. The sisters are all very nice and they cooked us a great lunch.
Thank you again. I enjoyed beautiful Sri Lanka and would definitely come back.

Cathy Binua
Nationality: Filipino
Age: 34
Program: Sri Lanka
Project: Teaching
Date: December 2012 - 2 weeks