Testimonials
Everything is AMAZING! I could not be happier with the experience and how I am being treated at my homestay, orphanage and especially by the local staff. They are all so helpful and available.
Asante Sana!
Maia
Maia WilliamsonNationality: Canadian
Age: 34
Host country: Tanzania
Programme: Teaching
Date: July 2010 - 3 weeks
Hi! I'm in Pursat and everything is definitely ok...The host family is great the collegues are nice people and the town is just right.
I found the staff are really great and I have to give a particular mention to Delia and Sebastian. Cambodians are so friendly you could hardly tell you're not home.
Nationality: Italian
Age: 24
Host country: Cambodia
Programme: Human Rights
Date: July 2010 - 4 weeks
I am in the middle of my trip to Antigua, Guatemala as a nursing volunteer and I am loving it here! The experience is really amazing. At first I was really nervous on the first day getting there because it was unfamiliar territory, but after walking the streets and meeting the people at IVHQ, I felt excited and comfortable to be there! My host family is so welcoming and I love homecooked Guatemalan meals! I feel safe there and there are other travelers living there whom I like to converse with in Spanish, or atleast try to converse in my broken Spanish. =) The medical placement is great and I am seeing and doing a lot. The people at the centro de salud are so helpful and patient. The patients we see are very kind as well. The culture here is so rich and beautiful. I am enjoying my experience a lot and IVHQ are taking great care of me! And I got private Spanish lessons for a great price! I only volunteered a week (due to prior obligations), but I wish I was staying longer!
Stacy ChangNationality: American
Age: 25
Host country: Guatemala
Programme: Medical Placement
Date: July 2010 - 1 week
I am home from the most amazing adventure. I do not think words can describe what I experienced. First, I would like to say thank you to you and the staff of IVHQ for the professionalism and work you all do everyday to make sure the volunteers are well taken care of while we are on our assignments. This is my first time being part of a volunteer vacation so I wasn't 100% sure what to expect. Through your guidance and help I let myself "go with the flow" and experience something amazing.
My trip to Ghana has changed me for the better.The children and the people of Dodowa, Ghana are truly beautiful and wonderful. I was placed on the Pink Program at WORSCA with 7 other great volunteers. We painted the orphanage, bought medical supplies, donated bowls and spoons, worked with the kids in the morning and played with them in the afternoon after school. Being one of the older volunteers at the site it was a great pleasure to work with Eddie, Eric and the other volunteers. The children and women of this orphanage are my heroes!
Eddie, Eric and the rest of the local staff are wonderful. I felt the moment I arrived to the moment I left they were making sure we were alright and enjoying the program. My stay was short compared to other volunteers but I never felt like a short timer. Everything in the handbook was spot on, from the airport arrival pickup to learning about what is needed from me while I am there.
I feel I left Ghana with more respect and admiration for the people there. My heart goes out to all 65 kids but when I saw them smiling and playing I knew I was there to help them but I also found out they were there to help me understand the differences of another culture. I hope the local staff keep up the wonderful and selflessness work they are doing for the people of Ghana because every little bit helps a child in need.
Thank you for letting me be a part of this wonderful team and experience. I will be referring everyone I know to this great organization and I know I will be planning my next adventure with IVHQ (it might be a year and a half away but I cannot wait). I feel only other volunteers can appreciate and understand the emotions you go through while doing this work.
Thank you and I look forward to our next trip together.
Michael Canup
Michael CanupNationality: American
Age: 42
Host country: Ghana
Programme: Orphanage Work
Date: July 2010 - 1 Week
I really couldnt fault any aspect of it, ye gave great info, the local staff were most helpful, my host family were great and I will certainly recommend IVHQ to anyone interested in volunteering,who knows I might well be contacting you again next year....
Regards
John/Kipino(my maasai name)
John CollinsNationality: Irish
Age: 40
Host country: Kenya-Maasai
Programme: Teaching
Date: June 2010 - 3 weeks
I will remember my month in Ghana forever. It was an adventure that I would definitley do again. The staff at IVHQ were so friendly and were happy to answer any questions that needed answering. I went to Ghana with a friend so I was able to share experiences with a familiar face. We bonded with the Program staff in Ghana so well that we had so much fun together. Eddy and the team are doing such a fantastic job...long may it continue!
The orphanage we went to was in the idyllic setting of Nkwanta where the road trip to get there was undoubtedly worth every minute. I will never forget the moment the kids at the orphanage saw us and just stopped everything and ran in our direction to greet us as we arrived.
If there is a chance to get on the program in Nkwanta - do it! You won't regret it! It was such an eye opening experience but it was an experience that had such a positive impact on my life.
I cannot think of any bad experiences during my time in Ghana, apart from when it was time to say goodbye. But we are all staying in touch and we will see them again soon.
Aaron TillyerNationality: British
Age: 20
Host country: Ghana
Programme: Sports Teaching
Date: June 2010 - 4 weeks
I would definitely volunteer with IVHQ again! My questions were answered promptly and sufficiently. The local staff were great and very helpful. Orientation was great and the tour of Arusha was very helpful! Accommodations were great. The food was okay and overall my expectations were met. I loved meeting new people with a common interest and learning and experiencing a new culture in an authentic way.
Kate CollinsNationality: American
Age: 25
Host country: Tanzania
Programme: Teaching
Date: June 2010 - 2 weeks
Waka Waka!
I am Currently Volunteering for Orphanage in the Blue Program in Ghana. It has been 2 weeks and I have 6 more to go. Falling in love and feeling right at home are some of the feelings I am experiencing so magically here! The kids are some of the most amazing people I've ever met, So are the program coordinators and people working with the kids here.We were the first group from IVHQ to work with this Orphanage at the blue program and the progress that is being made day by day and the joy and satisfaction from it cannot be described by words!
Me pe Wasem
Golriz JahangiriNationality: Iranian
Age: 28
Host country: Ghana
Programme: Orphanage Work
Date: June 2010 - 8 weeks
Everything is great here in Kenya. I feel really blessed with both my volunteer placement and the accomodation here. It is really excellent, eventually I may extend my time spent here. Everything with the local staff has been very smooth and I have not really ran into any problems. I have already seen some great sights around the city of nairobi. Thank you for everything!
Oliver KurzNationality: Canadian/German
Age: 18
Host country: Kenya
Programme: Orphanage Work
Date: July 2010 - 12 Weeks
I am really enjoying the whole experience. I find the whole experience very fascinating and captivating. It is a great adventure for me.
I had the `travel bug` as a young man but I married at 20 and had kids which left me tied down and only able to dream and read about foreign travel. I have got to do alot of travel in recent years but have got a little tired of normal tourist venues. This experience is what I have been looking for. It gives me the chance to explore new culture while trying to do something meaningfull.
Richard O`MaraNationality: Irish
Age: 50
Host country: Kenya-Maasai
Programme: Teaching
Date: July 2010 - 8 Weeks