ISV - Volunteer Projects in South Africa

There is not much else to say than just do it. Just step outside of your comfort zone and go on this trip, trust me when I say it will be one of the best experiences you will ever have. Don't worry about the cost, you will make the money. Money is replaceable, the memories you will make and the people you will meet are absolutely priceless. Not to mention a trip with ISV is an incredible value, no dollars are wasted no matter how you look at it.

I signed up for this trip not only to travel the world, see new a countries, go on crazy adventures and meet amazing people; but mostly to get experience with large exotic animals in the best way possible and really make a difference for endangered species. I had absolutely no idea what I had signed up for. I knew this trip would be amazing but I never knew that it would change my life. And yes its cheezy but its cheezy because its true.

I got to volunteer at the DeWildt Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Center for two weeks every day and spend time with these amazing creatures. I was in the Pre-vet group so not only did I get to be around them I got to work hands on with them, sedate the cheetahs for vaccinations and medications as well as watch surgery preformed on both the cheetah and wild dog. I got to learn information on why the cheetah is endangered and what we can do to help but also information on countless other species that were also at the center. I honestly cannot say enough good things about what DeWildt is doing and I am so thankful that I went with a program like ISV that brought me to such an amazing place.

The second two weeks of my program was the adventure tour, we went to Mozambique, Swaziland and then back to South Africa staying at game reserves and other amazing accommodations. Yes we got to do crazy fun activities like caving and kloofing (cliff jumping) but ISV made education just as important in the second two weeks as the first. We got to meet local people, visit villages, and see so many species of wild animals that live in Africa. Instead of riding elephants that is completely unethical we walked next to them in their natural environment so instead of training them to interact with humans on our terms we interacted with them on theirs, a beautiful thing that I am so happy I got to experience. That is the difference between ISV and other tour groups, ISV has a moral code unlike so many other companies and really care about the impact that they make and the volunteers make while abroad.

If you want to travel abroad and have the best experience of your life, believe me when I tell you to just do it and go with ISV, it was the best decision I ever made.

Volunteering in South Africa through ISV was truly a once in a lifetime experience! I did the full 4 week tour which included 2 weeks of volunteering and 2 weeks of adventuring. The work I completed in my 2 weeks of Standard Conservation volunteering felt like it mattered, and it was even better being surrounded by people with the same common goals and passions! The accommodations exceeded my expectations and the staff was so incredibly helpful from planning the trip all the way to my flight home from the trip. It seems overwhelming to plan a month long trip to South Africa but ISV made it very easy and manageable, even with my busy school and work schedule! The 2 week adventure tour was also incredibly enriching because ISV chose activities that highlighted the beauty and charm of African culture. The entire experience was FUN, educational, and humbling. I couldn't have picked a better organization for my first time volunteering overseas.

My experience in South Africa was an amazing one! The people of Walmer Township in Port Elizabeth, South Africa were the so welcoming and appreciative of our help. ISV did a great job of working with the needs of the people and giving us volunteers tasks to accomplish their needs. I met some of the most hard working and loving people. The culture is so different from America and I was able to appreciate their way of life. ISV made my experience educational by teaching us about sustainability and letting us know that what we are doing is making a huge difference for the people of the township. We worked a lot with the kids and they were so happy and they had so little. Everyone I met touched my heart and were the reason I left Port Elizabeth in tears. I felt such a great deal of love and appreciation from the community and it was the most rewarding experience of my life.

I know everyone says this program will change your life, and I will admit that it has changed mine. Africa helped me to find ME. But, I want people to know how they can change another life. When I volunteered my time over seas with ISV I learned what it truly meant to be a volunteer; to give my time to another person, and to pour my heart into supporting any and every human being in any way I can. Throughout my trip I was able to meet so many people and view life in a unique way that I wouldn't have experienced anywhere else. ISV made it possible for me to branch out and build schools, begin new teaching strategies, clean villages, and make life better for families and children throughout a small township in South Africa. SO yes, this program was life changing, for me and for those people I was able to help. And anyone can do it.

I’ve heard about several countries that got under my skin but the one I’ll always call home, where the heart is, is South Africa. Since I was a little girl, when people would ask me “Where would you like to travel to and visit?” I would always respond, “Africa of course!” I would get good and bad reactions in regards of my response; they would obviously expect either France, Spain, or maybe Hawaii. Traveling to Africa has truly been a dream of mine and with the amazing help and guidance of ISV, my dream came true! I know that as a women I’m being subjective but then again, I’ve seen the aspects that visitors to the country don’t usually see and I still love the place, bugs and all. There is much to love about the land at the southern tip of Africa but for me its biggest strength is its environment. With ISV, we were able to support the conservation research activities with WTSA and WEI by helping restore a reserve to its formal nature state. As a volunteer, we had the chance to get hands on experiences with endangered species and help contribute on the conservation research on the reserve. ISV also gives you the option of an “Adventure Tour” where you get the chance to be a tourists! During the 2 weeks of the adventure, I had the chance to do visit other countries like Swaziland and Mozambique and had the chance to do so many activities. For example, we did elephant encounters, caving, cliff jumping, game drives, scuba diving and more! This foreign experience of travelling to experience different cultures, lifestyles and to help make an impact in this planet wouldn’t be possible without the help of ISV. I am so thankful and blessed that I had this opportunity to help make an impact to our world. This is just the beginning of my journey with ISV and I hope to return soon to make a bigger difference! Meanwhile, I’ll keep carrying my beloved country, South Africa, in my heart and in my veins, no matter where I go.

During the second half of the 4 week trip, we had the opportunity to cliff jump, or kloofing, in South Africa. The last jump was from 30+ feet and I didn't want to do it. If it wasn't for the support of the group with me, most of which I had just met a couple days earlier, I would have never jumped off that cliff. Not only can I say that I did, I ended up making amazing friendships with what is now my ISV family.

I know when people go abroad and travel they call it a trip of a life time, I don't want to be like everyone else but thats exactly what this trip was. I can't say I have a favorite part of this trip but the one moment I knew this trip was worth it was when we were finished refurbishing the school and the children walked in and saw the inside and their faces lit up, that exact moment changed my life forever. After that my adventure changed, we travelled all around Southern Africa and got to see more things in that 2 weeks then most people get to see in their life time, it was incredible.

ISV is an amazing organization that makes planning for a long overseas trip a lot more manageable. As a student in college I could not have planned such an elaborate trip by myself while studying. ISV provided me with everything I needed, and made sure to give me ample time to complete this work when due dates were approaching. The trip itself was an experience I will never forget, and it sure changed my life forever. We partnered with Izizwe a local organization in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. They housed us, took care of our transport, and fed us as well. The love I felt from them was amazing, it was like they were family. They welcomed us with loving open arms, and had us leaving with tears in our eyes because of the impact they had on our lives. The kids were the best though, and I will say whole heatedly they are the happiest kids you will ever meet. The first two weeks went by very fast, looking back we did a lot of work for that community. But, I can honestly say I think they changed my life more than I changed theirs, I miss each and everyone of them everyday but I left a piece of my heart there that I will never get back, nor do I want it back. ISV then gives you an option to do a second two weeks of adventuring around this amazing country (plus Swaziland and Mozambique too!!) I conquered some fears and had the time of my life!! The staff with ISV is WONDERFUL!! Courtney and Graeme were by far the most amazing people I have every met! They make your time overseas a blast, and with them I never worried about safety! They were born and raised there and know the area very well. I cannot begin to explain to you how amazing this program is, I would 10/10 recommend traveling with ISV if you are looking to make a difference and have a ton of fun while you do it! Also add on the 2 week adventure tour and the OAP it's all worth the money and you have experiences you will never forget (Kloofing, Caving, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Swimming with Dolphins, Kruger National Park Game Drive, and so much more!) Check out their website for a great detailed list of everything you can do!