Volunteers for Peace
Programs and Reviews
Volunteers For Peace is a non-profit organization, founded in 1982, that offers placement in over 3000 voluntary service projects in more than 100 countries. Each year we provide almost 1,000 volunteers with invaluable opportunities to strengthen their ability to communicate in diverse groups, explore grassroots leadership opportunities, and build cultural understanding and connections around the world.
VFP offers service projects that arise from a grassroots, community based need for adults, teens, seniors, families and groups. Volunteers can choose between Short-Term Projects (Also known as Workcamps) where volunteers from 4 or more countries come together for a 2-3 week service project, or Individual Service Adventures & Gap Year Projects (Also known as Medium Term or Permanent Projects) involve working with VFP to create a personalized 2-week to 1-year experience.
Programs Abroad
Reviews
80%Overall
Rating
90%Overall
Rating
I spent 2 weeks at Peace Village in Thailand in February. I was struck by the juxtaposition of old and new in Thailand; a cell phone tower next to a temple for example. I have to say the Thai people have an energy and way that exudes kindness.
The project was a really nice balance of work, culture, relaxation, cultural exchange and fun. We were a group of 8 from 4 countries and I was the only one from the USA. The project was focused on sustainable gardening so at times the work was hard. We planted and cared for vegetables, moved compost piles, planted herbs and did general renovation and improvements on Peace Village. We also had the opportunity to visit the Ministry of Sustainability where we saw all different types of energy projects.
I loved the whole experience, the balance, the people, visiting markets, traveling by train, visiting temples, the food, new friends and everyone at Peace Village.
Critical Feedback:
The work we did was great but I really hope they are able to manage the systems we put in place. In reality two weeks is a very short time to change habits but the good news is they have programs running all year so hopefully the next group will build on what we did.
90%Overall
Rating
I was 47 years old and decided to volunteer through Volunteers for Peace in Dharmasala, India in July, 2011 I was told the average age was of participants was 28. Without my age included, it was 22. Believing that we all needed to be there, I became a part of a 22 member team lead by two facilitators from FSL-India. We lived and worked together for three weeks. We came from all over the world, with half of us not speaking English, but that didn't prevent the creation of community both for one another and for the two rural Indian schools that we served. As a parent of three children in American schools and as a teacher, I was amazed at the lack of facilities and comfort that were afforded to Indian children in their schools. But, quickly, I realized that the lack that I perceived was the norm for them. I saw children in school's who couldn't even afford to have their own pencils and yet they thrived and loved learning and being with one another. There was also a lot of gratitude shown to the volunteers from the school officials, teachers and students for the time and effort spent beautifying their classrooms and play grounds and the games and songs we sang to strengthen their knowledge of English. As a nursery school teacher, long out of the classroom, my moment was playing the guitar and
having fifty Indian children sing the song Kumba. All in, was the perfect opportunity to give and to learn on many different levels. I look forward to volunteering this summer in a rural school in Kenya.
Critical Feedback:
well...I am a borderline diabetic, so it was challenging eating sometimes. The food was heavy on carbohydrates.
100%Overall
Rating
Volunteering in Vietnam, through VFP, was a great decision for me. In two weeks, I was able to help entertain handicapped children in an orphanage, make books for blind children, and teach English. Also, I lived in a volunteer house with local and foreign volunteers. We were all able to explore together and hang-out at the end of the day. I highly recommend volunteering in Vietnam through VFP.
Critical Feedback:
Even though I loved my experience, I didn't end up doing the kind of work that was in the program description. So, make sure you come with a flexible attitude!
100%Overall
Rating
I found Volunteers for Peace on my own while searching around online and my trip to Mongolia was one of the best experiences in my life! I was fortunate to travel to Mongolia to assist with the construction of a new shower/ bathing quarters for an orphanage that is located a few miles outside the capital of Ulaan Bataar. This was a wonderful trip! I was able to make bricks using a brick making machine and see the process of local building techniques up close. I also met a Taiwanese team that installed an eco-toilet created by Jaxa, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. An example of interprofessional collaboration at its finest.The opportunity to experience this trip was provided by Volunteers For Peace.
Volunteers For Peace offers opportunities for students to travel abroad and it is very affordable.I was able to pay for the airfare and I didnt have to worry about meals or housing...the food was very good! We prepared food as a group and I met great people... Room and board plus meals were provided which cuts the cost drastically for an international experience. Many students would like to study abroad with their school for a semester but for various reasons cannot afford the cost or cannot commit the time.I could not afford a trip with my university and this trip filled the criteria I was looking for. No complaints and great memories!!
Critical Feedback:
You need to purchase your own plane ticket and when booking my trip I purchased ticket with layover in Russia...I needed to acquire Russian visa...I should have purchased flight with layover in China (process is easier I hear) or direct flight to Mongolia...
Alumni Interviews
Staff Interview
Meet Chelsea Frisbee, VFP International Placement Coordinator
GO: Tell us a little about VFP and your role at the company.
Chelsea: This year VFP is celebrating its 30th anniversary! We place American volunteers overseas in short-term and long-term volunteer projects around the world and also host international volunteers in the US every summer. Our projects build leadership skills, teach effective communication strategies and allow volunteers and communities to expand their global perspective and cultural understanding.
I've worked here since December 2010 as the International Placement Coordinator, helping American volunteers plan their overseas experience.
GO: How did you get involved in the volunteer industry?
Chelsea: I've always loved traveling and feel my experiences abroad have helped shape who I am today. I wanted to be involved in making those life-changing opportunities available for others!
GO: What makes VFP unique?
Chelsea: VFP is a small organization with a large scope. To start the process, you'll get a personal interaction and experience with VFP office staff. Internationally, you'll work with our partner organizations based in each country who know the language, culture and regions where you'll be volunteering. We try to keep our projects affordable because we know the value of volunteerism and want volunteers of all income levels to be able to participate!
GO: In your experience, what characteristics make a good international volunteer?
Chelsea: Having an open mind, taking personal responsibility for one's experience, being flexible and caring.
GO: How do you ensure your programs are sustainable and mutually beneficial for you, the community, and the volunteers?
Chelsea: We are part of three different international networks of similar organizations - the Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS) at UNESCO, Service Civil International, and the Alliance European Voluntary Service Organizations. These networks have protocol in place that ensure all organizations are monitoring programs to be sustainable and have a positive effect for all involved.
After spending an entire year searching high and low on the internet for an organization that would not scam me out of paying thousands to do volunteer work, I finally came across Volunteers for Peace, ironically enough based out of my hometown (though I had never heard about it before). As a 17 year old I was not hopeful that many programs would be available to me; or if there were international camps for minors, the price would be skyrocketed. As of 2011 the price for all teen camps was a flat $500, regardless of length, location, etc. I was pleasantly surprised to find so many options available to me and found my three-week camp in Germany. Chelsea and Meg are very helpful and helped my family to be reassured of my safety during international travel. I made 16 amazing friends at this camp and still keep in touch with almost all of them; in fact, this summer at age 19 I am participating in another camp through VFP in France, and will meet one of my German friends from 2011 in Paris before it starts. I can speak on behalf of a VFP Europe participant that the organization has reputable intentions and I look forward to additional projects with them!