IVHQ-Tanzania

I had a great experience with International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ). I volunteered to work in Tanzania, Africa. I volunteered for construction and Renovation. I was a little nervous about traveling so far and at my age (63), I wasn’t sure if volunteering to do construction work was the right choice. Well, it was. I was assigned a school to work in where my co-worker from Scotland and I were trained by the local construction manager to apply plaster to the walls of a structure which would eventually be a kitchen. My co-worker (friend) and I worked well together for several days. During the course of my placement there, I decided to buy school supplies for the headmaster (principal) of the school. I also bought the school soccer balls for the children to play. Both gifts were surprises and the headmaster was very glad. What made the experience great was seeing the faces of the children every day eager to learn and their joy in receiving the soccer balls. I think I made friends for life among the teaching staff and I hope the work I did there showed them my appreciation for being allowed to spend time with them. I think IVHQ did a great job preparing me for the experience and providing me adequate information on location, transportation, conditions in the area and other things to allow me to be successful. I was very satisfied with my experience.