Alumni Spotlight: Maria Neto

Maria is an 18-year-old blogger who is currently taking a gap year in hopes of saving money for university. Traveling to Africa by herself for a month was her first step towards adulthood.

Why did you choose this program?

volunteering in Africa

IVHQ was very affordable and being on a budget really influenced my decision. I read all the reviews and everyone seemed to have loved their experience with them.

Then I chose childcare because I love children and know how important it is for a child to be loved and get attention. I ended up at Cradle of Love Baby Home, an amazing orphanage!

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

IVHQ and their partner organization assists with all the support in your chosen country: food, water, accommodation, special prices for trips you might want to take, hospital visits, etc. Furthermore they assist with booking affordable flights and travel insurance.

The volunteer is responsible of getting the visas, criminal background check, vaccinations, booking flights and buying an insurance.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Don't go to Africa unless you travel with an open mind and an open heart. That's my one piece of advice and you'll get in once you arrive.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

A normal day (Monday-Friday) consisted on waking up at 6:45AM, having breakfast, getting ready and leaving the house at 7:30AM. Once I left the house I would catch a dala-dala to work (about an hour and a half away) to get to the orphanage at 9!

Once in the orphanage I would assist with feeding time, then play time, then nap time. After that I would visit the bigger kids and play with them and tried to teach some basic english and maths and then lunch time.

After lunch all the kids had nap time and that's when I went back home, showered, had lunch and had the afternoon free. During the weekends there were many things you could do.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it and/or how did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was security for sure! Being that this was my first time traveling I wasn't experienced enough so if something happened I had no idea what to do. But the program was indeed really safe.

The house had a fence and a security guard 24 hours a day. Besides the program tends to pair the volunteers so they won't have to travel alone! I felt really safe for the whole time I was abroad.

What are three essentials you think anyone traveling to Africa should have?

Wet wipes and dry shampoo because you will be covered in dust all the time and power cuts are frequent, so it's good to feel clean! A camera because you will see amazing things you'll want to remember and especially if you will be in childcare you need the song Waka Waka by Shakira...the kids are crazy about that song!