International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

My name is Bertram Scott. September 1, 2018 I landed in South Africa through the International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ) Program. I had signed up for the teaching program. I taught math primarily to third and six graders. These students come from poverty communities. They do speak English. I found the students to be resilient in spite of their living and community situation. This was a truly wonderful experience. Additionally, the accommodations and management was very good. Management was very good in responding to any needs we had. We stayed in Muizenberg, a suburb of Cape Town. It was very nice. Once I got to my assigned area I fell under the IVHQ umbrella of the Dreams To Reality management group. They were very professional and available 24/7 to respond to any needs I had. I got to know volunteers that came from all over the world, in the Volunteer House where we stayed. I enjoyed it a lot.
Lastly, South Africa is a beautiful country with beautiful people. I never felt like a foreigner. I was there until November 3rd (a little more than two months). I definitely want to go back again. I highly recommend a IVHQ Program selection to Cape Town, South Africa. The IVHQ Program people are prompt in responding to your questions. They are very professional and polite.

My name is Eva, I'm 18 years old and I just finished my 3 months volunteering at the Turtle conservation on Nusa Penida Island. I can honestly say it's been the best three months if my life. From the introduction week in Ubud to the daily volunteering on Nusa I can only say all the staff members I met were absolutely incredible. From the coordinators to the kitchen staff everybody greets you with a smile. ivhq's support was really good, they answered to my Emails super quickly and always encouraged me to ask more questions if I was unsure about something. The only thing I feel could use improvement is the support in getting a visa extension but that really only matters if you plan on staying longer than 60 days and isn't that big of a deal. All in all, I had the most amazing time, I made friends for life with other volunteers and the coordinators there. I am beyond grateful for the experience I've had.

We had the most magical time in Jamaica working with the Kindergarten program. The staff, children, and program in its entirety was incredible from start to finish. The food was amazing, the people were so kind, the excursions were breathtaking, and the other volunteers have become fast friends. We loved every exhilarating and beautiful moment of this trip.

The worst part of the program was having to leave this adventuring and heart-felt and impactful week.

We had the most magical time in Jamaica working with the Kindergarten program. The staff, children, and program in its entirety was incredible from start to finish. The food was amazing, the people were so kind, the excursions were breathtaking, and the other volunteers have become fast friends. We loved every exhilarating and beautiful moment of this trip.

The worst part of the program was having to leave this adventuring and heart-felt and impactful week.

I wish we would have known how difficult and expensive it is to mail items after leaving the program. Had we known this, we would have packed a suitcase with school supplies and left with the school upon leaving. Aside from that, I would change nothing about this incredible experience.

I would like to start my review by describing the IVHQ program enrollment process which is very organized. After submitted my application, one of the Program Managers, Samuel, has gotten in contact with me and helped me all the way with all the questions that I had at any time, providing guidance in a very professional way. The program has interactive training that prepare the future volunteer for the experience.
After arriving in Nepal, I was welcomed by the local partner agency and I was checked in a nice and cozy hotel. We stood in the hotel during all our time of orientation where we received useful information regarding our next placement, volunteering work and other country related information. These people made us feel welcomed and a part of the local culture. Arriving in my village, where I was accommodated for 4 weeks, the host family was the first point of contact for me. They were taken full responsibility for me and my well-being. After just a couple of days, I was already feeling like a part of the family. The Nepali culture is so friendly and they are able to create long lasting relationships with the volunteer. I am truly grateful that I was a part of Jitendra Mahato's house and of his family. Regarding the volunteering work, I was part of the construction team in Chitwan, where we built a wall for a temple. Besides construction, each day I was in close relationship with the children in the village and especially the daughters of my host's family. We played, learned English together and also had a lot of fun and laugh.
The experience cannot be described in a review, I took about 700 pictures just from my volunteering work, local traditions, cuisine and relationships. I would definitely recommend Nepal as a country to visit and IVHQ as the volunteering agency to contact for doing that.

I recently signed up with IVHQ and Voluteer Corps Ghana volunteering program. I found it to be very well organized and conducted. The staff was good especially Evan's who was the program coordinator for the Frankadua Program. His passion to help the people of Frankadua was infectious. I would highly recommend this program to others as well. The entire staff of IVHQ and Volunteer corps was very cordial through out the trip. The cook was very nice and entertained us with delicious meals three times a day. This program gave me a good mix of work and free time. In the free time I was able to make connections with the locals and know more about the life in Frankadua and the challenges that community faces. Leaving Frankadua was tough. I think I came back more grateful and a person who is more willing to help others.