Volunteering Solutions Reviews

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About

Since 2007, Volunteering Solutions (VolSol) has been working with the aim of providing support to the underprivileged societies of the world in order to make a difference. Over the last 11 years, VolSol has placed more than 14500 volunteers across 25+ countries in different parts of the world. Meant essentially for high school, college and university students as well as gap year travelers and backpackers, the projects have been reasonably priced, starting at a cost as low as $200 only!

Volunteering Solutions aims to promote affordable volunteer work in countries that need it the most by connecting the right people with the best projects abroad. With such a wide variety of projects around the world, there is surely something available for everyone. It'll be an incredible opportunity for you! At the end of the program, volunteers and interns are awarded a Certificate of Project Completion.

Bookings are open for the most Affordable Volunteer Programs Abroad 2020 - Book Your Spot, Now!

Website

www.volunteeringsolutions.co.uk

Founded

2007

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Headquarters

39 Roxborough Road
London, United Kingdom
HA1 1NS
United Kingdom

Reviews

Spending this time volunteering in Kegalle was one of the best experiences of my life. Rosie is a phenomenal host and an incredibly friendly soul. The project itself was great fun, it was rewarding to help out, getting to know the elephants and washing them in the river. I'll miss them a lot! The girls at the orphanage melted my heart and I'll definitely be going back to do this project again. It was probably the most authentic way I could have experienced the country and Rosie was great in helping us sort out excursions and travel. Thanks so much!

I spent time at the school and the children's home. Both were eye opening. The children were full of smiles and hungry for learning. The unselfish attitude of everybody was something we don't see so much in our privalaged lifestyle we could learn a lot. What Margaret has done for over 150 children at the home is amazing. Without her vision and love for life these children would have had a very different life if any. So I have nothing but respect for her. An experience you will never regret or forget. Kenya is an amazing country with so much potential . You are guaranteed to leave a bit of your heart with the children and want to go back for more.

What would you improve about this program?

I would put a cooker in the accommodation. That way you could cook your own food. We ate out a few times and some times we didn't get breakfast delivered . So charge less and cook your own food .

I loved my volunteering experience in Cusco. I lived with a wonderful family with 2 children. The kids loves me and the whole family helped me improve my Spanish. My program was more than I could have expected. I am currently a pre-medicine student with limited experience, but I really felt like I could help. I also learned a lot. The nurses were all very nice and willing to teach me. I learned how to give vaccines, do finger pricks for hemoglobin levels, and do muestras for the lab. There is a lot of paperwork in the clinics and all medical centers in Peru, making it hard for the centers to see many patients during the day. I did some paperwork, but I always felt helpful too. There are so many places to see in Cusco. There are many ruins close by that you can visit after work and so many options for day trips. I became friends with Brazilians who were also in my program. It was a great program for anyone interested in helping an under-privileged medical center. 10/10 recommend, especially if you know even a little Spanish.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Come to Peru with an open mind. The food is going to be different and things are not going to be like your country. You need to try your best and you will gain a lot from this program. If you want to meet people, you will. If you want to learn, they will teach. If you want to improve your Spanish, they will help. And also, ENJOY.

Translated by Go Overseas:

We really liked the project, we had the opportunity to follow Clinical Medicine, Obstetrics and Pediatrics for 2 weeks. The health system is a little bureaucratic, but we were still able to participate and learn from the professionals.
We also really liked the place where we stayed. We stayed at Elizabeth's house, who was always very attentive and helpful with us. During the project, on the weekends, we went to Machu Picchu and the Mountain of 7 colors, in addition to having the opportunity to get to know the city of Cusco, which is charming and full of history, very well.

Original Review:
Nós gostamos muito do projeto, tivemos a oportunidade de acompanhar Clínica Médica, Obstetrícia e Pediatria durante 2 semanas. O sistema de saúde é um pouco burocrático, mas mesmo assim pudemos participar e aprender com os profissionais.
Também gostamos muito do local em que ficamos. Ficamos hospedados na casa da Elizabeth, que foi sempre muito atenciosa e prestativa conosco. Durante o projeto, nos finais de semana, fomos a Machu Picchu e a Montanha das 7 cores, além de termos a oportunidade de conhecer muito bem a cidade de Cusco, que é encantadora e cheia de história.

What would you improve about this program?

Translated by Go Overseas:

The project was very good, but the Peruvian health system is a little bureaucratic.

Original:

Foi muito bom o projeto, mas o sistema de saúde peruano é um pouco burocrático.

Translated by Go Overseas:

The days I was in Peru were absolutely wonderful! The city is beautiful and there is much to do and know. For 2 weeks I have made many good trips and met Machu Picchu, something I always dreamed of. The program is special, I learned a lot in the health clinic and met very kind patients and very competent health professionals and patients. I felt safe and welcome in my home and in the city, my host family was absolutely charming and hospitable, I will miss them. I loved my stay and I recommend it to everyone!

Original:

Los días que estuve en Peru fueron absolutamente maravillosos! La cuidad és linda e hay mucho lo que hacer e conocer. Por 2 semanas he hecho muchas buenas viajes y conoci a Machu Picchu, algo que siempre sueñé. El programa es especial, aprendí mucho en la clínica de salud y conoci a pacientes muy amables e profesionales de la salud muy competentes y pacientes. Me sentí segura y bienvenida en mi casa y en la ciudad, mi familia anfitriana era absolutamente encantadora y hospitalaria, los voy a extrañar. Me encantó mi estancia y lo recomiendo a todos!

What was your funniest moment?

Translated by Go Overseas:

Being able to travel to various corners of Peru on the weekends.

Original:

Poder viajar pra vários cantos do Peru nos finais de semanas.

Multiple Countries

11 reviews1 interview

As the name suggests, the childcare volunteering program is completely...

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I love all kinds of animals and I wanted to help them in away. Picking up trash is an easy task and everyone can do it. With this program, I was able to do something useful for the environment while I met new people and cultures from all over the world. I could also get the open water certification.

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

They arranged the pick-up and they helped me find my ID when I lost it. If I had any questions, I always knew who to ask.

The train ride to Lisbon was organized by myself. They stayed in contact with me if anything didn't go as planned.

They did the pick-ups, but they didn't bring me back to the train station when I left.

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

I wish I stayed longer. I was there for 2 weeks, but it was really short. You just get to know everyone and then you already leave. Most of the other volunteers there stayed at least 3 weeks. You can't really pick up that much trash in 2 weeks because you have to get certified first. Also, you will be very tired coming back from scuba diving and you just want to relax a little bit so for really seeing Lisbon you have just the weekends.

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

The ones from the marine conservation program had to leave the hostel at first. We got up at like 07:30, put our swimsuits on under the clothes and quickly ate something. We left at like 08:10 and walked down the hill to the train station. There we took the train to Cascais and walked to the dive center.

First, we always put the scuba equipment together and tested if it worked. Then we put our wetsuits and shoes on and went on the boat. If the conditions were good, we did a dive. Then we headed back, had a shower and went back to Lisbon. We were back at the hostel at like 3 pm.

They always saved us something from lunch.

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

My biggest fear was to not find any friends there. I wasn't afraid of taking a 35h train ride through 3 countries on my own, just of not finding any new friends. Now I can say that my fear was completely "needless" because I was welcomed since the first minute I arrived and I found a lot of new friends. I was always included in every action and was always asked if I wanted to join them on a trip.

This experience changed my view on how people could see me. I'm not stressed about such an issue anymore because if so many people from different cultures liked me since the first day, then there will be some more all around the world.

What is your favorite story from this trip?

My 3 favourite stories:

We went out with the dive center and I really had too much. I fell asleep on the pier for 10 minutes. I'm glad it happened in such a safe country. We arrived back in the hostel around midday the next day. There, I realised that I lost my ID... I went to the Swiss embassy on Monday (we didn't dive on Mondays) and got some documents for getting back. On Tuesday at the dive center, they had a surprise for me: Someone has found my ID! I know you might think that this sounds like pure horror, but I got everything back and had a lot of fun. I wouldn't change anything.
We went dolphin watching! I would highly recommend that - it was amazing. They had dolphin babies!
This adventure was on my trip back to Switzerland. If you're from Europe, I would recommend traveling by train with a global pass from Interrail. You will meet so many people and it's a huge adventure. So a day, before I took the train in Hendaye to Paris, the SNCF company went on protest. Everyone who was affected the day before was now getting on the train I was and we had some huge delay. I missed my second train to Geneva, and because there were so many people in the train station and the staff was so busy, I couldn't get a ticket for the next day. Luckily, I met another girl from Switzerland, so we were able to split the hotel bill. The next day we went again to a train station, but every train was fully booked. We could book one the next day at like 5 pm. So again, we had to take a cheap hotel together. But it was cool: I saw the Eiffel Tower! And I arrived home safely the next night. I know that not everyone will think that this is amazing, but if you're looking for an adventure like I did, that's how you can get one.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

What is your favorite travel memory?

Being a mountain lover, all my favorite memories have been weaved around the Himalayas. If I have to pick one from a bundle of memories, then that would be the day I climbed the Dzongri Summit (4725 mt or 15,500 ft), on my way to Goechala.

Never before in life did I feel that the world can seem so gorgeous, that the warmth of the first rays of the sun feels exactly like mother's touch and every breath I took made me feel how alive I am.

I was standing with my feet tucked in the snow, my nose turned red and the snowclad mountains around me were all draped in gold. I felt strange goosebumps, not because of the cold but because of the happiness of climbing a height I never imagined I could.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

The success is the result of the hard work of an entire team, and the coordinator among the members is perhaps the biggest strength. If all the people working for the company can think and put in their best, then nothing can stop the company from achieving success.

For Volunteering Solutions, whether it’s the people sitting inside the office space or those who are coordinating with the volunteers in different parts of the world -- the efforts of all are counted equally.

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How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Being here for the last 10 months, I believe my skills of writing and communication have improved manifold. I've learned how to come up with quick innovative ideas, how to convince people on the other side of the screen to accept my articles, and how to use social media as a tool for growth and enhanced outreach.

I'm a more confident at my work now, and I look forward to continue polishing my skills under the guidance of the seniors.

What unique qualities does your company possess?

Every company has certain unique qualities that make it different from others. I believe that the work VolSol does is in itself a great work for humanity. There's transparency, honesty, strength and a combination of soulful ideas that make it special.

Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of your current team.

On one occasion, I got a chance to visit a dozen Dutch volunteers who were working at a slum school in New Delhi, India.

After interacting with them, I got to know that not only had they traveled all the way from the Netherlands to India for volunteering, but they had also raised enough funds to provide water purifier, air cooler, mats and paints to that slum school, which was in dire need of those things.

Not only did I feel proud to be a part of the team that day, but I also started believing in the fact that there are still nice people in the world.

How would you perceive the safety concerns being a solo woman traveler in India?

I guess it's the media that has made this entire fuss about India being unsafe for women travelers, but the reality isn't anything close to that.

I won't disagree with the fact that late night outings and too much interaction with a stranger can at times turn a bit messy, but personally, I've never experienced anything of that sort. I've always come across warm people, smiling cab drivers, helpful autowallahs, humorous co-passengers and above all, truck drivers who shared their life tales with me.

And I don't think that I'm the only lucky one -- there are hundreds of other women who are traveling solo in different parts of the country and they do get a safe sleep at night. You just have to be a little cautious about your steps, and everything will fall into place.