Program Reviews

PMGY India Medical
I initially chose PMGY because it was cheaper than other volunteering organisations.

I found that they had good pre-departure support compared to other similar organisations, offering Zoom meetings and responding to emails in a timely manner. The volunteer handbook was also good and comprehensive.

There were pre-departure support webinars which didn't really add much to our knowledge as they had to cover many different countries and projects in the 1 hour. They did provide chance to ask any questions, although it would be easier to just ask via email.

Arriving in India was a culture shock. I'd recommend adding the local coordinator (Vishy) on WhatsApp so you can communicate with someone you can trust in case anything goes wrong (ie flight delay etc). Normally there is a guy at the airport ready to collect you and drop you straight to the accomadation.

Accomodation itself is good and basic. Nothing too fancy but it is quite homely. I had a small issue with bedbugs the first few nights but they changed the mattress immediately and everything was fine from then on. If you have any issues or problems, just ask the people there and they'll fix it.

The food and drinking water there was fine and safe, no issues.

I did medical. I travelled to several slum clinics and provided basic medical care. There were also surgeries to observe in hospitals and clinics of different specialties to go to. A lot of things are organised the morning of so don't expect a neat weekly schedule; If there's a placement you want to attend, do ask Vishy.

There are chances to practise IM / IV injections, although these aren't everyday and depend on your skill / confidence etc. Everyone (even non-medical students) will get a good chance to take blood pressure and glucose.

Personally, I thought the slum clinics were the most beneficial placements. You really felt like you were doing stuff and not just watching. I would have loved for there to be more clinics to attend, especially in the evenings.

Weekend trips are good and there are more options than just the 2 in the handbook. Also, there are lots of chances to do touristy stuff in the evenings after placement, so if there's a place you'd like to visit, then maybe research and plan it beforehand.

Everything was fantastic, the people the place and above all the experience. The program is well structured, leaving loads of free time that you can use to explore Sri lankas coast both during the evenings and at weekends, when you are free to travel away. Not only once arrived there, The pre-departure support which PMGY offers is amazing and I felt very prepared for my trip! When I booked my trip I got added to a Facebook group to chat with my fellow volunteers which really gave me peace at heart. This was my first solo trip but the volunteer handbook helped so much for my preparation towards the project. Ashika and the team are great and everyone is very helpful.

I had an amazing 4 weeks volunteering on the wildlife program with PMGY in Bali. The program is well structured, leaving loads of free time that you can use to explore Bali both during the evenings and (most effectively) at weekends, when you are free to travel further away. The only small note would be that there is sometimes a slight lack of things to do on the program, but I'm sure this will be easily fixed with a few tweaks. The support is all around exceptional both before and during your program, with any questions you might have prior to going answered quickly and clearly. The in-country team are kind, friendly and all-around incredible, especially as I had an injury requiring some medical attention and Indra, Milly and Ketut were amazing in making sure I understood and had everything I needed.
In all, I couldn't recommend the program enough - the team and house are perfect, the country is beautiful and you will make some great friends x

One of the best experience of my life! Great team that always take care of us and made us never get bored and watch as much as possible! I Will repeat for sure!
I'm a medical student 4rth year thats why I joined the med project, we went to see every day new different placements in where we gave medicine, took blood pressure and sugar rate to everyone that went there, also we get to see surgeries. In the afternoon the staff usually organiced something to do and during the weekends we did lots of trips around india!

I truly had the best time in India. The pre-departure support which PMGY offers is amazing and I felt very prepared for my trip! When I booked my trip I got added to a Facebook group to chat with my fellow volunteers which really gave me peace at heart. This was my first solo trip but the volunteer handbook helped so much for my preparation. In India Vishy and the other staff members are always there to organise everything and help you with your money exchange, sim-card etc. I did the English teaching project which was so rewarding. The kids are so sweet and it was an amazing experience to teach them and they taught me so much as well. Teaching was definitely my favorite part of the day, however even the afternoons were filled with activities to discover India and its culture. For any potential volunteers I would say just do it! Go and see what happens. It will be craziest adventure but so so worth it!

I did the volunteer project at the Kwantu Game Reserve and my experience with PMGY was great!!
They took time to answer every question I had for pre-departure and for my stay, and explained everything for my arrival so I felt secure. Also, the fact that they organize zoom calls and also they send us this very well detailed volunteer handbook was really helpful, everything we need to know was in it.

To talk about the project, every word would not be enough to describe how incredible this experience was. It was sooo much better that I expected it to be, and I expected it to be amazing! The local team was so nice, the project and activities/work we did was really interesting, it was so uplifting to think that we did contribute to the improvement of these animals life and environment!

And to come back to PMGY, if you are thinking about doing a volunteer project, I would 100% recommand booking with this organization.

If your thinking about it, just book!

6 months ago today I’d booked 4 destinations with PMGY, quit my job, packed my bags and I was on my way to Ghana (thinking what on earth am I doing?!). I spent months and months going over it in my head and eventually just went for it and it is the best decision I have ever ever made! PMGY are simply amazing. Every country I have been to, every project, every member of staff I have met/spoken to, every weekend trip I’ve been on; has just been outstanding! Every new volunteer I meet asks which country has been my favourite and I just can’t answer, every destination has been great for all different reasons!

Ghana is a very authentic experience and you really really make a difference at the projects. The people in Ghana are so full of life and infectious energy!

Tanzania is such a beautiful country with some amazing day/weekend travel opportunities. Safaris, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar- beautiful! The childcare project at Rafiki School is just the best!

South Africa (Game Reserve) was insane! Working with the big 5 everyday, taking care of the ones in the rehabilitation centre, going out on game drives and helping maintain the reserve, very surreal! The accommodation is great and you have access to all of the hotel facilities too!

Sri Lanka is everything! Projects, travelling, partying, relaxing… you name it we did it! Staff are amazing and the friendliest people I’ve ever met- I miss it sooo much! It felt and still feels like home even though I’ve left.

I’m now in India (which is equally as amazing) and will be moving onto Nepal, Bali and hopefully Vietnam if my savings can stretch to it!

My biggest worry was being homesick but having a routine with the volunteering, living at the houses and having the staff around to help with anything straight away; has really helped. Every weekend I go away travelling and always look forward to going back ‘home’ to the volunteer house afterwards.

I can’t wait to see what the rest of my year has in store! Thank you PMGY!

I just came back from the PMGY Bali English teaching trip. I had the most amazing time ever, I wouldn’t take it back for anything in the world. I went with one of my best friends, but I believe this trip would have been great to go solo, as most people I met on the trip did! Getting there was really smooth and the driver was waiting for us once we arrived at the airport. Once we got to the volunteer house Indra and Nadia greeted us and showed us around the whole house. We quickly felt at peace in our new “home”. Orientation went really smooth and we were able to get volunteering in no time. At the time I was there was about 50 other volunteers so it was amazing to meet so many people from all over the world. Everyone quickly became friends and we’d use our spare time to hang out. The weekends were especially fun to explore Bali with new friends, I’d recommend going to Nusa Penida island just because it’s so beautiful. This experience was 10/10 and I’d recommend PMGY to anyone:)))

The experience during my time volunteering with PMGY was simply perfect. The experiences I gained, from the program exceeded my expectations. Even though I could only go for one week with a friend of mine the local guide managed to show us everything we needed and although a couple more weeks would have been great when I left I felt full of experiences and memories. On top of the great activities I perticioated in, the people I met were amazing. The locals that guided me throughout the activities were as helpful and friendly as they could and they provided a personal experience during the entirety of my trip. The other volunteers I met the days the program lasted are very social and we started talking and sharing stories almost immediately. It was unfortunate that I had only one week time though and I didn't manage to bond with the rest of the volunteers as much as I would like. All the things I did during my stay though was perfect. I went in safaris where I observed and took photos of the wild animals mostly in the morning and one time in the afternoon when the animals that hunt in the night were out. Another lifetime experience was our visit in a village nearby where we gave food to a school and played with the children. In that particular village there had not been volunteers in two years so the excitement and happiness we provided to the children was truly a once in a lifetime experience and made me appreciate some things I took for granted.

I decided to join medical volunteer programme in India for almost 3 weeks.
It was my first time in Asia and I had so many worries before leaving.
My experience was beautiful, much more than I would have imagined. Vishy and Simar welcomed us like family, accompanied us to every destination, and always made sure everything was ok. They took care of each of us and even made special requests.
During the day there are many activities where you can decide where to go and if you need something they are always available to accompany you everywhere. We visited a lot over the weekend and also had the opportunity to go to an Indian wedding. It was magical.
I felt at home despite the different culture.
Nilesh cooked for us together with others and always made sure we had eaten by always offering us snacks.
It was a fantastic experience that taught me a lot. The children, the medical work, and the whole team from India were fantastic. Thank you all for making me feel at home, safe and giving me the best experience of my life.
I hope to go back there and meet them again.
I would recommend India 100000% to anyone that is thinking to do this magic experience.