Program Reviews

Working with children in the schools and orphanage in Tanzania was a very rewarding experience. At the orphanage I got to see how the orphanage was managed and helped to wash clothes and prepare the daily meal. The small school I worked at was so rewarding. The children were a delight and the teachers were so welcoming.It was an honour to be able to observe and help the teachers. My host Mama Alice was amazing. I also went on a safari, a waterfall and coffee tour. An absolutely fantastic experience.

This was my first ever solo-trip, so I was rather nervous to begin with. However, from the moment of first contact with the organisation until the end, they were always there to support me and answer any questions that I had. My country coordinator was especially helpful and showed me around the town and helped me exchange money and get a sim card. The people at the hostel were also very accommodating and treated me like a family member. My project was healthcare and although I could only do minimal amount of work (since I was only a high-school student), I still took away a lot from the nurses, physicians, and patients.

The hostel itself was very nice and clean. Both the airport pick-up and drop-off were efficient. The people at the hostel always asked me about how I was doing, how my day was, and made sure I was safe and happy.

This was a life-changing trip. My only regret is not doing it sooner. BUT even at 41 years old with two kids you can still not only do this but have the time of your life. I want to go back ASAP and take my family with me.

Tanzania is the most welcoming country I've ever been to. Volunteering and really getting to learn and immerse myself in their culture was an experience a regular vacation can not give you. Staying with Mama Alice was so special. She takes you in like one of her own and spending time with other volunteers from other countries adds to the depth of the experience. We were all "brothers" and "sisters" when we met for our family dinners at night or into town together.

I volunteered at a hospital but also go to spend 2 days at an orphanage. They all made me feel welcome in a way that I have never felt before. Just showing up and lending a hand or giving 25 cents so a mom could mix clean water with her medicine made such a big difference to them. Everywhere I went I looked so different but was welcomed with "Karibu Sana."

The contrast between how little they have and how much love they give is mind-blowing and a contrast to the US.

I took a break for a 5 day safari which exceeded all my expectations. I didn't know I would be "camping" but it ended up being the part I was most proud of myself for and witnessed things in nature I can't get anywhere else like making new international friends, sunrise over the Serengeti, lions sleeping right next to our jeep, millions of stars at night, and elephants and buffalo at our campsite.

The land is gorgeous but hands down it is the people you meet, both other volunteers, Mama Alice, and other Tanzanians that will make this trip open your heart and mind to places you never thought it would go. I could talk to Mama Alice for hours as she is so knowledgeable, kind, and makes you feel very safe. You will be in good hands and she will be forever in my heart.

Don't think twice about going to this country.

I spent one week volunteering at the Agape Mitaboni Academy in Mitaboni, Machakos County outside of Nairobi. I could not say enough about how well put together the program and entire school is run. Barnabas was my volunteer coordinator who took absolute care of me from start to finish. Between airport pickups, getting to the Agape Academy, and hosting me at his house in Machakos which was conveniently located right down the road.

As for the actual volunteer work, it was simply amazing to meet everyone at the school. The Headmaster Ben is a very impactful leader who runs a very good program at the school. The teachers are extremely professional and I was beyond impressed by how well the students were. Every time you walked into a classroom they would stand up and wait for you to have them sit. That's just the start.

I happened to volunteer at the end of Agape's school year. I helped with grading exams, teaching English lessons, and speaking about the school system in America. I also had the opportunity with some more hands-on work, including helping to feed the students and also help with renovations in some of the classrooms. Everyone at the school made sure I had something to do every day and it was an extremely good mix to keep things interesting but also to learn as much as possible about their way of life.

I would highly recommend that anyone give this a try. The mutual impact made upon the students and myself is priceless. Please reach out to me at josh.yearian@gmail.com if anyone is interested in learning more. I am more than happy to talk about my experience and what you can expect. I will keep this experience with me forever.

As a 19 year old American, I was looking for an opportunity to make an impact in another country while exploring a new place. Global crossroads was able to provide me with that. I wasn’t sure what to expect upon arriving in Nairobi, all I knew is I would have the chance to help children less fortunate than me, which is what I aimed to do. Global crossroads connected me to the country coordinator for Kenya, Barnabas. Any questions I had prior to coming he was able to answer. When I arrived I was brought to Barnabas’ home where his family warmly welcomed me. I felt very comfortable staying with them and felt secure in the area they live in. They were very accommodating to my needs and wants, making my stay very comfortable. By the end of my five weeks, I felt like I was apart of their family. Barnabas walked me to my project everyday. I had no clue what to expect on my first day in the school. As he brought me through the slum Kibera, where the school is located, I felt very safe. It was hard to see the conditions that the people of Kibera live in, but not once did I ever hear any Kenyan complain. When approaching the school, all I could hear is loud singing and laughing bursting from the classrooms. Although the children were a little hesitant to talk or interact with me on the first day, by the end of the second day they would not leave me alone, in the best way! I felt so welcomed by the Mother of the school and rescue center, along with all of the teachers and staff. Everyday in the school went by very fast since I was busy coloring with the students, teaching lessons, or singing. On the weekends I was able to do a lot of exploring throughout Kenya. The country coordinator, Barnabas, had many suggestions lined up for me that fit my price range and interest. I visited the National museum, the giraffe center, Momba village, and many more places. I also had the opportunity to go on a weekend safari in Massai Mara. Everyone I met in Kenya was so warm and welcoming, making it very hard to leave. I plan on fundraising for the school and rescue center when I return to America because I am so passionate about the work they do. I am planning to come back in the future and see the progress the school has made.

Our month teaching in Agape Mitaboni Academy, an impoverished rural school about two hours from Nairobi, was challenging, fulfilling and rewarding. We arrived with a suitcase (and more) of teaching materials, curriculum aids, sports equipment, stickers, educational posters, packages of pencil crayons, and even additional textbooks which we purchased in Nairobi, all of which were desperately needed and greatly appreciated. The needs are great: the school has pit latrines, inadequate blackboards, rough walls and (mostly) nonexistent window panes, and it lacks running water or refrigeration. In spite of all of that, the staff seem to genuinely care about their students and their instruction, the one (overworked) older cook manages to create two meals a day for 150 people over a smoky woodfire, the Administration is welcoming, and we were soon given the opportunity to focus on the Standard (or Grade) Sevens and Eights (as well as cover various other classes as the needs arose). What was amazing was the genuinely caring spirit which we observed among staff, students and parents; we didn't even see any evidence of bullying in the schoolyard. And the kids LOVED the volleyball net and balls which we were able to bring, thanks to British Airways' generous baggage allowance.

On our weekends, we took advantage of much that Nairobi and outskirts had to offer: the Railway Museum, Karen Blixen's home (of "Out of Africa" fame), the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage (where we adopted a baby elephant), the Giraffe Centre, the Bomas Centre, Kenya's National Museum, AND, of course, a four-day safari conducted by our new Kenyan friend Jackson: we revelled in exploring the National Park, Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Lake Naivasha, where we saw four of the Big Five animals, to a total of more than FORTY species of animals and birds, many of which surprisingly up close.

I have been working in the orphanage for 4 months. I stayed at Michaels Hostfamily and I loved it. They treated me as their family. I learned a lot working in the orphanage. In the beginning you have to searche How you can guide the children. After a while you get to know them and you can learn them a lot. Michael also always helped me where needed and came to the orphanage if I wanted to say something in Sinhala. In the weekends I explored the beaches and did some surfing. Loved everything about my experience. Thank you Global Crossroad for the help

It was a fun experience and definitely enjoyed myself and im sure my friends did as well. I felt our placement lacked a need for us volunteering. The help from the staff was perfect and they helped whenever we asked. The children at our placement taught as a lot about how to appreciate what you got and make the best out of everything. Over Christmas it was enjoyable and great to see how the family interacted and celebrated. Although church was difficult, as it was protestant and in nepali. Great experience overall, other programs might be more enriching though.

the host family was very accommodating. the kids are so independent it was initially hard to feel useful. however, it didn’t take long to become more involved.

the food was very basic but there was plenty of it so can’t complain. would’ve been pleased with a bit more mattress between me n a metal bed frame but again, wasn’t expecting much.

we had lots of fun, it was very exciting to spend christmas with such a big family - it was a very wholesome experience.

Global crossroads does as described by finding you a program to volunteer in and supply support services on call. Overall good. Host family were very friendly and provided a great place to be. We lacked purpose in a program and were constantly told to rest and food consisted of mainly rice. At the end of the day it’s what you expect it to be. I was not pleased with the program but global crossroads was warm and an excellent service. Other volunteer I met during my time with global crossroads had more purpose.