Involvement Volunteers International (IVI)

Program Reviews

Default avatar
Mathilde
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I was in Thailand in Hua Hin. I did the renovation program and childcare.

It's an incredible experience that you have to do at least once in your life. It is a great pleasure to help these clerks. They are welcoming and caring people. All our coordinators are there with us and take care of us so that everything goes as well as possible and that we enjoy our humanitarian mission. The local team is superb! The food is very good too. It allows you to taste local food and it's incredible. As for the room, it is a dormitory for 6 people but it is possible to request a private room. What's great is that it's still time to volunteer we have free time to visit.

Default avatar
Amy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Bali, Ubud - Healthcare Education

The trip was incredible!! I learned so much about myself and was able to do so much more than I anticipated I could. I enjoyed meeting people from other countries and forming friendships. I honestly could have stayed longer !!!

The food was amazing, I really enjoyed the food, the meal times for lunch and dinner were a bit too early but otherwise exceptional. Accommodation was fine, I didn't expect anything great, so it was exactly as expected.

Pros
  • The local team were fabulous, so welcoming and inclusive.
Cons
  • I would have liked more communication about what the program actually included, what exactly I would be teaching, who I would be teaching. For example, I was placed to teach by myself in classroom and had no idea about the syllabus I was meant to be teach
Default avatar
Manisha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Indonesia , Bali - Turtle Conversation on Nusa Penida

Personally, I really enjoyed the volunteer work. The coordinators at the camp were all friendly. I was able to learn a lot about turtles during this time and I also had a lot of fun working with them. It was also nice to go beyond my own limits (for me it was snorkeling with the manta rays at Manta Point). I was very scared as it was the second time I had snorkeled in my life (the first time was a week earlier at the Gili Islands). In hindsight, however, I am very glad I did it and would love to do it again. I got to know people from all over the world, even though most of them also came from Germany.

I spent the weekends on Gili Island and in Ubud and was able to take a lot with me.
Culturally, I learned a lot of new things, but I was also able to develop a lot personally on this trip.

The coordinators were all very friendly and helpful at all times. The food was very varied and diverse. There was something for everyone (including vegetarian and vegan).
There is also a small, reasonably priced kiosk directly between the old and new houses which is always open until 9 in the evening. I was in the new house. We had a small pool, which was great for cooling off, as well as some seating and an area for sunbathing.

In the six-person room I was in, there were 3 of us for the first 2 weeks and just the two of us for the last week. So it was very relaxed. The rooms were also cleaned daily, which I found very positive. As it is still quite new, there were unfortunately no storage facilities or cupboards to lock up important things when you left the room. As there is only one key, it is unfortunately not possible to lock the rooms.

Cons
  • I would have liked a little more information regarding the organization of leisure activities. Through conversations with other older volunteers, I found out by chance how to go about it and what to bear in mind.
Default avatar
Hannah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fiji - Remote Island Village teaching

What an incredible experience to be able to live in amongst the island community, fully immersed in village life. I really really enjoyed my stay and it was so amazing to explore the island in my free time. In the classroom, it was mostly helping kids one on one with the work assigned by the teacher, but for about 4-5 days I was in charge of my own class (because the teacher was away) so I organised and implemented different activities and work for the kids to improve their English. Not only did we help out with teaching in the classrooms, we also got to do lots of other community projects like beach cleanups, tree planting, preparing for the sports carnival, and cassava farming. Great for a really authentic experience of Fiji, but important to know that the living conditions can be quite challenging (no running water (so no flushing toilets, taps to wash hands, showers, etc), limited power/electricity, very limited access to fruit/veggies, and lots of different customs to adhere to). Overall a really positive experience that Im very grateful for :)

The host family was so awesome and made sure we were doing well, keeping us very well fed, caring for me when I saw sick, and constantly checking in on us. The food was SO DELICIOUS but I did struggle with the lack of fresh fruit and vegetables, especially at the start because my body just was not used to eating so much rice and noodles for every meal. On the mainland, Masi and Mere were so so awesome, super friendly, often checking in on us and so quick to resolve any problems that came up.

Cons
  • The accomodation was good… it would have been nice to have a little reading light in my room because once the sun was down, i was no longer able to read or journal, but that’s a minor issue.
Default avatar
Stéphanie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Philippines, Construction

My volunteering stay went very well. I had an incredible experience. I was able to discover a new country, a new culture and great people. I would like to thank again all the team who welcomed me during this stay. The team there is really great. Everyone is very kind and concerned that our stay goes as smoothly as possible. Regarding the food, I enjoyed every meal! The place is very pleasant to live in.

Default avatar
Chloe
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching and Adventure Week

Spending five weeks in Laos, teaching English and working at a daycare, was an experience that profoundly reshaped my perspective on life, community, and the power of education. From the moment I arrived, my Lao hosts enveloped me in warmth and hospitality, going above and beyond to make me feel not just welcomed, but truly a part of their community. Their kindness and accommodation knew no bounds, turning what could have been a challenging transition into a smooth and enriching experience.

The opportunity to teach English to eager learners opened my eyes to the transformative power of language education. Witnessing the students’ enthusiasm and progress was deeply rewarding, and allowed me to foster connections, understanding, and opportunities that transcend cultural and geographical boundaries. Working at the daycare was equally impactful. It was so heartwarming to see how, despite the initial language barrier, communication could unfold through smiles, gestures, and the universal language of play.

I was also fortunate enough to go on the adventure week! Buffalo ploughing connected me to traditional agriculture, offering insight into Laos’s rural life. A visit to Micky and Ticky’s village deepened this immersion, revealing the warmth and community spirit through shared meals and stories. Kayaking on the Mekong River provided a tranquil yet adventurous perspective of Laos’s natural beauty, showcasing the serene waters and lush surroundings. This week was a harmonious blend of cultural exploration, traditional practices, and natural wonders, enriching my understanding of Laos’s rich heritage and the resilience of its people. I would definitely recommend!

The most unforgettable aspect of my time in Laos was the incredible hospitality of my hosts. Micky, Ticky, Onsee, and Dao introduced me to Lao culture, cuisine, and traditions with open hearts, making me feel like family. Their generosity and kindness were overwhelming, providing not just a place to stay, but a home away from home.

Reflecting on these five weeks, the impact of this adventure on my life is indelible. It taught me about resilience, the importance of cultural exchange, and the beauty of simple human kindness. This experience was not just about what I could offer as a teacher and caretaker but also about what I could learn from a culture rich in history, tradition, and warmth. The memories, lessons, and friendships forged in Laos will stay with me forever, a testament to the power of immersive cultural experiences and the enduring bonds of global community.

Default avatar
Natalia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching Monduli Tanzania

I’ve come to Monduli in Tanzania to teach English and math to the children here. The volunteer house is perfect and they wake up very early to make us really delicious food from Africa.
I’m volunteering in a school with the teacher he is the best and he all the time let me do my job. I teach the two stories and they will have exams at the end of the year about that stories. I really like the vibes here, the children are amazing. They try all the time to ask to communicate, to talk to me to make me feel at home 😊
They are so happy and glad that I came and they are just waiting for another volunteer to come and teach them!

Default avatar
Katrin
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Health Teaching Fiji

It was my first volunteering experience and I had a wonderful time. Even though I was in the "Teaching" program instead of my planned "Health Education" program, it was a life-enriching experience to teach a 3rd grade class in english, math and social studies. The people in Fiji are extremely friendly and open-minded. Every day was full of good vibes and laughter. I would like to come back one day. The coordinators were lovely people and took care of everyone. I enjoyed the good food and the accomodation was sufficient. It felt like home in a big family.

Default avatar
Nicolas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Philippines - Aborlan - Construction Project

The work we had to do was very interesting, and all the people I met, whether volunteers or part of the team, were incredible encounters that can change a life. The interaction with the villagers was amazing. Highlight: Our group of volunteers has already planned to meet again this year in Paris. Relationships like these, formed in such a short time, can only happen in this kind of environment.

The local team is incredible. They do everything to make sure we feel comfortable, and they are very endearing (it was very hard to say goodbye at the end of the stay). As for the food, I discovered the local Asian cuisine, and I couldn't get enough of it. The cook was so talented, even with the often-repeated ingredients. Regarding the accommodation, everything was comfortable for sleeping. One evening, the air conditioning stopped working, but the team provided me with a fan and made sure to replace it as quickly as possible. Taking a shower was a bit challenging at first because we're not used to the method, but you quickly adapt, and it becomes very enjoyable after a good day's work.

I don’t really have any suggestions for improvement because everyone on-site does everything they can to make sure we feel comfortable.

Default avatar
Romain
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I volunteered to the turtle conservation project in Sri Lanka with my Friend Tom

I spend 9 weeks in Sri Lanka, just on the turtle conservation project. But it was not enough.

I loved everything :
- work with turtle
- Sri Lanka people
- The staff
- Landscapes of the country
- festival
- temples and the importance of the religious

It was a real pleasure to discover this country and its culture. A volunteer job is perfect if you want to meet people and improve your English and your knowledge.

Local team: awesome, very kind and it was very cool to share some moments with them.
The food: I lost 8kg but Nicha is the best cooker in Sri Lanka I ever met, better than a luxury restaurant.

Accommodation: clean and close to the beach, don't need anything more