Program Reviews

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

I learned a lot about cultural differences, which is interesting. We, the Japanese do not insist on our opinion, but Fijian children insist on what they think a lot. The children were always friendly and welcomed me to Fiji. On 1st day of volunteering, they asked my name and were around me with a big smile. They jumped to my back and asked me to teach them what they learned in their class. Although I chose a teaching program, technically I just translated English to Japanese for a Japanese boy who doesn't understand English and Fijian. There was a Japanese boy who came to Fiji because of his father's work. Sometimes I helped local teachers. When the local children raised their hands to ask me, I taught. Teaching was not easy since English is my second language, but it was interesting what I consider to teach them. Coordinators also welcomed me to Fiji. They were always nice and helpful. Honestly, I didn't eat the food in the accommodation at the beginning of this trip because it was completely different from the food that I eat in my country, but I could get used to the food in Fiji. It took a time to get used to the accommodation, but it was getting okay for me.

The volunteering consisting in renovating a school during the week and go to visit cambodia during the week-end. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to easily get abroad. The local teams was wonderful, They are young and friendly, so we spend a lot of time with them. They spend time to share they way of life. The food was mainly local food, so it is nice to discovered it, even if it is not various so get borred after few weeks.The accommodation was perfect, nothing to say more.

I loved my volunteer experience. From the beginning to end, I felt very safe and welcomed. There's someone in charge of picking you up at the airport and brings you to the house. I had my own room, with mosquito bed, AC and bathroom. Sometimes we would have no electricity or water. The school was for kids aged 3 to 8 with physical disabilities. Someone from the organization accompanies you every day to the school. Kids were all so lovely and special. I brought a lot of toys and games to give them, and they enjoyed a lot. The school is located on the beach, so every Friday we would go swimming in the ocean with them. We would go to school from 9am to 4pm, and from 1:30 to 3PM the kids would nap, so I would have some free time on the beach. Food was okay, a lot of rice and carbs.

The local team was amazing! Every single one of them was super nice and welcoming. They listen to your needs and make sure you are okay. I loved my experience with them.

We had good two weeks (4.8. - 17.8.). We have cleaned the cages, prepaired the food and feeded the animals. Really special moments were the contact with the animals. The team was pretty nice and like friends. Food and accomodation were good. Especially the second week with our guide LAURIANA PRISCA was fantastic. She gave us many information about the animals and organized much work for us, so that we could do something for the Park and for the animals. We asked for that. It was important for us. Every wish we had, she made them true. She was pretty friendly to us and spend also time for us during her leisure time. So we've learned many about the City and could also help to build new snakehouse, help to get food for turtles and Chamäleon and many more, just because of Priscas organisation.

What an amazing experience! Volunteering in Fiji was an experience I will never forget. Being able to provide much need care and knowledge to the local communities on health and nutrition was so rewarding. We got a real taste of the Fijian culture! I can't wait to be able to volunteer again. Masi and Mere were fantastic hosts! We dd have very little protein to eat (something I personally struggled with) and we did go to the shops often to stock up tuna tuna and more tuna! Acommodation was great. It would be great to have a refresh of supplies (BP cuffs and stethoscopes) to use as we had to do a fair few repairs on equipment.