Program Reviews

Volunteering in Lovina, Bali, with IVHQ was an incredible experience that I would encourage anyone to do. From the moment I started to look for volunteering opportunities, the website was very informative and the staff were exceptional in replying to my queries. Once I had signed up there is a comprehensive guide, including videos, do's and don'ts and what additional things to factor in before travelling that put me right at ease.

On arrival in Bali, the local team was ready to collect me and were so accommodating. They couldn't do enough to make me feel welcome and part of their family. In addition to my volunteering experience, the local team allowed me to explore Lovina and beyond to help me fully understand and appreciate the Balinese culture.

I work as a teacher in the UK and decided to travel to volunteer on the teaching programme. Having the opportunity to assist in kindergarten was a delight; the children were so sweet and the teachers were incredible at making me feel welcome in their classrooms. In the afternoons, I attended school and had my own class delivering English to the children as an extra-curricular opportunity. The local team provided me with a curriculum guide, classroom resources, a translator, and was able to get any additional worksheets photocopied if required.

The accommodation was perfect, 200m from the beach and located in Lovina, away from the tourist areas so you had the true experience of Bali. The rooms were clean and had an en-suite. The staff were super helpful and the food was superb, varied every day, and also catered for dietary needs.

I strongly urge anyone to take the opportunity to volunteer at least once in their life if you are able to do this. IVHQ will help you from start to finish with a full range of programmes and countries on offer!

I had an amazing experience booking via IVHQ. From start to finish they guide you with excellent help. I had an amazing time during my volunteering project, where I learned a lot, met a lot of amazing people and made even more amazing memories. I made a last minute decision to join a project, but this was no issue. IVHQ provided me with all the assistance I needed to assure I had a spot. Their site is also very easy to work with, giving you a nice overview over your project, and what you need to do.
Stop doubting and go on an adventure!

An incredible experience!! I’ll remember it for the rest of my life, I met some amazing people and made some amazing memories!! The turtles were amazing and it was lovely to be able to see the release of them and get to release my own turtle on my last day. The food was all delicious and it was so nice to experience a new culture through the food. I also got to experience the culture in my introduction week and it was really interesting to learn about Lombok. Overall it was a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to travel and volunteer!

All the information I received beforehand helped me prepare well and gave me lots of confidence, as it was my first time volunteering abroad. The support throughout was great, and the local team was all amazing.

I loved Lisbon, a great city. I got the chance to work in the beautiful Sintra National Park. I enjoyed the hostel vibe and meeting lots of new people. I would highly recommend IVHQ.

I hope to do other volunteering trips to other countries now, as I'm so much more confident travelling on my ow,n and I'm so pleased I went.

The support from the local team and my field worker was exceptional. The office staff were always friendly and helpful with resources, ideas and activities for the volunteers. The Homestay was clean, friendly and ideally situated.

I fell ill within the first few days of arrival, and needed hospital and close monitoring. From the moment I called my fieldworker, she moved me to their preferred Clinic which resulted in top standard care with an English speaking doctor. She was always checking in on me to ensure I was happy and getting the best care.

I would highly recommend this volunteer organisation and also the Travel Insurance they suggest.

IVHQ is a very organised, accessible and fantastic program to volunteer with. Communication was clear, expectations were laid out and the entire time on my journey I felt safe and well supported. In particular, I especially appreciated the pre-organised airport pick up - as travelling overseas to an International airport can be overwhelming and confronting at times! The volunteer program was incredible and I loved all the people I met along the way. It was a beautiful, cultural immersive experience getting to know the locals also.

Participants should know that we are at once God's children; that we honor His creation by being an active and committed part of His bestowal. That His creation is for all of us; that we are blessed and without distinction. Volunteering is a way of acknowledging Gods' greatness, for it demonstrates your human qualities, that humanness and benevolence towards others is your defining characteristic.
Selfness and pridefulness are the defining hallmarks of our United States; we willingly bestow our bounty upon those benighted. less fortunate than ourselves. But, in return, we expect their undying gratitude. So many of us are blissfully ignorant of the socio-cultural normativism of others; if they are perceived as being different from ourselves than are perceived as being less than human; unworthy of our consideration.

I volunteered in Cambodia with IVHQ and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

From the beginning, IVHQ supported me every step of the way. They gave me clear info, helped me prepare everything, and answered all my questions super fast. I felt safe and ready before even arriving.

When I got to Cambodia, the local team welcomed me so warmly. They really cared and made sure I was okay throughout the whole time. I worked at a school with children from difficult backgrounds and some with special needs and I’ve rarely felt so much love in one place.

I was assigned to different classes, from kindergarten to grade 4. My tasks were varied: sometimes I supported the local teachers, other times I led short lessons myself. Often there was a bit of time to prepare, but a lot of the work required improvisation and creativity whether through games, songs or simple exercises. But don’t worry: there’s always someone around to support you, and your efforts are truly appreciated.

The accommodation was simple, but it had everything I needed. I had my own private room, which was a big plus and I’d definitely recommend the AC upgrade, especially because Cambodia can get really hot! The food was another highlight: three delicious meals a day, always fresh, local and full of flavour.

Every day brought something new. Some days were tough, but I learned so much about the world, about others, and about myself.

Thank you IVHQ and thank you to the amazing team in Cambodia. I’ll never forget this time and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a real and heartwarming volunteer experience.

Volunteering in women’s empowerment in Nepal through IVHQ has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.

The women I had the chance to work with were incredibly kind, eager to learn, and full of heart. Their warmth and determination made my time there unforgettable. It’s an experience I’ll carry with me forever, and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity to connect with such inspiring women.

The IVHQ staff and the local team were both wonderful. They supported me fully at all times, not only with everything related to the project activities, but also with recommendations that helped make my stay in the city much more enjoyable and meaningful. I’m deeply grateful for their care, guidance, and constant support.

The weeks before my trip were filled with clear communication and guiding advice, which helped to alleviate my anxiety. From the moment I stepped out of the airport, the local team was there to support me. I was given a safe and comfortable place to stay, and an opportunity to help kids. I felt like I really did make an impact while also growing as a person and learning about other cultures. I made new connections with others who wanted to learn Spanish and who wanted to help. The history, art, architecture, and food of Guatemala were just added bonuses.