Program Reviews

My journey volunteering with Ivhq aboard was most enjoyable incredible experience meeting new people from all over world - is exciting getting know them as also developing friendships - meeting local team the guild as long the way - volunteer job was so fun helping out shelter with animals was fun - cleaning and feeding them was great way connect with people at shelter and touching animals that you don’t often work with is great experience as well - volunteering and traveling is good way to gain independence and getting of your comfort zone . Anyone who wants to should just do it do not over think it !

The experience was truly incredible from beginning to end. Throughout the entire process, I felt accompanied and secure, with assistance available at all times. The company consistently prioritizes your well-being and safety, ensuring that you feel comfortable and happy, just like at home. Their commitment to providing exceptional service and support is evident in every interaction. The dedication and effort of everyone involved are truly magnificent, making the entire experience seamless and enjoyable.

The hosts - Pedro and Nati - could not have been better. The accommodations were comfortable and very safe. The meals Nati prepared were fantastic and Pedro could not have been more helpful with arranging transportation, suggesting fun things to do and see, and great spots to eat. The volunteer placement was an invaluable experience and one I will never forget. Cordoba was very affordable and easy to navigate. Lu did a great job with the city tour. I recommend this for anyone to do as the experience was invaluable and I felt safe the entire time as a solo traveler.

Volunteering with IVHQ and the Local Team in Peru was truly an experience of a lifetime. I haven't truly solo travelled a lot and was terrified before going, but IVHQ helped me every step of the way and was very communicative. Even when I faced any difficulties and had questions while in Peru, the Local Team went above and beyond to help me. I felt safe, well prepared and felt like I made a real impact during my volunteering experience. I highly recommend volunteering with them! I have signed up for another volunteering experience with IVHQ in Bali later this year :)

Volunteering in Nepal with IVHQ has been the trip of a lifetime that I will forever be grateful for. I’ve made some lifelong friendships all around the world with likeminded people that similarly want to make a difference in the places that need it most whilst travelling and getting to experience new cultures. The IVHQ headquarters team were beyond helpful with organising and answering any questions we had. The local team were incredible. They were so helpful, accommodating and understanding when we wanted to adjust plans. They are highly knowledgeable on things to do, and have provided us with many add on activities to explore the country and culture. Whilst in Nepal they have helped organise a beautiful trek, a wildlife safari, temple viewing, and the opportunity to stay in a Buddhist monastery. Being able to live with a local Nepali host family was by far the most valuable way to experience the community and local culture. They cooked local food for us and we partook in their daily religious activities. We got to hear about their lives and stories, whilst being provided a home away from home; the host mother called me ‘daughter’. The volunteering experience was so eye opening. My first childcare placement was in a government school for kids that live in the slums. My host brother took me to see where they lived, and it was heartbreaking to witness some of the worst conditions I’ve seen. They live in a community along the river that overflowed during my stay, flooding their home (which hardly consists of a roof over their head). The annual flooding can make the community sick potentially leading to death. These kids live in awful conditions but you’d never know. They have unwavering spirit and determination to learn. The second placement was at a volunteer run childcare centre. I’ve never been so in awe of what people can do for others when they put their mind to it. This centre was run so well, funded only by donations and volunteers. It was made mostly for single, struggling parents who need to work to support themselves, but have nowhere for their kids to go. It provides the children with food and classes. It was so inspiring. This whole experience has been incredible that whilst I was still volunteering, I was already looking at which IVHQ destination I could go to next. Volunteering and supporting developing countries is something that you will never regret doing, and if you have the ability to help others, why wouldn’t you? I’d recommend this experience to everyone.

Great chance to be immersed with the kind people of Thailand, learning their culture and language. Spent 4days living in “home stay” which is staying at one of the workers home in a village in the mountains. Additionally, the workers often reached out and invited me to travel to local spots with them. For example, the Hot Springs and enjoy local cuisine. Many are very excited to work on their English skills and excited to interact with you.

It was a safe, organized environment. I did have a stomach reaction to the food and got dehydrated. It was the staff that recognized and pushed me to go to the hospital. They drove me and walked me through the process within two hours. I was taking care of and out of the hospital full recovery and enjoyed the rest of my stay.
Rural Thailand is an extremely safe place. I felt very comfortable. The larger cities seemed much safer than in the USA, but still needed to keep an eye out.

Would definitely do it again!

The house was clean and the food safe and tasty. The staff was very competent and available. The daily routine we had to follow was tough but stimulating and we still had time to rest. The kids were so cute and we built a really strong bond with them. Also the other volunteers were very dedicated to making a difference. The Philippines landscape is incredible: it has an amazing flora and fauna. The locals were nice and helpful. We felt really safe going to and coming back from school. I really enjoyed attending local events too!

My trip to Arusha, Tanzania, with IVHQ to support women’s development was truly transformative. From the moment I arrived, the local team was incredibly supportive, ensuring that every volunteer felt welcomed and well-prepared for the work ahead. Their guidance and dedication were instrumental in making our contributions meaningful and impactful.

The work we did focused on empowering women through various educational and vocational training programs. Witnessing the immediate and positive impact on the community was immensely rewarding. We helped women gain skills that would enable them to achieve financial independence and improve their quality of life. Seeing the confidence and pride in the eyes of the women we worked with was one of the most fulfilling aspects of the trip.

Beyond the volunteering, the local experiences in Arusha were unforgettable. We had the opportunity to visit a Maasai village, where we learned about their unique culture, traditions, and way of life. The Maasai tribe’s warm hospitality and vibrant traditions left a lasting impression on all of us.

Since that trip, I have been on two other trips with IVHQ, and each one has been an amazing experience. The organization’s commitment to making a genuine difference in communities around the world, combined with the support of local teams, has made each journey impactful and memorable. If you’re considering a volunteer trip, I highly recommend IVHQ.

I highly reccomend ivhq to anyone, it’s a particularly great company to go through if your under 18 and looking to volunteer. I have just got back from being in Tanzania, i went on my own and am 16 years old, the whole process of communication has been excellent and has been carried through while at the location aswell. I have met friends for life and totally fell in love with the culture and the children at my daycare who i miss so much already! the coordinators are amazing at what they do, particularly Dani who is the loveliest person ever and really helped me when i needed a bit of extra support, all coordinators do everything they can to make your experience as best as possible. if your thinking about booking through ivhq… DO IT! i will definitely be back 💗

This was my first time volunteering with IVHQ. I have to say this was a great first experience. Everything was so organized from beginning to end. I didn’t have to stress about anything while being in Ecuador, the local team was very welcoming and made sure I was taking care of.
I had an amazing time volunteering with kids, with having teachable moments and playing games, lots of laughter. They were so grateful I was there. Exploring Ecuador was fun and safe.The Local team organized a safe transportation for me to explore and I love it!
What I love about IVHQ is that they kept me well informed, and there were step by step instructions for the whole process including virtual meetings with our coordinator. I will definitely continue with this organization for more trips in the future.