Program Reviews

As soon as I stepped foot into the volunteer house, I felt like a welcome part of the team, and that was something I never really thought was possible. It was impossible not to bond with the people I met from day 1. The entire month I spent there went by entirely too quickly.

During the time I was there, I may have done alot of "manual labour" but I had a blast knowing that when all the hard work was finished, there would be kids playing and learning on every inch of the land we worked on. Working there taught be alot about myself, what I thought I could do, and what I found out I could do. That trip actually did change my outlook on life. Changed what I want to study in graduate school, and my dream job.

I loved the food. I had never really had Middle Eastern food much before, and what I did have was the Westernized American version. I've never eaten so many felafels before, and I still like to have one now and then. The golden bread/hummus we had regularly for lunch was surprisingly filling.

The other volunteers and I found some great places to go and hang out, with locals, and with other internationals. It was absolutely amazing! That doesn't really even begin to cover it. Even now, almost a year later, I'm still telling people about my experiences, and constantly wishing I could go back. I still keep in contact with all of the amazing people I met and made friends with. I would highly recommend going and experiencing as much of Palestine as posisble!

Sometimes it feels like my experience in Senegal was such a long time ago, sometimes it feels like it was a blurry dream I suddenly woke up from and after which I went back to my life as it always was. Truth is while it may appear so I carry with me a little piece of Senegal every day and sometimes when I nostalgically stare at the pictures of that month, I can almost feel the hot and humid air again on my skin, I can almost hear the kids’ laughs and excitement when they had their first candy ever and I definitely experience again the shiver that shacked my entire body when looking at little boys, girls or young women I saw in their eyes a sadness that was totally new to me, deeper than anything I even thought a human being could feel, a direct rifles of their souls, naked but at the same time so fearless and pure.
Not even a year is passed since I first started my research on the internet looking for a feasible volunteer program. And feasible was kind of a strict requirement since at the time I might not have been sure about what to expect from such an experience and not even aware of where it have lead me to but something I was not willing to give up on was trying to make it on my own without asking my parents for any ‘sponsoring’. I cannot even explain where this strong determination came from but what I can say now is that since the very beginning, when that of volunteering was just an idea which was making its way inside me, it took the shape of something so personal in a way, a positive feeling that I had to follow no matter what the others around me would say even if it meant to be on my own. Later I understood it was exactly how it was meant to be. When I found Love Volunteers I had some doubts about its legitimacy at first as I could not evocate any reasonable explanation that would justify the outstanding differences in fees with other NGOs I was considering. So I started digging deeper by taking contact with the organization, talking to various people who had participated to their programs before and all my doubts just disappeared. I was fascinated by many destination but I opted for Senegal as, having taken some French classes, I thought it could be a great way to exercise a foreign language too. I was ready to go despite the perplexity of people around me, which concerned most of all the fact that they believed I was totally unprepared for what I was going to find over there. And you know probably I wasn’t but I dare any volunteer at their first experience claiming the contrary. I did not know what to expect but I knew I would have found out with my own eyes soon.
I got in Dakar at 4 in the morning but it was so hot that I remember my skin got sticky in seconds. Little did I know it not only would have stayed like that for the next month 24/7 but that, eventually, I would have even got used to it. Not even one hour later my contact in Dakar was knocking at the door of my host family with me by her side. The trip from the airport was not that long and I remember I tried to get a glance of the city or even get oriented but it was so dark that it was impossible. The cab had left us not far from my host family house but the short walk between them was the toughest ever. The reason was the sand which was not covering the street but was the street itself. Just like at the beach but in an actual neighborhood. Not bad I thought but I made a remainder to myself to bring a backpack next time instead of a trolley. When I first met Mami , as everyone calls her, I remember any doubt I may had had about what I cached myself into disappeared. She had the sweetest and most sincere smile I had ever seen and from the moment I passed her house’s door I felt home. The first week was a lot about adjusting and discovering but the host family and the local staff were so helpful that by the end of it I could already move around by myself and most of all I felt safe in doing it. Many were suggesting for me to take cabs around which are truly so cheap but I was there and I was determined to take everything Senegal could offer me, that is why I took public buses from the very beginning. Different from home but efficient in their own way as they always brought me where I needed them to. Of course you don’t have to mind the fact that you could wait for them for an indefinite time under a fired sun as in fact I didn’t. I got used to the ‘african time’, as Mami called it (which is basically not bothering about time at all) and I considered it a nice break from the daily tied schedule I use to have at home. Plus I had the chance to tan while waiting..what could I ask more? To reach my final work placement I had to take two crowdie buses but eventually I ended up knowing a lot of people habitually on both of them and they knew me. Well truth is it was not so hard to recognize me as, there, I used to stick out quite a lot with my pale skin and blondish hair. I soon realized it had not to be so usual for them to see someone like me on their buses as they kept curiously asking me if I was lost or I needed help of any kind or simply what I was doing. The interaction with local people was so easy as it would be impossible back home. They have a spontaneity and sincere ingenuity that I found myself realizing our modern society has cancelled from many of us.
The project I was assigned to was a small local school that a university sociology teacher had started with the help of Belgium government funds. Its students were from 4 to 12 years old and they came from poor families who could not afford public education. Most of them did not even have a real house but their families abusively occupied not yet finished houses that they would be forced to leave once the work was done. The school was a small reality and it could only bare to satisfy the demand of the neighborhood. But for those kids, it was probably the best thing it could happen to them. They would go there early in the morning to find a fresh breakfast waiting for them. Ahead of them they had a full day scheduled with classes of various type and different fun activities everyday and that, most importantly, included meals and hygiene assistance so that by the time they were back home they have had dinner and showered. The project also supported other kids who were referred to as Talibe’. I never heard that name before but by the time their story was told me not only I was bawling, I was also sure that name would have never left my head. It was the saddest story I ever heard, a story of violence, of kids of the countryside taken from their families, who aware they would have probably never seen their kids again, pay for them to be brought in Dakar hoping they will have there a better life. They don’t. As soon as they get in the city they are deprived of everything and forced on the streets begging for money. They don’t even get to have their shoes on. That is the symbol of their ‘slavery’ as I call it. At the end of the day they go back to where they live, or better they are kept, and if they do not have collected enough money during the day their best outcome is that they are not given anything to eat. I think at this point everyone could figure what is the worst. As this is not enough the men who are at the head of this ‘business’ are known for the particularly strong political influence they have, which in my opinion explains why they are not all in a prison whose keys have been thrown away for good. Samba, the school director, even told me that the project was threaded various times to be closed if it would keep too much the talibe’ from begging in the streets. That is why these kids cannot really attend the school as students but they know that there they can get food any time they want, some rest and they get to be just kids even if for a little time per day. That is better than nothing I guess. All this story had made me feel so powerless. I wanted to do something for those kids because it was just so unacceptable for me but I could not, just as Samba could not do more even if he wished so. I didn’t really give up though. I kind of started my personal battle against those heartless men even if indirectly. As I would run into a talibe’ I was not going to give him money as I could not think to support their abuse but what I could do was buy them something to eat. Again it was not a lot but I knew that somewhere some kids would not be starving that night. These together with the kids at the school totally filled my days which went by so fast. Also once back from work I remember I enjoyed so much talking with my host family; they were teaching me Wolof and they were so proud of the progresses I would make every day. I cannot recall any dead time not even during weekends when with other volunteers, we got to travel a lot around Senegal, from the north to the south till Gambia, where I was shocked by the beauty of the delta of the Sine Saloum.
When I got back home everything was exactly as I left it and for everyone I knew that month had passed as each one before it. I do not know if Senegal changed me but it surely changed the way I see the world around me and which role I want to play in it. The passion for international affairs is something has been growing inside me since I have memory of. I think what I have always liked the most about it is the chance to be part of something, to actually do your part in order to make the world a better place for the next generations. Now I know it is possible because there is people out there who do not care to be remembered in history books but do think that they can help out in achieving little victories every day. I want to be one of them, I want to be a drop in the ocean because I believe it can change the weather.
Now I know there are battles is worth fighting for and I found mine and at the time I decided to head off to Senegal there was no way I could expect it.

I was in Kathmandu for two weeks with LoveVolunteers and absolutely loved the experience. The local staff was very welcoming and friendly and taught us about everything we wanted to know about Nepal. The doctors that I worked with in Nepal were extremely dedicated and taught us a lot about the healthcare system. I encourage everyone to take a look at the program!

I traveled for twelve months to eighteen countries and volunteered in all of them. Love Volunteers placed me in six of the programs I served in. They were all outstanding and the first was in Cusco Peru working with the Wyacocha community located in the mountains outside the city. These families are the direct descendants of the Inca people and they are desperately poor in material things but rich in love and happiness. My time working with their children in an after school teaching and hygiene training program was incredibly rewarding and taught me about the purpose of life; to serve those in need. The result of this was my quitting my job when I returned to the US and starting my own 501C3 to support the people of Peru and the 13 other global communities I met along the way. "Love" made this all possible.

I found this South Africa Love Volunteers program online & it was the best experience of my life. The staff & other volunteers are great. I taught english, math & swimming & surfing outside of Cape Town. not to shabby of a volunteer program

I have to separate this in two parties: one is the love volunteers part which what ok and the other was the project in Addis where I went working.
Actually, I was very warmly welcomed and the responsible people took good care of me. But as they told me, they haven't had yet a great experience with volunteers and so the whole thing was not really organised. I had a lot of "empty" time I wasn't able to fill with something because there were no possibilities to do so, or at least it was difficult. Also I think I could have done more important things, which means things they couldn't to themselves easily like teaching english f.ex. So I passed most of my time in the kitchen helping the cook, not really a very big thing. Of course, the cook was very happy for the help, but she could have managed that also without my help.
For me personally, the biggest problem I had there was that I found out after some time that probably all the people working for this community are members of a evangelical church and evangelising strongly. I attended many scenes who where just too much for me. I can't say they don't take care of the kids in the program or that they are bad people or anything like this, but they do kind of brainwash everyone educating them strongly in their very narrow view of the world.
It took me some time to realise all this and the impact it has on the society of this country and what kind of problems that arises.
I have to underline that nevertheless I had a good time with the people there, apart of this problems.

From start to finish, this programme is one I would recommend to anyone who wants to make a real difference in a real community.

The expectations set out by Love Volunteers were spot on as when i arrived i knew what was ahead of me. Had friends in my ear about "the safety issues in South Africa" but never felt unsafe during my 3 week stay. Everything was arranged as discussed, i was happy with my housing, the food was good and the list of 'things to bring' from LV definitely helped.

The people i met were fantastic and treated me as if i was one of their own. Fell in love with the community from day one! Each day held a new challenge and the rewards were even more than expected. Have made some lifelong friends who i certainly will be keeping in touch with and hopefully seeing again in the near future.

Thanks for the amazing experience LV. Im looking forward to the next we organize together.

We learned a great deal during our time as volunteers and guests in Temixco. Estela seems to be gradually realizing and defining her vision of a center for her community. Her center, which is based in her home and garden, offers a place to play, eat, take classes, and use her temezcal (Mexico traditional sweat lodge) for children and adults of the community, the same community she grew up in. Some of the most admirable things she offers are healthy snacks and meals for children who don't have enough to eat at home, a garden and home in which members of this sometimes struggling neighborhood can relax, and free English classes for the community. She possesses a real sense of the realities of the area, as well as a genuine wish to give and help.
The most satisfying activity for Peter and me was teaching English to a group of wonderful kids from the neighborhood. Other tasks included cleaning, painting, and doing yardwork in her center and in the health center of a colleague. She explained that the local orphanage, understandably, prefers volunteers who can commit a serious amount of time as the children take time to build trust and then get attached. She also explained that when volunteers stay a month or longer, she sets up regular and individualized work for them, such as regular yoga classes that one volunteer, who stayed several months, offered to children. Volunteers who are on shorter visits tend to stick to more basic tasks, and help, generally, with whatever small chores need to be done.
Estela's organization is small and new; she is, it seems, still clarifying its structure and breadth. Volunteers should be able to tolerate ambiguity, able to handle a somewhat unstructured environment.
We stayed in the upstairs of Estela's home and center. This provided an inevitable and very enriching integration with her family, almost all of whom live close by and are constantly stopping by. Her brother, who lives next door and is a professional language teacher, gave us personalized Spanish classes. Her mother, who lives down the road, cooked for us, showed us how to make pinatas, and was always welcoming. Her many siblings and neighbors came by and were extremely nice. Estela and the women in her family cooked us authentic dishes. When we expressed interest in a certain neighboring town or site, Estela often arranged a visit with herself or one of her sisters as a guide. We were taken to extraordinary archeological and natural sites, caves, mountains, ruins, and villages.
Estela maintains some very strong convictions. She is interesting, well-meaning, and well educated. However, volunteers should be prepared to accept her views on health, lifestyle, and community. They should be ready for a mostly vegetarian diet and should be aware that there is no alcohol in her home. Volunteers should be flexible and tolerant.

All in all, the experience offered a glance into the lives of the people in this community. We were made to feel a part of this community. These were a very interesting two weeks and a wonderful way to start the New Year.

My experience in Nepal was overall very moving. I learnt a lot about the people, the culture, and most of all about myself. The program I choose to volunteer in was the medical aid program as I am in nursing back home. Looking back I wish I would have volunteered at the schools or orphanages. I say this because the hospital we were placed in to volunteer was private and there would be days when there would not even be one patient to help. I found that while we got to see a lot of the kathmandu tourist attractions, meet other Love Volunteers volunteers, and learn about the Nepali History, it ultimately felt as though we made not impact on the community through our volunteer placement. Next time I would either ensure that I am going to be placed in an area that truly needs my help. I would DEFINITELY recommend the Love Volunteers as an NGO to volunteer with as they are kind and helpful, but all I would say is choose your program carefully and if you do happen to be placed somewhere where you feel you are making no difference then say something! :)

I had the most amazing experience working with Love volunteers and their local partner. The team was extremely helpful, welcoming, and fun to be around. I found they were extremely well educated on the education system in Nepal, as well as extremely concerned and carrying for orphans, and very interested an determined to start medical clinic work. I felt very confident that these three see first hand what under privileged Nepalis truly need.

I worked with 7 orphaned boys between 12-16 years old. Before I arrived I was scared of being completely heartbroken and sad for their situation. I was pleasantly surprised but how happy, energetic, loving and proud these boys were. The local team has provided them with everything they need to live a happy healthy life. Even though they don't have an abundance of toys, video games, computes or any other western entertainment, they have bigger smiles, stronger laughs and so much love to give. I would never want to see them in any other situation.

We lived with the host family Love Volunteers is partnered with. They welcomed us in and made us feel like part of the family. We had so much fun with their two little girls, and the meals were amazing!!!

As for struggles, we didn't find to many. We did walk to the house in the dark, but unfortunately you cannot tell the sun when to set, that was the only real struggle, making sure you didn't trip into a puddle or something worse.
The cost of the program was very affordable, I had such a great time I felt like I should have payed more for the life changing experience. I have already recommended Love volunteers to all of my friends and clients hoping they can have the same amazing experience!