Love Volunteers Reviews

From day 1 I felt the support from the volunteer staff on the ground. They were incredibly friendly and always willing to help with whatever I needed, from booking weekends trips to shopping in the market. The volunteer house was very comfortable and the food was delicious. Without doubt, the most cherished memory from my time here was meeting other international volunteers that were similarly eager to contribute to the community. However, this experience would not have been possible without Ali and Jihane. They were always there to help me and made me feel at home.

Dear future volunteer,

My 3 weeks in Costa Rica were extraordinary, an experience that will
always stay in my heart. This was the first time I traveled on my own,
and so far away. Right before landing, I was getting a bit nervous,
but at the airport, two members of the local team were waiting for me with two other volunteers that had just arrived.
They drove us to the Animal Rescue Center and I remember it was
raining really hard, since it was the rain season at that time.

During every morning on the following days, we had a meeting to assign
different activities to volunteers. These activities consisted in
maintaining the center (cleaning the cages, preparing the food,
feeding the animals, rehabilitating some animals) and in working on
the new center in another location very close to this one, where they
would move a few weeks later. Some of the activities were not related
to the animals, like helping to cook for the volunteers, cleaning the
pool, collecting branches, and maintaining infrastructure. Animals in
that center included sloths, capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys, howler
monkeys, pet dogs, a pet goat, a baby porcupine, small parrots,
scarlet macaws, marmosets, one olingo, two kinkajous, owls, and
peacocks. I learned a lot about them, some evenings we even had
lectures on a specific animal.

In our free time we read, swam in the swimming pool, played cards,
called our families and friends (there was wifi there). This is one of
the things that bothered me at first, that many volunteers were on
their phones during free time, instead of socializing. Sometimes I
wished there wasn't wifi right on the center. But after some days had
passed, I also spent some time on my phone because I realized that
it's very nice to keep in touch with your loved ones. Concerning free
days, we took one or two days off per week. Me and other volunteers
went to Montezuma, Manuel Antonio, Land of the Strays, and Los Chorros
waterfall. On my birthday evening, we all went to a bar close-by to
celebrate. What was even more amazing is that before going to the bar,
after dinner, the manager and the coordinator brought by surprise two
cakes to me and to another birthday girl, and we had 40 people singing
happy birthday to us, which felt incredible.

Regarding accommodation, it was alright, but not great. The mattress
was too thin so you could feel the metal bed frame, there were too
many people in one room, it was a bit stuffy, and there was hardly any
space to put your things. Besides, showers had only cold water.
However, I realized that one gets used to anything. Once you return
home, you really appreciate and are grateful for the usual level of
comfort we have in developed countries. Note to future volunteers: the
new center has new thicker mattresses and the rooms are way nicer,
still a bit packed with too many people, but more pleasant :)

Now, about food, we had food three times a day. In the morning it was
either rice and beans with eggs, or pancakes with syrup and fruits.
The other meals were Costa Rican dishes. Some facts I realized about
Costa Rica, especially in the rain season is that everything is humid
(things don't completely dry, like hair and clothes); your skin is
always hydrated without the need of creams;; there are no big brands
in shops (i haven't been in big cities though), for instance one shop
was called “clothes for babies”, instead of Mango or Zara; there are
not many highways, but for this reason, buses go through very
beautiful roads around nature; there are no traditional addresses, for
instance, our center was located in 1 km to the southwest of the
church of San Miguel de Turrucares :p and the post still works fine!
Buses and cars can be very old and not well maintained.

Overall, I'd recommend this program to whoever likes
working with animals and helping them. In the meantime you'll meet
some amazing people from around the world, you'll get to know a bit of
Costa Rican culture and see a bit of this beautiful country. One tip:
you could reserve a week or two to travel after staying at the center!

Love,
Claudia

Before I left, I held a talent show, cause I really want to see what they have inside. To my surprise, nearly each of them could sing and dance, some with comedy which I had never seen before.

There was a boy who danced a little bit “ different”, so many people began to laugh. But dancing had no boundary… thinking of that, I just saw him keep dancing, in the sea of laughing. Normal people would choose to laugh, not to mention children, but he didn't seem to step back, he just kept telling us "yes, I am dancing one dance."

So when he finished and gained many recognition, I gave him more presents. He was a brave boy!

Ghana stole my heart. I cannot explain how sacred this journey was. Not only did I become a member of a beautiful family of 50 children; but I gained a much better understanding of myself and the world around me.
As Americans, our worth and happiness is based upon our materialist mindsets. We all fall victim to unnecessary complaining, judgment and negativity. Unknowingly, we let our egos get in the way of the interactions we have with ourselves, others and the world around us. We forget how auspicious our lives are here in America and (me included) take a lot of things for granted.
In Ghana I witnessed joy, love and happiness like I’ve never seen before. The kids at the orphanage live beyond what you and I would consider minimal; yet they are the most grateful, compassionate and intelligent humans I have ever met. The kids range from 2-23 years old; most have never seen a computer and none of them have phones. They don’t have social media; therefore, their interactions and relationships are genuine and unfeigned. Their culture is flip flopped to that of America.
People live on .25 American cents a day which in their currency is 1 cedi. Their minimum wage per WEEK is 5 cedi’s which is equivalent to $1.50. Yet this is all they need to survive and never did I hear a complaint. They are the most magnificent people that I have ever had the privilege learn and grow with. I am already planning my trip to go back during Christmas. Always sending my love and blessings to everyone who shared their lives and their wholesomeness with me.

I spent 4 weeks in Morocco interning at a local news agency, and I can't recommend this program and country enough. From my pre-travel questions about visas and accommodation, Love Volunteers and their partner were there the whole time. When I landed in Morocco, I met the program staff who worked tirelessly to make my stay here both safe and enjoyable. I think what differentiates the team is how interested they are in making you feel comfortable and like part of a family. I lived with students and others from the UK, Italy, Canada and so many other places in a beautiful traditional Moroccan Riad inside the medina and feasted on tasty Moroccan cuisine the whole time. The wonderful thing about the local staff is that they pride themselves on making sure that you experience the best of Morocco's diverse culture! This might be my first, but it won't be my last visit to Morocco.

My time spent in Morocco has most certainly been magical, with so many new friends and memories that have been made.

I enrolled myself onto the Journalism internship for 4 weeks, working with Morocco World News where I was writing and editing articles on a daily basis in an office environment with other lovely volunteers. It was interesting to experience and appreciate firsthand how much work goes into a news-based area of the media.

In terms of Love Volunteers and their local partner, I have found their hospitality and support absolutely faultless - you couldn't wish for nicer people to be looking after you. They make you feel right at home and help arrange weekday and weekend trips, ensuring that you get the most out of your time whilst in Morocco. I stayed in the volunteer house which was amazing as you get to meet so many new people who quickly become your family, sharing stories over the dinner table and getting the chance to travel with them at weekends. It's a place where you make lifelong friends from all over the world.

Morocco itself is a beautiful country with an admirable culture, and the food is most definitely something worth witnessing! I traveled every weekend to places such as Chefchaouen, Marrakesh and Fes - all collectively representing the Moroccan culture but each one completely different at the same time. Rabat, where the programs are based, is also a wonderful place to explore both during the day and at night. This certainly won't be my last time visiting this incredible country.

I'm really glad I decided to spend 6 weeks of my summer teaching English to 3-6 year old kids with Love Volunteers in Rabat, Morocco. You know the feeling when you have an amazing experience that you don't want to trade anything for it? That is how I feel. First, I learned a lot during my volunteer because I was given a full authority to create teaching materials and activities in class. It was a fun challenge for me to build an interesting class from limited resources they had, which finally encouraged me to be creative and innovative. Second, I was staying with a very lovely big family who is extremely kind and fun. The first day I came, me and the family plus all the family friends went to a music concert together. Third, my volunteer schedule was very manageable for me to travel during weekends. So even though I was staying in Rabat, I had a chance to explore other cities and deserts as well. And last but not least, Morocco offers such an amazing culture experience worth to have! Moroccan food, art, language, people, and lifestyle are very unique and eye-opening knowledge. Oh plus, the program directors were really helpful and always make sure that the volunteers have the best time there. One day I was sick and Ali brought me to a doctor a few minutes after I called him. Lots of good things I can tell you but it was simply a complete personal growth experience for me.

A few months back, I was fortunate to stumble upon Love Volunteers while looking up volunteering opportunities abroad. I instantly got interested in the programs they had to offer. Out of the many programs I went through, 'Teaching at Monasteries' in Nepal caught my eye. I had been wanting to travel solo as well as experience volunteering in a different country, and this program seemed to be the perfect fit! Ever since I mailed them for the first time, Love Volunteers had been nothing but supportive and prompt. Apart from sharing a detailed guidebook about the country and the program, they answered all my queries promptly.

Having just a month off work in summer, I could afford to spend 3 weeks at the monastery. Those 3 weeks spent in Nepal have undoubtedly been one of the best times in my life! I met some lovely people, made life-long connections, traveled, taught, learnt and gathered tons of amazing memories! Staying at a monastery and interacting with monks was in itself a unique and wonderful opportunity, and I feel very fortunate to have experienced the same. Teaching at the monastery definitely had its own challenges, as they relied only on volunteers for academics (English, Math etc.) and there wasn't a curriculum in place. If you tend to get involved with the students and take your teaching seriously, then it gets challenging because all students have different abilities and levels, and ideally one needs to cater to their individual needs. That is possible when you have many volunteers on site, otherwise can be a bit difficult. Nonetheless, teaching and interacting with the lovely monks is really enjoyable, and one sure learns a lot!

Such experiences definitely teach you a lot, expose you to much more in life and probably make you grow as a person. One gets to experience life in a totally different context, often without the luxuries and comforts one is used to. However, what you gather is way more valuable - friends, experiences, memories, learning. It's all worth it. My words may not do justice to what I experienced, felt and learnt. All I can say is that it was one of the best experiences in my life, and I wish I could have stayed longer! Would love to go back sometime.

I'd definitely recommend Love Volunteers and this particular program to whosoever wishes to volunteers abroad and make a difference! :)

my experience in morocco, was a unique and one i would always cherish for years to come. having volunteered for a good part of my life, i have come to have certain expectations about a place, however i was in for a shock.

volunteering in morocco offered a chance to engaged with a different people and a different culture. although i struggled to adjust at the beginning, the program managers Ali and jihan were of great assistance, helping me with even the simplest of things such as were to have lunch. never have i come across such wonderful people who are keen to know more about you and were you are from.

the morocco volunteering, for me at least was set in a way that i could learn, offer experiences while allowing me to engage on an adventure of a lifetime

i would strongly recommend morocco as anyone's next destination for volunteer work.

This 2-week experience organized by Love Volunteers Programs was the most satisfying and amazing one of my life. I spent my days in Sri Lanka, teaching English in a nursery and then teaching Sign Language in a special school. I loved taking up the responsibility of teaching English in an environment where its use was severely lacking. Everyone here in Sri Lanka is very accommodating and nice. I got to explore Sri Lanka over the weekends when I did not have any work. It is the most beautiful country in the world. Sometimes 2 weeks did not seem enough time, but I did my best while I was there. I hope I have left an impact on the local community, while they continue to grow stronger in their education. I'll be taking back many memories of this great program.