Love Volunteers Reviews

I spent 7 weeks in Kenya in 2012 and loved every second of it. I meet amazing people, both Kenyans and other volunteers from around the world and felt that the work we helped with was extremely worthwhile.

I spent most of my time with the host family about an hour our of Nairobi near the IDP camp. The 'mama' of this family looked after me like my Mum would and I was welcomed into her family completely.

I volunteered at the IDP school and spent my time working on a reading programme 1:1 with the kids and running small medical clinics for any children that had wounds etc that needed looking after. After school finished we spent time playing with children or visiting families who lived in the IDP camp - seeing how they live was an eye opening and life changing experience.

The pogramme set up is amazing, the country coordinator and the staff from Love Volunteers kept in touch the whole time I was there making sure everything was ok. I was able to help with some special feeding programmes in Kibera, Nairobi and around the IDP camp, a big free medical clinic at the IDP camp and also fit in a safari, trip to a Massai village and a few trips to the Massai markets for souvenirs.

My trip to Africa was something I had been wanting to do for a very long time and through Love Volunteers and the people in Kenya it was even better than I imagined it would be, I can't wait for another trip back to see my 'Kenyan family'.

I volunteered in Tanzania for 2 weeks in October 2012 through Love Volunteers and loved it. Organising tmy trip through Love Volunteers was great, they were helpful, friendly and efficient and were flexible enough that I was able to change things once I was there.

The placements in Tanzania were fantastic, I spent time in the Orphanage, School, Daycare Centre and with the widows groups. Everyone is friendly and welcoming and the whole experience was fantastic. The country coordinator is very welcoming and allows you the flexibility of being able to see all the projects and deciding which you like best. The children are so appreciative of any time you spend with them and always extremely happy.

The facilities are quite basic - bucket showers etc (although with a trip to Africa I was expecting this) and it is amazing how quickly you get used to a much more simple life.

During my short stay I meet amazing people and experienced a different and beautiful culture. I would love to go back and would recommend it to everyone.

I spent three weeks in Ghana through Love Volunteers teaching in a local village primary school - staff were great and very helpful, as were host family! I felt safe and well looked-after as was first time in Africa and a lone volunteer. Only downside was lack of teaching materials in the local school, though not project's fault - more, the school's!!!

Since my first visit, I have since returned to Kenya and the Love Volunteers program 2 more times. I believe my actions can be more powerful than words. I took the time, energy and money to return because the program is well run, and the work you do makes a difference. When I first arrived at the IDP camps (that is the program I chose) almost 3 years ago there was no hope whatsoever. Families were going hungry, kids were not at school, and these families had little hope. Visiting the camps today you will see a stark difference. Children are in school, crops are planted, families are employed, and there is a new sense of life. Without the organization and wonderful people involved, none of this would have been possible . I recommend this placement to anyone who is willing to bring ideas and make a difference.

The best experience ever, it really opens the eyes but also makes you aware that even as an individual you can contribute and make a difference. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. I was met at the airport by the Love Volunteers representative and stayed the first night with his family. After that I was in the volunteer house with several others and a wonderful house mum. I was given several options for work but for me caring for the very young children in the orphanage was best. This was an experience that will stay with me for life and will make sure I do it again. Love Volunteers were really good with their organisation and communications and I felt supported and safe all the time.

Like most people I was nervous about signing up to volunteer. I felt like a big leap of faith, but I'm so glad I chose Love Volunteers. They were helpful throughout the process - answering questions before I signed-up, checking up on me after I'd arrived and getting my feedback throughout.

The local team are super helpful and friendly and I felt that there was real need on the projects.

There are obviously some tough issues to deal with, but largely that is the same when doing any kind of travelling in any developing country.

Overall the experience was enlightening and incredibly rewarding and I would recommend it to anyone :)

I spent this summer teaching English at a language center in Rabat, Morocco. It was the most meaningful summer I have ever had. The students I worked with were so bright and so eager to learn. The diverse range of ages and abilities present in the classes was a challenge. However, with a little creativity and flexibility, this was easily overcome. I was given so much freedom to create and carry out lessons. I quickly learned what worked and didn’t work, and was able to develop my personal skills on top of helping out the students. I enjoyed going to work everyday, because it was fun, engaging, and meaningful. It’s such an incredible feeling to be striving and working for positive change in a community – amongst so many hardworking and inspiring people who are doing the same. And to be embraced as a member within that community in return is even more of a blessing. Through the experiences I had and the relationships that were built, I was able to learn a lot about myself and to develop new skills that will help me in the future.

The home stay was a huge component of the program. It is such a quick and powerful way to be integrated into the community. You grow attached to your family and begin to realize that this is really a home away from home. The families are incredible – so friendly and open to embracing you as a part of their family. You learn about the local culture and customs as well as receive useful tips and advice for navigating life in Morocco. And Rabat, a small but lively capital, was a great place to live. Some of the city's highlights are its beaches, parks, cybercafes, traditional restaurants and several museums.

Love Volunteers was definitely the right choice for me. The placement was perfect, the prices affordable and the experience one that I will never forget. The staff at Love Volunteers was invaluable throughout the entire process – providing resources, support, and advice. I never felt unsafe or overwhelmed; in fact I couldn’t believe just how easy it was to adjust to such a completely new experience. I absolutely recommend volunteering in Morocco. It is a beautiful and open place – and you have many volunteer options to choose from. Be sure to participate in the community, be flexible and open, put passion and patience into your work, and of course, remember to have fun, make friends, and travel!

Through the great help and support of Love Volunteers, I went to Ecuador to do my volunteering service at a children daycare/rehabilitation clinic. I enjoyed my site, because I had hands-on experiences with the children and I felt that my service was needed/appreciated. Everyday, three-times a day, I helped with the feeding of the children (breakfast, snack and lunch). Some of the children need help being fed (example - spoon feeding). I also helped the teachers with teaching and helped the children play with toys and other activities. I had an worthwhile experience with my volunteering. I had an amazing time at my site and at Ecuador.

Ecuador is an amazing and fun place. I honestly felt safe and taken care of over there. The people are very friendly. There are many things that you can do over there such as shopping. My sister and I did a lot of shopping. During the weekend, I had the opportunity to make trips to other exciting places (i.e. the Equator line, Banos, the Beach, Mindo-Cloud Forest, Otavalo the indigenous market, Cotopaxi Volcano) at affordable prices.

Overall Ecuador was amazing. My experience was great due to the help of Love Volunteers. I recommend using Love Volunteers if anyone wants to volunteering, because they will make sure that wherever you go volunteer, you will be take care of.

I volunteered in a Medical placement in Cusco, Peru for one month through Love Volunteers. My family stay was an excellent experience and my "family" was very experienced in taking in travelers. That said, the cooking was all authentic Peruvian food and Spanish was the principal language throughout my stay. While my family members were accommodating, they also encouraged me to speak Spanish and helped me immensely with my knowledge of the local culture. My work schedule in the clinic was very flexible (though I had heard of some that were less flexible) and I was able to work mornings or afternoons or both, if I wanted. I also took Spanish classes for two weeks during my stay, which added immensely to the value of my experience. I had time on evenings and weekends to travel about, visit ruins, meander through the markets, and even see some of the nightlife. As for safety, I only gave an 8/10 because I had two friends whose passports and bags were stolen in the town of Cusco, but personally I did not have any trouble with my things. I would highly recommend this organization - they are relatively cheap by comparison, AND your money goes to the families who take you in, with very little (if any) going to the organization. Your experience will be what you make of it, but Love Volunteers gives you all of the tools you need to enjoy your trip. I have not had one regret about my choice to go with them!

The daily work was kind of hard some of the days but this is something I expected since working in the nature it is hard for the environment itself. Other days the work was easier but always rewarding after finishing my day. As well, I had the chance of seeing other parts of the island where the conservation project was run several years ago and I can say that the result is rewarding.
The social environment was fantastic. Everybody said the same about the social environment. Everybody has a good time at the station, no doubt.
Furthermore the islands are a place marvelous to be visited sometime, and what a better chance than the volunteer period.
My summary is: awesome!