Volunteering Solutions

Program Reviews

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Georgie
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Slum education programme, Jaipur

I had an amazing experience in Jaipur where I volunteered with a small group of kids from the slums in the east of the beautiful city, Jaipur.

The staff was so kind and accommodating, and they felt like friends. The small number of volunteers who do the Jaipur programme means that whatever programme you are doing, you feel like a family.

Plus, Jaipur is the most beautiful and lovely city with so much to do and see!

I appreciate not just the programme I did but all of the programmes offered, as they are definitely a worthwhile experience.

What was your funniest moment?
Teaching the kids yoga!
Pros
  • Accommodation
  • Staff
  • Community
Cons
  • Paying for transport to and from programmes
  • No home-cooked meal (all take out)
  • Not doing it for long enough!
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María
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Centro de Salud San Sebastián / San Sebastian Health Center

En mi caso, he estado 4 semanas en el Centro de Salud de San Sebastián (Cusco). En general la experiencia en el proyecto ha sido absolutamente maravillosa. Desde el primer momento hemos estado arropadas y protegidas. Mención especial a la familia con la que nos hemos alojado, el trato ha sido absolutamente excepcional. Han estado pendientes de los voluntarios en todo momento. Dejamos un trocito del corazón en Cusco. También ha sido muy enriquecedor poder compartir alojamiento y experiencia con otros voluntarios de otros países.

Cusco es además un lugar excepcional para visitar y poder hacer turismo los fines de semanas. En el centro de salud también se ha apreciado mucho nuestro trabajo.

English version:
In my case, I have spent 4 weeks at the San Sebastián Health Center (Cusco). Overall the experience on the project has been absolutely wonderful. From the first moment, we have been covered and protected. Special mention to the family we stayed with, the treatment has been absolutely exceptional. They have been attentive to the volunteers at all times. We left a piece of our heart in Cusco. It has also been very enriching to be able to share accommodation and experience with other volunteers from other countries.

Cusco is also an exceptional place to visit and go sightseeing on the weekends, and our work has also been greatly appreciated at the health center.

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Holly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Arusha, Tanzania

I love that Volunteering Solutions partners with local NGOs in the volunteering locations. It's important because no one knows about their own country more than locals. Everything was organized and easy to navigate. The price is fair given what's offered. I also appreciate their information packet. This is extremely helpful for first time volunteers, and helped me contact the right people when I had a hiccup in my own trip. Everyone has been kind and helpful throughout the entire process, from welcoming me, checking in during my trip, and follow up ftwr my volunteering was completed. Overall, the experience was absolutely wonderful!

What would you improve about this program?
Karibu Foundation has multiple projects they're working on with different local NGOs. I feel it would be helpful if all Partnering NGOs provided an overview of each specific project, so volunteers could choose before instead of upon arrival. I feel this can help volunteers better prepare for whatever project they choose.
Pros
  • Helping people
  • Meet new people
  • Try new things
Cons
  • Time, it's cultural but they expect you to be ready when they are, but when you need to be somewhere, you're expected to wait
  • White people (foreigner) pricing, locals including NGOs take advantage of foreigners
  • Lack of communications on project options until arrival, needs more organization
Response from Volunteering Solutions

Hi Holly,
It was indeed lovely to have you in the program in Arusha. Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a wonderful experience with Volunteering Solutions. Partnering with local NGOs is indeed a core part of our mission, and we’re glad you found it valuable.
It’s great to know that our information packet helped you navigate your trip smoothly, especially when challenges arose. Our team works hard to provide support every step of the way, so your recognition means a lot. We hope to see you again in the future for more rewarding volunteering opportunities! Safe travels!

Thanks
Team Volunteering Solutions

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Valentina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Perù

Ho partecipato ad un programma di volontariato in Perù, a Cusco. È stata un’ottima esperienza, la consiglio a tutti coloro che vogliono mettersi in gioco e vivere un’esperienza completamente diversa dal quotidiano. È stata una bellissima esperienza anche perché riesci ad entrare in contatto con la cultura locale perché siamo accolti in una famiglia, sarà un’opportunità per conoscere da vicino la cultura, i piatti tipici… la cucina peruviana è ottima, ho provato piatti buonissimi!!
Inoltre ci sono un sacco di posti da visitare e da scoprire, il Perù è un paese molto bello e ricco di storia. Cusco è il cuore dell’impero Inca, durante i fine settimana ci saranno tante occasioni per scoprire il paese.

English:
I participated in a volunteer program in Cusco, Peru. It was an excellent experience, I recommend it to all those who want to get involved and live a completely different experience from everyday life. It was a wonderful experience also because you are able to come into contact with the local culture because we are welcomed into a family, it will be an opportunity to get to know the culture, the typical dishes up close... the Peruvian cuisine is excellent, I tried delicious dishes!!
Furthermore, there are a lot of places to visit and discover, Peru is a very beautiful country rich in history. Cusco is the heart of the Inca empire, during the weekends there will be many opportunities to discover the country.

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Angelica
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience

I’m a med student and I was in the Mnazi Mmoja hospital in Stone Town (Zanzibar) for a medical volunteering program.
Everything is amazing, from the support that you will receive before starting this experience to the things that you will do during the program. So I really recommend this! You’ll get to know a different reality, you will make friends with other volunteers, you can also help in the hospital, and you will remember this for the rest of your life. Everybody can do this, even if you don’t have medical knowledge, for me it’s better to have at least some basics to be able to help them, but you can also just watch and learn.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Most surprising thing was seeing the maternity ward, it’s totally different from ours, but it was also amazing seeing deliveries and c-sections, and the conditions in which they perform them, with cats on the beds with the mothers that are about to have a baby.
Pros
  • Be able to help
  • Seeing a different reality
  • Be friends with other volunteers
Cons
  • The poor conditions
  • Lack of hot water
  • Food (but if you want you can always go in restaurants on the beach that are cheap and very good)
Response from Volunteering Solutions

Hi Angelica,

Thanks for sharing with us your experience in the Medical Volunteer Program in Zanzibar. We are happy to know that you had a good experience on the project. We look forward to your participation in the programs in the future as well.

Thanks
Team Volunteering Solutions

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Grace
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Loved Every Minute

I used VolSol to organise a 2-week trip to Thailand for a group of 14. The group was very diverse as the ages ranged from 19 to 60 plus so not a typical group. From start to finish they have been absolutely amazing. Communication with the company is brilliant. Sahil responded to any questions promptly. I initially picked one of the 2 weeks specials but then VolSol tailored it to suit our needs. I have organised group trips before, but I was blown away by how meticulously planned this one was. We spent 5 days at Hug elephant sanctuary and every day we were kept busy with activities. All activities were delivered by the locals which made it extra special. Food was included on many of the days and again I cannot fault it. There was always plenty, it was always freshly prepared, and they catered for any dietary requirements. Bottled water was on hand all the time. The facilities were more than adequate, and the camp was very clean and well maintained. Staff were lovely and went out of their way to ensure we were looked after. I loved my time here.

I had asked if we could visit a local school as many of us work in education. We paid a little extra for this, but the money was used to buy sports kits and water for the students, which we then got to present to the students on arrival. I have organised trips before where this money would have just gone into the company’s pocket, so it was lovely to see it being used in such a positive way.

We crammed so much into the 2 weeks, and we got to try things that we wouldn’t typically have done had we not gone with VolSol such as an E-Scooter tour of Bangkok, rafting and kayaking. Again, all very well organised and all needs catered for.

Our guide Fighter only added to our experience.  He is so knowledgeable about everything. On our free days we told him what we would like to do and within a few hours he had sorted it. He was very attentive and always made sure everyone was ok. Every evening, we were given the information for the following day, so we always woke up knowing what the day looked like. He literally never stopped working as he even accompanied us in the evenings when he didn’t have to. He took us to some beautiful restaurants which we would never have known about without him.

I cannot fault VolSol and I would definitely recommend them. I hope if you book onto this trip you are lucky enough to get Fighter as a guide as he is truly perfect for the job.

Thank you Fighter and VolSol for such a memorable trip.  

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Riding an E-scooter in Bangkok as I would never dared to have done this.
Pros
  • Getting to do things I wouldn't normally do.
  • The organisation of the trip.
  • Our guide Fighter as he is simply amazing.
Cons
  • Having to come home.
Response from Volunteering Solutions

Hi Grace,

Thanks for your wonderful review on behalf of Derby College Group. It was really a great experience to host the group in Thailand and we look forward to having you back again soon. Thanks once again for your kind words of appreciation.

Thanks
Team Volunteering Solutions

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Federica
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience!!

The experience with VolSol in Ghana was incredible. I followed the program for 4 weeks at the girls' school. I became very fond of them and a lot was done together. Frederick, the buddy, took care of me in every way. I had a great time with him and his family (with 4 children). The spirit of adaptation is very important, both for the lack of running water, for the hygienic conditions (different from Western standards), and for the relative perception of time (in Ghana time does not exist and there are no clocks). I spent an extraordinary month, got to know a culture that was totally different from mine, met people who became friends and helped the girls at school a lot (thanks to donations from a fundraiser that I set up for the school). Tamale is a very simple, rapidly growing city with a prevalent Islamic religion. Ghanaians are an extremely kind, welcoming and friendly people. I really recommend going to Tamale to volunteer: there is a lot of need and the experience is life-changing. I recently returned to Italy and I already want to go again!

Response from Volunteering Solutions

Hello Fernanda,

Thanks a lot for your kind words and leaving a lovely review of your experience in Ghana. We are so happy to know that you had a great time in Tamale. You really did a commendable job for the project and the students would would be thankful to you always. Thanks once again for sharing your feedback. We look forward to having you back again in the program soon.
Thanks
Team Volunteering Solutions

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Lucrezia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An amazing experience

I really appreciate everything! It has been a wonderful experience and an opportunity to put yourself out there, to learn a lot and to discover another reality.
I would recommend this program to anyone.
The local coordinator, Joe, is very kind and he is always ready to help you if you need.
Very good and professional organization. The company looked after us from the beginning to the end.
I absolutely loved everything.
Thank you very much volunteering solution for making this possible!

Response from Volunteering Solutions

Hi Lucrezia,
Thanks for leaving a review of your experience in Kenya program. We are delighted to know that you had a wonderful time with us in the program and really enjoyed a lot. Thanks a lot for recommending the program and we hope to have you back in the program again soon.
Thanks
Team Volunteering Solutions

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Giulia
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amzing experience in Kenya!

My experience in Kenya was amazing!
I learned and did a lot in the hospital thanks to the availability of the doctors and all the staff. I had the opportunity to deal with a different contest from my own and this enriched me from a professional and human point of view.
I had the opportunity to meet other volunteers from all over the world. I did a spectacular 3-day Safari organized for me by the local staff.
I'd like to thank you to Volonteering Solutions for the opportunity and I recommend it!

Response from Volunteering Solutions

Hi Giulia,

Thanks for your wonderful review for the Kenya Program. We are glad that you thoroughly enjoyed your experience in the program in Kenya and had the opportunity to meet other volunteers from around the world as well. Thanks once again for recommending the program to others. We hope to have you back in our other programs soon too.
Thanks
Team Volunteering Solutions

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Vicky
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Culturally Enlightening & Personally Enriching Trip

From the moment we arrived at New Dehli Airport we felt safe and completely looked after by the Volunteer Solutions team.

Sahil and the team took care of our every need ensuring our volunteering journey met with our expectations and more. From the wonderful places visited such as Taj Mahal to the placements where the real magic happens.

I would not hesitate to recommend VolSol for a safe and secure way to Volunteer Overseas. Nothing is too much trouble and customer satisfaction is a priority.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go with an open mind and a full heart. The time will pass so quickly so make sure to live in the moment and embrace every second of the wonderful journey.
Pros
  • The wonderful people
  • The India culture is so non judgemental and accepting
  • The food is utterly amazing
Cons
  • Crossing the road is an art form - be careful
  • We travelled in August - it's hot - very hot - drink lots of water
  • Mosquitos can be pesky
Response from Volunteering Solutions

Hi Vicky,
Thank you for your kind words regarding your experience with Volunteering Solutions in New Delhi. We are delighted to hear that Sahil and our team were able to provide you and your University Group with a safe and fulfilling volunteering journey. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we are committed to ensuring the satisfaction of all our volunteers. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future.
Thanks
Team Volunteering Solutions