Program Reviews

Overall, I had a good experience there. I’ve met people from four different countries. Working with other volunteers to prepare food for animals and clean their enclosures were fun. The work was taught by other volunteers, so we all had responsibilities of our duties and we cooperated as a team. However, I did not get chance to discuss wildlife conservation with local staffs and other volunteers. Apart from work, I enjoyed spending free time such as cooking and walking around the volunteer activity area with other volunteers.

Wasn’t sure what to expect at first but the company reassured me when I emailed and provided me with all the information I needed. Overall the programme was great and it’s something I will always remember. I made lifelong friends and learnt lots of things that I didn’t previously know. The woman running the program was really welcoming and made sure we had everything we needed. The facilities were good and if there was ever a problem it was resolved with short notice. Would definitely recommend, good value for money.

About the medical program (dentistry) in Chiangmai
This is in my opinion complete fraud!
For 4 weeks the charged me €1,680.00€ with zero value provided by the so-called organisation.

The quality of the volunteer house is a disaster:
A super tiny, shared room on the third floor with stairs only and a small bathroom in bad conditions!
There are nearly 10 people in the house sharing one fridge and one TV on the ground floor.
Every day a man came to each bedroom when no one was there, with the excuse of checking whether the AC or the light was on.
This is a pure violation of privacy especially when considering that the rooms where for girls only!!!!
The breakfast consists of Muesli, yoghurt and bananas to maximize the profit of this rip-off!

about the management:
Of Course, they won't pay any money for picking us up from the airport. It was with the company truck which I had to sit in the back of it with my luggage.
On the first day they just got me to the hospital in the back of the same truck, showed me the dental clinic of it and told me here are the dentists go introduce yourself, which I believe, I could have done without them.
They told me I must manage the time with doctors that I’m shadowing myself and there is no specific schedule!
There was not one second in this program that I felt I’m here to help someone which is the definition of volunteer work in the name of charity. It's just a way of making money in the name of charity and providing the worst quality of stay to maximize the profit!

For a long weekend I stayed in Hua Hin at the beach in a super nice private room with an amazing pool including breakfast and it cost me only €21 a night.
I have no idea what this organization is getting money for if you just compare the value!
The only thing they told me about the hospital was to coordinate with the doctor, so I did and asked the doctors to take one day off and then on Monday I receive very rude and disrespectful messages from Imm trough one of the volunteers, accusing me of not showing up at work before even contacting any of the doctors.
After complaining at Volunteering Solutions in the UK I was told I must talk directly to the local agency to sort out the problems. My contract is with Volunteering Solutions and not with any local sub-contractor.
I will report the company for fraud and claim my money back in court if necessary!

It was a very grateful experience. I’m so so happy to decided to travel to Peru, to know Cusco, which is a beautiful city, and to work with children. I thank VS for the opportunity and the family that welcomed me and made me part of it. I carry them all in my heart. Whoever has the chance to go, don’t hesitate because it has been a great experience. VS has many projects for all kinds of preferences and needs. Each person can choose what they are most passionate about and they really end up being moments that make one a better person.

The company only cares about the money you pay but not about the real human exchange that is the most amazing thing in any volunteer opportunity. Until you pay they are super nice, after it, anything you request does not count. The program says I would have tours on weekends so I would go to the project with kids in the week but they decided to buy a tour in a Thursday without consulting me and so I found out when I arrived in the country and didn’t give me any option for a change since it was booked already. So, what is the problem to miss a day with the kids? For them really didn’t seem an issue but the name of the company is volunteering solutions so I thought it would come in first place. The headquarter of the company is not friendly, the local people in Peru that supports the program, the best ones you will find but unfortunately they don’t make the rules.

The program was an eye opening experience and I loved everything about it! Everything was smooth from the booking to landing in Nepal. Uma, Rashmila both were amazing and helped me feel comfortable at home. I got to see different departments at the hospital, which was exciting. The food at home and at local restaurants was amazing and I loved the dal that and momos! I also liked the fact that there is lot of flexibility and you can go around in the evenings to explore the city. I went to Pokhara as well and Uma was kind to arrange a trip for me over the weekend.

My experience I had in this 4 weeks stay in Sri Lanka was soo unique! I really enjoyed this time because of the open minded and very kind people (other volunteers and staff) and the country itself! Time has gone by so fast and my program ‘Turtle Conservation’ was fun too. Amazing to work with such great animals ! The work you are doing in the hatchery is varied and sometimes a bit exhausting but nothing you can’t do. It’s a once in a lifetime experience and I would definitely do it again it’s so worth it !

It was an unforgettable two weeks. With each activity, different learning and experiences that stayed forever in my memory. The Kwantu Reserve staff are very welcoming and helpful. It really was a dream come true. I booked for two weeks but I believe that the minimum time to get to know and carry out all the activities is three weeks. The accommodation for volunteers is very spacious, clean, in other words, a very pleasant environment. And, the most amazing thing, is sleeping listening to the roar of lions. Unique experience.Thanks @volunteeringsolutions for all the support.

I was planning for some time to fit an overseas volunteer trip during my sabbatical leave period over the last quarter of 2022 and came across Volunteer Solutions, an organization that undertake projects around the world including English teaching programs.

After browsing through the many programs and destinations, I eventually chose to go to Tianyar for one full month in Bali to teach English to children with basic to no level of proficiency on the language. The accommodation and meals will be provided for in Tianyar with the school just a three-minute walk away.

Tianyar is a small coastal village which is three hours from Denpasar and away from the bright lights and night life of some their more illustrious neighbors Kuta and Seminyak. It is extremely quiet, and volunteers get to stay in ecological attap houses with bathroom that are outdoors. The sea is also across the lodging area. Amenities are quite modest, and you get to experience the following in the village;

- No air-conditioning
- No hot water for shower
- Intermittent wi-fi connection
- Water supply gets cut certain times of the day
- Sharing a bunk with three other guys in double decker beds

Not for a moment did I miss any of the comforts because in replacement, I got;

- The sound of the waves when I wake up in the morning
- The wonderful sunrise in from my lodging area
- The smell of the sea breeze all day
- Fresh and varied food cooked by a brilliant chef we call “Ibu”
- A chance to follow the fishermen to sea
- Interact with different volunteers from different background, mostly Europe
- Throwback to memories of camping trips in the rural outdoors

Most importantly, I got to teach these students at this school Yayasan Widya Sari who otherwise will not be able to afford an education in English. These students come with so much enthusiasm after their own school day to learn the subject and as a volunteer teaching them English, I made an extra effort to come up with lesson plans as well as activities to engage and impart basic English to my two classes of between 9-11 year olds.

Other than that I also got to immersing myself in the Balinese culture which is a different form of Hinduism and even taking time to dress up in a full Balinese ceremonial costume with accessories. I managed to also take lull time to get my PADI certification and dived at the sea in Tianyar in clear waters to see the marine life as well as the nearby Tulambeng to see the World War 2 shipwreck.

My purpose from this experience was to extend service to the less privileged which is more a duty call than being optional or done at one’s convenience. I believe that I made a positive difference to the lives of the students that I taught.

My sincere thanks and appreciation to the Volunteer Solutions team including Sahil Sabharwal whom I corresponded with and made my journey to Tianyar from Singapore a seamless one.

Look forward to my next volunteer trip with Volunteer Solutions.

I spent 2 months in Sri Lanka in the Women Empowerment Program. It was an amazing experience. I really recommend this program, it is amazing how you can get close to these women and how much you learn about their muslim comunity and culture. During the weekdays, apart from working in the program, during your free time there are many activities to do: surfing, going to the beach, going to local shops, going to the swimming pool, doing some sports at the house... and during the evenings we used to get a beer in the beach restaurants, stayed at home watching films...
And also, in the weekends you have the opportunity to visit Sri Lanka, either with trips organized by the house or on your own.
I really recommend this experience, and Volunteering Solutions were available in case I had any trouble, but luckly I didnt have many.