Program Reviews

It was a lot of fun here in cusco during these 2 weeks. My host family was very nice, cooked for me every day including on Sundays delicious peruanian meals making me discover the food culture of this country.
My time at the medical center was great too, had a very nice doctor supervising me and making me do the physical examination of the patients.
Since I had work only during the mornings, had plenty of time to discover Cusco and surroundings during the afternoon. The staff at the medical center would give me Fridays as a day off, so I had the opportunity to travel a bit further and went to the Machu Picchu as well on a weekend. It was a great experience travelling solo too, a bit challenging but worth it.

Overall great experience, would recommend it !

Translated by Go Overseas:

This stay in Cusco allowed me to meet many people, be it the family or other friendships that were created. Being in a family allowed me to better understand the culture and to have a "security" in case of problem. In addition, we have discovered extraordinary landscapes such as Rainbow Mountains or Machu Picchu for example and many other activities. Finally, my experience in two schools was very enriching to understand how the system worked, what was their pedagogy and the meeting with the different children was wonderful and very endearing. I also had the opportunity to meet other volunteers who did not necessarily work in the school field and we were able to discuss our various experiences.

Original:

Ce séjour à Cusco m’a permis de rencontrer beaucoup de personnes, que ce soit la famille ou d’autres amitiés qui se sont crées. Être dans une famille m’a permis de mieux comprendre la culture et d’avoir une « sécurité » en cas de problème. De plus, nous avons pu découvrir des paysages extraordinaires comme les Rainbow Mountains ou le Machu Picchu par exemple et de nombreuses autres activités. Finalement, mon expérience dans deux écoles a été très enrichissante pour comprendre comment fonctionnait le système, quelle était leur pédagogie et la rencontre avec les différents enfants était merveilleuse et très attachante. J’ai également eu l’occasion de rencontrer d’autres volontaires qui ne travaillaient pas forcément dans le domaine scolaire et nous avons pu échanger sur nos diverses expériences.

Translated by Go Overseas:

I loved everything about this trip. From the city, to the family and the program. My favorite part was to be able to teach and play with the children and the bond that I formed with them, to give them love and the love they gave me. The garden I went to is wonderful and the teachers are very friendly. The family I was with was also amazing, very loving, the house very comfortable and the food delicious; They made me feel very good and welcome. I loved the show's location too. Being in Cusco I could have the opportunity to meet many of the most beautiful places in the world, Machu picchu, the mountain of colors and all the Inca archaeological sites. It is a very safe place, and all the tours, the program and everything in general very organized.

Original Review:

Me encanto todo acerca de este viaje. Desde la ciudad, hasta la familia y el programa. Mi parte favorita fue poder enseñar y jugar con los niños y el vínculo que formé con ellos, darles amor y el amor que ellos me dieron a mi. El jardín al que fui, es maravilloso y las profesoras muy amables. La familia con la cual estuve también fue increíble , muy amorosa, la casa muy cómoda y la comida deliciosa; me hicieron sentir muy bien y bienvenida. La locación del programa también me encanto. Por estar en Cusco pude tener la oportunidad de conocer muchos de los lugares más lindos del mundo, Machupicchu, la montaña de colores y todos los sitos arqueológicos incas. Es un sitio muy seguro, y todos los tours, el programa y todo en general muy organizado.

This program is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. When I first arrived, it was the middle of the night, and the hostel seemed questionable, but as I adjusted to my African family, I grew to love the staff and the place like home. It’s Africa, so yes...sometimes things were a little slow to happen, and yes...sometimes I encountered struggles that I’ve never had to face in the past, but that is all part of the experience. The challenges that I overcame with my fellow volunteers just made our bond so much stronger. The cooks put their heart and soul into their food even though they are there sun up to sun down cooking. The house mamas...or sisters, care for the volunteers as if they are family, and the night guards are like dad’s looking out for their kids.♥️ Dinner time was one of my favorites times, as some of the staff would stay after to play games with the volunteers. It made for such a light, happy atmosphere. I did the medical program for 5 months, and I did an orphanage/women’s center for the last month. St. Elizabeth hospital was life changing. I worked with Dr. Quaker for a few months in the pediatric ward before switching wards, and I learned SO MUCH from that women...not just medical information, but she also taught me about the tribes in the area and their traditions and beliefs and how it correlates with the health of the child. The cases I experienced here were like nothing I would ever experience at home. Some were definitely “heavy,” but that is a challenge every healthcare provider will have to eventually face. The orphanage and women’s center were also amazing. I was at Enjevai Orphanage and Faraja Women’s center. Both the kids and the young moms were such a joy to work with. Despite their circumstances, they came each day with smiling faces. It really puts life into perspective. Overall, I think anyone looking to volunteer with an open mind should book it in Arusha, Tanzania. Don’t go there expecting to improve how they do things, but instead, learn from them and how they survive with limited resources. I promise...you won’t want to leave.💛 It’s home away from home.

Volunteering with this company is something I wouldn’t recommend. There were so many things I did not like about the program specifically the amount of dishonesty between the guide sent out prior to leaving and reality.

It took 2.5 hours to get to the hospital daily. The staff really could care less we were there. I voiced a plethora of concerns with the coordinator of the company and his response was borderline rude. Especially when confronted about the scam of a 2-day safari. I also got sick while in Nairobi and went to a hospital for 7 hours. The staff didn’t offer to take me, suggest a hospital, or even ask how I was. Instead, I figured everything out on my own and waited alone there. Luckily I was able to figure this out but, I could imagine how scared a younger volunteer would have been if they had to do it alone.

Overall I would not recommend this company because it felt more like a business than a company that helps people.

I did a medical internship in Cusco, and it was nice, but the website says that we can go to surgeries and do sutures and other procedures, but we don’t do this things. We don’t even go to hospitals, it’s a public clinic that we work in. But the family was great, the mom of the house helped us with everything, gave a key to each of us, cooked for us, and she was really attentive. People that come to Cusco need to be careful with the food that they eat, because there is a lot of places that are not safe and really dirty. You should check the rate in some website to see if you can eat there. The city of Cusco has a great center, with a lot of places to eat and a lot of travel agencies, that you can book your trips. I recommend people to do the colorful mountain, Machu Picchu by train, laguna humantay and secret valley. It was a great experience!

The time I spent volunteering in Delhi was unforgettable and Volunteering Solutions did an amazing job to make sure that my experience was safe, fun, and enjoyable. The program I chose to participate in was the Special Needs program in Delhi. As a teacher of children with special needs, I was able to use my knowledge to help others, as well as learn new things and work with many different individuals and students. The staff was very hospitable, and everyone made me feel as if I was at home. I also participated in 2 weekend trips, to Varanasi, as well as the Golden Triangle tour (Jaipur and Agra). Both trips were planned very well and everything was as expected and more. The Volunteering Solutions staff in Delhi made me feel welcomed and comfortable, especially while being in a different country. Shankar did a fabulous job making sure that all volunteers were taken care of and went out of his way several times to help me and others. His caring and friendly personality represents Volunteering Solutions very well. Overall, everything went great. I would highly recommend Volunteering Solutions to others, and will be looking into trips for the future!

This is an important project that will play a bigger role in creating a stronger community, helping global warming, helping the planet, helping the amazon, and preserving a community of awareness in Padre Coche.
The hostel is clean, safe, accessible and comfortable. The host is very clear, approachable and allows for a comfortable stay. She makes sure you are comfortable, she listens to your requests and concerns and she lays out clearly what to expect and what is expected of you.
The agenda as layed out in the program, was true and clear.
Although, I sometimes questioned if I was able to truly help in this project, I ultimately did feel like I contributed to something worthwhile, that my time was valuable and appreciative. Because I feel this is an important project that leads to a bigger picture and adds to a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed this project. It is unique, yet it shows how in order to make big changes in the world, you need to start small, and you need to start at home.
I also enjoyed taking part and witnessing the anccestral communities and cultural practices that also contribute to the bigger picture of the importance of preserving land, communities and cultural practices in these smaller villages and provinces along the Amazon.

I was in Delhi for a week and then in Palampur for a week working at schools and I had an incredible experience, I loved being with the kids. Everyone was very nice and helpful, all the coordinators made the experience great. I always felt safe and cared for. The food was always very delicious and a good amount. The week that we were traveling was amazing, we had no problems at all. The hotels were incredibly nice, the meals were good, all our transportation was included and we saw a lot of beautiful sites and had good experiences. In Delhi, we were with the slums children and I felt like I was making a great impact, I absolutely loved it. Palampur was a school where we felt like we were not really needed so sometimes it got a little boring.

I have been volunteering in India for 4 weeks in the Medical Internship Program and couldn't have had a better experience. The program is incredibly well organized, as well as informative and hands-on for Pre-Med students. The accommodation provided by Volunteering Solution is very nice and in a safe neighborhood, and the food is absolutely delicious! Similarly, all of the weekend trips that I booked through Volunteering Solutions are comfortable and a great way to visit India. Each of the tour guides provided helped to understand the culture and made each trip more enjoyable and informative. I have met some of the best people, including other volunteers, Volunteering Solutions staff, and doctors and nurses in the hospital. I would definitely suggest this program to anyone who wants to travel abroad in a meaningful way!