Program Reviews

The one week distribution trip to Uganda was packed with excitement, inspiring people and whole lot of fun with similar minded people.

We visited three local projects funded by GVN's Eat So They Can campaign. It was very cool meeting the local people invested in their community projects. The greatest impact for me was when we met the women of Kitoola. As soon as we got off the bus they were dancing, singing and giving us great big hugs and just full of smiles. These women received cows from the ESTC campaign, and the reception we got made me understand the value of the cows to these women. Their gratitude was written all over their faces.

The accommodation and living conditions were standard and comfortable. The trip was really well organised, GVN and their local partner organization did a fantastic job. I felt comfortable and safe within a trusted group of strangers.

I would recommend this trip to anyone.

Our initial plan was to teach the kids English, however, because they were on their Christmas break we decided to give them a more relaxing experience as they get enough of learning when they go to school which most of them do. Instead we engaged them in a lot of sports activities; soccer, volleyball and table tennis, played with them (bought them a lot of toys and various board games), there was an “art room” where they could be creative, draw and paint, and there was actually a computer room (sponsored by a Korean NGO) so here they could practice using Word etc. and I also let them play computer games. For the older kids (16-20 y.o.) they really just liked to talk to us to hear more about life when you leave the orphanage (life as a grown up basically), which educations they should go for, how to apply for jobs once they finish their education etc. etc.

For New Year’s we organised a party in cooperation with 15 of the teenagers which was a huge success. The kids themselves organised entertainment all night long spanning from a singing contest, a dancing contest, speeches, a catwalk show and a comedy show. We provided food, beverage, decorations and music. It was a blast of a party.

In addition, we arranged a day out where we took a bunch of the kids out for a 5-6 hour trekking tour to the nearby Mount Kigali.

If you've got a great idea for a worthwhile project, but you don't know what your next step should be, this is the program for you! At "Be The Change," you are taught effective ways to get your message across and gather support for your project -- and at the same time you get to meet wonderful people, all with great ideas of their own. I attended the program in Tuscany, and not only was the company superb -- there were fabulous meals served in a beautiful setting in the Tuscan hills outside of Florence. I came away from the meeting with inspiration and a plan which is now bearing fruit -- and, most important, with so many new supportive friends, all of whom are dear to me to this day!

From the very beginning, my communications and concerns with the facilitators via email, from questions about the program itself, to finance and travel information, were handled promptly, efficiently and in a very warm and friendly manner, and this treatment carried well into the program and beyond. I was given a truly welcome and open environment to explore what was important to me, what change I wanted to see in the world, with constant feedback that was critical and constructive, understanding and encouraging.
Upon arriving, while I felt like I was partly on vacation, because of how removed I was from my day to day life, the Be The Change staff was quick to rein in the focus, still providing a wonderful and relaxing environment, but also emphasizing a definite plan and curriculum. They asked us to trust in their plan and they made it wonderfully easy to do so. For the next 6 days, we made time for work, developing our own plans of change and really diving into the core of what we wanted out of the program and how we should best approach our own personal goals, from the general to the more specific. I always felt included in the teachings, like they were fine tuned for me as much as anyone else.
The evenings were for relaxation and recreation, from small hikes to wonderful meals cooked in groups, creating a comfortable environment where we could take the needed time to let the workshops really sink in so as not to feel overwhelmed, and to be honest, the program was at times overwhelming, but never in a negative way. If I was ever overwhelmed, it was at the realizations of my own potential. That a simple, everyday kind of normal guy like me has what it takes to start something bigger than myself and make a change I want to see. To be surrounded by so many like minded people, all of whom are now friends, made it so much easier, the experience was very humbling. Real people making real change, it's that simple, and the Be The Change program and staff helped me build the skills, focus and confidence to BE one of those real people, for real change.
If it sounds like I'm gushing, it's because, well, I am. I have nothing but praise for a program that took a guy like me, struggling with a vision, and helped guide me into someone with a plan, who KNOWS he can make a difference. While I can't speak for everyone, I can say confidently that the Be The Change Program has been, and likely will be, one of the defining experiences of my life, I couldn't be more thankful, and if anyone is looking into the world of creating change, regardless of scope or direction, I couldn't recommend this program enough, it was simply amazing.

It was back in 2011 that I visited the Philippines where I spent a couple of weeks during my round the world trip volunteering on the beautiful island of Tablas. I am so glad I incorporated those weeks into my trip as was such a rewarding experience and a chance to get a feel for the real Philippines.

After spending a couple of nights in the dormitory in Manila (with 3 other volunteers) we got the overnight ferry to sample island life where we stayed in the village of Sugod with a lovely welcoming family. I felt privileged to stay in their house and witness their way of life if only for a couple of weeks.

In the mornings I helped out at a children’s day care centre in a nearby village, the walk itself was amazing walking in the sunshine surrounded by palm trees being welcomed by the locals. At the time I was there, there were about 15 children ageing from 3-5 years old at the day care centre and they were all just so adorable! I helped teach Basic English and then the rest of the morning would be playing and interacting with them and helping out with their daily feed. We also took them to the health centre for their regular weigh in. It was coming up to Christmas whilst I was there so we had a Christmas party one of the mornings, such fun! I will never forget their smiley faces.

Some afternoons I would also help out in the Elementary school in Sugod teaching English. The children were all so keen to learn and it was great to see their confidence grow in such a short space of time. The children were practicing for their Christmas school performance, so we got to watch their rehearsals, singing and dancing – once little boy in particular was a definite star in the making! Although quite a few hours a day were spent volunteering, you still had enough time to do as you pleased – great place to relax and unwind and everyone was so laid back. If anything I could imagine some people getting slightly bored as there was not too much to do on the island.

We had a few late nights playing board games/cards or singing karaoke with the family however most evenings it was early to bed after dinner, good thing really as we would get woken early by the roosters. We were really looked after by the family and the food was delicious.

Weekends were free time so one weekend we got a boat over to Romblon island, where we stayed overnight on a beautiful beach which we had all to ourselves.

It was quite emotional having to leave, especially saying goodbye to the children. I would definitely love to go back one day. I hear the library project is now complete which would be great to see as this was in the process of being built whilst I was there. Although I was able to take a few books to the children I was quite shocked by the lack of equipment at the day care centre, I hope they have since received further donations and am interested to help in anyway getting further supplies to them.

I would say to anyone considering volunteering on this project, well any project, to defiantly give it go, you will not be disappointed from what you gain, these amazing memories will last forever. I met the most wonderful local people and the other volunteers I shared the experience with. A big thank you to all those involved in this project I am so pleased I could be a part of it!!

The best thing about this program is feeling part of the community and getting to help and interact with very appreciative students and teachers. Kenya is an awesome place to be. The only difficulties I faced were trivial things like language barriers, power cuts and getting lost in the city. But these are all things to be expected when travelling and just adds to the challenge and experience.

I joined GVN in 2012 for their Everest Base Camp trek to support VSN in Nepal who are helping disabled, orphaned, and disadvantaged kids. I had no idea what I was getting myself into but my volunteer coordinators, Fiona & Eliza, have made the paperwork and planning very smooth. I had gotten a program planning guide and a look at the day-to-day itinerary. I was also given a report on my fundraising efforts every Monday so I knew exactly how much more I needed to meet my goal. New to backpacking? No problem! They give you a list of the items you need to get and some of the old timers will give you pointers on your group Facebook page. It was very nice to know the people you were trekking with beforehand through Facebook. It was also a place to share ideas and inspirational quotes. I posted a quote by Sir Edmund Hillary, who along with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, were the first to ever summit Mt. Everest in 1953 on this very day---May 29. Sir Edmund Hillary said, "It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves." This trek is as much as helping others and also stepping out of your comfort zone---where the magic happens. You will meet extraordinary group of people who have real goodness in their hearts. You will be led by guides who are expert in what they do and who will make you laugh and sing Resham Firiri (a Nepalese folksong). You will eat a lot of potatoes, you will see a lot of yaks, you will see a lot of children along the way that will warm your heart and keep you going and remind you why you're doing this to begin with.

You will get sick from the altitude (but they will take good care of you). You will smell because showers will become a thing of the past especially once you're up in the higher towns like Gorakshep. You will have your breath taken away not only by the steep trails but also by the majestic mountains that will soar all around you. The Nepalese flying flags will reflect how you feel inside. Free like the wind. And make sure you wake up for the climb to Kala Pattar. DO NOT miss this climb. For there you will witness the most beautiful sunrise.... The sun rising over Mt. Everest and the roof of the world.

If you want to be happy for the rest of your life.... help others. I know I am. =)

---LG

I had a lovely time in Costa Rica working at Bebitos. The child care center was on the outskirts of San Jose. The bus system was a bit difficult to figure out. I managed to lose my way more than once, but didn't encounter any trouble with the natives. It was a very friendly city in general.

I spent a week in a home with a foster madre that cooked my meals. I would say the food was very typical for what would be eaten everyday in a normal low income home, which was fine. I loved living like a native to view the city and not as a tourist. It was a culture shock from the time I landed.

I guess my circles that had visited the country spoke to me only about the touristy areas, so it was a little tougher as an English only speaker for me to get around in rural areas.

At the daycare, I would work for the day watching children in a very full daycare program. The kids were adorable and I got very attached to them even though we didn't share the language.

My time in the rainforest is something I'll remember for the rest of my life. Living and working with a fantastic group of volunteers at the Atalaya reserve was an incredible experience. The seclusion of this project really gives you a chance to form deeper and closer bonds with your fellow volunteers, the program leaders, and also the people in the towns nearby. It really does become a home away from home! You also feel a lot closer to nature in those conditions; open air bungalows, no electricity or hot water, etc. I thought this project would just be a lot of hard outdoor labour, but it turned out to be so much more. Yes, the majority of days would see us hiking steep trails with machetes and pickaxes to plant saplings, or hacking away at bamboo, but we also spent time learning about the rainforest, taking trips in to town, hiking to waterfalls and the swimming hole, reading absurd amounts of novels, eating basic but delicious food, playing round after round of card games, and just having a wonderful time with amazing friends. I wouldn't change anything about my time in the Amazon, it was everything I thought it would be and more :)

I volunteered with GVN in a fundraising trek to Everest Base Camp. The journey itself was perfectly planned and excecuted. The local guides selected by GVN Foundation were amazing and brought all 20 volunteers up that hill and safely back down. The project in Nepal that was supported through the fundraising is an amazing project with unbelivably lovely kids. We supported the Brighter Future Children Home in Nepal and were welcomed so warmly and nicely by the kids. Our efforts (despite the fact that is was fun fundraising and not really that much of an effort) were so highly appreciated by officials as well as the kids... we spent so much valuable time together, the kids showing us around and giving incredible performances, e.g. singing, telling poems, dancing, theatre, etc. Realizing that through GVN Foundation our efforts were consolidated towards this one project we were deeply touched receiving the information that we managed to finance the orphanage for two full calendar years... This really made a difference and we were sure that the funds of our donors actually reached a destination where needed. GVN Foundation staff who accompanied the trek were great motivation and help in pushing ourselves. They brought together a bunch of 20 people who are still in touch and are planning a reunion... actually 20 people who felt as being part of GVN Foundation... one TEAM EVEREST!!! It was an honour trekking and fundraising with you and I am looking forward to the next time..