Program Reviews

"The 2012 distribution trip to Peru was an amazing experience that allowed me to bond with other members of the group while visiting orphanages, schools and community centers. The opportunity to meet and speak with community leaders helped broaden my understanding of the socioeconomic challenges that the people of Cusco and Urubamba. I will be joining GVN on many future distribution trips as it has changed my approach to living.

It is amazing when you can be part of a experience that not only benefit a community and people in need but teaches you why it is important to care and why everybody should help causes like this. Global Volunteer Network is an excellent organization to help others and learn great things. I feel proud and lucky I had the opportunity to be part of their crew in one of their distribution trips. The kids, women, and people that benefit from GVN's programs will be the change and the future of a better community and a more just world

The Be the Change program takes your idea and gives you the skills and experience you need to make it a reality. The program provides you with fundraising techniques, tips on how to promote your project using social media, inspirational case studies from the staff and so much more.

Not only do you learn from the staff, but you meet a diverse group of like-minded people from all parts of the world, who wish to create positive change in some way. You will learn from each other and be inspired by new ideas and perspectives. You will also make friends for life.

In 2012 I had the wonderful opportunity to be involved in some of GVN's programs. I was a volunteer in the Nepali village of Bistachhap, and was able to experience two different placements during my time there (Children's Homes and Teaching English). After my volunteer placement I also participated in the fundraising trek to Everest Base Camp. During the time leading up to my placement, GVN was extremely helpful. Being only 18 at the time, the prospect of travelling to another country by myself was very daunting. They (particularly Fiona) made me feel totally assured and I never had any doubts about my safety. Once in Nepal, all my programs were everything I hoped for and more. The transition between GVN and their partner organisation in Nepal was flawless. The programs were great and the kids in both were wonderful. The teaching was a bit challenging at first but extremely rewarding. The Everest Trek was amazing, meeting Eliza and Fiona from GVN was great (they were just as lovely as I expected). Climbing to Everest Base Camp is something I'll treasure for the rest of my life and I can't imagine better people to have done it with. I will be doing more programs with GVN in the future and highly recommend it for anyone who wants to step outside their comfort zone and try something new.

This program offers a rare opportunity for a diverse group of individuals to come together and openly share their ideas and dreams in an extremely supportive and nurturing environment.

It is basically a camp for adults, where the focus is on social change and personal passions, and during which a random group of socially like-minded individuals inevitably form very tight-knit relationships through a range of discussions, learning activities, excursions and everyday living experiences.

For me, this program far surpassed my expectations. I went into it thinking that I was going to learn some of the extra skills I needed to help transform my ideas/beliefs/hopes into a concrete and viable project. Instead, the program was far more focussed on networking: identifying the holes in my own skill-set then finding other individuals/groups etc to support me across these areas. (Which is SO much more effective!!) It is important to be aware though, that in this short time there isn't much chance to really enhance your skill-set. The program is more about identifying what you need and making plans for realising these needs once you leave the program.

I came to the program with a very clear picture of what I wanted to achieve (to help establish a school in Liberia). 'Be the Change' was invaluable in helping me to refine my plans through constructive criticism, networking and informative presentations across a range of areas, including marketing, fundraising and the use of social media.

The facilitators were outstanding- friendly, passionate, intelligent and inspiring individuals who openly relished the opportunity to meet and work with every single participant on developing their personal areas of interest and passion. It was impossible not to feel caught up in the supportive and euphoric atmosphere of 'being the change', however the support offered was both concrete and realistic.

It was an inspiring and unforgettable experience made all the richer by the combination of facilitators, guest speakers and fellow participants.

I think this program is ideal for people who want to make a difference in the world, but who feel overwhelmed by their ideas and feel ill-equipped to turn their dreams into reality. You do however need to be highly motivated and committed to making your change. The team at GVN are great on-going supports to turn to with questions as you move on with your ideas, but ultimately you must have the drive and determination to keep chipping away at your goals once you return home.

Was a profound motivational and networking experience meeting professionals in the field.

However in terms of development of individual aspirations and goals, I found the support to be ambiguous, weak and impractical.

I really had a good time in Tuscany. The program, the staff, the people, the place, the food... everything was so enjoyable and inspiring. I would definitively recommend the BTC program, it's a lifetime experience!

I spent six weeks in Uganda volunteering with the Public Health Improvement project. I was based in Mukono and each week travelled out to different villages to participate in some public health initiatives.

The first village, Kitale, we visited a Primary School specifically for children who are orphans. We were working right in the classroom, and teaching the students about sex education, as well as sanitation. We spent hours playing in the field - I taught them how to play Frisbee, a popular Canadian game where you throw a disc through the air, and the kids ended up playing better than I did!

The second village, Bugadu, was one of my favorites. We visited local homes and took surveys on the knowledge villagers had regarding their own public health - birth control, family planning, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS awareness, healthy eating, water sanitation, etc. In this village, we spoke with a local group of women, who diligently work together to empower each other economically - by growing corn, as well as making beads to sell. During a meeting in this village which was being conducted in Luganda, which I did not understand, I spent four hours just playing with the kids. Laughing, and dancing. Throwing balls around and again, playing Frisbee. It was one of the high lights of my trip. Just the kids and I.

In Kasana, the third village, GVN's partner organization was just visiting for the first time. We did a lot of initial work by consulting with individuals who were extremely passionate about the welfare of their home. This trip was full of meetings. By the time we were set to leave, we had plans to set up a water sanitation system, because the villagers were fetching their water from a mud hole as well as the Nile, neither of which are clean water sources.

There was one week that we stayed based in Mukono. During this week, we went to local high school and told them about GVN's partner organization, which hopes to be a public health leader within their school and community.

I loved being in Uganda. The GVN partner and her team were incredible, and I have kept in touch with all of them. Weekends were for free time, and there was tons of things to do in the surrounding areas of Kampala, Mukono, and Jinja, as well as the options of travelling to Northern or Western Uganda.

I've had a once in a lifetime experience, and I have plans to go back some day.

A very warm welcome from GVN team when I arrived. I was then introduced to other participants who came from around the world. In a very short time I did not feel like a stranger at all.

The GVN team facilitated and delivered the programme very well - well organise and they are very knowledgable and experience. During the workshop there are some interactions, group discussions, activities and we are also given small tasks during the workshop. We had presentation close to the end of the programme. Also, we had guest speakers who added more flavour to the programme.

If you do not know what you would like to achieve out of the programme, but have a passion in social change, the GVN team can help you in many ways - they can provide you advice, guidance, help you brainstorm your unclear ideas to the possibilities where you would like to be and what you can do to achieve your goals or dreams.

When you finish the programme, GVN team never close their door - you are always welcome anytime if you need help from them.

Outside the workshop hours we had freedom to do anything we'd like to do - exercise, quiet time, etc. We also had opportunity to visit a few places, see the beauty of the nature. I thoroughly enjoyed the programme, the one week programme is worth to attend for those who want to make a difference for the better.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Be The Change. I didn't have a specific project, or idea that I wanted to implement for social change. The Be The Change programme can meet you where you are at though, and provide you with transferable skills that can be used in many different situations.

The facilitators were fantastic and really enriched the experience. They all went out of their way to ensure participants were comfortable but challenged and learning. The environment was very supportive and this allowed participants to open up and be honest and real about their ambitions and goals.

The content was varied and very applicable. Each workshop taught something new but everything was ultimately interlinked. Guest speakers also provided additional external information.

All in all this course was highly beneficial, and was such an amazing week filled with wonderful people, information, inspiration and food. It gives you the space to bring who you are and allow people to feed into your passions and ambitions.