Program Reviews

This wasn't my first All Hands and Hearts project so I had high expectations and they were met at every turn! The volunteer community is top notch and the staff are absolutely amazing. I am so glad I was able to join the North Carolina response for 3 months. I made so many new friends; some I've already met up with post program and even more I know I'll keep in touch with for years to come. My highlight was getting to partner with World Central Kitchen and learning how to make enough food to feed 500 people. One day I spent the whole morning making 10gallons of banana bread! You should definitely apply to join the NC team today!

Volunteering with All Hands and Hearts (AHAH) for a week was an unforgettable and transformative experience. As my first time going for such volunteer opportunity, AHAH set an incredible example of meaningful community service combined with cultural exchange. The experience not only allowed me to contribute to a great cause but also provided invaluable exposure to diverse cultures and perspectives.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my time with AHAH was working on projects that directly benefited school children. Seeing their smiles and knowing that our efforts were contributing to their future brought me immense happiness and a deep sense of fulfillment. The experience reinforced my belief in the power of education and community-driven initiatives.

AHAH also did a fantastic job of helping volunteers immerse themselves in the local culture through initiatives like Mason’s Day and Friday school visits, where we got the chance to interact with children through games and activities. These moments helped me connect with the local community on a personal level and understand their way of life beyond the worksite.

Beyond the local engagement, interacting with volunteers from around the world was an eye-opening experience. I learned French and German phrases, discovered how to make authentic Italian gnocchi, and exchanged stories about traditions and customs from different parts of the world.

The staff were incredibly friendly and supportive, making it easy to blend in with the team and the locals. While the work was physically demanding at times, the encouragement and camaraderie of my fellow volunteers made every challenge worthwhile.

Suggestions for improvement:
Overall, the program was well-structured, but having more opportunities to engage in longer conversations with local community members could further enrich the cultural exchange.

Rating: 5/5

Cannot say enough about this program and the staff. It is amazing how welcomed I felt and I could easily get involved. I felt like I had a purpose and was shown the proper safe way to work. The staff are very helpful and take their time with you. The on-base activities after work are awesome as well. The atmosphere is really cool and it feels like family. I love meeting people from all over the world and making connections with good hearted people. All Hands and Hearts has a really good system and I would recommend volunteering to anyone who loves to have fun while helping people in need.

I've been a lifelong volunteer, and my experiences with All Hands and Hearts have been some of the most meaningful of my life. I've met people of all sorts while on program, and had the opportunity to be immersed in different cultures while feeling like I'm really making a difference. I felt fully supported and listened to by staff, and the diversity of the other volunteers and the people we served have expanded my understanding.

The communal living and team environment allows each person to bring their unique gifts to each project; you never know who is going to come up with a solution! The AHAH staff are very good at letting teams figure things out and find ways to get the job done. The program informs volunteers on how to be culturally sensitive to the often traumatized people you may be serving, while still allowing for meaningful exchanges.

I look forward to many more trips with AHAH.

Lovely experience assisting with a school build in Southern Leyte in the Philippines. Accomodations are pleasant, food is good, and the fellow homo sapiens are wonderful. Working on a school construction site can be tough work in the Philippine rain and heat, but the knowledge of having a positive impact on the local community outweighs any negative aspects. Felt safe then whole time, as they have a nurse on site for an accidents that may occur. Great experience, and the staff, mason, other volunteers, and locals are all wonderful.

It was really cool to explore a place like Maui from such a different perspective. You have the weekends off to enjoy the beach and go on different adventures, but the week throughout the work is really what made the experience. The impact that we are here to make is always made clear and it's great to feel so connected to the community and to feel like being a small part of the recovery. The staff and team leaders make sure that safety is a priority, with learning and fun as a close second! I am excited to go on another program

I volunteered on Maui for 2 weeks with All Hands and Hearts in Lahaina, Kula and other places on island and it was the one of the best experiences of my entire life. I've always volunteered in some sort of capacity all my life with other organizations but this was like a whole nother level and just incredible. I would totally love to go back but I was sponsored and they only do that one time per year per person from what I understand and I just can't afford to pay to go back but I highly encourage anyone that wants to make an impact to get with AHAH 💜🤙🏼

Fortunate to have been part of my second project with AHAH, in beautiful Maui! The amazing staff at the Hawaii project are stellar humans who create a fun, physically & emotionally safe, inclusive space for all volunteers. They are positive, kind, welcoming & friendly!! I was continuously supported and encouraged, both within my capabilities & also when I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone. I cannot speak highly enough of them all, their professionalism & my experience! Totally recommend it!!

I have volunteered with All Hands and Hearts, twice now. Both experiences were in Western North Carolina, after Helene. I felt safe, at all times. I also felt like we were doing, great work. I have really enjoyed meeting the staff, from all over the world, as well as volunteers from all over the country. I hope to be able to join AHAH for other projects in other parts of the US, and maybe in another country, someday. I especially love how transparent that this particular charity is, with the money that is collected. 95% of what is donated, goes directly to the projects that they are working on. Another great thing is, that they will commit to being in a disaster area for a minimum of one year. So, they stick around. I cannot say enough wonderful things about them. Just sad that I only learned about them, 2 months ago.

This program helped me to discover myself. I’m not gonna lie, work is hard. But all together, we are doing such great things. The feeling of being part of a team helping others is the best feeling I ever had to feel. I met amazing humans, from all over the world, but here for the same reason.
I learned how to make concrete, I taught English in a school from the city we were in, helped for a cooking class to the population… this program is very complete and you will go back home being a new human who will wait to join the next program.
Thank you All hands and Hearts, and see you very soon.