Program Reviews

I am so grateful to have been able to support this outstanding organization. The iSpiice team is making a noticeable difference in the community and I am thankful to have been a part of it. Everything was so carefully organised and cared.The iSpiice team is so dedicated to their jobs and everyone in the community is thankful for your hard work. I can honestly recommend iSpiice for anyone who wants to volunteer in India.

I must confess that overall my experience here was disappointing and far away for what has been presented in the borchures.The experience had both good and bad parts, of course, but the latter proved to be stronger. Among the good things I can think of the contact with the lovely, curious children, the breathtaking landscapes and the care of the staff for our safety. The programme however cost way too much for what it has offered. I later found out that the site facilitating contact between the organization and volunteers takes away no less than 40%, which is a hug amount that basically goes to the profit of some third party. Then I was very dissatisfied with the room. I myself am highly allergic to mold and humidity and unfortunately the place I stayed in was full of it. I understand it was monsoon season but the room had a broken fan, cracked walls full of mold, a dirty rusty bathroom and everything was soaked. The bedsheets were disgusting and looked like they hadn't been washed in a very long time. The matresses were also in a very bad state. Basically everything was deteriorated and dirty. My request to swap the room at least with one with a working fan went ungranted so in just a few days I found myself troubled by my sinusitis which has prevented me from focusing on other important things. During the trips I stayed at very cheap hotels which also had numerous problems (dirt, ants, very bad neighborhood). Again, quality was not reflected in the huge amount of money I paid for the project. Now about the school. It was baffling to me to see the deplorable state of the children's space and I wonder why nothing has been invested so far in the community. I tried asking questions to the organization's manager but I was given vague answers. The children were adorable but the classes were quite disorganized. Because volunteers come and go and everyone has other ideas about what's to be taught, it can get really confusing for them. Ok, let's say that is somehow understandable and we have to adapt to the needs and resources, but the fact that the accomodation is in such poor condition has no excuse whatsoever. They could at least pay for someone to clean once a week. The kitchen also looked horribly dirty. All I would have liked was cleanliness and a decent room. As for the impact, I am not sure how much I was able to help. I am seriously questioning the utility of short-term volunteering projects as I can see both from my experience and from others' that local communities don't really benefit from them. You get there, have the chance to explore a little and talk to people, but it's not enough. The programme should have included more hours per day, 6 or 7. We had gaps when there simply was nothing to do. The kids at school should also be better monitored, maybe with diaries assessing their levels and what has been done so far. My impression overall was that the organization was not interested in such aspects. Everything seemed a huge improvisation. And to repeat, what annoyed me most was the lack of respect for the guests perfectly reflected in the VERY poor quality of the accomodation. As you can also see below. In the future I will most definitely try to find something directly, no intermediaries because otherwise it's a big scam!

We spend 60 days with iSpiice in Himachal Pradesh, India. It was a wonderful experience. The staff, local people was amazing. They have variety of activities, including- Teaching English, Childcare, Women’s Empowerment, Street Children, Renovations, Health Education, Summer Programs and Computer Skills. If you want to join volunteering program in India, connect with iSpiice, you will enjoy it.

I have nothing negative to say about my time spent with iSPiiCE. The staff, the work, the food, the location, the tours, the locals, and the other volunteers all exceeded any expectations I could have ever had. The best part of the entire experience are the people you will meet through your work. Whether that be in the slums, daycare, or a class you teach, they will change your life! I cannot recommend this program enough.

“Excited anticipation as I stepped off the plane and into an unknown universe of colour, sights and sounds, I can safely say that my iSpiice experience of India totally exceeded all expectations!! It was truly magical, with its fusion of cultural discovery, immersion into the community, rewarding vocational opportunities, and our own inevitable journeys of self discovery inspired by visiting such a breathtaking country. The landscape is spectacular, and from the first moment I woke up to those magnificent mountains, I could feel it’s magic. The riches of India were laid out before us, with the extremely well organised weekend trips and excursions which combined a sense of adventure and rustic travel, with a smooth, hassle free itinerary, where we were skilfully guided by our iSpiice team members, so that we effortlessly moved from place to place to enjoy all there was to see without feeling any stress from the journey. The people are so warm and welcoming, with such generosity, I felt I was truly experiencing the beauty of human kindness. Those I had the opportunity to work with and teach are such enthusiastic, open and inspiring people, that I couldn’t help but be swept up in their positivity, and with each day I found our work infinitely rewarding and appreciated. I am blessed to have made some friends for life and some amazing discoveries on my first, but certainly not my last trip to India. For all these reasons, and most importantly for the unwavering support and dedication of the iSpiice team, whose patience and kindness ensured that every moment was filled with fun and laughter to make our experience unforgettable, I would definitely recommend the iSpiice program to anyone who wants to venture to India; the ‘land where heart is king’. Thank you iSpiice.” Merci infiniment.

”The generosity, kindness and appreciation shown to me by the people of iSpiice and the local village Sidhbari, was like nothing I have been shown before. To know that I was able to make a difference by working with the most enthusiastic and exciting young children is a feeling that will remain with me forever. Days are never dull, and I had the privilege of working in a Day Care center and teaching English to the local children. I was even lucky enough to teach in the local school! Despite being thoroughly well looked after by the more than capable hands of the iSpiice team, there was also the scope for independent travel, and to visit the local towns of Dharamsala and McLeod to explore Himachal further, for that all important shopping! The weekend trips were unforgettable. This was the most awesome, inspiring, rewarding fun month of my life – I have made close friends, made a difference, and thanks to Neeraj’s trusty and delicious cooking, can say I traveled to India and didn’t get the infamous ‘Delhi Belly’! An experience I’ll never forget and one I would do all over again without a moment’s hesitation – thank you iSpiice.”

I can honestly say I have never felt more cared for in my life than in my time at iSpiice. The staff have exactly the right balance between what a Western tourist needs, and immersing them in Indian culture so they feel absolutely at home and not like a tourist at all. I felt safe and comfortable at all times in a country so different to anything I had experienced before. The kindness of Indian people has to be experienced to be believed, those at iSpiice in particular. I came away with a new sense of how good people can be, as well as a tummy stuffed full of the best food I’ve eaten (and pounds lighter, could there be a better place??) How to have the best of all possible worlds, travelling while feeling at home, the most wonderful scenery with plenty of time to see it around worthwhile work that benefits a community unlike any other you’re likely to have experienced, and shopping until you drop. I would go back tomorrow if I were able to do so, and stay longer this time to experience more of the seasons.

I'm 100% sure that I'm returning within the next year. I've never loved living somewhere more than northern India. I felt truly happy and thanks to the staff, I was comfortable and safe. I honestly can't stress how amazing this experience was enough. There aren't enough words to describe how perfect it was. If I could get on the plane right now and go back, I would (and I literally got home two days ago).

I had an incredible experience ISPiiCE! They went above and beyond to meet your every volunteer and personal goals/wishes. Varun even assisted with onward travel plans, and was very personable and inspiring in all that he has done to get the company to where it is now. One example of how selfless Ravi and Vineet, 2 other staff members are, was the multiple times they would offer to cook more rice. I quickly learned that eating everything meant you were still hungry and so they would just keep cooking it and Serving it up. It was so funny, one of the first nights, it took a 3rd refill for me to realise to stop eating it until empty. They just want to please you, therefore you are so well looked after!

The teaching and childcare I was involved in was amazing, and the staff helped with translating. I can't recommend the experience more; it's a must do for anyone. Whether you are a seasoned volunteer, a newbie, retired etc, ISPiiCE are so flexible in meeting your goals and supporting you as needed without you feeling pressured! Amazing! :)

I have a question: How do you make the world a better place? Part of my answer I found in India. “The way to Happiness: keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Scatter sunshine, forget yourself, and think of others.” ~ Norman Vincent Peale With the opportunity provided by iSpiice to live and work in the community – with and for the community. I was truly blessed to have shared in the people and children of Dharamsala’s lives. I am blessed to have shared some skills, knowledge and experience and to share part of their lives with my heart and soul.
In the process I met some really fabulous people, I stepped in ancient places and had some deep spiritual experiences. Mostly I learned from the people who so deeply touched me: Life is really simple!
My sincere gratitude to Varun, Vineet and Ravi – for everything. May you be blessed with what you are doing for your community!