Program Reviews

Jamaica volunteers is truly an amazing experience, what makes it unique is the way you are able to experience real life in Jamaica without all the tourism.
you get to live alongside a Jamaican family in a local area, eating Jamaican food and working with Jamaican colleagues, so it is truly the real deal.
The guest house is lovely and spacious with lots of character and scenic views, the facilities could be updated however such as Aircon in all bedrooms and up to date TV/Entertainment.

All of the staff are really friendly and helpful, the cook is very accommodating and punctual.
The drivers are really reliable and trustworthy with good manners and a great understanding of Kingston and beyond.

The human rights programme was extremely worth while, with a variety of conferences to attend as well as teaching life skills to students and day to day admin tasks. It was very varied and all the staff were approachable and friendly and made my time there memorable and enjoyable.

There is so much to do in kingston alone including shopping malls, beaches, nightlife, museums, local events like festivals, restaurants etc. you never run out of things to do, however its important to budget for these as they can be expensive.
I reccommend deciding what trips you want to do when you arrive rather than in advance as it is cheaper and you may meet other volunteers that want to do something as a group.

Overall this is an amazing experience and this is mainly because of the hard work the staff put in to making sure you have a fun safe time in Jamaica, i have made friends for life on this island and will definitely be returning in the near future!!

We really enjoyed our stay here. It was a nice experience overall. The food was delicious as well. We visited beautiful places here in Jamaica, natural waterfalls and exotic beaches. I will always remember the excellent fish we ate at the Hell shire beach. It was a wonderful meal at a beautiful place.

I have been to Jamaica in the past for a vacation and was very eager to get back. Upon my arrival and our first few days here, I was pleasantly surprised to find this kind of trip differed greatly. With Jamaica Volunteer Programs, I was able to see the other and much more cultural side to Jamaica rather than the beautiful beaches that I got on the vacation. The staff here takes great pride in their roots and I was very appreciative of their efforts to allow us to be a part of it. We took hikes, tried authentic Jamaican food, and even drove all around the country for a glimpse at everything. The staff is very friendly, inviting, educated, and accommodating to more personal needs.

I knew I wanted to do a healthcare volunteer experience in Jamaica with my significant other. Eventually, I was deciding between Projects Abroad and Jamaica Volunteer Programs. After speaking with Ms. Maureen Evans, the owner of JVP, I knew this was the program for me! She was so friendly and she made it clear from the first moment we spoke that her staff would do everything they could to make us feel at home! Because it is a family run organization, they really know the island and I really got a cultural experience I feel that most other programs couldn't provide. Additionally, I believe when choosing international experiences, safety is a hands-down priority! JVP did a great job of allowing me to feel secure at all times.The property is located in Smokeyvale which is a relatively quiet and beautiful community in the hills. I stayed in a two-person accommodation which was connected to the Evans' house so I never felt alone. Several times, I even walked by myself to a little shack down the hill to buy myself a "bag juice"! Additionally, transportation is provided by the Evans' family to and from volunteer sites and cultural trips. In regards to my specific volunteer experience, I decided to do the psychology internship which was mainly set at Ferdie's house, an activity & rehabilitation house for those with mental disorders. On a daily basis I got to interact with individuals who suffered from schizoaffective disorder, autism, and much more. Not only were they clients but eventually they became my good friends as we went to the movies, played basketball, and had one-on-one counseling sessions.Although I may not have become an expert psychiatrist over the month, I can definitely say that working with clients really piqued my interest in psychology as I was reminded on how intricate the human mind really is! There is so much more that I can say about this program, but all in all I believe this a "Must-Do Experience" for anyone interested in volunteering in the country of Jamaica!

This past month was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I got to customize my own volunteer/internship program so I spent half my time at an orphanage and the other half of my time teaching at a school. I also spent two days a a psychiatric center which was a very eye-opening experience. On the weekends I went on different trips around the island with other volunteers so I feel like I really got to know island and was fully immersed in the culture. Some of my favorite trips were to Montego Bay, Dunn's River Falls, and the Blue Mountains.

Jamaica Volunteer Program delivered everything as advertised and more! The staff here ensured that we gained the type of experience that we were looking for. A crucial factor for us was that the staff are also very much part of the community which allowed us to access more of the culture more than if we had come on our own. It has been a rewarding experience and the memories that I have created here will always remain. Additionally, due to medical conditions, I have severe dietary restrictions. The staff here were able to accommodate my dietary needs. If you need a gluten free / dairy free / nut, peanut / meat free diet, no worries - you will not miss out on any of the fine cuisine that Jamaica has to offer!

From the first interactions we had with Ms. Maureen Wright-Evans, to the last day of our trip, we have encountered nothing but professional courtesy and warm welcomes. I feel that Ms. Maureen went out of her way to accommodate our requests and make the connections we were seeking. Though she knew little about the specific field we work within, she and her staff did their homework, found the right resources and arranged appointments with the critical people we needed to meet. She was flexible with scheduling changes and last minute adjustments to our itinerary, and she made sure we were comfortable in our lodgings and dietary needs, as well.
Thank you for a wonderful stay and a promising beginning to long-term partnerships.

My experience with Jamaica Volunteer Programs was wonderful! I worked with a school, orphanages, and a nursing home. I was able to feel the absolute love and kindness of these people. It was beautiful.

This welcoming staff was very helpful. I enjoyed every part of experience. Visiting the Rasatafarian camp was the most eye opening experience. The religion is very similar to Christianity and the men there are rather friendly. Visiting the University of West Indies was also enjoyable. The students interaction with the Professor is different in our country. The environment is more casual. Also the way they address authority is also not casual . Best experience yet.

The program was great overall, the house is beautiful and accomodating and the staff is very friendly. I would maybe suggest more downtime in between activities, as well as double checking the Rastafarian Camp thing, but other than that it was wonderful.