Program Reviews

I would highly recommend the Orientation week if you are a first time volunteer. Especially, if you are a first time volunteer who has never been exposed to a third world culture. The registration process is seamless. My cordinator was very quick and precise about answering my questions. ( Is there a Western toilet, can I have a vegetarian diet, not spicy, my interest is in the Monastaries). After paying the deposit, I asked more questions, then once my flight was booked ( which meant a commitment), I was given very detailed information about my accomadations, packing list, how to be picked up at the airport. From the moment I saw the person holding a sign with my name on it at Katmandu Airport...until now...I have had excellent support and connections with the staff.
I will be here 3 months, I am now a month into the program. If you like to volunteer, and want to experience a unique culture by living the way the locals live, this is the way to have an adventure. ( what did I LEARN? My accomadations have western toilets.....as opposed to a hole in the ground....but toilet paper is not provided. There is no heat in the homes. Our host has a set up for hot water...but it is cold in the building. Get use to eating rice with almost every meal. Laundry involves drawing water from a well with a bucket).
We may not have the simple amenities we have in the states....but we can see things that would be difficult to experience if you are coming as a tourist for a couple weeks. The beautiful shrines...yes...but the way the people live....and their warmth and hospitality. My mother is afraid I will never want to leave Nepal, perhaps she is right.
One thing I would change in the Orientation is the language class. Although the language teacher knows English, is very warm and intelligent, I think the classes could be shortened to just a couple hours of basic language. The instructor is very talented at explaining the culture, arranging sightseeing tours, and almost immediately becoming a friend in this strange, new culture. I think the Orientation week should have more hours of explaining culture, walking around the villages, and just acclimating to the new surroundings.
If you are adventurous and open minded, I would recommend the program.

I had a great experience living in the village and teaching the kids what I can, all the kids were lovely and definitely willing to learn which made it so much more fulfilling. The only downfall is that it was out of school season so I only got to teach about 10-12 students instead of the normal 100 or more during school time and it's hard to teach if you don't get the support of what to teach but it was a great experience none the less because the kids were friendly and always happy. I also got to work at an orphanage in Nairobi which was very fulfilling to be able to look and play with kids with no parents but provide them love within a very supportive family which are the carers or other children there. It was sad to see so many babies not have parents but definitely fulfilling to help out where I could.

As someone interested in continuing my medical experience while volunteering and traveling, this program was the perfect synthesis of my interest in volunteering to help a clinic, learning medical skills, and practicing my Spanish. I felt very supported through my host family experience from Roger and Maria as well as in the clinic. The clinic gave me ample opportunity to see different departments and assist despite my lower skill level. The clinic was very inclusive with clinic experience as well as outside the clinic with activities and food. I felt a part of their cohort despite only having two weeks in Cusco. Overall, both components of the program, the clinic and the home, were great and I would recommend them to people looking to volunteer in Peru and practice their Spanish!

As a pre-physician assistant, I was looking for a way to practice my Spanish language and medical skills while volunteering and helping a clinic in a place I never went to and it was exactly that. The clinic was the highlight of my experience as I was able to learn and observe useful skills in a mutually helpful way; one that helped me to learn while helping the clinic manage their heavy patient load. Everyone in the clinic was very nice and supportive and including me in events outside of work. While two weeks is too short to make a lasting impact, I felt a part of their team at the clinic and do appreciate the experience I've had. I am more likely to do medical volunteering abroad now and I felt good with the Spanish language practice and skill I was able to achieve.

In September of 2018 I decided to take a leap of faith, and join the RCDP Volunteer program in Peru. I didn’t understand at the time, how much of an impact this trip would make in my life. I am in Nursing school, and wanted to experience what the medical field was like in a developing country. I worked in a small public clinic, and met some of the most amazing people you could imagine. Everyone welcomed me with open arms into their small close knit little family. Working in that clinic became the highlight of my trip. Visiting Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca, couldn’t come close to the beauty I experienced in that clinic. The Peruvian people I met are beautiful inside and out.
I also volunteered at a couple of orphanages, my favorite one being the special needs orphanage. Working there and getting to know those children, is the most beneficial feeling you can get. Working a day there, will leave you feeling exhausted but in the best way possible. Those kids are some of the happiest kids I have ever met, they don’t let the small nuisances in life get to them. Leaving there gives the most complete feeling of accomplishment you could have.
Another highlight of my trip would be meeting and getting to know my host family. Maria, my host mother, is one of the most kind hearted people you could ever meet. She made me and all the other volunteers feel so welcomed. She also made us feel like we were part of the family. She put the volunteers and I before her and everyone else, to make sure we were comfortable and having a good time. Also Roger Parrera made this incredible trip, that much better. He worked hard to make sure everything we experienced was the best it could possibly be. He’s hilarious and kind hearted and one of the best people I could possibly spend my time with. He made sure we all had fun but stayed 100% safe while doing it.
I made some of the best memories and friends that will stay with me for a lifetime.
Overall I would 10/10 recommend this volunteer program to anyone looking to make a difference in people’s life’s. Thank you so much to all of the people who made this trip one of the best I could hope for. A huge shout out to Maria (don’t know her last name) and Roger Parrera. I love you guys and couldn’t ask for a better host family.
God Bless and Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Kendahl Clokey

I am truly blessed to be able to spend a week with the wonderful orphans here. They teaches us that we people/humans should have more humility, love and happiness. I was mainly taking care of the babies and during lunch hours i’ll play with the older kids. If the kids who are facing such adverse circumstances but come out strong enough to smile through life. Why are most people still complaining their lives are terrible? I urge future volunteers to contibute to the orpahange by buying them gifts and using monetary to give better lives to these orphans. I hope more kids get adopted so they can have a family to grow with.

I came during Christmas period, gave the gifts such as soft toys and stationeries. My host Michael and I asked the matron what the orpahange needs, we ended up getting 3 big exhaust fans for the toilet, main hall and classrooms. Audio player and speakers for the babies/kids to listen to lullaby songs during sleep or play time. The remaining money was given for the maintenance of the fridge/shower heaters/putting up wires and labour for the exhaust fans. A big thank you to some of my friends who contributed to the donations.

Michael is heart warming and his family are friendly as well. I joined the family for midnight Christmas mass and truly is a blessing to witness different culture but yet catholic tradition still stay strong. I’m blessed to be hosted by Michael and family. I caught with eye infection and Michael brought me to the hospital for check up. Simple gesture but a genuine man who has a kind heart and responsible one. With heavy heart, I’m leaving Galle tomorrow morning to backpack for the remaining week before I head back home (Singapore).

This experience is truly unforgettable, meaningful and sentimental. I want to thank the Teachers/caretaker in the orpahange, locals that I have crossed path and also Michael and his family that made my stay here feels like home. It’s my first time volunteering alone overseas, and wouldn’t be the last. May God bless everyone!

With love,
Woan Lin
Singapore
28 December 2018

I taught English in Chitwan, Nepal with RCDP for 4 weeks in December 2018. Overall it was a wonderful experience. I was given a lot of support all throughout my stay, and the program coordinators and my host family was always friendly and welcoming. Getting to know the children and helping them learn was a very rewarding experience and their eagerness really made my placement unforgettable. I worked with kids aged 4-12 and was able to teach five different classes. A highlight of my placement was helping the kids prepare for their exams because I was able to see how well they were retaining our English lessons. On school holidays I also helped out at the orphanage which was very enjoyable. I am very thankful for this opportunity and would recommend the program to anyone who is passionate about teaching or working with children. I will definitely visit Nepal again in the future!

I would highly recommend the RCDP program in Galle Sri Lanka. I spent two weeks at the orphanage in Galle and found the experience to be wonderful. Children were very nice and energetic to learn. People around me were helpful.

Onsite coordinator was very helpful and went out of his way to make this trip a success. During my two weeks in Galle, with the support of coordinator, we were able to use the funds raised to provide medicine and cleaning supplies to the orphanage.
Our coordinator took a half day to bring me to all the places in town to ensure we were obtaining the best quality and price, which would have been impossible if I was on my own.

More importantly, he helped us even after I left the project to assist and solve issues relating to the 49 boxes of books for the children and young adult that were donated to the orphanages. These books were distributed to other orphanages in the area as well.
The time spent with the kids was of course the best part. I was with the older children (age 2-5), and spent the morning and early afternoon playing games and spending time with them. The head teacher was great as well and you can see she truly cares for the children.

RCDP is a lot cheaper than other organizations but doesn’t offer less anything less. Some people on the projects was on were paying a lot more for exactly the same thing. At the elephant orphanage it was a great experience I loved bathing the elephants however there was a lot of down time and you had to be proactive to help out at the elephant orphanage.

The children’s elephant orphanage was great initially I felt overwhelmed by the number of little kids (I was expecting older children but they are all under 5). Most of the children have skin infections. Some have scabies. This doesn’t stop you wanting to help but it would have been nice to know other volunteers so I could have talked to a doctor back home. Overall I have had an amazing time in srilanka but you definitely get out what you put in.

Project staff were kind to me, when ever I need help they were their for me. My host family was very nice and they care me a lot, I love people and project very much. It was my wonderful moments while I was there. Thank you for providing such a wonderful project with kind people.

While I was in Nepal with RCDP I got a lot of support and the supervisor was very dedicated.
Of course there were some obstacles or I was faced with problems like sickness, homesickness, etc, but the staff always listened, helped and cared for me.
In my first project I teached at the nursery at a government school and I became close friends with the nursery teacher. I had a nice time there but because there were holidays for 4 weeks long, I decided to change my project and then I volunteered at an orphanage. At that time I learned a lot about Nepal, its history and culture. I felt very welcomed and made unique and unforgettable experiences.
Because of this program I met great people, who shared their stories with me and I also found some great friends.