Program Reviews

I had a great experience volunteering with IFRE in Tanzania. The project was overwhelming in itself. The process was very smooth.

I was greeted by the country coordinator at the airport and she took me to my accommodation. I stayed with the host family and they were very nice. The next day I went to the Orphanage, which is located at the foot of Kilimanjaro in the town of Moshi. It provides shelter and care for the most neglected children in Tanzania. My responsibilities included teaching kids, playing with them, helping them with day to day activities. I had many great memories with the kids there.

During the weekend and I visited the Moshi town, Makoa Waterfalls and the Kilimanjaro Region.

All of these contributed in making my experience a great one. I definitely would have stayed more if it was a possibility.

Today is my first day back in the USA following my teaching stint at Moshi, Tanzania. I spent three weeks traveling the country after I concluded my month at Majengo Secondary School.

This message is in response to a query from you (in late July, I think) asking about my experience with IFRE and the time I spent in Moshi.

I have only positive things to say about my stay in Tanzania. I never had to call on your organization for help because I was given such strong, ongoing support by the Country Coordinator, Mama Alice Mkonyi.

I’d like to offer some further detail about the stalwart job she’s doing for you there.

The accommodations could be fairly described as “no-frills,” but that after all is what one expects in a volunteer job in Tanzania; you know you’re not going to be housed in the Hilton. Alice runs a good, well-managed house, always clean and well-kept. The meals were sumptuous and healthy, and always served at regular times. Each day I was given a box lunch to take with me to school.

The thing I found most praiseworthy about Alice was the special motherly concern she took in the young volunteers who were staying there. She was constantly asking if they had any problems or if there was any way she could help them – and she frequently did just that.

Moshi is her town. She knows all the prominent people in the institutions there: schools, hospitals, orphanages. I can cite a good half-dozen examples of volunteers not being entirely satisfied with their initial postings. Alice was always able, within a day, to find them something better suited to them, thereby making their experience more rewarding. There was no delay on the changes. She has connections and moves fast.

We ate dinner together every night, and I won’t soon forget the warm, family-style atmosphere she created and the wide-ranging, interesting conversations we had. She really cares in a personal way for the people assigned to her.

She had a lot of good advice for the volunteers on things to do and see in the area, and was helpful in suggesting affordable transportation alternatives. She always knew how to get things done in the community. She hooked me up with a safari organizer (somebody she knew!) who turned out to be first-rate and trustworthy in every way.

Moreover, she organized several nights out for dinner that were great fun and really built a spirit of community and friendship among us.

I was a bit over-qualified for the high school I taught at. I’m an upper-level American ESL teacher, and I had to adjust to a setting of large classes and a complete lack of classroom technology. Still, the students and I hit it off and I left with the feeling that I had delivered value to them, improving their grasp of English and stimulating their interest in its possibilities for their future.

So, in conclusion, you can put me down as fully satisfied with the assignment you found for me in Moshi, Tanzania.

With best wishes,
Joe Daggett
West Columbia, South Carolina
30 October 2018

It was really fun to be in an international camp like this, with people coming from around the world. It was great to discover turtle’s life and learn about how we can protect them. The staffs were always present to help, support and were very kind. The schedule was different each day. Costa Rica is a safe, beautiful country with lots of natural beauty. The accommodation was also fine. I’m very grateful to IFRE and to ASVPA for organizing such an amazing mission in Matapalo.

Overall, I must say that (Jun 11 to Jun 22, 2018) was the best and the most rewarding 2 weeks of all time. I volunteered with IFRE at Bali. Location was great. Well to be honest even though both the program teaching and turtle conservation was great and fun, I would say I enjoyed teaching more because it gave me this opportunity to connect with those wonderful kids. The feeling was simply priceless

Overall I found the program fantastic. I completed 1-week language and culture program and was not only impressed by Rajan's teaching but also felt welcome and comfortable at the hostel and it was great to be able to interact with other volunteers as well. I felt that it prepared for my volunteer program and my stay in India. I would highly recommend it.

For my program, I was placed in women empowerment project. I enjoyed the program thoroughly. At all times throughout my placement I felt safe and looked after and I have memories and experiences that will stay with me for a long time. It was truly an incredible and worthwhile experience.

My host family made it even fantastic! I have never encountered such kindness and love before (outside my family). I cannot thank them enough for their hospitality. My experience with the women and children was so wonderful and I feel so lucky to be able to contribute to this project! Very Lucky and I will be! Back! Thank you to my host Family once again- you will forever be close to me and my heart!

I've been in Nepal for 4 weeks to do volunteers in the Hospital. Just after I arrived in Nepal I met all the staff and they explain everything to me in a easy way to understand. In my first day I was a little bit shocked of the environment because it was my first time in Asia but after few day I became used to it. In the Hospital in Kathmandu they are really used to have volunteers so they can speak good English and they will make you feel really comfortable. I really recommend this project to Medical student because they will teach you everything and you can try to do so on the next patient. In the Hospital they have enough equipment and staff so your help is not needed so maybe for full doctor I will recommend other project. Remember to bring your white apron because if you don't have one you can't stay in the Hospital. I decided to spend two weeks in Kathmandu and the other two weeks in the Hospital in Bharatpur (Chitwan). In Chitwan the Hospital is smaller but the main problem is that the doctors work there just as OPD so they spend just few hours in the Hospital and you don't have much time to speak with them. So ... during my stay there I spent almost all my time with the nurses who couldn't speak really good English so you must be ready to explain with hand gesture. They will try their best to make you feel at home, but if you have just few weeks I will suggest you to stay just in Kathmandu. In conclusion I must say that both Host family are really kind and helpful so you don't have to worry about anything. Come here !

I completed a two week medical project in Faridabad. Overall this was a good experience and I would recommend it.
-I had a positive experience with IFRE right from the registration to all the correspondence before my trip. It was professional and everything was done in a timely manner.
-The doctors were nice made me feel comfortable and answered any questions I had, and took care of me while I was at the clinic. The doctor at the schools was also generally nice, but not all the time, but good enough.
-The project was also good, both the schools and clinic. Even though I did not have any medical training, I did learn lots going to the schools. At the clinic, it was sometimes hard to understand what was going on due to not a lot of English being spoken, but it was still very enjoyable.
-The host family was nice, and seemed to care about my well being and my stay at their house. Even though their English wasn’t great, it was good enough for most things.

My volunteering experience with my friend at the Wildlife Sanctuary was amazing. The Program surpassed our expectations. People of Costa Rica are very friendly and welcoming. IFRE and its country support staff were very good, always caring for us and making sure everything thing was done as planned.

Weather, people, animals were all amazing in Costa Rica. It is hard for me to explain in words the beauty of Costa Rica and it’s wonderful animals. One must come and explore from themselves. The conservation project was very helpful, I learned a lot and finally I also got a chance to meet new friends from all over the world.

I would recommend the trip to anyone who loves wildlife and wants to experience Costa Rica. We will definitely come back to Costa Rica and volunteer with IFRE again in the near future. Thank you!!!

Me and my friend really enjoyed working in the elephant orphanage, staying with the host family and everything else in Sri Lanka! Thank you IFRE for providing us with this opportunity.

After finishing the 2-weeks volunteering program we also traveled around the island for 12 days. Michael arranged for the driver, hotels and the itinerary. Everything was nice and perfectly arranged. It was definitely a memorable experience- I'm looking forward to doing this again.

Honnestly,It really felt amazing to join the medical program in Thailand. Things were mostly as mentioned in the IFRE website. The visit in Bangkok was just wonderful and khao san road is one of those places that make you smile whenever they cross your mind. Working in the clinic in suring was undeniably instructive for me. Moreover,i was given the chance to feel useful for the community wich was awesome. We helped with the wounds dressing,packing the medications,home visits,baby vaccinations... Most importantly, i appreciated how patient and warmhearted the personnel were. On weekends,our coordinators usually organize some leisure activities for those intersted. I've once went to the elephant village and it's memorable and actually the highlight of my trip. Thank you IFRE for the opportuniy you have given me to broaden my horizon.