The Leap

Program Reviews

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Ella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Leap Venezuela -DO IT !!

I returned from Venezuela 2 weeks ago and I am still buzzing from the whole experience.
My sister had traveled with The Leap last year and persuaded me that I would love it too. I decided to go to a different continent to her and Venezuela seemed to fit my personality best.
It could not have been better, we were a varied team that all found really good friends. The other 2 blokes and I were all sporty and there was always masses to keep us occupied and fit, from learning to abseil, diving, teaching children touch rugby ,climbing giant hills, extreme Frisbee, kayaking and Cayman catching !
The political situation in Venezuela was slightly fragile, but The Leap and their team out their were always so safety conscious that we never felt worried.
Go for it - The carnivals are such a laugh and the experience would be hard to beat.

What would you improve about this program?
The girls had beds but us guys slept in hammocks - the odd night in a bed would have been a treat!
3 flights to get there felt like hard work, but it was worth it.
We all spent a lot on Malaria tablets (because of Doctors advice), but as soon as we got there they said there had been no malaria for years and years so this felt like a bit of a waste of money.
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Ella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Experience Of My Life

I went with The Leap to Tanzania in January 2013.
We were a large team and a really good mix of boys and girls. Every day I was there I loved it. Are hosts were always fantastic and SO helpful, the food was at times basic but, always good and fresh. There was never time to get bored, but always time to have a laugh and bond.
We discovered a great hotel with pool etc for weekends and finished with a couple of extra weeks on Zanzibar.
I had previously had kidney problems, when I mentioned a pain, a hospital visit and medication was immediately sorted.
Many of us have stayed in touch and although at different places of education 4 of us have ended up in in Oxford and meet up regularly.
If you are thinking of travelling with The Leap - DO IT - it was amazing and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone !!

What would you improve about this program?
If I had to be critical I would say that some of the projects were ever so slightly repetitious and previous groups had done what needed to primarily be done.
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Lisa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Parent Experience

As a parent of two children who traveled at separate times with The Leap to Tanzania, I felt confident that they were in safe hands with experienced, qualified help. We had regular emails from The Leap detailing the volunteer's events and were able to read the blogs from the volunteers posted on the website. It was comforting to hear about their adventures and see pictures of their daily activities. The Leap certainly knows how to run well organized trips and understands and meets the concerns of parent.

What would you improve about this program?
Both of my children had great experiences. From a parent's view, my main concern was for their safety. We had great communication from The Leap on a regular basis so we knew how our children were faring. Unlike many other organizations, The Leap has an overseer who was always in close connection with the volunteers and the home base in the UK. I cannot think of anything I would change - other than making trips like this available for adults!!
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Katharine
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Amazing Experience

I enjoyed my 6 weeks at Kwa Madwala through the leap. It was invaluable to my personal development and my social skills. I really enjoyed meeting a group of new people and know that I have made some good friends for life. My favourite part of the trip was the conservation side of the programme. I loved seeing the animals and it was always exciting seeing them from horseback. I also enjoyed the community work, although I don't know if we were really as helpful as we could have been - for example we were only allowed to paint one classroom in the school as the other classrooms were for other groups. But we were useful as teaching assistats and helpers especially at the auphanage which I really enjoyed.

What would you improve about this program?
That the community work was more organised so that less time was wasted.
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Lizzie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

South Africa 2014

Waking up in a thunderstorm to see lions walking past your bedroom window is likely to be the most surreal incredible experience of your life, it certainly was mine! Being surrounded by so many like minded people helped to make the experience so amazing. Wonderful, helpful staff mean you are prepared for everything. I fell in love with South Africa as soon as I landed, and sitting at the top of Baboons Koppie looking over the game reserve is one of the most spectacular views- certainly my favorite!

What would you improve about this program?
Although it was nice to have a base for the 10 weeks and a place to call home, a bit more travelling would have been perfect! However, that doesnt mean you cant travel more- I took an extra 10 days after the placement to see South Africa!
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Jess
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Great Experience

My time spent in Ecuador was amazing and The Leap did everything they could to ensure this. I especially enjoyed my time on the Galapagos Island where I was able to swim with turtles and sharks. My favourite volunteering part was when we went to the Rainforest and spent the days planting cacao plants and then went back to living in very basic houses made from plants. Overall I had a fantastic time and made some great friends.

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Helen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Venezuela

It was a really great experience and I had loads of fun. The best thing was getting really involved in the volunteering work we were doing, but also save up for smaller trips elsewhere like Angel Falls its well worth it

What would you improve about this program?
The length, I would make it longer!
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LH
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

fantastic well-rounded experience

Having chosen Ecuador as the destination for my first extended trip abroad for the variety of environments, the Leap ensured my expectations were met, providing for a memorable trip.

With the right balance between working/volunteering, learning, socialising and exploring, I felt that the opportunity for an individual sense of adventure was more than catered for within the structure that was provided.

In the Andes we were warmly welcomed by the local community, and although the work was more laborious than expected, it felt as if we were genuinely helping. Spanish lessons were also provided, and having previously never learnt it before, I was surprised at just how quickly we picked up the basics and were able to use to it travel around at the weekends.

The Galapagos proved to be the highlight of trip. Friendships within our own Leap group long cemented it was fun to socialise with a new bunch of volunteers staying in the same place as us. The leaders were incredibly friendly and supportive and the work seemed slightly easier than before, and we spent afternoons snorkelling and exploring San Cristobal. We were also able to have an extended weekend away visiting the other islands. I would recommend however budgeting for the more expensive trips, such as diving.

In terms of support we were very lucky to have friendly Ecuadorian group leaders who helped us immerse ourselves in the culture, providing help whenever needed. Whenever an issue arose there was the opportunity for review, which hopefully they have taken on board for future trips.

From the Andes, to cloud forests to hanging out with seals in the Galapagos, the Ecuador Leap was a fantastic well-rounded experience.

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Jenna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Once in a Lifetime Experience

Tanzania is a fantastic country and I could not have picked a better company to go with. The Leap staff are reliable, helpful and friendly and make sure you are organised and prepared from start to finish. Helping in local orphanages and schools making a genuine difference to many children's lives is an experience which is unforgettable. You learn so much about yourself at the same time. As well as volunteering you also get to experience the local culture and sights and the fantastic thing about travelling to Tanzania is being able to visit Zanzibar island. A tropical paradise! I can not recommend volunteering abroad enough, and I can not recommend a trip to Tanzania to volunteer with The Leap enough either!!

What would you improve about this program?
I would have liked to see some more of the things Tanzania had to offer apart from just the beaches and Zanzibar island. More things to do on a budget would have been good to know as a lot of the tourist attractions such as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and Safari cost a lot of money.
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EMILY
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Completely exceeded my expectations!

The Leap provided everything I wanted in a Gap Year: to give something back to communities in greater need than the one I came from at home, to push myself to the limit with the trek up Roreima, to meet new people from all over the world whom I had the pleasure of sharing my experiences with, and overall, just a blast.

At no point did I feel unsafe, and at no point did I feel like I was wasting my hard earned money by not getting enough 'experience'. There was never a dull week where we weren't doing something beneficial, whether it was demanding (ie. slugging up mountainside after mountainside carrying baby trees that will in future be covering the hundreds and hundreds of acres,) or picking up endless litter from the sides of the roads through dense rainforest, or mucking out bird poo from the depths of an AMAZING cave, or just sleeping under too many stars you though imaginable in a tiny tent, being engulfed with the sounds of the jungle around you. I totally lost myself in the enormity of it all, and just how lucky I was to even participate in something that will have such a sustainable, ongoing effect to not only the local people I had the privilege of meeting, but the future of the country in general.

What would you improve about this program?
Only how long I could stay out there for