GIVE Volunteers Reviews

I had such an amazing experience in Costa Rica with give. This was my 3rd trip with the but Costa Rica by far took me by chance. A last minute book and a world of new people, peace, learning, growth and lots of barefoot walks in the jungle, dirt, river washes and clay masks. The experiences I shared on that farm in the jungle was truly so magical it guided me to my own path of buying land to create something beautiful myself to give back to the land, people and community. 🥹🌜💫✨ go touch some dirt!

GIVE makes ethical tourism & travel easy and accessible for anyone dedicated to making a positive impact. From the moment I arrived in Hawai’i, my GIVE guides welcomed me with open arms and wide smiles—they made traveling alone less frightening and helped me make memories I’ll never forget. Not only were the excursions to snorkel at the coral reefs, hiking through a volcano, and crawling through caves spectacular experiences—each project brought new and important lessons. Through our project partners we learned about the negative impact mainstream tourism has on Hawai’i, we learned about caring for the āina (land) through an indigenous perspective, and supported projects that directly helped the community. Yes, I spent a week in paradise, but this GIVE trip gave me so much more than pretty pictures. I can say that I am leaving a better person than when I came. Thank you GIVE Volunteers for this life-changing experience!

My trip to Nicaragua with Give volunteers that I took in June 2026 was a wonderful and life changing experience. All four of our guides were so great and they truly cared about making a genuine connection with me and the other volunteers. We all had so much fun together because the itinerary was never bland and neither were the people I met. One minute we would be helping the local people and environment of Jiquilillo and the next we’d be surfing the waves of the pacific. I made connections with so many locals that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Everyone in this community welcomed us with open arms and endless kindness, they showed it through the food they fed us, stories they told, and the bracelets they made for us. If you are looking for a fulfilling travel experience where you’ll meet all sorts of new friends, I recommend taking the leap and join give volunteers in Nicaragua.

This trip was life changing in so many aspects and I could not recommend it enough. We were culturally immersed in ways that were so raw and authentic and were able to build connections with the community through local guides and volunteer work. We trekked through multiple tribes and got to experience the different ways in which each lives as well as learn a part of their language and try to connect by doing Q&As and joining in traditional activities and dances. The itinerary was incredible and the team was unforgettable, I will forever cherish the connections I made through this trip.

The team was incredible and every day was planned out so thoughtfully and organized. Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, it did and the connections I made on the trip feel lifelong. I learned so much not only about the culture but the spiritual connections between elephant and human and got to witness it first hand. I hope to go back soon because I don’t have enough words to describe the lessons I took away from this trip. I still cannot believe the things I did and saw and how incredible these creatures are up close. I also had the most incredible time with my guides, they kept us safe, made us laugh, and really made us feel like a part of their family and community.

I honestly can’t recommend the Tanzania GIVE trip enough. It was one of the most meaningful and unforgettable experiences of my life.

What made this trip so special was that it wasn’t just about seeing Tanzania—it was about truly experiencing it. In Kilwa, we worked alongside the local community planting mangroves to help restore the coastline, and it was incredible to see the direct impact of the work. We also spent time with members of the community, cooked traditional meals together, and learned about their daily lives and culture. Those moments of genuine connection were some of the most rewarding parts of the trip.

Another highlight was spending time with the Maasai. We had the opportunity to help herd sheep, reinforce the protective enclosures for their livestock, and learn firsthand about their traditions and way of life. It wasn’t something you could experience as a typical tourist, and I came away with a much greater appreciation for their culture and hospitality.

The safari was another unforgettable part of the experience. Seeing elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and so many other animals in their natural habitat was surreal. It felt like something out of a documentary and was easily one of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced.

After the volunteer portion of the trip, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was the perfect way to finish the adventure. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but also one of the most rewarding. Standing on the summit after days of climbing is a feeling I’ll never forget.

I also have to give a huge shoutout to Gabby and Baboi. They are truly the best guides you could ask for. They were knowledgeable, supportive, hilarious, and always made everyone feel included. They worked incredibly hard to make sure we had an amazing experience, and they played a huge role in making the trip so memorable.

If you’re thinking about doing this trip, my advice is simple: go. Come with an open mind, be willing to step outside your comfort zone, and fully embrace every opportunity. You’ll leave with incredible memories, lifelong friendships, a deeper appreciation for another culture, and experiences that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

By far my favorite trip I’ve ever taken in my life. I feel as I have a whole new family and a second home. The guides and locals were so welcoming and friendly. The others on the trip were in the same boat as me so I was very comfortable and happy. I will for sure be taking another trip with GIVE volunteers. 100/10 experience, if you think you wanna do it, don’t think, just go for it! I loved to see all the wild animals in their nature habitats, helping the community plant trees and play around with the children. All the kids were so happy to see us and crowded around us in excitement. I will never forget these moments.

My trip to the Big Island of Hawai’i changed my life and the way that I connect with my inner humanity. Yes, I got to go on amazing adventures like snorkeling with sea turtles, climbing a volcano and seeing it actually erupt, chasing waterfalls, exploring caves and black sand beaches, and so much more. But what made it all worth it was the relationships that I created and the wisdom that I received by living and working alongside the locals. Our project hosts gave me so many life tools with the completion of every project and our guides, Traven, Jordan, and Liv, where there to help our group every step of the way. Every time I pulled an invasive species out of the Earth, I pulled invasive thoughts out of my head. Every time I removed waste from the coastlines, I removed waste within myself. And every time I learned more of the Native’s wisdom, I unlearned the American norm of making a living and relearned the human beauty in making a life. I recommend this life altering trip to anyone and everyone. I felt so safe, so guided, and so changed the entire time. Thank you to the locals of the Big Island for welcoming me as family, my new ‘ohana that I found in my fellow volunteers, and GIVE for helping to make a trip like this possible.

Traveling to Laos with GIVE was one of the best decisions of my life. To all the guides, Auy’ Mai, Auy’ Good, Auy’ Tony, Lexi, and Chiara, you all made this trip so special for me. You can’t get experiences like this by going on a vacation, no one is gonna let some random stranger into their home but by traveling with GIVE, you get the benefit of their amazing connections they have with these communities. I would recommend this trip to anyone because you get to explore Laos in a way 90% of people will never experience.

Living in the village of Sop Chem changed my life forever and at such a pivotal point. This trip gave me a new sense of purpose and direction, one that I am incredibly excited to pursue. And this will happen to you too, when you get out there into the real world and truly connect with people beyond the bubble at home, you start to realize what truly matters to you.

ASANTE SANA ZANZIBAR & TANZ MAINLAND I could not imagine a trip to this beautiful country being as fulfilling traveling without GIVE! I learned so much about culture, the land, and gained a #secondfamily while doing so! ASANTE SANA to talha for sharing her inspiring story as how she worked her way up to becoming the Ed coordinator of Zanzibar program, Amour for his amazing energy, Juma our legend driver and sweetest soul, BIG HEADDD the concrete and cement master, Kasha for being the most perfect example of a leader I have ever seen, and EVERYONE ELSE we met and worked alongside of the entire way! I’m also so grateful to have been able to hop over to mainland! It was so awesome getting to experience the new program and I’m so happy to see what the future holds for this trip. Asante Sana again to Baboi, MC, and Gabby for being apart of my entire journey in East Africa, y’all were truly THE BEST!!!!