Program Reviews

My GIVE Hawai'i experience was something I will never forget. I was able to leave a positive environmental impact in local communities and make lifelong friends. Snorkeling, clearing out weeds in a lo'i, trying delicious new foods, and witnessing cuddling sea turtles on the beach were just a few of my favorite moments. The guides on the Hawai'i GIVE trip (Traven, Liv, and Jayden) made it their mission to make sure that everyone was having an amazing time throughout the trip. I will definitely be planning another GIVE trip in the future!

First, I want to address a few concerns that some people I met had about the Laos GIVE trip. The trip cost and traveling across the world by themselves. I believe that this experience was invaluable and it was something that I will forever hold close to my heart. If cost is a problem for you I would recommend fundraising for your trip. I appreciated being informed during my trip of where my money was going to. The logistics like accommodations, transportation, food and activities are all covered with the trip price. Most importantly, GIVE does a wonderful job of using those funds to support local businesses and people everywhere you go throughout the trip. By going on this trip you get to support the local people of Laos so they can provide for their families and make a living. One thing I appreciate about GIVE is that they push you out of your comfort zone. During this trip you will experience personal growth, discover new insights about the world and gain a fresh and meaningful outlook on life. Traveling across the world to a country you know nothing about can be intimidating, but once you arrive in Laos you will be greeted by the nicest guides that will make you feel like you are home. Also, you get to meet other like-minded volunteers that you will get very close with on the trip.

There has been so much to reflect on after returning home from the Laos GIVE trip. The local guides make this experience so special by having connections and relationships with people in the communities that you visit. Experiencing the Lao culture was an incredible adventure. The kindness and warmth of the people make you feel welcomed, like you're in a second home. Their genuine hospitality creates a special bond. You'll stay in a remote village for the majority of the trip, where you'll be fully immersed into the culture and live alongside the locals. You will have the chance to teach English to kids, helping create a brighter future for them. You'll also get involved in local projects like permaculture and construction work that make you feel like you are a part of something greater than yourself. Along with all of that, you'll get to experience the everyday lives of the men and women of the village that work hard to weave, fish and farm rice. You'll learn so much from the locals and guides about the history, traditions, and way of life of the village. You'll encounter a different way of life, characterized by hard work and resilience. Though it can be challenging, its clear how much joy they find in their simplicity. The strong sense of community is something you'll never forget, and the love they have for one another is evident. Their lifestyle is genuinely inspiring, and I hope to bring a piece of that back to my own community. The bonds and connections I formed with the locals will always hold a special place in my heart, and I know that if I return, I'll always have another home away from home. Thank you GIVE Volunteers for this life changing experience!

I like honest reviews not just good reviews, so…you are thinking about Give – Laos. The first thing I think you should know is that it is hot, really hot. Not Arizona desert (lived there for 5 years) hot, not US South (lived there for 4 years) hot. This is a totally different hot, and they do NOT provide air conditioning once you are fully immersed in the rural village, because it is not a thing there. So, keep this in mind and think of ways you can pack a portable cooling device. I fully recommend bringing a solar or battery-operated fan to assist. If you want to go big, bring a portable single room/cubicle unit to cool off your accommodation at night. Just remember that electricity is like gold, so it is recommended that you use it sparingly. Now that we are past that, it was a great experience. Others who went on Thailand stated that was more vacation-y while this was more volunteer like. You spent you AM teaching English to the kids, your PM doing a permaculture or construction project. Evenings were usually a nice learning experience or helping the village. For example, we taught basic words to assist the ladies of the village in selling their wares or we learned to cook a native meal. The men took us fishing on their boats and the ladies taught is how they weave. The people of the village are what will draw you back. They were all lovely people who are more than willing to share everything and help you with anything. They also have a great sense of humor, and they speak and understand enough English that there is not a point where it becomes uncomfortable. Watch out for Leanne, that lady is a hustler and will talk you into spending all your money at her booth, lol! If you are willing to get past the heat (or go in the winter months), this is a great volunteer fulfilling experience.

I have now done two trips through GIVE to Costa Rica and Tanzania. They have both been the most life changing, empowering, transformative experiences. Being able to travel with a purpose and meet like-minded people has been so incredibly special. The guides I have had are absolutely amazing. They truly care about each volunteer and their well-being, and the local guides are so happy to share their home and culture with you. It is an experience like no other, being able to actually immerse yourself in the local culture and get to truly know the community. They do a perfect mix of volunteer work and fun activities, and are always working to make it educational and impactful!

It is an eye opening trip that teaches you about the importance of the impact of you everyday activities in ways you could never imagine. The great thing about this trip is that all of your money goes directly to the community through the fun activities because they all involve locals. You will meet lovely and welcoming people that are so excited to share their culture with you while you serve them. The connection you form with the people from this community is truly one of a kind. I couldn't have asked for a better trip.

GIVE's Tanzania program is a fantastic two-week trip where you learn about the culture and wildlife from a local community. I signed up for the trip because of all of the recommendations from my past guides and fellow volunteers and it defied my expectations! On the first day and throughout the trip, we learned about the history of Zanzibar and had opportunities to learn about Kairo and the people who live there. We spent 8 days in Kairo on Zanzibar, getting to know the locals, eating delicious food cooked by Chef Anaur, teaching English, and doing construction. There was an adventure day between each two days of education and construction, and the trip ended with two days of safari in mainland Tanzania. I'm especially grateful for Kasha, Smile, Taala, BigHead, Amore, MC, and Baboi for being excellent guides and staff who taught me about the culture and supported me throughout the trip!

After my Thailand experience, I didn’t know if any other trip could compare, but I went right to elephants. From the start, it was another amazing experience. In Elephant Freedom Village, we got to be hands on, feeding, bathing, playing, and learning directly about elephants. We learned about their way of living with their mahouts and all of the things the mahouts do to take care of their elephants. Our second stay in Huay Pakkoot Community Elephant Foundation, we did elephant trekking and observed elephants in a more wild setting. We got to see a different way of taking care of animals. The third place we visited was Burm and Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary where we got to see retired elephants in, once again, a more wild setting. Throughout each of these experiences, we were able to learn differences and similarities, one of the biggest being how much they love their elephants. Apart from just the elephants, all of the guides were incredible and taught us so much. They brought so much knowledge and energy to the trip, and it’s because of them that I enjoyed the trip so much.

Traveling with GIVE has changed my life forever. GIVE has taught me how to not only exist but to live and experience life to the fullest extent. I’ve learned what it means to be a global citizen and to be on #TeamHuman. During my time in Nicaragua with GIVE, my entire outlook on life and the world was broadened for the better. I learned the importance of leaving a larger handprint wherever I go, as well as to serve the people and communities of the world. Nicaragua and its people hold such a special place in my heart, and I can’t wait to travel with GIVE again. #Connect #Inspire #Empower

This GIVE experience changed my life and was completely unforgettable. Our guides, P’Chiarra, P’Dee, P’Pohn Pohn and P’Anne made this trip magical and so so special. It taught me the importance of ethical tourism and that we all have to do our part in educating ourselves on these issues that could hurt our beautiful world. It helped me realize that I could be part of a smaller ripple that could make a bigger wave. I plan to share my experience to inspire others by educating others about ecotourism and the mission that GIVE dedicates themselves too. I want others to be able to see experience everything me and my group did and see how beautiful our world can be when we step out of our comfort zones and take that leap. Thank you GIVE for the best trip of my entire life and for changing the perspective of my life. This company made me realize how I want to move forward with my own career and do my own part in this mission.

This summer I had the chance to go on the Thailand experience with GIVE and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I learned many things about Thai culture, Karen culture, other people from different parts of the US, and myself. Between teaching children English in the village of Mueang Khong to doing permaculture at different locations to visiting the tribe villages of Ba Kao Lam and Pong Ngen, I was able to grow so much as an individual and see other people grow. I was able to get really close to my fellow volunteers, but also my amazing guides. Each of the local guides brought something special to the trip and taught me many new things. They were very open and willing to share their culture with us and learn about ours in turn. Everyone in my group bonded together and created a family; each and every one of them made a difference in my life and made me a slightly better person. Thanks to GIVE for having these opportunities to travel and visit local places to immerse ourselves in new cultures.