Program Reviews

To say this trip changed my life would be an understatement. I have never felt so at home at a place than I did in Zanzibar. The people of Kairo are incredibly special. They are the most kind-hearted, joyful, and welcoming people I’ve ever met. The GIVE staff creates such a positive environment from the moment you arrive and does everything possible to make the volunteers feel prepared and ready to work. They are organized and are always available to help if need be. The care they have for the Kairo community is truly inspiring. It was amazing getting to be surrounded by like-minded people who all had such a giving heart for others. This is such a unique organization because it perfectly balances hard work and leisure/play . Yet I loved that even the “play” you experience, such as swimming with dolphins or going on safari, is still giving back to the community. The education coordinator (MC) and all of the construction guides (Khamis, Fani, Big Head, Smile, Baboi) helped make volunteering feel effortless because of the joy and energy they brought every day. I am so grateful to have been a part of this experience and would recommend it to anybody who is looking for a safe, responsible way to travel, while impacting the lives of others. A piece of advice I would give to future volunteers is put yourself out there as much as possible and soak up every moment. There is absolutely no judgment, so if you allow yourself to be 100% your authentic self, you will feel more confident and your relationships will blossom right from the start. This trip will not only change your perspective, but also your heart. <3

Truly the best experience ever. I made amazing friendships and learned SO much. The volunteer work we did was so impactful, and the activities we did outside of volunteering were awesome!! This is a great option for solo travelers, as well as if this is your first time traveling to a new country. GIVE plans the entire trip for you, from start to finish, including flights through their partner company. There is great communication between the leaders and volunteers so everything flows smoothly!!!

I cannot recommend Give enough! This trip was legitimately one of the best experiences of my life. Everything we did was incredible, and I left feeling like I had gained so much experience and community, both with my fellow volunteers and the communities we were working with. This was my first time doing any solo travel, so it was a bit scary for me before going, but all my fears went away when I got there. The whole trip was very well thought and at no point did I feel unsafe or worried. I would recommend this trip to anyone who is considering it!

My give trip tanzania summer 2023 was an absolutely incredible experience. They were so helpful before the trip answering all of my questions and From the very first day meeting Hannah, Faith, Baboi and Fani I felt like I was home, like I was part of the family. I felt so safe the entire time, everyday was filled with so many laughs smiles and incredible memories. Everyday topped the last day, the staff that we continued to meet were the most incredible human beings. The food was absolutely delicious and they were great with dietary restrictions.

I can’t even begin to explain how much I recommend give, from the staff, to the amazing and fun volunteering to the day trips with the safari at the end.

GIVE was the best thing I have ever experienced. It has changed my life in so many ways. The people you meet while on these trips are shockingly nice and form everlasting relationships with everyone. I highly recommend this program to everyone, I will definitely be attending a second trip because I loved my first one so much! I met so many new friends and had such amazing experiences while being able to help a community in need. The memories that I made are unforgettable and I hope you have the same opportunity as me.

I completed the WILD course with GIVE Volunteers this past March, and it was one of the best experiences I have ever had as a student. I honestly did not think I could learn as much as I did within one week, and the course was a perfect balance of learning and fun. Not only did we get to learn in the classroom, but we would venture out into the Cascade Mountains and do real-time wilderness first aid scenarios with the instructors, which solidified our knowledge of the topics we discussed. The lodge staff was so kind and went above and beyond to ensure we had a comfortable stay, and the fellow students I met during the course were awesome and we have stayed in-touch with one another since! Those running the course were not only great teachers, but created an inspiring, nurturing, and fun environment for each student to step into their own leadership roles.

So, if you are looking to receive your Wilderness First Aid Certification, become a better leader, or just want to have an educational week while exploring the Cascades, this is the program for you! You won’t regret it!

I can’t even begin to put into words what this trip was like. The people, the culture, the lands, the experience, the staff. It has truly been life changing. I will forever be grateful to give. I would have never thought that this trip would have made me feel the way it has. I have felt every single emotion possible while on this adventure, but in the most beautiful way. You get so emotionally connected with so many wonderful people. The absolute hardest part about this trip is leaving. Serendipity ❤️

I've made new amazing friends and experienced an one in a lifetime experience. While in the meantime making a big difference in the world. I never thought this would happen when I applied for it and I'm so grateful for all of it. I would definitely recommend this to the people around me and spread the word about GIVE. I'm really happy I took this leap of faith and for it to turn out this way. I will never forget about this and really hope that other people will take the same leap of faith as I did

I had the most amazing three weeks in Tanzania and at Kilimanjaro. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly and I made so many amazing connections with the locals and volunteers. Being one of the few people who volunteered from another country than the US I didn’t know what to expect but the things I’ve learned and the close friends I’ve made has made this trip one of the most special thing I’ve ever experienced in my life. It has brought me new perspectives on life and long lasting friends. This trip is something I will remember and cherish forever.

I absolutely fell in love with life again with this program. Remembered what it was like to lead and learn and be overwhelmed with such beauty and love for the world and all of the people inside it. I’m already planning my next Give trip, and I’m only mad that I didn’t know about it when I was in college so I could’ve majored in Environmental Science! I’m taking away so much knowledge that I want to pay forward when I get home, and I look forward to when I get to see these beautiful people again.