GIVE Volunteers Reviews

Going on this trip was the best decision I made. It was my first time flying alone so I was very nervous. When I landed in seattle I was scared I wouldn’t find my guide who was there to pick me up. However when I saw one of the guides in the blue give shirts a flash of relief came over me, he gave me a big hug and I felt so welcomed and safe.
The people I met on this trip with me were so awesome! Friends that I look forward to meeting again one day, We are already planning a reunion trip!
The guides were amazing, they made us feel comfortable and safe, wanting us to come to them about anything we had on our mind. One thing I was worried about before the trip started was that our guides would treat us like kids, like most other camps do, not letting us go off and have fun or do spontaneous things. But when we all met them it was the complete opposite. They were all for us exploring and spontaneous swimming in waterfalls! I couldn’t have been more happy with the guides! Although I was only with them and the other volunteers for a week, by the end of it I would consider them family. We were all very sad to leave and go back home to different countries. If you take anything from this review let it be that you will make so many life long friendships going on a Give trip.

This was an amazing experience! I didn’t know what to expect, but It met all my expectations! I was able to see, hear, feel and taste the Hawaiian culture! Working on farms to fishponds, Seeing breathtaking places, Learning how to build an Imu (underground oven) and cooking a Kalua Pig was amazing! Learning to be responsible travelers when visiting there and anywhere. I truly admire the love, passion and respect they have for their land, as much as we should have the same in our own space. Mahalo for allowing me to be apart of your space!

There were a lot of highlights of this trip but the first thing that sticks out for me is all the connections I've made. I met some of the best people ever and made friends that honestly feel like family now! Other than that I loved learning about the culture and religion as well as the ways of the beautiful Thai people like the traditional bamboo rafting, visiting temples, meditating with a monk, basket and Karen weaving, partaking in the Baisi ceremony, and so much more! It felt incredible to be completely immersed in this amazing culture and welcomed by everyone with open arms, all the while having incredible guides that made the whole experience all the better! Of course I can't forget about all the laughs and the energy on the perm plot and the high fives and little but amazing steps of progress in the classrooms! One last thing that will stick with me is all of the small moments that one might not pay too much attention to like playing cards with my friends during the breaks, P'Nicky bringing us roti every night, the truck rides with the speakers, etc. Never forget about the small things in life!
Despite a hiccup during the trip that could have been avoided by HQ but that the guides handled nicely, this has been an unforgettable experience!
The main thing I'd say to someone that is considering to go on this trip is: don't hesitate! If you're thinking of going on this GIVE trip, do it! It was the best decision I've ever made and could only encourage other people to make that same decision! It has been amazing to see, now that I am home, how much this trip has truly changed me! It's something that cannot be put into words but must be experienced to be understood and that is the reason why I hope whoever is reading this, takes that leap of faith and just goes for it! If you go into this trip with simply an open mind, it will be the best experience ever, just trust it!

Every single day while on this trip was different but always full of learning, fun, and new experiences. There was never a dull moment or a time where there was nothing to do. I could talk forever about all the amazing experiences and all the memories that were made on this trip.

Waking up and going to volunteering was one of my favorite parts of the trip. The construction work was always so much fun and a great way to bond with the other volunteers and our local guides. After working hard, we would play games together and joke around and talk to each other. The construction guides Smile, Big Head, and Fani always made sure we were having a good time and working hard. They were super encouraging and came up with many great games to play. Teaching was also a favorite part of my days. The amazing students I taught always radiated with energy and motivation to learn. They made teaching a lot less intimidating as they happily welcomed us every day and became our friends outside of the classroom too.

Adventure days were always so much fun. Culture day was one of my favorite adventure days because we got to go to Stone Town and get an in-depth tour and were taught all about the history of the beautiful and culturally rich city. We then ate a great authentic meal on a small island where we also had lots of time to hang out and swim.

The other amazing adventure days included swimming with dolphins which was absolutely incredible. We jumped off our boats to see pods of over twenty dolphins swimming below us. Some would come up and surface for air just a few feet away. It was an amazing experience and a highlight of my life seeing so many dolphins in their natural habitat.

Leaving the village of Kairo to head to the mainland was so difficult. Kairo became our home and the locals became our friends. It did not feel like we were leaving a place that we were visiting, it felt like we were leaving home because we had become a part of the community there.

After spending a night in Dar Es Salaam, we headed to our campsite near Nyerere National Park. We went on a riverboat cruise to see some native animals that lived in and around the river (like hippos!!) and then spent the night hanging around the campfire. The next day we went off on our safari through the national park where we got to see so many amazing animals in their natural homes. Our guides on the safari were so helpful and taught us all about the land and the animals there. This was such a cool experience and was so much fun.

There's not enough words to describe how amazing the entire trip was. Our lead guides, Sophie and Boi, did a wonderful job educating us about everything everywhere throughout the trip and made sure we were healthy and having a great time. Our entire group of volunteers was amazing, and everyone got along and grew close so quickly. There was never a time where there wasn't a person to talk to or hangout with. I built relationships with other volunteers and even locals that I hope last forever. I am so happy I went on this trip because it opened up my mind and heart to new people and cultures. This trip taught me so much about myself and has changed my life and inspired me to continue to travel with purpose and become a lifelong global citizen.

This trip was full of once in a lifetime experiences and opportunities you would never get if traveling on your own to Laos. the country,people, and culture is beautiful The price for the trip itself was a little high but looking back, if i booked this trip not through GIVE i wouldn’t get the same experiences. because of GIVE i was able to be fully immersed into the Lao culture and their traditions. i was able to live in their shoes for a short little bit. I fell in love with Laos in particular because the way they are so accepting and welcoming is humbling and eye opening. my views on life and how i want to live my life is forever impacted.

This trip was full of once in a lifetime experiences and opportunities you would never get if traveling on your own to thailand. the country’s as beautiful and the people were even more beautiful. The price for the trip itself was a little high but looking back, if i booked this trip not through GIVE i wouldn’t get the same experiences. because of GIVE i was able to be fully immersed into the thai culture and their traditions. i was able to live in their shoes for a short little bit. my views on life and how i want to live my life is forever impacted.

I took my trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar in July of 2022 and I can tell you that it was the most life changing experience! We spent majority of our stay in Kairo, a small village in Kiwengwa. The locals were the most heart-warming, generous, welcoming people I have ever met.
Their dedication to their community was so inspiring. They want to grow and learn on their own as well as with one another. Their perseverance was out of this world! My biggest take away from them was that it is never too late to get what you want out of this lifetime.
There is a certain generalization about Africa as a whole that it is very poor and very hungry. While they may not have designer bags and 60in flat screens, they are thriving with what they do have. They have plenty of food, water and other necessities everyday for themselves and their family. The only thing they lack is access to a proper education which every human deserves. Teaching them English was such an honor knowing that it will open their future up to brand new job opportunities.
I learned so much from these beautiful people; how to minimize my carbon footprint, the impact of every dollar spent, how to preserve mother nature and her inhabitants, what true happiness looks like and so much more. I cannot thank the locals, our amazing guides(Sophie and Boi), and GIVE enough for bringing this experience about. I have extended my family globally and expanded my knowledge.
Everyday was an adventure and a new opportunity for growth. Whether it was doing construction to add onto the local school, swimming with dolphins, learning Swahili, exploring the land and culture, the list goes on. Knowledge is POWER. I will see them soon and I plan on joining GIVE on more trips in the future.<3

On this tour, I not only got to help teach local women and men of Zanzibar, Tanzania English, but I was also able to help build an examination hall within the town's school system. I could see all prior school buildings for various classrooms and ages that were built over the decade-long volunteer relationship GIVE has with this neighborhood which meant upon our arrival the locals knew exactly who we were, embraced us, and were so excited to share their lives with us. I have met the most genuine and enthusiastic volunteers on my trip and created long-lasting memories. I was able to experience a new culture and language in a fun and exciting way. I swam in the ocean every afternoon to wind down my days and played soccer as well as volleyball with the locals on the beach and swam with dolphins. The food was delicious and the chef was so kind to everyone, catering to everyone's dietary needs. To finish the trip off we then head to Mainland Tanzania where we get to tour spice gardens and learn where our spices come from, enjoy a 2-day long safari, and camp under the brightest stars you have ever seen. I not only made an impact and made long-lasting friends, I truly had the best time of my life traveling sustainably and giving back to a community that deserved it.

Needless to say, traveling across the world alone can be a little intimidating and scary. However, I can say with 100% certainty that despite the nerves, it is something you must do if you can. From the first moment I met the other volunteers and guides, and we boarded the Dala dala to explore the city of Stone Town, I knew this would be an incredible experience.
Whether it's talking to locals after a day of volunteering at the school, snorkeling in the Indian Ocean, seeing wild Dolphins, getting the perfect selfie with a giraffe 30 feet from you, or exploring the city around you, this trip offers the best balance of seeing many parts of Tanzania and experiencing its culture.
It is evident that the guides and local staff that help the volunteers on this trip care about them and want them to experience the culture and have an overall positive time. My guides for this trip were Khamis and Hannah, and they were phenomenal. They were always smiling and brought energy to every meeting and excursion.
The other volunteers and I agreed that these were some of the best weeks of our lives. Anyone who has the chance to positively impact a community while learning about a new culture and the environment around them will find that they will also learn many things about themselves and those around them. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that should be taken!
Thank you GIVE for these opportunities!

The love I have for Zanzibar is so surreal. I am still trying to process the past 2 weeks. Coming into this with no expectations had brought my experience to the next level. Thank you @givevolunteers for this opportunity to travel with a purpose. Every second was memorable and meaningful because of the love and respect built around. It was truly an unforgettable experience because YOU. With that being said have fun, live in the moment, and take in everything. Time goes by real slow when disconnected from the rest of world.