GIVE Volunteers Reviews

I first heard about this program sitting in class by a random loud kid running in and talking about elephants. As someone who adores elephants I was immediately intrigued by the idea and make it my goal to go on this trip to pursue my dream of seeing elephants. I had heard good things from other students in my school who also attended this trip but at the time i didn't know that after two weeks my life would do a 180. With this trip I was able to fully emerge myself in Thai culture with the locals. Each local I met and talked now holds a special place in my heart. Apart from learning a new culture first hand, I've made friends that will last a lifetime as well as unforgettable memories. I honestly recommend to just jump right into this trip and don't look back. you wont regret it.

I went into this experience with little expectations and was surprised with the time of my life. I craved the adventure but what I didn't know was that this trip was gonna change my life. The relationships I created with my fellow volunteers, my guides, and many native Thai people filled my heart and I'll cherish these relationships for the rest of my life. I still got the adventure I craved but served in a totally different package. Helping elephants, bamboo rafting, bungee jumping, and staying up late with these newfound friends of mine made me never want to leave. This trip made me want to adventure not just for myself but to got out there and devote my time to the betterment of lives that need it most. I didn't wanna help people before I went on this trip but now I want to do it for the rest of my life.

The Tibetan Frontier is a trip I would send everyone and anyone on. This trip was more than I could have ever asked for. Between challenging myself on the hike, loving on the beautiful children, helping with the school, being surrounded by the Himalayas, or the great group of people I met on this trip, I couldn’t be more happy with the experience. Going on GIVE’s Tibetan Frontier trip wasn’t something I thought I would ever do, but now I want nothing more than to go back. The guides were everything you would want when traveling to a new country. They were knowledgeable, friendly, loving and gave me a push to never give up and get out of my comfort zone. I will never forget the memories, the beauty and the amazing people I met. If you want to experience something amazing then do it!

My trip to Jiquilillo with GIVE Volunteers was nothing short of life-changing. Nicaragua is a beautiful country filled with beautiful souls. I was amazed at how the community comes together to build houses and teach kids and clean up the beaches. The kids were incredibly helpful and kind-hearted. One of them, I think his name was Carlitos, was playing with the blow-up globe that was donated. He came up to me and a few other volunteers and wanted to know where we were from. It really put into perspective how much we mean to this community and how badly these kids want to learn from us and the world in general.
You can tell how much GIVE being back in Jiquilillo means to the community. One single mom, Sarah, welcomed us into her home and taught us how to make cheese. While we were there, we got to know each other and she told us all about how her husband had divorced her and she was left alone with the house and the kids. I don't think I have ever met a woman as strong as Sarah. She was truly inspiring and her story moved us to tears. She spoke about how GIVE being back in Nicaragua after a time of political strife symbolized hope for the community. It is now our duty to go back into the world and tell everyone about how Nicaragua is not the scary, conflict-torn place that the media portrays it to be. We need to humanize Nicaragua and tell the stories of those who can't tell their own.
I am forever grateful for my time in Nicaragua. The people I met, locals and volunteers included, left a permanent mark on my heart. I hope that everyone gets a chance to have an experience like mine, as it will truly change your life for the better.

Nicaragua was truly a life changing experience. I was able to interact with the community of Jiquillio on a more personal level and create friendships that will last forever. I worked side by side with a climate change refugee, Donã Socorro, to build her new home. The first time seeing her unlock her front door was a feeling that will stick in my heart. I also taught English to a levels of age groups. Arriving to the the bottle school and seeing everyone so eager to learn was inspirational. I had the opportunity to learn to how surf, salsa dance, make cheese and tortillas, fillet a fish, make bracelets, and refresh my Spanish. A review can only explain so much but being immersed in an amazing country with incredibly talented people will send warmth all throughout your body.

This was by far the most amazing trip I have ever been on. I cannot stress enough how important it is to give places like Nicaragua a chance - especially Jiquilillo!!! Monty's was absolutely wonderful (the food was INSANELY good) & the town itself is so simple; every local I came in contact with was so friendly. The sense of community within this place is absolutely astounding - I have never felt safer in a place. The staff at monty's has my whole heart, as well as each of my guides - Daniela, Carmen, & Alvaro. I am so excited to travel back tooth's little fishing community with GIVE; there is so much potential here... from Carlos teaching English to Ramon giving mangrove tours to Felix making bracelets & teaching us how to surf. Ever person in this community is so pure at heart - such beautiful souls all around. I encourage anyone who is on the fence about this trip to just do it - take the leap, step out of your comfort zone, find yourself, whatever it is. I did, & it was the best decision I have ever made.

My trip with GIVE to Tanzania was absolutely life-changing and I highly recommend this amazing experience! Throughout the whole trip, I felt safe and comfortable. There were never any problems with transportation, meals, or accomadations. Everyone from the communities in Kairo and Arusha, both the local and non-local guides, as well as the other volunteers were extremely supportive, motivating, and kind. Arriving in Kairo, I felt so welcomed by all the smiling faces and greetings from the locals. We had excellent accommodations and superb meals. I loved waking up to the extraordinary view of the beach and ocean every morning and watching beautiful sunrises. At night, I was surprised by how many stars I could see. On the beach, in the village, and at school, we were greeted by the most adorable kids who always had a smile or hug for us that always brightened our day. The students, of all ages, were so intelligent and eager to learn. I had never done construction before this, but I am very glad that I pushed myself to do so. Construction included lots of cement, sweat, and hard work as well as so much fun, motivation, music, and great talks while working. Both the education and construction projects were so rewarding and you could really see change being made. Everyday I spent with GIVE assured me more and more that I made the right decision to travel with this amazing organization. GIVE is very environmentally friendly, culturally aware, and the communities we volunteered in were so thrilled to have us there. There were also a couple adventure days which included swimming with wild dolphins, snorkeling over a coral reef, and a safari. These experiences were also spectacular. We were able to see such beautiful animals and environments while supporting good groups who instead of poaching the animals for profit, are able to make local businesses by showing others the beauty of these animals. I cannot recommend GIVE enough: you make lifelong friends, learn about different cultures, push yourself and prove to yourself what you are capable of by stepping outside of your comfort zone, and come back a better person, ready to share the knowledge and stories you've gained and keep making an impact.

GIVE Tanzania was the best two weeks of my life. I learned more than I could have ever imagined about the culture, other people, and myself. It was truly life-changing. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for an experience that will change them for the better. It is weeks full of adventure, friendship, joy, learning, laughter, volunteering, and making connections with people that will last a lifetime. You will leave with a feeling you've never felt, and a feeling that will never leave. The locals in Kairo made me feel so welcome in their village and the connections I formed with them will forever be treasured. If you are considering going on this trip, please do it! You will have the absolute time of your life. Get ready to leave your comfort zone, and never want to return to it. You will grow so much. I will forever be grateful for this trip.

The GIVE Tanzania program was hands down the best experience of my life. From the moment we landed in Dar es Salaam, the entire GIVE staff was incredibly welcoming and made every volunteer feel at home half-way across the world. The program itself was extremely organized and provided the opportunity for volunteers to teach English and work on infrastructure on the amazing island of Zanzibar. It is very apparent GIVE has taken strides to build lasting connections in the village we stayed in. In addition, volunteers had the opportunity to swim with dolphins, sail in the Indian Ocean, embark on a two-day safari, and climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. I would recommend GIVE to anyone who is looking to expand their world view and make a lasting difference. Thank you to John and the rest of the GIVE staff!

Namaste fellow travelers! My knowledge about Nepal prior to my trip with GIVE, I knew just short of nothing. I knew Mt. Everest was there and jumped at the chance to take on the challenge of a 13 day trek to base camp. However, there is much more to Nepal than Mt. Everest. There is adventure at every bend in the mountain compounded with rich culture and plenty of dhal bhat.

My experience with GIVE is simple: their regional coordinators (cross your fingers for Amy) administered all the transportation to and fro the work site, provided a place to stay, and food to eat, and did an amazing job making sure we had everything we needed, however, Nepal did the rest. It was the diverse landscapes that blew me away, it was the religious tolerance, the beautiful ancient architecture, but most importantly, it was the people-- the people who welcomed us into their homes with open arms, who always greeted us with gratitude and couldn't have been more thankful for all of our shared desires to serve their community.

You WILL NOT be disappointed with this trip, it has truly impacted me in more ways than I can even grasp. I would do it over again and again. Hell, I probably will. Happy traveling!