GVI volunteering - just do it!

As a first time solo traveller, and volunteer in my 40s, I can't say enough about how welcoming and supportive the GVI team were. Having read about the potential negative impact of some so-called 'voluntourism' programmes, it was essential that I found a highly ethical, sustainable, accountable and well-structured organisation. GVI was all of that and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending them to people of all ages - from teens to seniors. From the moment I booked on my programme I was supported with a wealth of information and on arriving in Nepal I was greeted by an amazing team, of staff and fellow volunteers. I won't lie, the teaching I did on the Women's Empowerment Programme, was harder than I expected, mainly due to the frustrations of limited resources in a developing country. But it was the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I have taken away new skills, forever memories and lots of new friends. I am not sure if I alone made a significant difference but I am confident that each of us, together, doing our little bits, is having a collective positive impact on the communities we worked within. Nepal is a beautiful, complicated country and, with GVI, not only did I get to meet some inspiring people (locals and volunteers) but I also got to explore this amazing part of the world when I was not volunteering. If anyone is thinking whether volunteering abroad is for them, I'd say - just do it - and GVI is a good place to start your journey.