Overall a good experience

Overall, I had a great experience. The staff was very supportive and responsive, and the placement I was at helped me have a meaningful experience. Our host family was very accommodating and generous. However, I would like to have more organized outings for volunteers, as well as some information as to how our work was contributing to an overall goal. I would have also appreciated some accountability system for volunteers. I observed that some volunteers would spend just one or two hours at their placement. I felt that this could damage the image of IVHQ, and that it was a bit dishonest on the part of other volunteers to be coming for a volunteer program, but not staying true to their commitment. I understand that volunteers are mostly accountable for their own actions, but it made me somewhat question the long term impact of the IVHQ volunteer programs if there is little oversight or communication with the in country non-profit organizations as to how volunteers are contributing to the placements. I really did appreciate that we could call the staff there at any time, and they took the time to check in with us. I would encourage IVHQ to do that even more, in order to provide an even more supportive environment for volunteers.