Make a REAL difference in Albania with Love Volunteers!

I have decided to participate in my first international volunteering project and I could not have hoped for a better start than the one I was provided by Love Volunteers organization. I took part in an English teaching project in Albania. Throughout the stay I had a constant support from LV and the project was unbelievably fun and rewarding. Definitely recommend for starting volunteers!

I had a great time overall at Rromani Baxt. Most volunteers arrive later in the summer, so there was only one other volunteer at the time. We shared the volunteer room and got along really well. In the mornings we were working in the kindergarten, helping to maintain order, teach basic English words, and play games with the adorable kids. In the afternoon we hung out with the older kids. The english level is generally very low, but somehow you find a way to communicate without too many mixups. On weekends we explored Tirana or visited nearby cities. There is enough to do outside of volunteering to really stay occupied. The family that runs the centre is lovely, and you will make friends in the neighbourhood. Overall a great experience, and I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in volunteering or learning more about the Roma community.

A fun experience in a fascinating country. Made many friends, including locals, and got so attached to the kids. The staff was so welcoming and great. I was free to do what I wanted on my classes too. Wished to stay for longer!

I was the first volunteer English teacher in a small village in northern Albania. That was challenging, but very rewarding! Living with a host family, I felt part of the community and was able to work with young kids and teenagers at a school. I really had to think on my feet and develop strategies that would work with the kids. This improved my teaching and I also learned so much! My first time in Albania I also learned a lot about the culture & the history of the country. Fun, challenging, rewarding, enriching!

I worked helping in the school for young kids (kindergarten) while parents were at work. I helped to teach basic english to the kids, and with games also, which was fun. The kids are really keen to learn and are great energy but don't have a lot of opportunities to learn, with many not going to school as they grow older.
I lived onsite, the staff were inspiring, making do with what they have got, I have travelled a lot but I had to adjust to living in a poor country.
I think the program is making a good step toward helping the Romani people, as they don't have opportunities, low education, and have been discriminated agianst.. they have a long road ahead, and seems like a lot of work to do which is why education is important!
I chose Love Volunteers after looking at their Facebook pages and contacting people from there who had used them before - which I would recommend anyone with any project. They were easy to contact when I had questions as well as when I was away.
Overall it was really rewarding, be prepared for an emotional roller coaster.

I was really disappointed as I found out that the programm was not going as there were summer holidays and the staff was gone, so it was difficult for me to have any social interactions with the people in that district (I found out on my last 4 days as my project started that it would have been much easier to meet the local people while being on a project) So I was very disapponited and stressed as there was nothing to do and as I needed to look on my own to find sth. occupy myself (like other projects). All in all it was a nice experience but not at all what I expected (as there was no need at all for me at that time)