Northern Laos: Wildlife Conservation, Permaculture, & Meditation Practice with Monks

Absolutely amazing!! You get to stay in the community and immerse in their culture, while helping them and making great connections and friendships with the locals.

This trip is an experience of a lifetime. Anyone wanting to make a positive difference abroad should definitely think about going with GIVE. The difference that GIVE makes within communities all around the world and sop chem, Laos is absolutely phenomenal. The relationship that the guides have with the locals and how involved the locals are with all of the volunteer work that takes place is amazing. This trip is so rewarding but also does so much good. You really learn a lot about the country you are in and past and current issues that they are facing. This trip opened up my eyes and taught me so much about a country I didn’t even know existed before my trip. I will be forever grateful to GIVE and the opportunities that they gave me.

I was having a hard year when i signed up for the Laos trip with Give. I didn’t know how this would end but it’s now something i will be grateful forever. These two weeks will give you more then anything you can do on your own. I got there alone and in tears filled with anxiety but these guides and people made it so feel okay. I grew as a person and as a global citizen. At the same time I got to see al of what Laos has to offer in such a unique and beautiful way. I’m already planing on going on another trip with Give:)

This was the absolute most wonderful and impactful experience of my life. Give does such an amazing job of bringing us out of our comfort zone in effort to greater understand lives/culture on the other side of our extraordinary planet. I do not think I would be the same person that I am today if it weren’t for the Give volunteers organization. I have such a greater understanding of how spectacular it is to truly immerse yourself within a culture. To see with your very eyes and learn and experience it with them.
I will remember the community of Sop Chem in Laos forever, everything that I learned there I still carry with me to this day. Our guides Brandon and Jess were absolutely spectacular as well, such genuine and sincere people. They poured so much love and energy into our group, it was such a privilege to be in their presence.
I would most definitely recommend this tour to someone who is considering it, they will not regret it. They’ll be changed forever!

There’s so much I can say about my time in Laos. Everything about it was incredible and I will hold that time with me forever. From the villagers, adventures, and overall group experience was amazing. Everything you do is difficult but with the support of your group and guides you feel like you can conquer the world. Definitely would recommend taking this leap of faith. Even the more challenging times I can now look back on with pride because i Was able to overcome and accomplish it all! Your gonna love it!!

My experience was unique in that- I have never taught English before! I have always wanted to do it but never had a chance. I also enjoyed staying at the same volunteer permaculture plot for a week. I feel that with the GIVE Hawaii program, I did not get a chance to see any improvement. With GIVE Laos, we all saw how different the perm plot looked at the end of the week. I also was able to learn more about Buddhist and Monks. I live in TN and don’t get that opportunity a lot. I really enjoyed spending my time with them and learning their culture.

Laos, the “hidden gem of the world”, is truly one of the most beautiful countries I have ever traveled to. I’m so grateful for GIVE Volunteers for giving me the chance to be embraced by such a beautiful culture, with even more beautiful humans. From caving and hiking adventures, to English education projects and learning about permaculture, every single moment here is worthwhile. It is hard to put into words how special this country is. The locals are truly some of the most genuine humans I’ve ever been lucky enough to cross paths with and it’s amazing to see that despite our language barriers, we were able to connect on such a human level. Celebrating our journey at the end of the trip with a Baci ceremony was so special and something I’ll never forget and always take with me. A huge heartfelt thank you to GIVE Volunteers, and all of our incredible GIVE guides (special shout-out to Jess for being one of the most amazing guides ever!). I was a bit hesitant on taking the leap of faith and traveling so far from home, but stepping out of my comfort zone and coming to Laos was hands down one of the best decisions of my life!

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.