GVI: Sports Volunteering

I've want to go travelling for a good few years now and decided to start my travelling with a month volunteering in Kerala with GVI. I couldn't have made a better decision. The first day I got into India before meeting GVI I was pretty worried I'd made a mistake. I was on my own, knew no one and was completely overwhelmed by the noise, hustle and bustle and general madness all around me that was day to day Indian life!
The next day GVI took me under their wing and over the next month I completely fell in love with India and Fort Kochi, where I was volunteering, in particular. The whole experience gave me a completely different view on Indian life and culture that I wouldn't have been able to experience any other way. You get to know the locals and interact with them as if you've lived there all your life, and they genuinely except you as if you have, once you get over the language barrier!
Getting to watch the different schools football skills progress and their fitness and stamina improve week by week was a real privilege also, as well as watching the vulnerable adults become more and more willing to get involved with activities and I was extremely sad to have to say goodbye to the program. I wish I had a booked on for far longer! All in all by the time I left the program I felt I had grown as a person, become more confident in myself, helped to give back to a community that had immediately accepted and been nothing but kind to me my entire stay and was ready and extraordinarily excited to explore, see, hear and experience as much of India as I could on the rest of my trip.

This was my first ever volunteer trip and it was honestly amazing! The staff was so helpful in every way. If you needed anything at all you could ask them and they would help no judgements. They were able to give us information on local things as well. They recommended markets, restaurants and places that we should go see. We were able to see what it would be like to live in the townships. Our accommodations were in a secure compound so there was never any concern of safety.
Not only was everything organized well but the actual experience was outstanding. Working with the children in the school was life changing and leaving was really hard. The children were so friendly and would always come up and give us high-fives or hugs even if they didn’t know us. When we went into the classes you could see the happiness in their faces. If I could have stayed longer I would’ve. Highly recommend.

I had an amazing time on GVIs under 18s sports programme in Gordon's Bay (2018), the kids were great the work with and our group of volunteers was amazing. It was great to get to know people who live in different places. The project taught me lots of new sports skills which I can bring home and use as regular groups as well as teaching me a lot more self confidence and I learnt skills to travel solo. I had such an amazing time, thank you to everyone at GVI.

I went to South Africa for two weeks with GVI, the programme was amazing! I loved working with the children to teach them different sports and being able to take them surfing was a bonus. Although it was winter so the water was FREEZING! I genuinely had the best time and found the coordinators at GVI so supportive! I met amazing people who I still keep in touch with months after being back, I love hearing about how the children in the school are doing by face timing the coordinators that are still out there! GVI has been such a great organisation to volunteer with i'm already planning my next adventure! If you're thinking about travelling or volunteering go for it, GVI will support you :)

I was after a new adventure for 2013 and so I decided to give Volunteering a go - I researched several programs online and GVI continued to tick all the boxes, plus they were also very informative and responded quickly to my questions or concerns.

Arriving in Costa Rica we were met at the airport by Group Leaders and were taken care of right from the get go, a week of culture and logistic training prepared us for what was ahead. The realization was completely different, however I was here for a challenge.

A typical day . . .

Up early you are either assisting with breakfast, or still asleep whilst cleaning up after breakfast. The house, chores and meals are shared by everyone. And everyone has to give it a go, no matter how terrible a cook you are!

Then it's off to the bus, a short ride and then onto the Boat (dingy) to El Cocal. An illegal immigrant town literally resting on a sand bar. As you would imagine being near the water it's a fishing town. One of our tasks within Cocal is to try and get children, especially the boys to stay in school so that they may be educated enough to work in a profession, like the service industry.

After being greeted by several of the children at the dock, and wondering why most of them are not in school today . . . We arrive at the Child Care centre, a place for kids to come hang out, sports, do art work, get help with any homework. It's also a place where we are trying to teach adult english to those that are willing.

The days are a mix of playing, educating, conflict resolution and many funny moments, especially when you are standing in a class room try to teach maths in a room full of children whom only speak Spanish. . .

We finish school at about 1.30pm and then the rest of the day is yours!

Highlights - For me it was the end of year cultural celebrations, there are so many to be involved in, Guanacasta Day, Costa Rica's Independance Day, etc, etc and I loved helping the kids decorate, dress up and be involved these celebrations!

Definitely a wonderful experience that I would recommend to anyone!

Being in the South Africa Sports Program was an amazing experience. I fell in love with the people, the staff, the project, and the kids. Weekend outings were so much fun but I got the most enjoyment out of working with the kids. I had three little buddies that I made and got to work with the during the week. It was a blast to see the kids grow and get ready for the track & field tournament that we prepared them for. Staff was awesome. Our safety always came first but they wanted us to have fun and experience the lifestyle and cultural differences that South Africa had to offer as well. I was so lucky to with a wonderful group of volunteer and more coordinator was such a fun-loving, personal, and outgoing person. I made great friends, learned many lessons, enjoyed my travels, and made memories that I will never forget.

Teaching sports & surfing to children in a Township Primary School in South Africa was incredible! I spent 10 weeks supporting this project, and from start to finish had nothing but amazing and rewarding experiences!

Each class greets you with cheers and smiles, as they become so enthusiastic and excited at the prospect of learning sports and having fun! The kids here are the most beautifully natured kids you could ever wish to meet, and supporting them is an easy task!

Loved it, cant wait to go back!