Affordable Community Development Volunteer Projects with IVHQ

This was my first time volunteering and I loved it. I had originally signed up to do six weeks of temple renovation, however ended up doing something different every week! They are very flexible as to what projects you work on so long as you spend your time productively.
All the projects I worked on were overseen by friendly local coordinators, who are more than happy to help out and translate if needs be. The local people are also very friendly and are so happy to have you helping them.
Sri Lanka as a place is stunning- The views and scenery is unreal. There is loads of great day trips to do at the weekends in your spare time. I would highly recommend Adams Peak if you like to hike! Do keep in mind though, drinking is not huge in Sri Lankan culture, so if you're wanting to come for three weeks of hardcore partying every night- This is maybe not the place for you. That said, we did have a couple 'drinkey' nights on occasion.
The accommodation is by no way five star, however it was what I was expecting whilst volunteering. The other volunteers who were also there we so friendly and helpful which gives the who house a family feel to it. The food was great, staff were great- I really can't fault it!

On September 7, I flew over 9,000 miles away from home to volunteer in Sri Lanka for 5 weeks. My program started through IVHQ who set me up with the local volunteer organization called the Green Lion. The Green Lion has been wonderful. They have multiple volunteer placements to choose from and are totally supportive of all your needs. The coordinators are wonderful and kind and the accommodation was lovely. I was lucky and during my 5 weeks here I was able to participate in multiple projects. I have done the turtle conservation project for 2 weeks, spent another week working at both a disabled and a girls' orphanage. And my last week teaching monks English. Every single program was headed by amazing people who really appreciate all the work you do and they really care about how you are doing. I could type for pages and not properly word what a wonderful and life changing experience I have had here. I could not recommend The Green Lion high enough.

I joined the 1-week experience program in Rio. I thought it was great and would recommend it to anyone who's considering volunteering abroad but is not sure what to expect. My program was quite intense and the days were quite busy. It included visiting the different Rio projects - Vasco, Santa Marta, Sao Guero, etc. Seeing how those projects impacted the communities they serve was very moving. We had the chance to meet other volunteers and get to know the locals a bit. We also had a chance to sigh-see and find our way around Santa Teresa, Centro, the beaches and major attractions.

The community members were very welcoming, Sylvie held a picnic for one of the departing volunteers, and Ze Luiz took us to a Flamengo game at the Maracana. I can't express my gratitude for such welcoming and kind people. I thought Rio was a beautiful city with many exciting things happening, but it was the people that made it a place you want to go back to again and again.

The volunteers were a group of good-hearted and hard working people who cared for each other and for the projects they were part of.

My only regret is not doing a longer project and contributing more fully to a local community and helping them achieve something long-lasting.

Special thanks to the staff, they were amazing (Zac, Monique, Vivi), thank you for making this a memorable experience.

IVHQ's partnership with Tanzania Volunteer Experience (TVE) combines an internationally successful volunteer program with a local agency that allows volunteers to immerse themselves in Tanzanian culture, impact local medical agencies, schools, or orphanages, and meet other volunteers in the process. I loved TVE's connections with local tourism agencies, making it easy to plan weekend excursions such as safaris, trips to Moshi (to visit the base of Kilimanjaro, a coffee plantation, a waterfall, and hot springs) or even a trip to Zanzibar! Lodging with TVE at Simba House (one of two volunteer houses) allowed me to interact with locals every day, including our house manager and program directors, to try local foods at each meal, and to make friends that will last a lifetime. Volunteering with TVE ensures that one can experience Tanzania without feeling like a tourist - volunteers have the opportunity to immerse themselves as much or as little as desired. Volunteers have the opportunity to take a lot of responsibility at placements, and during my time teaching English, these responsibilities including planning lessons, refurbishing the school by painting a mural, interacting with staff, and of course, teaching and playing with the students! I would highly recommend this program to anyone with a specific interest in Tanzania, or to someone who wants to visit Africa but doesn't know where to begin. Tanzania has SO much to offer, and volunteering with TVE allows you to experience as much of the wonders of this country as possible.