I recently had the opportunity to participate in the International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) volunteer program, spending a week in one of their placements. Overall, it was an eye-opening experience, and I’m glad I took part in it. While there were a few aspects that left me with some questions, the positive aspects of the experience, especially the local team, stood out to me and made the trip memorable.

First, let me start with the things that really impressed me. The local team was absolutely fantastic. They were welcoming, supportive, and deeply passionate about the work they were doing. It was clear that they were committed to making a difference in the community, and their enthusiasm was contagious. Whether we were working at the school or engaging with the local people, the staff were always there to guide and ensure that we were having the most meaningful experience possible. I truly felt that I was contributing to something bigger than myself, and I could see how much the locals appreciated the help.

Additionally, I learned a great deal during my time with IVHQ. From the daily interactions with the local staff to the skills I developed working at the school, it was a valuable educational experience. I was able to learn about the local culture, the challenges the community faces, and the different ways that volunteers can make a meaningful impact. The program also gave me a unique perspective on development work and the role that foreign volunteers can play in assisting, rather than overshadowing, local initiatives.

However, as much as I enjoyed the experience, there were a few concerns that stayed with me after I left. The most prominent was the cost. While I understand that volunteer programs often require funding to operate, I couldn’t help but wonder if the money I was paying was going directly towards the school or the local community I was working with. It seemed like a considerable amount of money for just one week, and I wasn’t entirely clear on how the funds were being allocated. I would have liked more transparency about how my contribution was being used, especially since the program was marketed as a way to support local projects.

In fairness, IVHQ does provide a lot of logistics, such as accommodation, meals, and support throughout the program, which made it easier for me as a volunteer to focus on the work itself. The local staff were also top-notch, making sure everything ran smoothly and making us feel welcome from day one. But, given the cost, I would have appreciated more direct reassurance that the funds were going to support the community we were there to help.

Despite the financial concerns, I would still say that my time with IVHQ was a rewarding experience. The opportunity to volunteer in a different country, meet new people, and contribute to a meaningful cause was incredibly valuable. The program allowed me to gain a new perspective on both volunteerism and international development, and it definitely inspired me to think more critically about the ways we support and empower local communities.

In conclusion, while IVHQ’s volunteer program offers an excellent learning experience, it's worth considering the costs and the transparency regarding where your money goes. The local team was amazing, and the experience itself was enriching, but a little more clarity around financial aspects would help make this program even better.

At its activity center in Tigman, IVHQ partners with The Green Lion, another non-profit NGO that focuses on travel-based volunteering. The partnership proved to be highly effective. Based on information supplied by The Green Lion, IVHQ’s website provided a wealth of information about volunteer opportunities in Palawan. It accurately described the kind of service volunteers could opt to provide; it gave a clear picture of housing and transportation features we would encounter, and it offered a glimpse of activities of interest to visitors, things to do and places to see during our off-duty weekends.

During my two-week visit the volunteers were engaged in medical support, environmental protection, teaching and daycare services, and – in my case – construction services.

For me, that meant working with Rodel, a seasoned landscaper and builder who taught me how to mix cement, sand, gravel, and water to make concrete used to build a section of an “eco wall” – a wall made with bricks that were 1-liter plastic bottles packed tight with waste plastic and junk food wrapper trash. Over the past three years volunteers have erected a six-foot perimeter wall surrounding a daycare center, painting the bottles in bright primary colors while creating a safe space for the children and staff at the center.

My takeaway points: The Green Lion excels at creating a safe and fulfilling environment for its volunteers. There were maybe 20 volunteers when I arrived, and several of them described their experiences (these were volunteers who were scheduled to depart later that week). I heard repeated testimonials describing the positive impact their service had on their lives. They described the friendships they made with Green Lion staff members. They described the feeling that within their cohort of volunteers, they formed true and deep friendships and expressed the respect they felt towards The Green Lion and IVHQ. I was truly blown away by the empathy these young men and women expressed, for their colleagues, for members of the staff, and for the villagers they served. If you want a meaningful experience helping those in need, this place and this experience more than meets the need.
Some tips, based on my own experience: don’t forget shampoo, bar soap, bug spray, and sunblock. If you want to spice up your bottled water, bring powdered electrolytes. Bring some liquid Benadryl.

Don’t expect to have access to alcohol – it’s strictly forbidden on site (but there’s a bar a ten-minute walk from the activity center). Don’t expect hot water showers (from personal experience, by the second day I didn’t miss heat; I just wanted to get the concrete dust out of my hair).

Accept that when being transported locally you’ll be riding shotgun to a motorcycle tricycle – no seat belts. Plan activities for your weekends. Go somewhere, do something, meet people and enjoy their company. If time permits, take the cultural course offered by The Green Lion before diving into your chosen volunteer activity. I did so and learned how to carve out a coconut bowl and turn it into a planter, how to weave nipa leaves for use as a roof thatch, how to cook spring rolls, how to count to 100 in Tagalog, and what a local massage therapist can do for the aches in your back.

And finally, if there’s more than 30 years between you and most of the volunteers, be respectful and understand that their lives are a lot more interesting and fun than yours, but that they’re very nice people anyway. And it helps if you appreciate Taylor Swift.

The local team was amazing and went above and beyond to cater to everybody’s needs to make us comfortable in Palawan. The work was impactful and on weekends we had the chance to go and explore the beautiful island with new friends that we had made. Make sure to get all your vaccinations before coming and appropriate clothes for your jobs, for example I was working mangroves and footwear is very important in this job as it’s very muddy and you can injure your feet without proper footwear. Overall amazing experience and go for it and make sure to try everything

This week I've been able to experience activities that I would have never thought of every having the fortune to participate in. From collecting and planting seeds in the muddy mangroves to playing and teaching the local elementary school children, the IVHQ program has offered me once in a lifetime experiences. The people I've met on this trip have also been amazing in their own unique ways. I've learnt so much not just about the Philippines where the program was held, but also about the other countries where the other volunteers came from. The program has really opened my eyes and shown me how much there is to explore within the world and I'd highly recommend it to anyone else hesitant to join.

Volunteering through IVHQ in the Philippines was one of the most rewarding and eye-opening experiences I’ve ever had. I joined the healthcare project and spent my time supporting local clinics and learning firsthand about the challenges and strengths of the Philippine healthcare system. From day one, I felt welcomed, safe, and supported — both by the IVHQ team and the amazing local staff on the ground.

One of the most impactful parts of the program was how involved and attentive the local team in the Philippines was. They made sure we had everything we needed, checked in regularly, and were always available for questions or concerns. Their dedication to both the volunteers and the local communities made the entire experience more meaningful and effective.

During the placement, I worked alongside local healthcare professionals and had the chance to assist with basic medical tasks, help with health education, and observe procedures. The staff were incredibly generous with their knowledge and always encouraged us to learn and participate. I also gained a deeper appreciation for the resilience and resourcefulness of the medical teams working in sometimes limited conditions.

Beyond the work itself, the people I met — both locals and fellow volunteers — made the experience unforgettable. Also the living arrangements and meals were really nice.

I highly recommend the IVHQ Philippines healthcare program to anyone looking to make a difference while gaining valuable insight into global healthcare. You’ll give a lot — but you’ll receive even more in return.

Sometimes the biggest reward comes with stepping out of your comfort zone. Although this is true with most big adventures IVHQ made the process so much easier and the outcome was totally amazing. I'm so looking forward to doing it again, I'm already checking my calendar to see what fits. The school where I taught was great and the kids were the BEST. The local team was there whenever you needed them and were very well organized. The location was beautiful and the sunrise beach walks were breathtaking. We had some wonderful nighttime activities and the friendships will always be remembered.

I’ve done 7 volunteer trips, 2 with IVHQ now and this experience was one of the best ever. And for so many reasons.

First of all, it’s the Philippines, one of the most beautiful island nations in the world The village, Tigman is on Palawan island, a quick hop from Manila, with all the pristine beaches we’ve all seen pictures of, but need to see firs hand.

The work itself, I did construction and renovation, was incredibly rewarding. We were building a brick wall near the school to keep little ones away from the ocean, and each day we could see the progress we made. Other volunteers were teaching at the village school or doing mangrove conservation and each evening we would all compare notes on what we accomplished.

The Local Team was the best I’ve experienced to date. Incredibly warm, inviting, appreciative of our contributions and genuinely lovely people trying to make a difference in their own country. They looked out for us, took our feedback with grace and made adjustment on the fly if volunteers wanted to get a taste of the other programs as well.

Finally, the other volunteers made it so fun! Ozzies, Brits, French, German, Israeli, American and Canadian (myself). Every night we would play games, go to the pub and were constantly laughing. Lifelong friends were made on this trip. (I’m Canadian so I appreciated the heat in January when it’s 25 at home!)

As is often the case, a bunch of us went to see what Palawan has to offer on the weekend and the Local Team hooked u up with affordable transportation to the beautiful Puerto Princesa and El Nido – scuba diving, snorkeling, island hopping …

I was hesitant at the start, pondering about all the negative things that could possibly happen on this trip. Especially when it was my first time ever traveling overseas and being 20+ hours away from home, and being on an island without knowing anyone. But I decided to go along with it despite the fear of the unknown, and will say that I’m glad I did. I did two weeks in the Philippines doing healthcare and the staff were wonderful and very attentive from the start at pickup at the airport till the end of my departure. They were always doing there best to exceed expectations and meet everyone’s needs to ensure everyone was comfortable and felt welcomed. The people who I have the privilege to be around with during my volunteering were definitely the greatest people that made this trip ten-times worthwhile! I will never forget the great experiences that came with volunteering at the Philippines.