In June 2023 I did a volunteering in Tanzania with IVHQ, I had the opportunity to work in a women's empowerment project and everything was what I had asked for. I will never forget such impacting experience, even though I had only one week, it was enough for me to know I want to keep working on this type of project and if I ever decide to do another volunteer, I will choose IVHQ to be my agency. Their support is amazing before, during and after the program. I felt very safe and the local team was equally great.

IVHQ partnered with THE in Arusha, Tanzania and both organizations work with amazing staff members. The staff in Arusha were the friendliest people ever and did everything from cooking delicious meals to cleaning the house. From navigating around the town to booking weekend activities like visiting the Maasai tribe, and even the weekly Thursday hangouts across all the volunteer houses, my experience in Tanzania was beyond my expectations. Even my volunteering placement with a childcare school was the best ever! My highlights of this program were meeting Tanzanians and learning Swahili…it’s truly the best experience and I cannot recommend it more. IVHQ and THE are amazing organizations and I will definitely be going back to Arusha, Tanzania soon!

I am happy that I made the choice of having this life changing experience with IVHQ. They showed me constant support, making sure that not only I have made all the necessary preparations but also acknowledging that it can be a time full of anxiety and fear of unknown, so I didn't feel alone in my experience. I felt comfortable expressing any concerns as I knew the team will be there to make the experience as smooth as possible. I am looking forward to my next trip, of course through IVHQ and I really like the fact that they have a variety of programs and locations.

Volunteering with IVHQ was the best decision I could have ever done! Everyone was so welcoming and amazing to be with. You will definitely not regret making incredible memories with incredible people. Everyone taught me so many things and volunteering in childcare was amazing. You create bonds indescribable with your director and of course the kids. No need to worry about how you will be taken care of, because everyone truly cares and will do everything in their power to make sure you are safe. Overall an amazing experience and would totally recommend it.

It’s my first time volunteering under IVHQ and i can say that it was the best memorable experience i’ve ever had with the crews and the rest of the volunteers from different parts of the world. As a Singaporean like me, not all in my country may know IVHQ as it is more well known in western parts of the countries.

But i can highly recommend that IVHQ is one of the best to volunteer with unforgettable experiences! Can’t wait to join in other parts of activities!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with IVHQ in Tanzania. Before my trip i had the chance to get in touch with my programme coordinator and the local team and they were all very helpful and helped me not stress about my trip. During the duration of my trip i had constant support and through the volunteer social nights i managed to make plenty of new friends. I volunteered at a primary school and my experience there was out of words; the kids were amazing and excited to learn new things and the teachers were very cooperative. I also had the chance to do a lot of great activities, as a safari, spend a day with the local tribe and other mini trips that definitely made my stay in Tanzania even better. I would definitely volunteer again with IVHQ.

I had a great experience with International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ). I volunteered to work in Tanzania, Africa. I volunteered for construction and Renovation. I was a little nervous about traveling so far and at my age (63), I wasn’t sure if volunteering to do construction work was the right choice. Well, it was. I was assigned a school to work in where my co-worker from Scotland and I were trained by the local construction manager to apply plaster to the walls of a structure which would eventually be a kitchen. My co-worker (friend) and I worked well together for several days. During the course of my placement there, I decided to buy school supplies for the headmaster (principal) of the school. I also bought the school soccer balls for the children to play. Both gifts were surprises and the headmaster was very glad. What made the experience great was seeing the faces of the children every day eager to learn and their joy in receiving the soccer balls. I think I made friends for life among the teaching staff and I hope the work I did there showed them my appreciation for being allowed to spend time with them. I think IVHQ did a great job preparing me for the experience and providing me adequate information on location, transportation, conditions in the area and other things to allow me to be successful. I was very satisfied with my experience.

IVHQ made the process of volunteering in a foreign country easy, stress free, and therefore enjoyable! The information provided prior to my travel was incredibly thorough, Nothing was left to wonder about. IVHQ has the on-line portal and checklist that made it seamless to share travel information and documentation. The portal also made it easy to know that I had completed all tasks related to ensuring I had a great experience. And the reminders! Reminders come from the portal so nothing is forgotten. Nothing is left to chance. Staff is also available to answer any questions to put your mind at ease. I also received email from staff two weeks and then one week before I started with further information I would need as I cleared customs and where to go to meet the staff picking me up! Friends thought I was crazy to travel alone to Tanzania, but I was truly never alone. IVHQ was with me the whole time!
Volunteering in a primary school was eye opening. As a retired educator and administrator, I was awestruck by the dedication and commitment of teachers in Arusha...they had no resources with which to teach except chalk and a blackboard. It was difficult to fathom the challenges they faced when we have so much at our fingertips. But kids are kids no matter where they live! The students in my classes were fun, fun-loving, and happy...they worked hard and had the same silly behaviors of my own students. It was so hard to leave them, Arusha, and Tanzania. I will be back!