Program Reviews

Volunteering in Fiji was truly a life-changing experience. It was so fulfilling to interact and connect with the youth in the villages and schools. I enjoyed teaching the children how to wash their hands and brush their teeth in the schools. The kids were so eager to learn and they couldn't stop smiling and hugging myself and the other volunteers. It was touching to see how happy the people of Fiji are, even though they do not have a lot of money, the community is super tight and connected.

The local team was extremely welcoming and friendly. It was very easy to contact them if you needed anything. Transportation always arrived on time. The food was delicious and included some traditional Fijian cuisine. The accommodation was close to nearby hotels, restaurants, shopping and beaches!

For part of my trip I was able to enter the sports program since the hours didn't conflict with health education. It would have been nice to do both for the entire trip. So maybe during registration, it could offer to add programs at your specific site.

Volunteering in Fiji was truly a life-changing experience. It was so fulfilling to interact and connect with the youth in the villages and schools. I enjoyed teaching the children how to wash their hands and brush their teeth in the schools. The kids were so eager to learn and they couldn't stop smiling and hugging myself and the other volunteers. It was touching to see how happy the people of Fiji are, even though they do not have a lot of money, the community is super tight and connected.

The local team was extremely welcoming and friendly. It was very easy to contact them if you needed anything. Transportation always arrived on time. The food was delicious and included some traditional Fijian cuisine. The accommodation was close to nearby hotels, restaurants, shopping and beaches!

For part of my trip I was able to enter the sports program since the hours didn't conflict with health education. It would have been nice to do both for the entire trip. So maybe during registration, it could offer to add programs at your specific site.

In Indonesia for the Turtle Conservation Project.... Volunteering was the best experience of my life ! The turtles are so cute and it was very fulfilling to take care of them.

I met loads of amazing people, visited places that looked absolutely out of this world, and gained lots of independence. I feel as though this experience has changed me as a person, I’ve learnt a lot.

The coordinators are amazing: they’re easygoing, funny, dedicated and always there to make you smile.

The food and the accommodation was excellent.

My Fiji volunteering trip was the most incredible experience of my life. It sounds overdramatic to describe it like this but the combination of the people and the program was amazing. I met beautiful people and shared the best experiences - we've already planned trips to see each other after the program!

About the team and volunteer house...The local team in Fiiji were beautiful people. They made sure we were comfortable and well fed. The accommodation was kept clean and tidy. A plumbing issue was dealt with quickly.

I can’t express enough how much Meki, Tima and Paulina took care of me. They would even fan me when I was eating and if I was lying on the front deck (anywhere I was actually if they thought it was needed😆) I’ve never been fanned before😆

Sitting up the head of the table being fanned and continually fed was definitely a new experience! I felt like Queen Joey😆
They also prepared me the most beautiful bedroom.

I have arranged to visit Meki and his beautiful family again in October. Also a lovely lady Karalaini from the one of the hotels I stayed in has asked me to her parents village while I’m there. I’m very excited to be seeing everyone! I’ll also get to see the ladies at the women’s commune as Karalaini’s Grandma lives there.

This is Karalaini I met at a hotel I stayed in. She is the lady taking me to her village. There’s always a positive if I hadn’t stayed in hotels at times I wouldn’t of met her:) I truly had the best time thank you.

I just absolutely love volunteering☀️ Thank you also for always getting back to me Lauren explaining everything to me and helping me every step of the way,

x Jo

I made it through games and exercises. The children were very friendly and respectful. They immediately considered me as their teacher. They knew very little English but all I had to do was smile and use gestures. For any help I could asked to the teacher who knew English.
One week the school was closed for a celebration so I cleaned a beach and I started a new activity to renovate a school.
I also participated at a celebration and it was very interesting!
It was a really good experience that I suggest for everyone!

Review of the Nutrition & Health Education, Ubud. It was a very beautiful experience, short but intense! I had the opportunity to get involved first hand, I prepare lessons for the children and explain the topics to them in a simple and playful way. At the end of the week they were very happy and happy that they had learned new things! It was very stimulating and I was sorry I only did it for a week.

The facility I stayed in was quite comfortable and welcoming, the food was good and the local staff was quite present.

My time volunteering on the remote island teaching program in Fiji with Involvement Volunteers International....

It was such a beautiful experience. everybody on the island is so accommodating and welcomes you with open arms, it is difficult however to adjust to the different routines but so worth it!

Comments on local team, food and accommodation: Again, so accomodating, felt so supported the entire trip, always providing what was needed.

The Madagascar trip was brilliant. At the school the children were really engaged learners. I found the most important thing on this trip was taking many more picture books. I hadn't done that enough on the other trips, so I made a bigger effort to this time, and it worked out well.

So after English spelling and sight words etc, we read a picture book each day. I read the page in English, then Gabriel, one of the workers, would explain the page in Malagasy/French. It was excellent being able to expose the students to the artwork (the pictures) in the books. They mostly do chalk board exercises for their lessons. In all the schools I have taught at now I have noticed the difficulty with imaginative tasks (creativity), and drawing. There is a really high number of students unsure/shocked when I say 'good sentence, now draw a picture to go with it'. So my idea with the picture books was to expose them to the art.

The main activities in this project was to feed and clean the turtles and their tanks. I was very happy that we could work with the turtles every day! But that was not all, other activities included beach cleaning and, my favourite, crab catching, which was very fun.
Yet, we had a lot of free time tour, where we could explore the island. The coordinators were very friendly and helpful, they helped us to get taxis or snorkelling tours on the island. They were also very fun people, with which we played football and enjoyed music at the bonfire.
Also all the other staff was very friendly, the food was good aswell, with a mix of western and local dishes.