Would highly recommend IVHQ

This was my first international volunteer project. I could see IVHQ had enough media presence for me to be confident it was legitimate.

IVHQ always answered my queries promptly and prior to departure I was given an info pack with lots of useful learnings. Upon arrival, there was an orientation where the volunteers from different projects met and we had cultural awareness sessions, got our homestay locations and a briefing of what's expected etc.

I stayed with a local family in a homestay which was a great experience as it immersed me fully into Nepalese culture, their food, values and was able to join in with their way of life. It was really eye opening to notice what we take for granted - things like washing machines, AC and even strong carrier bags!

The project itself comprised of women aged 16-60 and the teaching takes place on the roof of a ladies house as unfortunately they dont have a school. The women are so eager to learn and desperately need materials and support. There is no curriculum so you plan the lessons yourself based upon your assessment of the group and we were able to cover maths, english, using a calculator, dancing (just for fun!), singing and understand the challenges faced by the women with lack of domestic abuse support and period poverty.

It really has been an emotionally awakening experience and I would fully recommend anyone who is debating, to go ahead and just do it!

I would recommend you plan some sessions ahead of time and materials wise bring basic english language books etc where you make photocopies of pages for the women to take home. There is a whiteboard but thats all they have.

I was a solo female traveller and I felt safe on this project too.