Program Reviews

I came to volunteer in the Khawalung monastery in Kathmandu Nepal and it was one of the best experiences I’ve had. The support from the program is amazing, they picked me up from the airport, answered any question and even hosted me for dinner. The monastery is amazing and I would recommend it to anyone who love kids, teaching and interested in Buddhism. You get to experience the day to day life of a monk and teach the kids english, math, science or anything you like. Everyone in the monastery is so nice and willing to help.

With previous preparations, our organization helped us get into contact with our caretaker Mama Alice who was undoubtedly the best person to be with on my trip. She has experience with travelers and the ability to schedule your tour, such as my waterfall and coffee tour, Mount Kilimanjaro ascent, and safari which were amazing. The school we taught was very welcoming yet we struggled with the children. I recommend talking to your caretakers when visiting and seeing what they can book. Overall was an experience that can help you with your resume or just a cultural exchange if you are interested in African life.

I spent 3 weeks in the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle (Sri Lanka) where I stayed one week in each other following departments : general surgery, paediatrics and internal medicine. As a second year medical student it was a great valuable experience for me to be able to follow doctors in the hospital and observe how the healthcare system works overseas. Unfortunately, the language barrier with the local population hindered my ability to communicate with most of the patients and create contact with them but the doctors, nurses and medical students were very helpful and always eager to teach me more. I am especially grateful for the amazing support I had from the local family who took great care of me and hosted me. They were very welcoming and helped me with my volunteering in the hospital but also to plan some visits during my stay in Galle and organise my trip in the rest of Sri Lanka. They really introduced me in their culture and involved me in a lot of family events such as a wedding where I got the amazing chance to be invited. I recommend this experience if you’re looking for an authentic experience and if you are eager to learn more about the healthcare system in developing countries.

Earlier this year (March 2024) I spent a month in Galle on the SW coast of Sri Lanka, a trip organized through Global Crossroad. I wanted to work with children and teaching English was an obvious way to do it.

All my contacts with GC were helpful and friendly and I was provided with plenty of information prior to departure. I was picked up at Colombo airport and taken to the house of Michael Ferreira, the local organiser. The accommodation was spacious and the food (three meals a day prepared by his wife) was excellent. I frequently met his children and grandchildren. We talked, drank tea, played games, watched cricket(!) and I rapidly felt I was part of the family. Michael also has many friends and contacts in Galle, and I was often on the back of his motorbike for shopping or for sorting out official business downtown. This was total immersion in the life of Galle which was exactly what I was looking for.

During the week I helped at a government-aided school for children from very poor families, which was about 20' away by bicycle. I helped with the English class mainly teaching 3rd,4th and 5th grade children (6-9 yo). The resident English teacher, Prarthana, was kind and helpful and the children were a delight to work with: so happy, enthusiastic and respectful despite their clearly difficult home lives. It was a pleasure getting to know them all.

During my stay Michael organized 4-day road trip around the island. There is so much to discover: beautiful landscapes, an incredible diversity of plant and animal life, many historical monuments from the time of the kings over 2000 years ago, sacred sites from the time of Buddha around 500 yrs BC, and the remains of the Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial periods. We also visited a tea plantation, an Ayurveda spice and herb garden, producing a wide variety of natural therapeutics, a turtle hatchery, and an elephant clinic, necessary because in some parts of the island the elephants roam free and sometimes are injured on the roads! I never expected such a rich experience. It was a great trip and I would strongly recommend it to anyone who visits the island.

This was my first experience of voluntary work outside Europe. It was a memorable, and without exaggeration, a life-changing experience. I am definitely planning a similar trip in the future, and I will gladly choose Global Crossroad as a partner for the next project. My thanks to the whole team and especially to Hom, Anjana and of course Michael and his family

My wife and I work from home and the last few summers we have worked from a country in Latin America. In each country, we have looked for something unique for our kids (11 and 13) to do while we work during the day. We were so fortunate to have found this opportunity in Peru.

Our kids spent 2 weeks volunteering in the afternoons at the orphanage. In prior summers, they have done summer camps and/or classes, so we were not sure how they would embrace "volunteering." They loved it. They made bonds with the kids. They practiced Spanish that they were reluctant to practice elsewhere. And (though they don't talk about it much), I think it helped give them a perspective about life that they hadn't received through more curated experiences. My wife and I also went there for a day to experience it ourselves. It had an impact on all of us.

While there we also had a base to explore a gorgeous city--Cusco! We'd absolutely recommend this volunteer experience.

Through Global Crossroads I volunteered as a Physiotherapist at the Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital for 8 weeks. Most of the time was spent in an outpatient setting with a varied caseload. Most of the patients suffered from either stroke, orthopedic injury, or musculoskeletal complaints. There were other unique patient groups such as patients with Bell's palsy. The staff were very welcoming and friendly. Most of the staff and patients could speak some English.

I would recommend volunteering here for Physiotherapists with a few years of experience as there is limited clinical support/supervision, minimal access to patient's notes/medical backgrounds, and a language barrier. Furthermore, the treatment approach and medical devices used in the Physiotherapy Department are "old school" compared to what is taught now. Therefore, it is important to be comfortable to go against the grain so your patients receive evidence-based active treatments.

Regarding visiting Cambodia, I can't speak highly enough of the country. Firstly the people are friendly. It is not uncommon to get invited by strangers to sit down with them and share a cold beer. While Phnom Penh isn't the most liveable city there is a lot of interesting (albeit depressing) history to explore. It is also a good springboard to explore other parts of the country that are truly amazing such as Ankor Wat and the coast.

I can't speak to the accommodation that is offered here to other volunteers as I was lucky enough to have a family friend who put me up.

I have many words to say, but to save our time, I prefer you can directly check my daily life record in my instagram account. @miss.fang66. So you can know I’m a real person, and my real experiences.

I traveled alone, I attended other volunteer program to Philippines before, 2024/2/25-3/8 I went to Nepal with the help from global crossroad organization.

I joined for one week English teaching and one week medical program. Those are great experiences for me.

Besides, I am a 31 years old female, have formal job (I took 2 weeks off for this), just want you to know never too late to do this. And I hope I can help people who want to join but still concerns.

This was one of the best trips of my life if you need thorough info on Nepal and how the project was u can just send me a massage on Instagram (@aryannaghavi) or write me in WhatsApp and I’ll be more than happy to give you all the useful information (003670357698)
You are gonna sleep with a local family and they provide you with a breakfast and dinner. The food is delicious the place has easy access to everywhere. I took bus every day and paid 20 cents each time. Every morning you work at hospital from 9 to 2-3 pm (nobody will tell you when to come when to go it’s up to you I ditched half of the days :))) overall it was an awesome experience

I wanted to take a trip that would be adventurous and fulfilling for the whole family. My kids are 15 and 12 years old. We have been so privileged to have what we do in the United States and I wanted to share what we could of our time and donations to those that don't.

What better way to open your heart than to see experience it with young children at an orphanage? It was the perfect balance of volunteering and free time for adventures. My son did get sick and Global Crossroads was so helpful in helping us navigate our way around the health system and to translate for us when we really needed it.

This type of experience you can only learn from doing it and not reading about it or hoping someday you will get to go when the time is right. It is not easy but if you are thinking even a little bit about it just apply and go! There is no way you will regret it and GC is there to answer all your questions.

My family and I went volunteering at an orphanage, and I can confidently say that the experience has been nothing short of heartwarming and transformative. Working with children in need has opened my eyes to the strength and resilience that these young souls possess, making my time spent at the orphanage an unforgettable journey of love and compassion.

From the moment I stepped through the orphanage's doors, I was greeted with the warmest smiles and heartfelt gratitude. The children, despite their challenging circumstances, radiated an innocence and spirit that was infectious. Their enthusiasm for life and their ability to find joy in the simplest of things were truly humbling.

One of the most rewarding aspects of working in an orphanage was the opportunity to build meaningful connections with the children. Each child had a unique personality, and we felt privileged to be a part of their lives, even if only for a short period. My interactions with them ranged from playtime and educational activities to providing emotional support and guidance. Witnessing their smiles and calmness over time was immensely gratifying.

The orphanage staff was an incredible team of dedicated individuals who shared a genuine passion for the well-being of the children. Their tireless efforts to create a nurturing environment and provide essential resources were commendable. They were always ready to lend a helping hand, ensuring that both the children and us volunteers received the support needed to thrive.

Throughout my volunteer journey, I learned valuable life lessons that have left a lasting impact on me. Patience, empathy, and resilience were just a few of the virtues that the children unknowingly imparted to me. Additionally, working in an orphanage highlighted the importance of community and reminded me of the positive impact that simple acts of kindness can have on someone's life.

It is important to acknowledge that working with children in an orphanage can also be emotionally challenging. Witnessing the hardships that some of these children faced and their longing for a stable family environment tugged at my heartstrings. However, the strength and resilience they displayed in the face of adversity inspired me to do my best to contribute positively to their lives.

In conclusion, working with children in an orphanage has been a life-changing experience that I would highly recommend to anyone seeking a meaningful and rewarding volunteer opportunity. The joy of making a difference in these children's lives, even in small ways, is unparalleled. The love and gratitude you receive in return is immeasurable. My time spent at the orphanage has taught me the true essence of compassion, and I will forever cherish the memories of the precious souls who touched my heart.