I enjoyed my time in Nepal a lot. I connected with the host family and spent most of my days at the Monastery with the nuns (It’s an experience that I would always remember in my heart). The local coordinator treated me like I was one of his own children with open arms. The teachers and nuns appreciate my help with teaching English to them even though I can’t speak Nepali. I had gone to two weddings, which I never been to one before in Kathmandu. I’ve experienced the local family community of Nepal and the experience to teach Buddhist nuns, which not many people can say. Something I couldn’t do in normal life in America.
A Broader View Volunteers Corp
Fully Verified
What's this?
9.8 / 10
after 330 Reviews
Based on overall, support & value average ratings
We arrange short-term international mission trips and long term volunteer projects in South America, Africa and Asia. Designed with flexibility and customized attention with volunteer options in African orphanages, teaching English, medical and dental volunteering, HIV awareness projects, conservation in national parks, animal welfare, environmental and community development.
Program website: http://www.abroaderview.org/
It might be cheesy to say that I experienced something life-changing in Cusco Peru, but it’s true. I loved every second of my trip. Working in the kindergarten and hospital allowed me glimpses into the education and medical systems and gave me an opportunity to practice Spanish. I learned that sometimes to be most helpful, I had to be brave and ask where I’d be most useful. Sometimes doing the little things meant the most to those around me - like calming a crying child to allow the nurses to be able to finish pressing work, or having the patience with a child to sit and help them finish their food for the first time.
I found incredible kindness everywhere I went. At Machu Picchu, it absolutely poured rain when we arrived at the site and I didn’t have a rain jacket. A complete stranger gave me her rain jacket without even a second thought. Instances like this occurred daily, showing me how universal kindness is.
“No hay dias malos en Peru.” That was my motto here, and it was true ("there are no bad days in Peru"). Each day, even if I felt frustrated with my Spanish communication skills or something didn’t go as planned, I learned something new and positive. Each day became my new favorite day.
An incredible experience, and one that I will never forget.
Program:
Location:
Posted: July 16, 2019
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
By: Katherine2019
Age:
18
I was nervous before I came to Honduras. I was nervous I would fly across the continent, moving to La Ceiba for a month, and feel like the experience was less about helping people and more a bullet point on my resume. This was not the case. In the mornings I volunteered in the public clinic, cleaning wounds and checking patients in for their consults. Taking vital signs, heights, and weight were all a part if this. These were my favorite times, as I felt useful and humbled by the patience and willingness to help that everyone had while I adjusted to the flow of work in the clinic. In the afternoons I was in the public hospital emergency room, where I helped where I could (mostly stitches and casts); I was also able to see a C-section as well as a live birth. This experience was crucial to my decision to continue studying medicine. I am 20 years old and have just started the pre-med track. I had no prior experience with the exception of taking blood pressures and was able to expand my knowledge and skills enormously. The grace with which the patients handle pain and loss was inspiring, as was the dedication and skills of doctors and nurses I met during my stay. Volunteer work can be confusing, disorienting, and defeating, but in the end, this program was fulfilling in every way I hoped it would be. Thank you to everyone in La Ceiba!
Program:
Location:
Posted: July 16, 2019
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
By: Kira
Age:
19
I had some concerns because I am an older volunteer (66) and wasn´t sure if I would fit it. However, I was always treated as if I was one of them and a valued member of the volunteer community. My age was not an issue in the least. I really enjoyed the children and staff at the school where I volunteered. And my second family in Quito. I will cherish all of my memories of the people I met and the experiences I had. It was one of the best decisions I ever made.
The meals were always delicious examples of Ecuadorian foods. The meals were always healthy, ample and varied. The accommodations were very comfortable and all that I could have asked for. I always felt very safe, both at my home in Quito and at my project site. Security is taken very seriously here.
Don´t bring more than you will really need. It never gets really warm in Quito nor really cold, so bring clothes you can layer. There are lots of tour agencies that have one day and multiday trips in and around Quito. Shop around for the right trip at the right price for you. There are lots of small group trips that are affordable and offer wonderful experiences with visitors from all over the world. If you like museums, Quito has some really good museums and a couple of outstanding ones as well.
I was fortunate in that my ABV Coordinator and my host family were the same. My ABV Coordinator was always extremely helpful in making sure I found my way around, took me to places where I needed to go at times, and feel welcomed and appreciated. She was able to answer any questions that I had regarding my project or taking advantage of sightseeing in and around Quito. My coordinator also arranged for my Spanish lessons and provided a location for us to meet.
I had to postpone my trip for a couple of months and ABV was very understanding and worked with me to reschedule my trip. Staff was great about keeping in touch both in the planning stages and after I had finalized my trip as well.
Program:
Location:
Posted: July 2, 2019
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
By: DianaH
Age:
59
I would say that the program was very insightful and very fulfilling in Cusco Peru. The kindergarten was a great experience helping and teaching the kids math and English. However, another part that I enjoyed was related to the other groups that we donated time/money to as well:
1) Home for abused girls – we donated a ton of food (about $250 USD worth) so that the girls and their young kids could have enough of food for the next couple of months while school is out.
2) Cancer Hospital – we donated cleaning supplies for the hospital so that they could be in a safe and sanitary environment. This included hand sanitizer, soap, gloves, and face mask for cleaning, dish detergent, floor cleaning supplies, and washing powder for the clothes. We didn’t actually get to go to the hospital but dropped them off at the headquarters so that they would deliver them to the remote location. We also included adult diapers.
3) Remote School – this was probably my favorite trip where we delivered toys and goody bags including hot chocolate to the kids at a remote school outside of Cusco. We traveled about 3 hours by bus and made hot chocolate at the school and then passed out toys for the holidays. We couldn’t do the entire school but did provide these items for about 200 of the kids in the younger classes. It was quite the site to see with the kids and their happy faces. This was a long day, but well worth it!
a. We had some hot chocolate left over and then delivered that along with a few good bags to the old folk’s home within the same town as the remote school.
4) Orphanage – we spoke with the director of the program and she explained their passion/love for music. Therefore, we came up with the idea to get them stereo systems that worked for the three different homes. When these were presented, there was an energy that filled the room and their immediate reaction (of singing along with the songs) captured the room. It was a great feeling to be a part of and witness.
Program:
Location:
Posted: May 30, 2019
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
By: mikell@
Age:
23
