We had an amazing experience and truly gained the "broader view" we were looking for. Having never done anything like this before, it's hard to know how it measures up. My only constructive feedback is that the paperwork (particularly the visas) was somewhat confusing and (even though abroaderview is on the cheap end of things) it would be nice to know more about what the money I sent them went towards. The Arusha abroaderview employee (Nelson) went above and beyond to make sure volunteers felt comfortable/safe upon arrival. If we go back to Tanzania we would probably not need to go through abroaderview (now that we know people there), but if we go somewhere different where we don't feel comfortable "figuring it out when we get there," we'll very likely go through abroaderview.
A Broader View Volunteers Corp
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.
The staff was really good about answering any questions I had. The value for the money was good, and the host family was nice and accepting. The staff kept up with me pretty well and also called when I was sick in the hospital to make sure everything went okay. They were very accepting of me traveling and taking days off from volunteering to enable me to do so.
Volunteering through Abroaderview has been great. They were very supportive and very affordable as well. I requested to have a volunteer position in Mombasa Kenya with a host family for 4 months. Abroaderview sent me a very large instruction booklet that outlined everything about my trip; how to be safe, what to bring, the details of the area and many other subjects. I felt very prepared before I left the United States for Kenya.
When I arrived in Mombasa, I met the project director of ABV and Destiny Garden School, Jacob Boaz, at the airport and was taken to his home to meet his wife and baby daughter. I would be staying in their house with them for the next 4 months.
I found the living accommodations to be safe and comfortable. I very soon noticed the family's emphasis on safety which I found very professional. They really want to create a professional working environment in their home as well as the school.
Working in Destiny Garden School, my placement, was also very rewarding. Getting to know the kids and being part of another culture was an unforgettable experience.
Abroaderview supported me throughout my placement, checking in and communicating with my host family. They were very professional and I would definitely recommend them to anyone that is interested in working abroad.
A Broader View has nothing to do with the program here. The hand their volunteers over to a company called IDEX. ABV barely knows what is going on here. Half of the information their provide is incorrect. They take a great portion of your money and have nothing to do with the program here. They company they go through IDEX is extremely disorganized. The program they advertise for Jaipur is the Street Children School. However when I came I was first placed with orphans, then moved to a school in a very poor area. Then another volunteer came and she is actually working in a orphanage for children rescued from the streets. However they did not even mention that there was this program available when I was getting placed. If you want to volunteer I would recommend going with a company in the country you want to go because using ABV is a wast of your money. They are just the middle man and they take the profit for themselves. The schools I worked in had next to nothing (not even a roof or four walls). I don't know where they money is going but not to the children who need it and definitely not to the housing and support of the volunteers. The program I have been working with could be twice as effective it is was better organized.
Comments
As a Mother of two young children at home, I wanted to find a company who I trusted and felt good about. I did not want my family to have to worry about me while I was in a foreign country. From the very beginning, A Broader View was very thorough and professional. I was met at the airport upon arrival in Buenos Aires and taken to my placement at the social service center on my first day. I knew I had chosen the right company to volunteer abroad with when the coordinator had to take pictures and videos of me at the center to send back to the office in the States. I always felt like they knew where I was and what I was doing. I had an incredible experience with the local people, got to use my Spanish all week, and gained a new perspective on both the world and my place in it. It was an incredibly rewarding experience and I can't wait to volunteer through ABV again in the near future!
