I felt comforted when I saw the sign, "Ms. Janice" when I passed all of the necessary procedures at the Quito airport. A pleasant man was holding up the sign; I assumed he was the the director of the program (I am staying with her family). He kindly greeted me and offered to take my maletas (suitcases). My host family in Ecuador treated me with kindness, as if I were their own daughter. The apartment I stayed in with the family was quaint and well-kept.
I volunteered at an orphanage Maria Campi de Yoder. There, I found children with a variety of needs, physical, emotional, and mental. The staff members inspired me with their selfless attitudes and genuine concern for the children. My role was a helper for the teachers, including helping control behavior, mentoring, teaching, and feeding. I took the opportunity to use my knowledge in speech and language (I am a speech language pathologist) by providing occasional lessons. However, my favorite part about working there was being there to comfort the children, playing with them on the playground, and interacting with each one. The staff members were very flexible with regard to what roles I played in the site; they were all appreciative. For instance, since I wanted to be involved in a variety of situations, they allowed me to work with both the preschool aged children and older children. My experience working in Quito was overall positive, and a tremendous learning experience. I felt safe and taken care of in both the home of my host family and the center in which I worked.
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.
I spent the last 4 weeks in Cusco with A Broader View Volunteers. They offer an excellent program with language class. I spent my mornings taking lessons and in the afternoons worked with Street Kids. Karem was an excellent coordinator who made me feel comfortable and well looked after. ABV was extremely affordable and really cares about their programs and volunteers. While I was in Cusco, the owners of ABV were in Peru doing site inspections so I was able to meet the faces behind the names. I would definitely volunteer with ABV again.
My sister and I just returned from Lusaka, Zambia after working in an orphanage, Kafwa Drop Inn Center. Our experience was more than we could ask for! We worked in a center for orphaned and vulnerable children where they received breakfast and lunch as well as an education. We helped prepare and serve meals, and we taught the children from ages 6-17. Aunt Rose, the founder, and the other volunteers at Kafwa were beyond welcoming and very hospitable. There are no words that can describe the impact the children had on our lives as well as the special relationships we created with all those at Kafwa. There was an instant bond with everyone as soon as we walked through their gates.
Josphat, the program coordinator, was very courteous and available throughout our whole trip. He was eager to help and made us feel right at home. We could not have asked for a better friend or host family to stay with. We lived in a cottage with Olivia and her younger sister. Gosh, how to describe how wonderful these people are?! She was so delightful to be around, made dinner for us daily, very insightful about our questions we had, and simply fun to be around. All were great company!
Zambia is a very friendly nation and everyone was very kind to us, even those walking down the streets. My sister and I were concerned about our safety before departing, but we never felt threatened although we stood out.
We visited Livingstone while we were they to see Victoria Falls. I highly recommend that! Take the Mazhunda bus (about 6-7 hr ride) and we stayed at Kaazmein Lodge. Fairly priced and enjoyable stay with nice staff. We also rode the elephants and went on a safari, both of which we loved and would recommend as well!
To say the least, our experience was more than we could have asked for. Be prepared to face different living standards and obstacles along the way, but that's just life wherever you are. We were ready to go love on some kids, and boy did they bless us in return! We grew very attached to everyone there and are already trying to figure out when we can go back!
ABV is a great program for people who would like to travel and volunteer their time to help other those that are less fortunate. I went by myself and came back a changed person. The land, people, and culture of Ghana was amazing and the children and the people will always be in my heart. ABV was very helpful and helped my experience be as smooth as possible. If I ever had any questions they were very prompt responding. I plan on traveling again through ABV!
I volunteered at an orphanage in La Ceiba. I taught English to 5 and 6 year olds. I loved every minute of it. There were people waiting for me at the airport so I didn't have to sit by myself at all. Also, my bags were lost and every day the project director went back to the airport to see if they had arrived yet. I was nervous about staying with a host family but they were perfect. They were the nicest people and I had a great room and bathroom. Also, 3 big meals a day. It was a great way to really feel the culture by living with the family. There were about 12 other volunteers and 8 other students over the course of the time and everyone was unbelievably nice. I made great friends with people of many nationalities. We volunteered monday threw friday and had the weekends to take trips, such as visiting the Mayan Ruins in Copan and going to the most beautiful beach of Central America in Roatan. Overall I would absolutely recommend this to anyone interested in volunteering abroad.
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