I volunteered in Guatemala a while ago however just learned about this website. I always recommend Global Vision International to my friends and family so I thought it would be a good idea to make it official. I had an excellent experience while volunteering with Global Vision International. What I enjoyed most was a feeling of real connection with the children in the indigenous community where we worked. I didn’t speak any Spanish when I began the program and it sparked an interest for me to continue learning when I returned home which I continue with to this day. As well it helped me decide that I wanted study something related to international development work. If you want to see the real side of a country, help out with disadvantaged children, and learn a language, volunteer with Global Vision International.
Global Vision International (GVI)
The level of support and friendship I received from GVI staff members and fellow volunteers made this an incredibly rewarding and postive experience. So much so that I joined the intern program and have committed 9 months to the project. I can recommend volunteering with GVI 100% from my experience and the fact that they have transparent accounts is an added bonus. Over 70% of funding is spent in the field.
I had a really positive experience with GVI. I researched a lot of organizations before I went some of which were cheaper and some for free but I really wanted an organisation that provided training in the field as well as long term support to the project. It was such an amazing experience and I got so much more out of it than i thought, the cultural immersion, chatting with the kids, sharing meals with local families all made me feel so much more than a tourist or even a volunteer, I really felt part of the project. I was in Peru for 4 weeks and then traveled to costa rica for another 5. I would recommend GVI to anyone but if they do not have what you are looking for just get out there and do it you will not regret it!
While I did have an enjoyable experience, I have too have to wonder how much goes into the field and back to the community. GVI are simply a corporate organsation out to make money. You may particapte in conservation or community based activies, but I have to wonder how much GVI actually cares about making a difference. Not a lot would be my guess. They are just taking advantage of people who do want to make a difference.
Comments
I took part in the Sustainable Development Programme in Kenya Aug 2009, the staff we're very supportive prior to the program beginning by contacting me via email and phone to check everything was okay and answering questions i had. I arrived early morning about 1am, there was a GVI staff member there to meet me at the airport and one at the hotel i was staying at for the first night, throughout the program 2 staff were there the whole time, supporting us, working with us, they are now good friends. The cost of the program initially did seem expensive however 70% of the money does go directly to the program you sign up for, and knowing what i know now and what i got out of it.... i would of paid double!
