Kenya

Global Crossroad is a terrible organization. I paid for a one-week language and culture session that I NEVER received. Yotam, the in-country coordinator is an absolute crook who does not pay the host family ANY money to house us. The children were precious and I I had an overall positive experience, but it was no thanks to GC. My host father made sure that the safari I signed up for actually took place, or that wouldn't have happened either. If you're looking to go volunteer with a great organization at HALF the price, go with International Volunteer Headquarters.

I have just returned from a 2 week(too short!) orphanage program in Kenya through IVHQ. From the start i found their service Great. All replies to email where within 24hrs and the volunteer handbook comprehensive. Answers most questions you may have.
I dealt with a local organisation once there who collected me on-time at the airport. They were very friendly/welcoming people.I felt that if something went wrong i would be looked after appropriately. I was placed at an orphanage in Kibera. The place was well staffed so i wished maybe i could have been of more practical use to them plus there were already other volunteers there. But the kids were magic and I spent time playing/talking and hanging out with them. In my 2nd week I sorted out a lot of donated clothing into age groups for the kids so they had some newer clothes to wear. The conditions are pretty tough in Kibera but the people you meet are wonderful!
I stayed at a house nearby, 15 min from the orphanage walking and i was very lucky. The woman who owned the house was very welcoming and very organised to house volunteers. We even had a mon-sun menu! And the food, mostly traditional african food was great. My stomach had never felt better. Yes there is no hot water, impossible to sleep in past 6am if a light sleeper, and you are pretty much covered in grit every time you leave the house.But you need to get over that in a day so you can enjoy a very unique experience!
The other volunteers were great. Some from US, UK, Australia(i'm an aussie), Canada and even Portugal. I'm 37. Ages ranging from 18-60! which is cool.
Overall i would recommend IVHQ. Service was good, very good value for money and everyone i met associated through to the local organisation, volunteers, home stay and of course the orphanage were a wonderful group of people.
I plan to volunteer again in 12 months and will be going through IVHQ. Hope this helps.

The two months I spent in Kenya was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. IVHQ's program was very well run, with their partner organization in Kenya, MEAC, providing for my needs during my stay. All of the host families treated the volunteers as though they were a part of their own families. Also, while I was there, Daniel, the director of IVHQ, was very helpful from their home base in New Zealand, promptly answering any questions and concerns I had and dealing with their partner organization effectively. I would highly recommend IVHQ to anyone looking to volunteer abroad.

just finished up in kenya. only complaint is the slow internet speed! everything else gone great. home stay did not have running water for 3 nights out of the 3 weeks i've been here which was annoying but in a developing country that is to be expected. orphanage and the kids has been my highlight. before i got here i was worried there would be no other volunteers but i have met a lot of really nice people from around the world. ivhq having a big program (lots of volunteers and placements) is another big benefit of going with. the price (cheapest i found in an international volunteer organization) was quite low which made it nice as well.

I volunteered with the orphanage program in Nakuru for almost a month. Such a beautiful place, and the kids were so fun! I was nervous about traveling on my own but the staff really tried to make me comfortable and they were always available, Ruth greeted me at the airport in Nairobi and drove me out to Nakuru Town. It was hard leaving those cute little faces behind, I hope to go back someday.

Great well organised and genuine program. I wanted the real deal and to feel connected to the project with orphans I did. Inspire staff deliver very well. Will be back soon I hope.

Hi guys,
I have joined Global Crossroad program in Kenya this month. I have found some of participants have provided very false information in about Global Crossroad especially about the arrangement of Safari and Project arrangement.
It is absolutely true that you can find cheaper safari company here in Nairobi but be carefuly, if they are legetimate and has license to run the safari the safari company that global crossroad work with is the most legetimate and has the best reputation here in Kenya.
the best part of Global Crossroad I experinced is the secure environment and best food and accomodation and provide real experience of Kenay. After looking so many comments in the interenet, I didn't expect that their arrangements are so organized and well maintained. Now I am with 6 other volunteers and we all enjoyed the program.
You may not believe I have talked to some volunteers from other organization, they dumped volunteers and never care about them and volunteer never got any assistance from the ground coordinator.
Other part of Global Crossroad is the routine check of their ground coordinator and provide training.
Overall, my experience with Global Crossroad is the best and I never forget it.
Lauren

Excellent and prompt support system in place. Both before and during volunteer stint. Queries usually answered within a day (even Sundays). Hosts were very friendly and flexible with programme. Takes care to attend to the wellbeing of volunteers e.g. offering extra blankets, helping arrange R&R activities.

If there was an option to give this organisation an 11 on the rating, I would have!
Does it sound too cliché to say my experience in Kenya changed my life and outlook? I spent 6 months in Kenya through IVHQ, my first 5 months teaching in an orphanage in Nairobi and my last month in the rural village of Keumbu. In Keumbu I lived in an orphanage and taught in a primary school. I met the most amazing people throughout my 6 months and would do the whole thing over and over again.
IVHQ were so speedy with responding to any concerns of mine and they sent me emails while I was in Kenya.
Crazily cheap prices for the programmes yet people still pay ridiculously high prices for dud organisations who just don't deliver! Where's the sense?!
As for the girl who complained about cold showers...hmmmn...you went to a developing country with westernised expectations? If you want luxury, stay at home honey :)

Jambo (Hello)! Things are awesome...I couldn't have asked for a better internship. Work is great. Every morning we go to the ward to check up on the drug regimen of patients. First was the womens' ward and then the pediatric ward. Needless to say I'm learning much more than just HIV/AIDS education. It goes further into the TB, anemia, diabetes and malaria. Thank you very much!