"#Volunteer Abroad Information: Volunteering, Airlines, Countries, Pictures, Cultures"

http://consultingdienste.de/abroaderview-volunteering.0.html

Anne (Ghana, Orphanage Program):
I guess I will start out by saying that this has been an amazing experience and I have no regrets in doing it. Something I have always wanted to do was to volunteer in an orphanage home in Ghana to help the less privileged.
My arrival was better than I could have hoped for. The flight was easy and I didn't have any trouble even though it was my first time flying alone. The coordinator picked me up right when I walked out of the airport, and I was thrilled that someone so sweet and who could speak English was there during my first hours in Ghana. I guess this is a good time to mention the staff. I was taken to the homestay accommodation house where I was introduced to the homestay mom that will be taking care of me. I was taken to my room and I always felt that it has been my second home. The homestay accommodation had wonderful facilities that I never expected. The tap in the house was flowing so well, the flushing toilet was excellent and electricity was available in the house and i enjoyed some local movies during my stay in the house. It was very clean and comfortable and it has been really nice.

My one month stay in Ghana and working in the orphanage has always been fun with the kids and I achieved whatever I wanted to achieve.

The coordinator works so hard to make sure that my experience is the best that it can be. He is able to translate for me, show me the best places in town, and give us advice about traveling anywhere in Ghana. I don't know what I would have done without him. He is a good tour guide.

I was also taken to the orphanage to see my work place and it was there and then that I realized I would shed many tears before I left. The children were some of the poorest I have ever seen but so friendly and pleasant that even on that first day I realized they would be teaching me more on the value of life than i would be teaching them. Working the program has shown me just what beautiful they really are in ways such as friendliness, willingness to learn, obedient, willingness to share with others what little they have, the older ones always taking care of the younger ones and all these qualities just to mention a few.

In the orphanage I was a class teacher to about 25 children where I taught them English, Mathematics, creative Art and Environmental Studies and i was given the opportunity to organize games and activities for the children. Before I started work I was taken through how to prepare my lesson plan and go about my teaching in class. I had a lot of work to do at the school, I worked 7 hours in a day and 5 times a week. In the orphanage my work was to entertain and help the children in their free time, before and after school. Bathing the younger kids, painting the orphanage's school, helping the kids with their homework, working in the orphanage’s farm, teaching at the orphanage’s schools, telling the kids about HIV/AIDS.

I would always want to volunteer in Ghana to help the children at the orphanage because I was always loved and needed by the kids. All in all it has been a most memorable experience and without a doubt one I would have no hesitation recommending to other people and if possible one that all being well I hope to repeat in the not too distant future because the coordinator made me to achieve all what I wanted to achieve in Ghana especially helping kids.

https://www.abroaderview.org/volunteers/ghana/

Michelle Volunteer in Mithini, Kenya:
How would you describe/rate your experience working with the ABV staff in the USA?
The ABV staff was very informative and very helpful in trying to assist us with anything (questions, concerns, etc).

How was the local ABV Director and the support provided in-country?
The ABV Director was absent for the during of my trip. He dropped me off at the orphanage when I arrived and picked me up when it was time to go. Of course, I had his cell number, as did the orphanage staff, so I could have easily reached him had there been a problem.

What was your favorite memory of this trip?
On one of the first days I was there, I was walking home with some of the kids after school, when I heard “MICHAA!” from behind us. I turned around to find Caroline running down the hill as fast as her legs could carry her, with her arms up. As soon as she reached me, she jumped into my arms and gave me a hug. I’d only been there a few days, but that was the day where I fell in love.
http://feedback.abroaderview.org/2013/06/11/michelle-volunteer-in-mithini-kenya/

Devon Volunteer Abroad in Lusaka, Zambia (Baby Orphanage): Completely immerse yourself in this new culture and when you finally return home, to your comfort zone and the life style you are accustomed to, you will have a broader view of the world. You will be amazed by how much you can learn about yourself and your world when you experience something so profound and unknown. Your participation in this project will capture the interest of so many individuals and it may inspire them to try something like it themselves. Traveling, especially in Africa, is an opportunity that may only come around a few times in ones life so take these opportunities if it is possible.
http://feedback.abroaderview.org/2013/06/07/devon-volunteer-abroad-in-lusaka-zambia/

Michelle: "From the minute I began to plan this work with my first emails to ABV to my time at the Reserve, I will say that the whole experience was very enjoyable and exciting. I have spoken to those at home about my experience at the Reserve and with ABV and I hope I have generated the interest of others here at home to do what I did. I would love to do this work again. Thanks".

Deisy Suarez: "Everyone want to know about my time in Africa. But no words can’t describe what l experience and felt; It was more than l dreamed of, more of an education for my mind & soul, relaxing and yet heartbreaking. It was Humble, Enlightening, Enriching and up lifting. It further my inner self, I was never so happy. I Can’t wait to be back, working with those children was a joy for me and a real privilege, Overall a blessing ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥" Tanzania, Arusha.

Uganda Volunteers (May-June 2013), we need to repair and finish some classrooms in this new program we just added to our Uganda School and Orphanage program. https://www.abroaderview.org/

Nadia Volunteer Abroad in Cartagena, Colombia

How would you describe/rate your experience working with the ABV staff in the USA?
-The staff was very friendly an helpful and always responded promptly to my emails and questions. They truly had my best interest while helping me plan my trip. 10/10.

How was the local ABV Director and the support provided in-country? -The project coordinator was fantastic. He showed us all around, made sure we always felt safe, and always kept checking in. He was very personable and easy to talk to. He perfectly integrated the volunteer work and getting to know the culture and history of the city.

Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial): ABV is a great program, especially for first time travelers like myself. Traveling alone, it was very important that I always felt safe and a broader view was able to ensure that for me. I could not ever imagine a more perfect way to spend my time. Truly life changing.

http://feedback.abroaderview.org/2013/06/11/nadia-volunteer-abroad-in-cartagena-colombia/

How would you describe/rate your experience working with the ABV staff in the USA? 
I could not have asked for any better customer service from Sarah Ehlers. She was very prompt and provided all of the accurate documentation whether it was receipts or information regarding our trip. Even after the trip, she made sure I was able to finalize last minute business between myself and Edem, the ABV Coordinator in Ghana.

What was your favorite memory of this trip?
Just working with Edem, the local coordinator, or the locals in the village, and learning about their daily routines, their culture and their values opened my eyes so much. It gave my team and me a whole new perspective on civility and hospitality. As far as a favorite memory, it would have to be going into the more remote villages in the Volta Region and performing the community testing. I as able to see a whole new way of life and I was able to provide care to those who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to learn about their health.

What was the most difficult thing you experienced? 
The hardest thing for me was dealing with my own health issues. I managed to contract some sort of stomach virus that landed me in the village hospital for a good three days. However, it did give me the opportunity to experience third-world medicine first hand, which was what the trip was all about. Edem and his lovely wife handled the situation very well, and I managed to fully recover.

What was the one thing you wished you were better prepared for?
I think the reason why this trip went so well was because we went into it with a very adventurous and flexible attitude. Only one of us had traveled internationally before traveling to Ghana. We honestly had no idea what we were getting ourselves into in regards to travel, culture, food and medical circumstances. We didn’t really know what specific type of medical supplies we needed to take. We weren’t told what we should wear until we got there…and by that point, there was very little about what we could do. For example, we all brought blue scrubs, because that is what we wear in the States. However, in Ghana, white is the color of healthcare providers. Also, I wish I was better prepared for the extreme heat.

Samantha Volunteer Abroad Philippines

Volunteer Name: Samantha Pietarinen
Project Location: Philippines, Ormoc
Program Dates: April 4 to May 5, 2013
Volunteered at: Children Center

How would you describe/rate your experience working with the ABV staff in the USA?

I found that the stuff in the USA was very patient and understanding. I often had many questions about what to expect, what to bring, and many miscellaneous questions that sometimes were due to the lack of thoroughly reading the materials provided and the staff was always patient and prompt in answering my questions in due time.

How was the local ABV Director and the support provided in-country?

Marlene – the ABV contact person in my region (Philippines) was so kind and helpful throughout the duration of my trip.  She was very easy to get along with and outgoing. Marlene was always available for support on a daily basis. She was kind to bring me to understand the transportation services and guide me through the city and tell me how much transportation costs were from each location.  Ate Marlene was also available and took time to have lunch with me and bring me through the city to find souvenirs to bring home to my family.

Ester – the contact person in the main office in Tacloban was helpful and friendly when I needed her, though I was not stationed in Tacloban so the majority of my contact was with the ABV contact person in Ormoc.

What was your favorite memory of this trip?

My favorite memory from this trip would be during my lunch I would go to the river across from the fishing dock and sit.  The scenery was quite beautiful, though it was the attention I got as a foreigner from the children in the area that was the fond memory. On two separate occasions I was looking for sea shells and the first time three boys walked beside me and picked up tons of sea shells and said “heposa” which means “keep”. Though often they were looking for money I would smile and offer them something to eat.  On the other occasion I was sitting by the river and about 7-10 children came up and sat beside me, I tried to explain to the oldest child in Cebuano that I found “otso seashells while I was down here, the big ones” and so he went out searching in the waters and found a big seashell for me, though he handed it to a younger child who had presented it to me to keep. It is hard to say what my favorite memory on this trip because all of it has made a major impact on my life and will stay with me forever.

What was the most difficult thing you experienced? 

The most difficult thing I experienced was seeing the poverty and how the children lived in the centre. I was introduced to the children in padlock (holding/detainment) on my first day and was taken back, I was unsure of what the Boys Holding Centre was because it seemed that it was a variety of institutions in one. My first reaction was that the children were not taken care of in this facility and needed more than what was being provided, because in a centre of 24 children (at the time) but can hold up to 30-40 of course not all of the needs of the children can be met.  As time progressed on my stay there I came to realize that in their own way and in their own culture they were provided for and had much to be thankful for in this centre.  It was a matter for me of understanding the cultural differences that make my home and their home different, yet the same in so many ways. It was however emotional in my first week of work because I have a big heart, but soon came to understand that it may be a different setup but it is the same Canada for many children as well, but still very unfortunate.

Another situation I encountered was the expectation that I would pay for outings for the children at the centre with the assumption that because I was there from a western community I had money.  I addressed this matter but was taken aback by both the assumption and expectation.

What was the one thing you wished you were better prepared for?

 I don’t think it matters how much you prepare for something like this.  There is always going to be a curve ball, something unexpected that will happen. I prepared for this trip as best I could with the support I had. Each volunteer is different and unique in their own way and needs to prepare for their individual selves. I do not believe there was anything more I could had done to prepare for this trip that would had made any surprise easier nor any positive reward more beneficial. I believe that in any other light I would had gone in with expectations and it is extremely important to walk into these experiences with no expectations.  Though I suppose if there was one thing I could had been better prepared for it would had been the language.  Originally I thought I was speaking Tagalog, which I was later informed no it was waray-waray.  When I reached my destination in Ormoc I was informed that the language in that region was Cebuano or Bisyan, which was not explained in any of the information provided prior to the trip. 

Any tips for future volunteers… (clothing, travel, personal items, donations, sightseeing etc)

Bug spray with 30% DEET (Repel is the brand) I have found this to be the best type of bug spray to purchase for such adventures.Umbrella not just for the rain but for the hot days of walking in the sun.A mini first aid kid, or at least some rubbing alcohol, band-aids, and polysporn.Gel aloe vera for sun burn, as you will not find this in the Philippines.

Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial):

I thoroughly enjoyed my involvement in ABV programs in Ormoc City, Philippines. I often heard from those who are actively involved in the management of the program in Ormoc that most volunteers change their mind about their placement at Boys Centre in Ormoc when they find that 95% of volunteers choose to volunteer in Tacloban. It did not bother me that I was the only volunteer in my region as the kids touched my heart deeply, loved deeply, laughed deeply, learned deeply and also taught me.  I found that being submersed in the culture was one of the most life changing experiences that has helped me learn so much about myself.  To me it was about the kids not about me, so it not matter where I was, as long as I was accomplishing something outside of myself. I met so many people, more so than if I was not the only volunteer in my region. At no time did I ever feel threatened or unsafe. For anyone considering Ormoc city for their placement I would say “Yes, most definitely. You will experience the culture and lifestyle full force and it is something to be enjoyed and experienced in such a safe environment”. Thank you ABV for the powerful and life changing experience!

Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?

Yes I am willing to talk to potential volunteers.  

Joo Hyun: "I arrived in Nepal, I felt as if I had traveled back in time. Nepali people are some of the kindest people I’ve ever met. I split up my day schedule so that I could go to the children’s center and interact with the kids in the morning, and then go to the hospital after lunch time. The teachers and staff at the children’s center are truly heroes for what they do for the children. I’m not sure if I had made a significant impact to the patients or the children whom I met, but the local staff and the hospital professionals have sincerely made an impact in my life. If I could have the chance to go back to Nepal in the future, I’d go in a heartbeat". Kathmandu, Nepal March 2013

http://feedback.abroaderview.org/2013/04/10/joo-hyun-volunteer-in-kathmandu-nepal/

My ABV trip went above and beyond all expectations. I was able to work directly with children to dramatically improve their lives and forever change my life for the better. Being able to work with ABV DIrector Josphat to create a new Initiative to implant a successful math curriculum in an impoverished community school and start a hot lunch program was over the top but things just kept getting better. We were able to partner with University of Zambia to create a ‘Young Adult Literacy Program [YALP] that seems to be limitless as it may expand to computer training and vocational job training for its participants. The only thing greater than the needs of the vulnerable children and young adults in Zambia is the opportunities to assist and truly help them have better lives.