Lauren Volunteer Abroad in Cuzco, Peru Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks http://feedback.abroaderview.org

My Favorite Memory: Working with the patients- we had many patients that really found relief with us and that is why we all do trips like this.

I was surprised that…. we saw relatively little cosmetic/ derm complaints- in my experience, there are typically a large number of patients seeking help for blemishes, moles, sun spots, etc in addition to pathological derm problems- we didnt see much of that in Cuzco.

The most difficult thing I experienced was…….. Having to turn people away at the end of the day because we did not have the time to see them all. …

Tip for future volunteers (Clothing, travel, personal items, donations, sightseeing etc) If you are participating in a medical trip: Bring as much steroid/ anesthetic as possible because arthritis is always a prevalent issue and you cant have enough of these meds if you want to give pain relief for more than a couple weeks.

Personal Paragraph (Testimonial): I had a great experience in Cusco. Working with Maria Elena and Jonathon was a pleasure and I would return for future trips if I could work with these 2! They did an excellent job helping us through the clinic days and worked extremely hard to help us organize and communicate with hospital staff and patients. The location at San Sebastian was great- overall, the people we worked with were fantastic and since San Sebastian is already a health clinic we were able to advertise our presence to patients quite effectively.

How would you rate your experience working with the ABV staff, both in the USA, and in-country? First, I’d like to say that my personal experience with Maria Elena was wonderful and she exceeded all my expectations of what on-site directors can do in such a short period of time. It is normal to find bumps in the road when you travel to another country and try to set up a clinic in a place you’ve never seen and work with people you’ve never met. I have participated in several medical outreach trips in the past (including in Peru) and the directorship there is Cusco was really the best I have seen. Maria Elena’s compassion and commitment to her fellow Peruvians is quite impressive. The problems that arose seemed to stem more from communications coming from the US than anything else. Thank you to all the staff, because the on-site work was really fantastic and it was clear how hard Maria Elena was working to satisfy our needs. We still were able to see about 460 patients in 4 days and this is no small thing. Our trip was very positive and I hate to report anything negative, but I am very invested in international outreach and would rather communicate these problems to you than say nothing because ABV is a great organization. Thank you again for everything- I hope I can participate with ABV in the future.

How would you describe your accommodation (ie: host family, on-site, shared housing etc) Fantastic! I lived with Maria Elena. She embodies hospitality and graciousness- very welcoming, delicious food, and warm atmosphere- I felt at home!
Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers? yes, absolutely!

from Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks http://feedback.abroaderview.org/2012/05/16/lauren-volunteer-abroad-in-cuzco-peru/

Natasha Volunteer Abroad in Belize Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks http://feedback.abroaderview.org

My Favorite Memory: I can’t pick just one because every day was amazing.  Overall my favorite memory will be relationships I developed with the kids.

I was surprised that….All of the kids warmed up so quickly.

The most difficult thing I experienced was….bugs and the heat

My best received lesson…to jump in + do things whenever you get the chance.  Take the opportunity to get to know each child individually.

Tip for future volunteers… (Clothing, travel, personal items, donations, sightseeing etc)

Bring lots of bug spray. We went to San Pedro + cave tubing on our days off. Both were amazing.

Personal Paragraph (Testimonial):  This was such an amazing + life changing experience. Some days are tough but they are all part of the experience.
How would you rate your experience working with the ABV staff, both in the USA, and in-country?10

How would you describe your accommodation ( ie: host family, on-site, shared housing etc) onsite

Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers? Yes.

from Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks http://feedback.abroaderview.org/2012/05/16/natasha-volunteer-abroad-in-belize/

Kristopher Volunteer Abroad in Cusco, Peru Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks http://feedback.abroaderview.org

My Favorite Memory: Seeing machu picchu.

I was surprised that….many people in Cusco understand basic English. I was also surprised how safe it was here, and how friendly the people are.

The most difficult thing I experienced was…continuing to learn Spanish.

My best received lesson…have a very strong working knowledge of the language before you get to the country! Practice before you get here to ease the transition!

Tip for future volunteers… (Clothing, travel, personal items, donations,sightseeing etc)
The days can be really warm, and the nights can be really cold! So dress accordingly. Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley are must sees. You can go around the Plaza de Armas and find pretty much any activity you’d like. There are several different tour groups. Book your flight months in advance. Keep the immigration card you get at customs, and you can use it to get discounts on hotels, etc. Also bring your student ID if you have one, for discounts. Don’t drink the tap water, and don’t eat food off street vendors.

Personal Paragraph (Testimonial):
This was an incredible experience, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to participate in this program. Cusco is a beautiful city, with friendly people. The Incan ruins I got to see were amazing, and the Andes mountains are simply breathtaking. I had the best host-mother in the world, Maria Elena, and I hope more people from the US take advantage of coming to Peru and experiencing this wonderful culture!

How would you rate your experience working with the ABV staff, both in the USA, and in-country?
Excellent. Any questions I had were answered almost immediately, and the staff was very helpful in working with my school to set up the rotation.

How would you describe your accommodation (ie: host family, on-site, shared housing etc)
Excellent. Maria Elena was the perfect host mother. She was very helpful, kind, and eased my transition from the US to Peru flawlessly. She always made sure I was well taken care of, that my work was going well, and that I was having a good time in Peru. The house was very nice, and in a safe neighborhood.

Are you willing tospeak to other potential ABV volunteers? By email, yes.

from Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks http://feedback.abroaderview.org/2012/05/09/kristopher-volunteer-abroad-in-cusco-peru/

Piper Volunteer Abroad in Makuyu Village, Kenya, Africa Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks http://feedback.abroaderview.org

My Favorite Memory: Dancing with the kids on a daily basis. Their love of music and their dance moves cracked me up. The little girls dance with so much attitude, that you can’t help but learn from them!

I was surprised that…  The kids are not up for adoption.  After speaking with some of the staff members I found out that the children are not up for adoption unless you go through certain programs, but Kenya’s adoption laws are ever changing so it is a difficult process.

The most difficult thing I experienced was… Hearing some of the children’s stories about why they were at the orphanage. It was also hard to communicate with them at times because they speak their tribal language of Kikuyu, and don’t understand much English.  Getting through the communication barriers was hard but eventually learning some of their words made it easier.

My best received lesson… Everything that I have is exactly what I need. I really eliminated the feeling of greed or envy. My eyes were opened to everything that I take for granted on a daily basis; a warm shower, flushing toilet, washing machine. Also before leaving I was told to go with an open heart and open mind, and that is totally true in Africa- the customs are different, time is of no importance, and learning to adapt to Kenyan time is a bit difficult!

For future volunteers…  Clothing: Pants that cover knees are a must. during raining season; raincoat or umbrella, Socks and tennis shoes  Personal items: pumice stone, flashlight is necessary, spices or seasonings for food, beano or gas relief as we eat beans with every meal, reading materials or something to do at night in your room, crackers for those who need a salt fix because everything is sweet tasting, durable water bottle, if using a backpack bring a luggage lock with you to Thika otherwise a bag that zips, also adapters for electrical items

• Donations:  The kids have a million clothes in storage so I would bring activities like puzzles, coloring books, jump ropes, crafts- and all they require i.e. glue sticks, string. Things like nail polish and remover are fun as well.
• Sightseeing: If you are planning on safari most people say to go to national parks, 14 falls outside of Thika is amazing, also the Karen Blixen giraffe center and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Orphanage.

Testimonial: My experience in Kenya was really amazing. There were times when it was hard because I was the only volunteer for about a month so I did feel lonely. However, the kids make you feel like you are their family and include you in everything. There were things that I thought I would be prepared to see going into Kenya but when I finally got there and saw the poverty of different villages it was really hard, especially from where I came from. When it came time for me to leave I had tears in my eyes saying “see you soon” to the children because you cannot help but fall in love with them. My entire outlook on life changed after being in Kenya because of those kids, how happy the people are, and their way of life. I would most definitely go back.

• ABV staff before traveling: I mainly worked with Sarah Ehlers who was a huge help. She provided me with great information and was willing to answer any question I had before leaving and while I was there. In staff coordinator: It was very difficult. Geoffrey was not at the orphanage very often and when he was, getting a straight yes or no type answer out of him was very hard. Also, it was hard to get a response from him via email or a call back.

Volunteering with ABV again: I would consider doing another ABV program, yes.  I really would love to speak to other volunteers about Makuyu.  I feel like I have a very good take on questions and things that they may want to know about

from Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks http://feedback.abroaderview.org/2012/05/08/piper-volunteer-abroad-in-makuyu-village-kenya-africa/

Drew M Rose RVU Medical Student Volunteer Abroad in Honduras Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks http://feedback.abroaderview.org

MY FAVORITE MEMORY: The host-family experience was amazing. They made sure to include us in making dinner, experiencing the culture of native Hondurans, learning the history of La Ceiba, and feeling like we were a part of their family.

I WAS MOST SURPRISED THAT: Most of the patients we saw at the Hospital Atlantico seemed to rely on medical mission trips, such as ours, for their overall healthcare. When we are only able to bring so many supplies/drugs, there is no way to adequately help people for the long-term. In just 32 hours of work (4 days), we saw over 600 patients!!!

THE MOST DIFFICULT THING I EXPERIENCED WAS: I helped a 3 year old boy with an acute exacerbation of asthma that had mostly certainly progressed to pneumonia. Unfortunately, we did not have the equipment nor the facilities to take care of the boy for a long-term stay which is what he needed. To further complicate matters, we learned the hospital he goes to had ran out of medication for his condition. It’s a real possibility that he died before we left the country.

TIP FOR FUTURE MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS IN HONDURAS (Clothing, travel, personal items, donations, sightseeing etc): Dress/pack lightly! Be prepared for high temperatures with extremely high humidity. Sunscreen and bug spray with at least 40% DEET is a necessity, as well as malarial prophylaxis! Also, BRING A CAMERA!!! It’s gorgeous!!!

PERSONAL PARAGRAPH Out of 17 of us that came to La Ceiba from RVU, 10 of us (myself included) were 1st year medical students! We saw over 600 patients in 4 days with complaints that ranged from trauma to arthritis to sinus infections. It was extremely rewarding to offer aid to those patients that would not otherwise have access to healthcare. The patients that touched my life by allowing me to care for them offered me the affirmation that I am in the correct field.

How would you rate/describe your experience working with the ABV staff? The ABV staff was incredible! There is no way this trip would have been successful without their expertise, aid, and calm attitudes in an otherwise hectic environment!

How would you rate your home stay (ie: comfort, food, location): The home stay was the highlight of my trip. Gloria and Hugo opened their home to myself and 4 other guys. She cooked some of the most amazing food I’ve ever had in my life! They also made sure to have us experience what it means to be Honduran! For this, I am eternally grateful. If I were to return to La Ceiba in the same capacity, I would love to stay with Gloria again.

Would you consider volunteering with A Broader View Volunteers again? 100% yes!

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND ABV BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCE IN HONDURAS? 100% yes!

from Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks http://feedback.abroaderview.org/2012/04/24/drew-m-rose-rvu-medical-student-volunteer-abroad-in-honduras/

Therry Jean-Louis and Cassiany Alexander Volunteer in La Ceiba, Honduras Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks http://feedback.abroaderview.org

My Favorite Memory:
Cassiany: Whenever I performed an HIV test, and it turned out negative. I feel so happy and excited to let the worried woman with the unfaithful husband know they tested negative

I was surprised that….
Cassiany:  La Ceiba was so beautiful and so safe, unlike what CNN and other news reports have displayed on TV.  It is a nice and modern city.

The most difficult thing I experienced was….
Therry & Cassiany:  telling someone that they were HIV positive.

My best received lesson…
Therry: It is the little things that each of us can do that will make change happen.  Together, we can make the world a better place.

Tip for future volunteers… (Clothing, travel, personal items, donations, sightseeing etc)
It is hot! Pack light. Don’t forget those shorts.

Personal Paragraph (Testimonial): 
Therry: It does not take much to make a difference. In the end, I have gained more than I have ever given to the people of Honduras, a rewarding feeling a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

Cassiany: I would encourage anyone to engage in this type of volunteer work because not only do you have the chance to travel, meet new people, make new friends, learn about different cultures, but mainly get a chance to give back to the community and mainly the most undeserved areas.

How would you rate your experience working with the ABV staff, both in the USA, and in-country?
Cassiany: My experience working with ABV staff has been outstanding.  The in-country staff was with us every step of the way making sure we were ok, they were organized and helpful.
Therry:  This has been a great experience. I would recommend ABV to anyone who desires an exceptional volunteer abroad experience.

How would you describe your accommodation ( ie: host family, on-site, shared housing etc
Our host mom and sisters were just wonderful. I would volunteer again in Honduras

Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?
Yes, any time!

from Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks http://feedback.abroaderview.org/2012/04/17/therry-jean-louis-and-cassiany-alexander-volunteer-in-la-ceiba-honduras/

Takashi Volunteer Abroad in Arusha, Tanzania Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks http://feedback.abroaderview.org

Favorite Memory: My favorite memory was being able to go out with the local doctors after work to eat amazing food.

Most surprising: The location is extremely close to the equator so I was expecting the weather to be MUCH hotter. The climate was perfect, just need a hat and some sunscreen to avoid sunburn.

The most difficult thing I experienced was….
The language barrier is quite huge. Although English is a secondary language in Tanzania, many people do not understand English. Communication is definitely the most difficult experience I had in Tanzania

My best received lesson…Even though I was not able to communicate clearly with the local staff, I learned that it is important to stay positive and to keep a smile on your face. The people could get a bit anxious if you are lacking one or the other.

Tip for future volunteers… (Clothing, travel, personal items, donations, sightseeing etc). It is a good idea to bring bug spray, hand sanitizers, and all toiletries to the trip. Any donations for medical equipment will significantly help the staff at the hospitals.

Personal Paragraph (Program Testimonial): I initially traveled to Tanzania, not really knowing what I was getting myself into; however, the 7 days that I spent in Arusha was one of the best experiences I’ve had in my life. The sensation of being able to directly help the people that need them in a developing country was a completely different from that I get during my studying in the United States.

How would you rate your experience working with the ABV staff, both in the USA, and in-country? The staff in both Tanzania and the US is great! They reply to emails quickly and the host family treated me very well. 

How would you describe/rate your accommodation ( ie: host family):
The host family was great! They made great food daily and gave me transportation to and from the hospital and the airport every day. The environment I stayed at was extremely clean.

Would you recommend A Broader View Volunteer organization? Yes

Would you be willing to speak to other potential volunteers to this program? Yes

from Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks http://feedback.abroaderview.org/2012/04/10/takashi-volunteer-abroad-in-arusha-tanzania/

Alexandra Volunteer Abroad in Arusha, Tanzania Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks http://feedback.abroaderview.org

My Favorite Memory: By far my favorite memory would have to be all the children in the orphanages and their faces when they were able to indulge in the little things we easily take for granted such as bubbles and lollipops. Further, the profound respect the children have for the older people who care for them. Another memory would be the people I had the pleasure of meeting that were so accommodating and sincere in their efforts to make us comfortable.

I was surprised that…. Things were worse than what I imagined them to be. You often hear of people in need and for me the conditions and scarce amount of resources that natives were limited to forever will be implanted in my heart and whole being.

The most difficult thing I experienced was…. Seeing the sadness in children’s eyes and hearing desperation in the adults stories about their everyday lives.

My best received lesson… to never take the little things for granted. Running, drinkable water, clothing, shoes. I have stopped using bottled water since I’ve been back. These are small luxuries, taken for granted by many. Also I have realized that life is too short and to try and live every moment with fullness. The most important lesson is that this experience has made me realize more of the mother I wish to be to my children.

Tip for future volunteers… (Clothing, travel, personal items, donations, sightseeing etc)

I would have to say definitely do not pack as though you will be going out to fancy dinners or beautiful night clubs. Life in Africa is very simple. Dress very comfortable, sweat shorts, tank tops, sweatshirt for morning hours as it could be a bit chilly. Definitely ladies, leave your make up, blow dryer, hairspray at home. It will not be needed, nor will you care to use it.

Personal Paragraph (Testimonial): 

There could never be enough words to describe the experience I have had in Africa. It has forever changed my view on many aspects of life and I feel saddened that my intentions and best interests in Africa didn’t even put a dent in how very much is needed. I will walk away knowing that if I changed but one life, made a baby smile if only for a moment, then as a nurse I have fulfilled my mission. This journey for me is not over. It’s only the beginning of the differences I hope to make in every life that I touch both locally and definitely abroad.

How would you rate your experience working with the ABV staff, both in the USA, and in-country? The ABV staff here in the US was extremely accommodating. Sarah specifically provided a wealth of knowledge that was extremely useful in my travels. I was grateful for all of the literature that was provided and thankful for all of her wonderful conversation pre- trip. In country my biggest sadness was leaving Christopher and Stefano. My wishes for both of them would be that they have a life that will offer both them and their families no suffering. I absolutely walked away deeply saddened that goodbye had come.

How would you describe your accommodation ( ie: host family, on-site, shared housing etc)The accommodations provided were in fact not as bad as I thought. There were times where there was no hot water but it was okay because it was hot enough to take a cold shower. The home was definitely not to my standard of clean but as a veteran of the Armed forces there have been worse conditions. I adapted easily and made friendships that will last a lifetime not only with the ABV staff in country but with other volunteers. The view by the way from the yard was beautiful. (mount kilaminjaro)

Would you recommend this project to other potential medical volunteers?

I would absolutely recommend this trip to anyone in the health profession. It will awaken your senses, and make you want to pack your belongings in the states and move to the area in which help is truly needed. That would be my ultimate hope for those who are able and willing to do just that. If my children were older, that’s where my husband and I would be. The future holds many great things for what we hope to accomplish in Africa or in other third world areas. The rewards of the lives you touch are endless.

Would you be willing to act as an ABV reference for potential volunteers? 

ABSOLUTELY, and without question!

from Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks http://feedback.abroaderview.org/2012/04/09/alexandra-volunteer-abroad-in-arusha-tanzania/

Jessica Volunteer Abroad in La Serena, Chile Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks http://feedback.abroaderview.org

My Favorite Memory: On the first weekend I was there, we had dinner with my family, their friends, the other volunteer and myself. We talked for hours about our countries and lives. It was so interesting to listen to their stories and be in good company.

I was surprised that... the staff and students at the school were so welcoming and every teacher invited me into their classrooms to help and teach. Also, the students were very eager to learn English words and phrases, and I was more than willing to help them learn!

The most difficult thing I experienced was...the language! Chilean Spanish is very different and took some time getting used to. However, my host family and the students at the school are very patient and I was always able to communicate with them.

My best received lesson... do not be afraid to ask! The Chilean people are very nice and willing to share their culture and experiences with you.

Tips for future volunteers... The students at the school loved to see pictures and items from my country, so try to bring things from home to show. Also, go on some of the trips that are offered on the weekends. They are fairly cheap and the tour guides speak English, which is helpful.

How would you describe your accommodation…AMAZING! My host family treated me like one of their own children and were very caring. I had my own bedroom and another volunteer was also staying at the house with me. The food was very good and I was always full. My host family provided suggestions of things that I could do and see on week nights and weekends and helped me with finding my way around town. I couldn’t have asked for a nicer host family!

Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers? Absolutely!

from Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks http://feedback.abroaderview.org/2012/04/06/jessica-volunteer-abroad-in-la-serena-chile/

Sandra Volunteer Abroad in Belize Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks http://feedback.abroaderview.org

My Favorite Memory: That’s difficult – too many good! 

I was surprised that….The food was so delicious!

 The most difficult thing I experienced was….mosquitoes, but not too bad.

My best received lesson…not much necessity for enjoyment

Tip for future volunteers… (Clothing, travel, personal items, donations, sightseeing etc)

Bug spray.  Also, the ABV material list was right on!

Personal Paragraph (Testimonial):  I enjoyed this experience tremulously – for both me and my son. You are all doing a great thing here for these kids. I feel lucky to have made
a small contribution.

How would you rate your experience working with the ABV staff, both in the USA, and in-country?
Great 

How would you describe your accommodation ( ie: host family, on-site, shared housing etc)

Absolutely fine. Great kids, great adults.

Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?
- Sure - 

 

from Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks http://feedback.abroaderview.org/2012/04/05/sandra-volunteer-abroad-in-belize/