Ervaringen van onze helden

I started in the labour ward where Monday was my first day. They asked if I’d ever witnessed a birth before, and I told them I hadn’t. By the end of the day I’d seen a few, and it was such an incredible experience to be part of.

Hey! I’m Sofie. Africa has always been my dream. Volunteer Worldwide made that dream come true. For my bachelor’s in early childhood education, I chose to do my graduation project in Ghana. From day 1 to day 106, it was an amazing experience! It was so good that I went back in the summer to work on the Kidz Active School project. I can’t share all my adventures, but here’s a little summary!

With Volunteer Worldwide you get the chance to do volunteer work with good guidance and with plenty of your own input. Compared to many other people in the world, I live in luxury: I have food and water, a place to live, I went to school, and I can buy clothes. The only reason for this is that I was lucky enough to be born in Belgium and not in a developing country. Doing volunteer work was a logical result of this realisation; I wanted to help people who, simply because they were born in another part of the world, have fewer chances than I do. I was also very curious to experience what daily life is like in a completely different culture.

My experience in Iringa was incredibly positive. You meet so many new people, get to see a whole different culture, spend time with locals in their everyday lives, and the projects give you so much joy and energy. You also get to see a huge amount of the country.

Hi! We’re Dani, Lauren and Michelle. We set up our own project in Tanzania. Through our school, we spent six weeks in beautiful Tanzania, immersing ourselves in the amazing culture. We did this by giving and taking dance lessons.

At the beginning of February, I left for Iringa in Tanzania, where I’ve now been living for over two months. It was going to be my first time in Africa, and I really didn’t know what to expect.

After finishing my degree in Education, I decided to do four weeks of volunteer work in Zanzibar! A little break before starting the real working life, and I’m so glad I did it. After a busy final year, it was amazing to leave everything behind for a while and be in a completely different environment.

From the moment I set foot in Tanzania until I was back on the plane home, I enjoyed every moment of this adventure in a completely different culture. Through Volunteer Worldwide, I became involved with an amazing project in Zanzibar, a day program for children with disabilities, set on a beautiful island.

How did I end up doing volunteer work abroad? Well, let me tell you. It all started back when I was still at school. I was told that I could do a 20-week internship in Spain. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, so I decided to do my own research, because the idea just kept running through my mind.

After building up a bit of trust with the kids, they were just as excited for class each day as I was! Being in a place like that really made me feel like I could make a genuine difference, even if it’s only a small one. My advice if you’re unsure? Just go for it and soak up everything the island has to offer, and of course the project itself!

I decided to do volunteer work because after finishing high school, I wanted to take a gap year. I love travelling and helping people and animals, and because I didn’t want to spend the whole year working my part-time job, I chose to volunteer instead.

The project believes that kids are always better off staying with their own families. Many low income families cannot afford kindergarten, which means their children are sometimes sent out to beg instead. On top of that, primary schools will not accept children if they cannot already read or write, so the project helps give them the start they need.

Step into a world of adventure and purpose as a volunteer in breathtaking Nepal, based on my own unforgettable experience! From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed by the warmth and hospitality of Kamal and his family, where humour and respect go hand in hand. I stayed with them in a homestay, and every meal was a celebration of flavour, especially the delicious dhal bat, which I still miss to this day.

The 14th of February had finally arrived! After six months of saving and working hard, I was off to Asia at last. The trip was long, with a few taxi dramas and way too many kilos of luggage, but eventually I made it to Kathmandu. Within hours I was taken to a wedding and welcomed in by a local Nepali family who showed me around.

Hi everyone, my name is Damian and I’m 17 years old. I’ve joined Volunteer Worldwide twice before on their youth trips, and this year I decided to travel to Sri Lanka on my own for four weeks!

We both wanted to travel differently for once, to experience another culture, meet local people, and do something meaningful for them. It was going to be a mother and daughter adventure! With Zoe's strong interest in audio-visual work and the gear I had with me, we offered to film local projects in Sri Lanka for Volunteer Worldwide.

Over the past three weeks, I took part in the combined turtle and education project with two friends. First of all, I want to say that this was an incredibly fun experience that I would recommend to everyone. The combination of working with the turtles and the schools is very varied, which makes it especially enjoyable.

Cara and I spent three weeks in the fishing village in Sumatra. We got to know everyone involved in the project, these people made sure we had a great time. This included trips to see more of Sumatra, live music every evening, and delicious food.

The fact that you are reading about my experience on the Volunteer Worldwide website probably already shows that you are interested in doing volunteer work! You probably still have a lot of questions that need answering. Which organisation should I go with? And which project is best for me? Maybe my experience can help you out a little!

In October 2018, I went travelling alone for the first time in 52 years. I started my trip with two weeks of volunteer work in Thailand. It was an amazing experience! First of all, I was warmly welcomed by the project manager Raimund, his wife, their children, and of course, not to forget, grandma and grandpa. From day one, they told me everything and showed me all about their organisation and life in the countryside.

I went travelling solo through Southeast Asia for six months. Because I was a bit nervous about going alone, I decided to do two months of volunteer work first. It stole my heart!

After much consideration, I decided to go to Guatemala, a somewhat less popular country to travel, but the one my gut told me I needed to visit. After searching online, I came across Volunteer Worldwide and scheduled a meeting with them to get more information.

When I was 25, I went to Peru with Volunteer Worldwide. As part of my studies in Global Development Issues, I had the chance to travel to a developing country to complete my internship. It didn’t take me long to decide where to go, I knew I wanted to be in Peru. I’ve always been drawn to South America, and I was keen to learn Spanish while I was there.

I am incredibly grateful for this wonderful and educational experience, at a place where volunteers are greatly needed to give the children that extra bit of attention, support, and love.

Hey, I’m Luna and I'm 19 years old. I’m sitting at home on the couch with a thick blanket over my legs. It feels extra chilly being home after more than eight weeks in the 36‑degree Surinamese sun!

Together with a team of five permanent staff, you made sure the children had a comfortable place to stay. Playful discussions were also held about how the disadvantaged community can adapt to a changing society, mainly with the older youths who come in the afternoons. The variety of activities makes the work enjoyable. The atmosphere is very relaxed, and you are never forced to do anything.

I just got back from my trip to South Africa and thought it would be nice to share a bit about my experience. The past three months were absolutely fantastic. During the first two weeks, I explored the different project options together with the project supervisors, and I was able to join a group of other travellers right away.

My parents waved me off at the airport. I had tears in my eyes and my knees were shaking, but at the same time I was so excited to start my big adventure. I had never been alone outside Europe before, and of course it felt incredibly exciting. Even though I had been preparing for months, so many questions were popping into my head... Why did I want to do this again? What was waiting for me? What if the people weren’t welcoming?

Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure on the beautiful island of Chios? In May 2024, I spent two weeks caring for dogs at a charming dog project, surrounded by the peace of nature. From early mornings full of cuddles and walks to a waterfall, to learning how to earn the trust of the sweet dogs. Experience real Greek life, enjoy the island’s stunning beauty, and encounter unexpected visitors like a braying donkey or a curious fox. A unique opportunity to fully immerse yourself in this special project and the culture of Chios!