A Broader View provided a very valuable service. My desire was to experience the culture of Africa, and the ability to live with a family while doing volunteer work was an exceptional opportunity. There was ample flexibility while I was there to work as little, or as much, as one wanted. One suggestion that I do have is that someone considering volunteer work come up with a definite plan as to what they would like to contribute. Do not plan to go there and say "What do you want me to do?" You could end up with a lot of spare time on your hands. Find out what is really needed directly from where you want to volunteer, and evaluate how you can help fulfill that need. And forget the generic "teaching English". They have plenty of teachers to do that. You will find you have much to contribute. I was fortunate to be able to do some construction while I was there. A word to the young volunteers. While I was in Africa, I had the opportunity to meet some exceptional young people with a genuine wish to give to the people. I also met those who, apparently, were using the "volunteering in Africa" as an excuse to get mom and dad to pay for a trip to party. If you want to underage drink or get high, there are much safer places to do it than Africa. At some point, you will become a burden to your host who has plenty to handle already.

I just recently volunteered with the Project Abroad program in the conservation project in Thailand. I have been to Thailand before so I had a picture in my mind of what to expect, not so fancy, low hygiene, small amounts of food, but boy was a wrong. When I got to the airport I was greeted by a projects staff where she took me to my new temporary home.
I started to get nervous because I happened to be the first two weeker to arrive and most of the other voluteers were out scuba diving on the boat. I was also the youngest in the project at the time so I wasn't quite sure whether or not I would fit in with the crowd. And again, boy was I wrong.
Once all the voluteers arrived back at the guesthouse it was dinner time. I was served delicious rice and chicken (like most days) and pad thai for lunch that day. During dinner many of the voluteers came up to me and greeted themselves making me feel very welcome, and I started to forget peoples' names there were so many, around 27!
As the days went on my group and I (the high school specials) goto introduced to Thailand with presentation from the staff and had our assignments in order to prep us for our upcoming scuba diving lessons in a local pool. It was such an overwhelming rush because the staff wanted us to learn as quick as possible so we could experience as much of the open water as we could.
Once we got into the water ready and trained it was amazing. As someone who has never scuba dived before my trip I can say that this is something that everyone should be able to have the chance to do at least once in their lives. Not only were we helping the environment but we got to experience a new world under water.
On the days that we weren't scuba diving we were helping local fisheries, and getting the local school children to help us with planting and cleaning mangroves. Those were our hardest days, but it was still nice to know that once you left the locals will still carry the information and example to keep you world a better place with them.
The rooms were very nice and clean with air conditioning included (which was needed, a nice bathroom with a shower with water pressure and a working toilet. The guesthouse was near town, about a 30 minuet walk or a 5 minuet tok -tok ride. There were many activities to do during the nights there so there was no time during my stay where I was not doing anything. The trip was luxurious! Much better then I expected.
My roommate and I got very close during this trip, and I made new friends all around the world that I will never forget.
Overall I think this trip was worthwhile and I would recommend it to everyone. Im hoping to continue my scuba diving experiences around the world and keep close to my new friends.