Abroaderview Reviews

I traveled & volunteered with my daughter & grand daughter. We had a wonderful time with the children & were well cared for by the family in charge of the orphaange. The orphans were happy & healthy & nurtured by the family. They were enthusiastic about learning & tried hard to read with me. They were very well-beahved, healthy children who spoke good English. We played on-the-spot games, made bracelets, read, talked, played soccer or ate together. I had a fabulous experience in Africa where coincidentally I am returning after 40 years. Was born & raised in Kenya until the age of 9 yrs.

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.

My experience in Peru has been a very positive one. The city is absolutely amazing and I have met people here who will be lifetime friends. My host family was great and Maria Elena truly tried to help each volunteer that came here
with anything they needed (setting up tours, for example). My only complaint about the home stay is that for both breakfast and dinner only bread was served. Dinners were sometimes accompanied with cheese or some type of meat, but there was never a true "dinner." I never said anything to Karem or Maria Elena because it was really only at the end that it bothered me, but I think that might be something to improve upon in the future. Lunches were great, but it was never like I was so full that I couldn't bear to eat anything else the
rest of the day, especially when I was walking about 2 hours every day.
My volunteer places were also a positive experience. I found it easier to work in Colibri than in San Juan Clinica de Dios because it was hard working with handicapped kids who can't walk or talk every day. It was rewarding though to see relationships grow with each of the kids, and it was definitely hard to leave them. Colibri is a great program and I could tell the kids really needed the help we were giving them. The only thing I would improve upon is making the volunteer hours the same for every one who goes through this program--everyone else who came here through ABV only had to work about 2-3 hours a day, while I was volunteering in two places for a total of 6 or more hours a day. It just
seems like something that should be standardized.
Cusco is an amazing city where there is more than enough things for volunteers to do. I took tons of weekend trips with other volunteers in my host stay. My extracurricular activities were probably the highlight of this trip. I would definitely recommend other people to come to Cusco because it has been such an amazing city and it started to feel like my home after two months.
My coordinator Karem was another positive part of my experience here. She is so sweet and would check in on me every couple of weeks to see how I was doing, We even spent time out together with her friends. She took me on a city tour the first day I got here, making me feel very welcome in the city and telling me to
call her whenever I had any problems. My relationship with her is so comfortable that when I come back to Cusco I am welcome to stay in her house.
Overall, I have loved my time here in Cusco and am beyond sad to have to leave today. I want to return some day with my friends and show them the place that has changed my life so much!

Experience was absolutely wonderful. The organization answered all my questions in a very timely and professional manner. The program coordinator at the site was very accessible, friendly, and accommodating.

I volunteered in the emergency room of the public hospital (as an EMT) for 5 weeks and took a Spanish immersion course for 4 weeks. The emergency room work was very challenging and probably not for the squeemish. Working with Sarah and Oliver Ehlers of A Broader View on the logistical aspects of my time in Honduras was a pleasure and I found them to be responsive and efficient. My host family was accommodating and friendly. The volunteer program - like many of the programs out there I suspect - depends on what you, as the volunteer, make of it. If I could afford to spend my life volunteering I would and I wouldn't hesitate to volunteer again through A Broader View.

I tried three different international volunteer organizations this year and I have to say that A Broader View was definitely the best one.
First of all, any questions that I had before leaving (and I had quite a few!) were answered immediately. Sarah was extremely kind and helpful with any pre-departure issues or concerns that I had. I got a lot of information beforehand on my host family and the places where I'd be volunteering.
I had a fantastic time in both Hanoi and Phnom Penh! The people were amazing, the food was delicious, and I loved my volunteer placements!
I got to work at two different placements in Vietnam, which was great, because I got the chance to see how differently things were run at the school for street children and the orphanage school.
In Cambodia, I worked at an orphanage for children with HIV. It gave me a chance to really come out of my comfort zone, and I learned to overcome my worries about working with people with AIDS.
Another thing that was difficult (especially in Phnom Penh) was adjusting to the slower pace of life. If you're used to the rush-rush pace of city life, then a place like Cambodia will be a huge change. I found it challenging at first, but by my second week there, I learned to embrace it, and I ended up loving it and wondering why everyone has to move so quickly all the time back home!
Although A Broader View doesn't operate out of the countries in which I stayed, their partner organizations were wonderful and I felt very well taken care of. Also, Sarah sent several e-mails to check in with me and make sure that everything was going well. And when I had any problems, she made sure to contact the partner organization immediately to get them fixed.
One thing to remember is that this will be very different from a vacation. There is a lot of work involved, but it is extremely rewarding. Travelling can (and should!) be done on weekends, and it's important to try to interact with the locals as much as possible. (Even if you don't speak the language, there are many other ways you can communicate!) You will meet some amazing people and make lifelong friends!
If you have questions, I'd be happy to answer them. If you contact Abroaderview, they can put you in touch with me!

We had an amazing experience and truly gained the "broader view" we were looking for. Having never done anything like this before, it's hard to know how it measures up. My only constructive feedback is that the paperwork (particularly the visas) was somewhat confusing and (even though abroaderview is on the cheap end of things) it would be nice to know more about what the money I sent them went towards. The Arusha abroaderview employee (Nelson) went above and beyond to make sure volunteers felt comfortable/safe upon arrival. If we go back to Tanzania we would probably not need to go through abroaderview (now that we know people there), but if we go somewhere different where we don't feel comfortable "figuring it out when we get there," we'll very likely go through abroaderview.

The staff was really good about answering any questions I had. The value for the money was good, and the host family was nice and accepting. The staff kept up with me pretty well and also called when I was sick in the hospital to make sure everything went okay. They were very accepting of me traveling and taking days off from volunteering to enable me to do so.

Volunteering through Abroaderview has been great. They were very supportive and very affordable as well. I requested to have a volunteer position in Mombasa Kenya with a host family for 4 months. Abroaderview sent me a very large instruction booklet that outlined everything about my trip; how to be safe, what to bring, the details of the area and many other subjects. I felt very prepared before I left the United States for Kenya.
When I arrived in Mombasa, I met the project director of ABV and Destiny Garden School, Jacob Boaz, at the airport and was taken to his home to meet his wife and baby daughter. I would be staying in their house with them for the next 4 months.
I found the living accommodations to be safe and comfortable. I very soon noticed the family's emphasis on safety which I found very professional. They really want to create a professional working environment in their home as well as the school.
Working in Destiny Garden School, my placement, was also very rewarding. Getting to know the kids and being part of another culture was an unforgettable experience.
Abroaderview supported me throughout my placement, checking in and communicating with my host family. They were very professional and I would definitely recommend them to anyone that is interested in working abroad.

A Broader View has nothing to do with the program here. The hand their volunteers over to a company called IDEX. ABV barely knows what is going on here. Half of the information their provide is incorrect. They take a great portion of your money and have nothing to do with the program here. They company they go through IDEX is extremely disorganized. The program they advertise for Jaipur is the Street Children School. However when I came I was first placed with orphans, then moved to a school in a very poor area. Then another volunteer came and she is actually working in a orphanage for children rescued from the streets. However they did not even mention that there was this program available when I was getting placed. If you want to volunteer I would recommend going with a company in the country you want to go because using ABV is a wast of your money. They are just the middle man and they take the profit for themselves. The schools I worked in had next to nothing (not even a roof or four walls). I don't know where they money is going but not to the children who need it and definitely not to the housing and support of the volunteers. The program I have been working with could be twice as effective it is was better organized.

When I first started looking at different organizations ABV stood out because of their customer service. My calls were returned the same day, and my emails (sometimes 2-3 a day!) were always answered quickly. On the outset I was debating between two companies but went with ABV because I could pick my own dates and they were cheaper. I know I made a great choice! The Tanzania program was amazing. My coordinator Fatuma and the local staff were so welcoming. I met the most wonderful woman in the GOIG program, and loved every minute I was able to spend with them. I'm thankful for having had this opportunity and the support provided by ABV during the entire process.

As a Mother of two young children at home, I wanted to find a company who I trusted and felt good about. I did not want my family to have to worry about me while I was in a foreign country. From the very beginning, A Broader View was very thorough and professional. I was met at the airport upon arrival in Buenos Aires and taken to my placement at the social service center on my first day. I knew I had chosen the right company to volunteer abroad with when the coordinator had to take pictures and videos of me at the center to send back to the office in the States. I always felt like they knew where I was and what I was doing. I had an incredible experience with the local people, got to use my Spanish all week, and gained a new perspective on both the world and my place in it. It was an incredibly rewarding experience and I can't wait to volunteer through ABV again in the near future!

You know that you had an amazing experience when you haven’t stopped talking about it since you got back to the States. Or looking back at pictures and either hysterically laughing, smiling, or crying because you miss those memories! In a few days, I developed a love for everything Peruvian. I realized how important family is and how grateful I am for what I have. Our host family, Laura, her children, and Matilda provided us with love, attention, and the best Peruvian food on a daily basis. We became family very fast, including our host brother, another ABV volunteer. I volunteered at the Clinic San Juan de Dios in Cusco, Peru. It is a clinic for children with special needs and disabilities and unfortunately a place where many or most of the children have lost all contact with their family. At the clinic, the children paint a picture of what life is like for them in Cusco, living with a disability, no family, just the nurses, staff, volunteers, and other children who fill their roles as family, taking care, talking, disciplining , and feeding these wonderful children. All they were looking for was love and attention, and volunteering at the clinic became a very rewarding experience in such a short time. It was difficult to say goodbye each day, especially with the older girls due to the quick turnaround of volunteers each week. Simple activities to them made their days a little bit brighter.
Besides volunteering, my friends and I also participated in the language and culture immersion where my high school Spanish kicked in quickly on day one. Lessons were a nice way to end the busy day and our field trips around the city allowed us to understand and learn more about the culture. The highlight of my two week trip was our weekend to Machu Picchu. Thank you to Guido, our guide, who was recommended by Karem, for the excursion of a lifetime! I’m definitely coming back to hike the Inca trail and visit with my host family.
Definitely leave all expectations back in your homeland. Our trip started out crazy, delayed flights, missed connections, but once we got to Cusco, everything bad that happened was forgotten. I'm looking forward to planning another trip abroad to volunteer!

I just finished a three month trip around South America, part of my trip dedicated to volunteer work. A Broader View set me up a 2 week program in Argentina and I completed their 4 week Language course in Chile. The Program Coordinators were both great ladies. Vanessa in Buenos Aires and Lone in Chile were organized and available if I needed anything. I liked my Spanish teacher Daniela who was very patient! She was easy to work with and I learned a lot. I would definitely recommend the language program if you want to learn or advance your Spanish. I lived with two wonderful families, ate very well and had my own bedroom. I think A Broader View does a good job and they are affordable. I am considering their Africa programs for next summer.

Thanks to Abroaderview I was able to do something I have planned for a long time. I definitely had some trepidation about traveling to Africa on my own, however they made it easy. I had planned to contact three different organizations before making a decision, but from my first contact everything went so smoothly I just moved forward.
Having recently returned from the Arusha region of Tanzania, I can tell you it was a great experience. I was at an Orphanage/school in a rural mountainous area. The countryside was beautiful, and the kids were great. But what you really want to know is how comfortable I was with both my accommodations and the people I worked with. Simply put both were great. I lived with the orphanage director’s family and was made to feel at home. From the time I walked off the plane and met the in country coordinator to the time I walked back onto the plane, I was comfortable with the people and my surroundings. I was only there for 3 weeks and was truly sad to leave. I realize I have to go back. As far as my terrific time at Peace Matunda visit Abroaderview’s face book page for more info. You are welcome to contact me directly, for more info.

My experience in Morocco was amazing; the staff at the orphanage was so helpful and the kids were so nice! I learned a lot during my stay, and A Broader View made sure that I was comfortable and happy the whole time I was there. Everyone was accomodating and even though there was a language barrier, everything worked out wonderfully! I highly recommend this program.

I felt comforted when I saw the sign, "Ms. Janice" when I passed all of the necessary procedures at the Quito airport. A pleasant man was holding up the sign; I assumed he was the the director of the program (I am staying with her family). He kindly greeted me and offered to take my maletas (suitcases). My host family in Ecuador treated me with kindness, as if I were their own daughter. The apartment I stayed in with the family was quaint and well-kept.
I volunteered at an orphanage Maria Campi de Yoder. There, I found children with a variety of needs, physical, emotional, and mental. The staff members inspired me with their selfless attitudes and genuine concern for the children. My role was a helper for the teachers, including helping control behavior, mentoring, teaching, and feeding. I took the opportunity to use my knowledge in speech and language (I am a speech language pathologist) by providing occasional lessons. However, my favorite part about working there was being there to comfort the children, playing with them on the playground, and interacting with each one. The staff members were very flexible with regard to what roles I played in the site; they were all appreciative. For instance, since I wanted to be involved in a variety of situations, they allowed me to work with both the preschool aged children and older children. My experience working in Quito was overall positive, and a tremendous learning experience. I felt safe and taken care of in both the home of my host family and the center in which I worked.

My sister and I just returned from Lusaka, Zambia after working in an orphanage, Kafwa Drop Inn Center. Our experience was more than we could ask for! We worked in a center for orphaned and vulnerable children where they received breakfast and lunch as well as an education. We helped prepare and serve meals, and we taught the children from ages 6-17. Aunt Rose, the founder, and the other volunteers at Kafwa were beyond welcoming and very hospitable. There are no words that can describe the impact the children had on our lives as well as the special relationships we created with all those at Kafwa. There was an instant bond with everyone as soon as we walked through their gates.
Josphat, the program coordinator, was very courteous and available throughout our whole trip. He was eager to help and made us feel right at home. We could not have asked for a better friend or host family to stay with. We lived in a cottage with Olivia and her younger sister. Gosh, how to describe how wonderful these people are?! She was so delightful to be around, made dinner for us daily, very insightful about our questions we had, and simply fun to be around. All were great company!
Zambia is a very friendly nation and everyone was very kind to us, even those walking down the streets. My sister and I were concerned about our safety before departing, but we never felt threatened although we stood out.
We visited Livingstone while we were they to see Victoria Falls. I highly recommend that! Take the Mazhunda bus (about 6-7 hr ride) and we stayed at Kaazmein Lodge. Fairly priced and enjoyable stay with nice staff. We also rode the elephants and went on a safari, both of which we loved and would recommend as well!
To say the least, our experience was more than we could have asked for. Be prepared to face different living standards and obstacles along the way, but that's just life wherever you are. We were ready to go love on some kids, and boy did they bless us in return! We grew very attached to everyone there and are already trying to figure out when we can go back!

I spent the last 4 weeks in Cusco with A Broader View Volunteers. They offer an excellent program with language class. I spent my mornings taking lessons and in the afternoons worked with Street Kids. Karem was an excellent coordinator who made me feel comfortable and well looked after. ABV was extremely affordable and really cares about their programs and volunteers. While I was in Cusco, the owners of ABV were in Peru doing site inspections so I was able to meet the faces behind the names. I would definitely volunteer with ABV again.

ABV is a great program for people who would like to travel and volunteer their time to help other those that are less fortunate. I went by myself and came back a changed person. The land, people, and culture of Ghana was amazing and the children and the people will always be in my heart. ABV was very helpful and helped my experience be as smooth as possible. If I ever had any questions they were very prompt responding. I plan on traveling again through ABV!

I volunteered at an orphanage in La Ceiba. I taught English to 5 and 6 year olds. I loved every minute of it. There were people waiting for me at the airport so I didn't have to sit by myself at all. Also, my bags were lost and every day the project director went back to the airport to see if they had arrived yet. I was nervous about staying with a host family but they were perfect. They were the nicest people and I had a great room and bathroom. Also, 3 big meals a day. It was a great way to really feel the culture by living with the family. There were about 12 other volunteers and 8 other students over the course of the time and everyone was unbelievably nice. I made great friends with people of many nationalities. We volunteered monday threw friday and had the weekends to take trips, such as visiting the Mayan Ruins in Copan and going to the most beautiful beach of Central America in Roatan. Overall I would absolutely recommend this to anyone interested in volunteering abroad.

My college age daughter wanted to volunteer in an orphanage for spring break. I am privileged that she invited me to go with her. We have done many similar events, but this was by far the best because A Broader View worked hard both before we left and while we were there to make it a win-win experience. If you have ever considered volunteering in community service, and want to truly experience a culture firsthand, this is an organization that can make it happen.
We were well taken care of by our host family and by Manuel, our contact person. We were well-received at the preschool where we eventually spent most of our volunteer time. The opportunities to enjoy the culture were too numerous to name, since we were befriended by many Hondurans who wanted to share their homes and friendship with us. I plan to recommend A Broader View to many others who have expressed interest in global volunteerism, but did not have a specific idea about how to pursue it.

We were treated extremely well by ABV. The entire staff and coordinators showed such kind hospitality toward us, they even took us out for dinner when we had finished the program which was lovely. The ABV staff in Arusha was available if we ever needed anything (which we never did, but it was great to know there was a support network when we were in such a foreign situation!). Volunteering in Tanzania in this project was genuinely rewarding experience that I will remember for a lifetime. I hope other people will travel and allow much more support to be sent to the project.

Volunteering in Dar Es Salaam was an unforgettable experience for me. Planning the trip couldn’t have been easier with the immediate responses and helpful suggestions from A Broader View staff and previous volunteers. I was able to really connect with the youth and work together to do something that really impacted the local community. This trip taught me to be flexible and more open-minded and never to be shy about asking questions. The host family that I stayed with couldn’t have been more welcoming and kind – wanting to show me everything about African life! Even though the lifestyle change and culture shock is quite overwhelming at times, it is important to embrace everything and know that you are there to immerse yourself in their culture (all aspects of it, too!).

Volunteering in Kpando, Ghana was truly an amazing experience. As one of the leaders for a 12 person group it was extremely important to work with an organized and supportive program. I found the staff at A Broader View to be a major help during the planning period of my trip. All of my emails were quickly answered, Sarah was always available to answer any questions over the telephone, and all of my concerns about safety were addressed. I worked together with A Broader View in order to come up with a great itinerary to provide meaningful service in Ghana. There is such a wide range of volunteer opportunities so no matter what area you would like to focus your service on it is possible through A Broader View.
I urge everybody to go and experience the beautiful country of Ghana. The people were so warm and inviting. Everywhere we went kids came to hug us and adults took us in with open arms. There is so much that can be done in Africa and so much that you can learn from the people there. Going in with an open mind and getting first hand experience is the best way to actually do something about poverty, preventable illnesses, and HIV/Aids education.
. I experienced and learned so much more then I ever thought was possible during my time in Ghana.

My trip to Peru with A Broader View Volunteers was absolutely amazing, it was so much more enriching than I thought it would be. My time spent with my host family was some of my favorite, they were so warm and welcoming and really made me feel at home. Cusco is a great city to just wander around and think. There is so much history and mystery behind each and every stone. Despite the poverty people are in such high spirits that it really makes one appreciate everything this world has to offer, especially beyond the material things. I have met some amazing people along my journey, some I know I will keep in touch with throughout my life. Thanks to A Broader View!

Let me begin by saying that I absolutely loved everything about my stay in Cusco. I was very surprised that I didn't miss anything from ome. I felt so at home from the moment I arrived. I must say that the most difficult thing I experienced was leaving. I am still having a hard time and I have dreams about being in Cusco every night. Greta, Oscar, and the rest of the family were great. I truly consider them a part of my family now, and I can't wait to see them again. And I can't not mention Greta's awesome cooking, it was the best I had in Peru. The rest of the volunteers and I were so spoiled. My favorite memory of my stay in Peru is walking in to the home and hearing the kids call my name and them coming to greet me. I miss them so much already.
Overall this ABV program was one of the best experiences of my life and I learned so many things not only about myself but about us as people. My experience was great because of the people I was so privileged to meet, especially the children. The children taught me that one can find happiness through the good times and the bad times, and for that I owe them. They taught me more than I could have taught them.
Tip for future volunteers…
Always have small bills and change with you. Always have the number to your home stay with you, or memorize it preferably. Don’t complain, to anyone. If you don’t like something, suck it up, the other volunteers and locals don’t want to hear it. Take warm pajamas. Take at least one outfit for going out; nice shoes, top, bottoms, everything.
I would do this again in a heartbeat. If it weren’t for some responsibilities and commitments that I have here in the States, I would be looking into finding a job teaching English or Spanish in Cusco. I fell in love. I will most certainly be back as soon as possible. I thank A Broader View for the opportunity.

I have arrived back in the UK safely. I would like to thank everyone at ABV for making my experience in Honduras such a good one. Everyone involved in my trip have been very helpful and made me feel at ease.
I really enjoyed the whole trip and I am already looking at where to go next! Thanks again for all your support with my trip. I am hoping to do another trip in the next year so will definitely be back in touch with ABV for that.
The projects in Peru and Kenya look great.
Best Wishes, Michelle Atherton.

Program Dates:
Chile: Sept 10- Oct 31 2008
Honduras: Nov 1- Dec 21 2008
My Favorite Memory:
Living with my family in Honduras.
I was surprised that….
The flash floods in Honduras and how much I grew, matured, and learned in each place.
The most difficult thing I experienced was….
In the beginning, not being able to express myself in another language.
My best received lesson…
Patience, keeping an open mind, and learning to understand and appreciate other cultures.
Tip for future volunteers…
Make sure to keep a balance in your life while living in each place. It’s important to be involved and loyal to the work that you’re there for but also, take the time to explore and enjoy the country and culture you are living in. Last thing, take advantage of everything and be ready to be patient.
Personal Paragraph:
In the past four months, I have learned so much. This whole experience has taught me so much as an individual, as well as a person in this society today. I cannot believe how much I have seen and done and I am so grateful for being able to have done this trip at such a young age. It has changed me forever and I would never trade these experiences for anything.
Thank you A Broader View for facilitating my last four months, it was such an amazing experience.

Thank you for the opportunity to visit such a great country with culture deeply rooted. My time in Cusco, Peru has been a delight. Vanessa certainly made sure that things were going well - she frequently called the hotel, my Spanish instructor - Karen, made personal visits to me at least every day or two. My morning Spanish lessons were pottery session last Monday evening.
The lessons were very helpful, grammatically and eventually I guided Karen to give me additional vocabulary help. Hector, the school director was also very involved accompanying us to the folk/traditional dances, shopping at the market and even walking me to the ATM!.
Everyone made me feel so welcome. Vanessa (coordinator) did a great job picking the restaurant and my hostel, though humble, was in a fabulous location and had incredibly personable staff.
The staff even got involved in teaching me Spanish!. My volunteer work was with street children and others that came were so adorable and very willing to help with Spanish. I too, taught them a bit of English!. All in all was a great humanitarian and Cultural Immersion trip and a wonderful place to visit.
Thanks so much for the opportunity to serve. All the best, Michelle C.

I just wanted to touch based since I've returned from the volunteer program in Costa Rica.
I first wanted to thank you for talking to my Mom who was worried about me in the beginning of my trip. The experience was overall an amazing one and I learned a great deal from the teaching English aspect.
Thanks A Broader View staff for everything.

I had a really great experience in La Cebia Honduras. The family I was placed me with were really welcoming and made me feel very comfortable in their home. The room was very clean and the food was varied and very tasty.
It was great that ABV managed to place me with another volunteer which was really nice. It meant that I had someone to talk to and travel around the area at weekends with. There were several other volunteers in the area at the same time as me and we were all introduced and made good friends together. At the weekends there are lots of things to do around La Ceiba. You can easily visit the Bay Islands which are all very beautiful. I was also able to go white water rafting and on a zip line canopy tour. These were both really great experiences.
I didn’t take Spanish lessons whilst I was in La Ceiba. However, all the volunteers i spoke to who were taking the lessons reported very highly of their experiences and the teaching quality. If I go again I would defiantly take the opportunity of taking these classes.
I worked in a school and at an all boys orphanage during my time in La Ceiba. Both experiences were really good and very rewarding. I got to know the boys I worked with at the orphanage really well. They were so grateful for the simplest of things I really enjoyed working with them and I miss them massively now that I’m back home in the UK.
Manuel, the ABV Project Director is a lovely guy and is very helpful. I was able to contact him whenever I needed to and he was always there to help me whatever the situation. He is very well connected in La Ceiba so was able to offer loads of advice. Manuel is really laid back and you can always have a laugh and a joke with him which I found put me at ease about my whole trip. Manuel was very concerned for our safety which made me feel safe. It made me feel like I could really rely on him.
ABV in general have been very supportive and friendly. They guided me through my whole trip and I would chose ABV do my next trip with.

Thank you so much to ABV for facilitating my last four months of volunteer work. It was such an amazing experience. In the past four months, I have learned so much. This whole experience has taught me so much as an individual, as well as a person in this society today. I cannot believe how much I have seen and done and I am so grateful for being able to have done this trip at such a young age. It has changed me forever and I would never trade these experiences for anything.

I worked with two different programs throughout my time in Ecuador as a volunteer. My first placement was at Valle Del Rio where I taught English in 5 different surrounding elementary schools and my second was with the Casa del Sol Program in el Centro Historico de Quito where I was working in an indigenous daycare.
When I was living in Valle Del Rio I would spend every morning teaching English, grading past assignments, and interacting with the children of the 5 different schools. As an assistant at the daycare, I would wash the floors, tables, chairs, help cook, play with the children, give them homework assignments, help put them to sleep, and various other daycare activities.
The highlight of my experience was when my aunt came to visit me and we celebrated Mother's day with the community at Valle Del Rio. I loved my host family, and really anything that I did with them would be considered a highlight. I also really enjoyed the time I spent with my students as many of them lived so nearby and they would invite me over to play. The local Abroaderview coordinator was absolutely amazing and Laura and Myriam were more than helpful in everything and went way out on a limb to make sure that all of their volunteers were happy. Thanks again ABV for all of your help, it was truly an amazing experience. - Chelsea
George D. father of Chelsea
I am absolutely overwhelmed and dazzled by the POSITIVE difference between your organization and others. My wife Tracy and I feel as if our daughter Chelsea is the ONLY volunteer that you are coordinating. How do you do that!? How are you able to focus such attention on each volunteer without losing your minds? We are SO grateful and happy that Chelsea discovered A Broader View. Please pass our gratitude and our congratulations re: an organization exceptionally well run, along to everybody in view at Abroaderview. That must be everybody involved with your ABV organization because there is no way you could do such a professional and complete job without everybody carrying the same torch of passionate service and attention to detail.
Thank you and Congratulations!
Sincerely,
George D. (Tulsa,OK)

I worked with the Hospice in Lusaka Zambia. I did basic favors for the facility such as take documents and such to different parts of the hospice. I also worked in the laboratory and did HIV antibody tests and recorded Hb for patients. I was able to shadow the clinical officers that worked at the hospice.
Twice, I went on an HIV/Aid outreach workshop where the hospice provided home-based care for patients who were not able to come to the hospice. We went to remote parts of Zambia and provided basic care. The ABV coordinator Josphat was very helpful and polite. He was supportive and always asked if I needed any extra help. He kept in touch throughout my program.
THX ABV

Romita:
Everything went well when we were in Cusco. We really enjoyed our time with Mama Greta and the Montecino family. They were always very helpful and very caring for our needs. Mama Greta's cooking was also always wonderful. The whole family went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable. Please thank them again from us. I also had a great experience at La Clinica. It was great working with Dr. Holgado and Dr. Vilca. We also had the opportunity to go to the Hospital Regional and work in the emergency room. That was also a good experience.
The Spanish classes were also very good and I feel like I can now speak some Spanish without feeling too nervous. I am grateful for the time in Cusco, to be exposed to a new place, a new culture, a new language. It was wonderful to work with Vanessa, the ABV Project Coordinator. She was great about helping us navigate in Cusco in the first few days and were a great source of information. I have no complaints about our stay. Our trip to Acopia was also a wonderful experience. We were able to use our training in "the real world" and at least try to help the people in the village. It was definitely worth it and it was a great experience. Overall everything went very well. We have lots of great memories. Thank you for everything.
Wilson:
I had a really great time during my month in Cusco. I really enjoyed working in La Clinica, the physicians and staff taught me so much. I also learned a lot from the Spanish classes.
The professor was excellent; he was very patient and professional. The host family was very warm and accommodating; they made me feel as thou I was part of their family. Vanessa was very helpful and kind, she helped us tremendously. in summary, my experience was great, if I could do it over again, I would a million times over.
Thank you for everything ABV.

This was my first experience volunteering overseas and it was challenging, rewarding, frustrating, satisfying, scary and joyful all at the same time! I don't think there is any way to understand what it is like and what it does for you other than to experience it first-hand. You will learn a lot about the daily realities of life in a developing country, learn even more about yourself and what you are made of, and most of all understand how even the smallest gestures of good-will and service go very far to help others in need.
My Favorite Memory: Meeting the 20+ youth at the Tabata Youth Center where Youth in Action does much of its work. I spent 2+ hours in a Q&A session talking to the youth about teen issues such as HIV/AIDS, pregnancy, religion, politics, and dating. I was their first visitor and they were so excited to perform one of their educational plays for me.
I was surprised that....
Resources are so incredibly scarce for local organizations; it seems to be the biggest limiting factor for getting things done and making progress. The organizations themselves struggle to stay in operation on a daily basis, and have virtually no support from within their own country.
The most difficult thing I experienced was....
Tourists and "mzungu" are rarely seen in the sections of town where I was, and it was hard to feel so conspicuous and stared at. People call out "mzungu" as you walk by, and you constantly feel eyes watching you. The "personal space" is also a much shorter distance, so people would come up pretty close to take a good look. It took several days to get comfortable with it. I can't say I ever got comfortable with it, but over time I was less uncomfortable!
My best received lesson...
Face each day with an open mind and a healthy dose of humor. There will be many times when you will ask yourself "what am I doing" or "why am I doing this" but if you put aside the critical thoughts and embrace the experience, you will be surprised how things always seem to work themselves out in the end.
Thank you A Broader View Team
http://www.abroaderview.org

I am a senior at Colorado College, and I was in Ghana (in the Volta region) this past summer. I had the most amazing experience in Ghana. The ABV project director Edem in Kpando is an amazing person! He is 29 I think, and incredibly active with the UN youth, and is actually a member of the royal family in Kpando. He is really really smart, and also very used to westerners. He will be very respectful towards you and your cultural background. Additionally, he made me feel extremely safe when I was there (first time is Ghana...especially Accra, can be a bit terrifying). Edem is one of the main reasons I had such a great experience, and hope that I can get back to Kpando very soon!
ABV is wonderful. For a new organization they are well organized. When I was there, I heard somewhat of horror stories about some other programs not really keeping in contact to make sure that the volunteers were safe. With ABV, Edem had to call Sarah in the US office the minute we got to our hotel when I arrived in Ghana. He would check in with her periodically to let her know I was doing fine, and when I got back, Sarah was great about checking in with me to see how my trip was. ABV is not perfect, but they are pretty damn close for sure!
Overall, I found my time in Kpando to be one of the most arth-shatteringly-perspective-changing experiences of my life. I learned so much from the kids at orphanage, from Edem, and from the kids at the school I worked at. There is no way to summarize what my trip was like or how much it meant to me in one short email, but all I can tell you is that, the most important thing to be prepared for is to be prepared for the fact that you cannot really be prepared for what will happen to you while you are there. Everyone has a very different experience....some face home sickness, others stomach sickness, some face enlightenment, others simply find joy and humility. Overall, this ABV program was an amazing opportunity for me!