Voices from Abroad: Some Recent Volunteer Feedback

Chelsea D. volunteered in Ecuador for 4 months (Feb-June 2008)

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 indigenes 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

(Comments from Chelsea’s parents)

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)

Siobhan S volunteered in Tanzania for 4 weeks (May 2008)

Just a note to say I have arrived safely and I'm having a fantastic time so far. You're right everything is at a different pace! I've started teaching in the kindergarten school from 8am - 12, this is fine, and I’ve brought over lots of materials which were badly needed. Yesterday I took a trip into Arusha town to buy more copy books, do some photocopying etc. I will be assisting with computer and English classes some days also. I feel like I'm making progress already which is great and very rewarding.

When I return to Ireland I will encourage some of my friends etc to consider working as a volunteer through your ABV organization. The host family is absolutely lovely, very welcoming and friendly.

They are encouraging me to speak Swahili which is great. The food is fine, toilet and shower facilities are very basic but I guess that was to be expected. I have taken lots of photos so far and I can e-mail these on to you when I return to Ireland.

Thanks & take care,
Siobhan

Nicole R volunteered in Uganda for 4 weeks. (May 2008)

I have arrived home safely, and am just now sorting through all my emails. I have an abundance of photos, of the school, the kids, the culture, traveling around, myself teaching etc. I'll just send you a general sampling. Thank you for handling the situation that came up with the homestay so quickly. However the Aroda family is absolutely fantastic and they were beyond welcoming. I immediately felt a part of the family I was extremely sad to leave them. The school I taught at was also truly wonderful. It was most certainly a challenge because of the different pace of working and manner of disciplining the children, but the kids could not have been any more polite, eager to learn and willing to share with me. Furthermore the teaching staff, were not only helpful at all times, but by the end I was able to consider most of them good friends and have remained in touch with them since arriving home. I strongly recommend the school and the Arodas to any future volunteer interested in a similar experience. Thank you so much, the experience was everything and more, I wish I could have stayed longer! - Nicole

Amy R volunteered in Ghana for 2 weeks. (June 2008)

I just wanted to say that I got back safe and sound and am finally home in Colorado! I will be sending you pictures in the next few days. But just so you know...my trip was unbelievably AMAZING and I know Megan feels the same....we are so lucky to have been able to do this, and especially to have been able to work with Edem, the ABV coordinator! He absolutely bent over backwards to make my experience wonderful and meaningful! Amy

Vicky Z volunteered in Uganda for 4 weeks (June 2008)

I taught primary English and Math classes in the mornings at the Katebo village school and either helped with afternoon school activities or lesson planned and created instructional activities. Working with ABV has been wonderful and they have been extremely helpful. My experience in Uganda was enlightening and beneficial and I believe God has given me a bigger calling through the experience to do what I can to help. Thank you for the truly life changing experience! ABV was great to work with and I look forward to hopefully working with you again in the future!

 

Belinda H. Volunteered in Ecuador for 1 week.
(May 2008)

Thanks for everything.

Laura the coordinator has been great and arranged for our early morning departure tomorrow at 4am! The program has been great and myself and the other two ABV volunteers are very glad we did the program!!!

 

 

Andria G volunteered in Uganda for 2 weeks. (July 2008)

I had an absolutely amazing experience in Uganda and I wanted to thank you and the A Broader View team for making sure everything went so smoothly.

Thanks again for making this happen for us – it was a life changing trip and hopefully the first of many volunteer abroad trips for me personally.  I wouldn’t hesitate to use A Broader View again, so I’m sure you’ll be hearing from me in the future to help me coordinate another journey.

 

 

Jenn O volunteered in Uganda for 2 weeks (July 2008)

ABV Staff and the local coordinator were helpful and supportive during our stay. He had a great team with him to make sure we were safe and felt comfortable.

They took great care of us and we were able to build some great friendships with them. I had an unforgettable experience volunteering in Kampala. I had an absolutely amazing time and am so thankful that I was able to experience this.

 

 

Post Trip Survey for Abroaderview Volunteers

What program did you work with? Please describe some of your daily task.

I went to Kampala with my company Softchoice. There were 17 of us who worked in 3 different locations during our stay – Babies Home, Child in Need Center and Computer Center. We rotated between the three of these locations each day for the 2 weeks. At the Babies Home we played with the children, changed diapers and fed them.

At the Home for Street Kids we hung out with the teens, played, danced, listened to their stories and cooked them meals. At the Computer Center we helped them with typing, building resumes and taught them how to use Access, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

What was the highlight of your experience?

Buying bunk beds for the teens at African Child in Need. When we arrived they were sleeping on the floor on some mattresses. There weren’t even enough mattresses for all 17 boys.

We went out the next day and bought them bunk beds, new mattresses, sheets, and pillows. It was so amazing to see how excited they were and how something as small as a bed could make such a difference in someone’s life.

How would you describe the local Abroaderview coordinator? Were they helpful, supportive?

The Coordinator was helpful and supportive during our stay. He had a great team with him to make sure we were safe and felt comfortable. They took great care of us and we were able to build some great friendships with them.

Were you able to go sightseeing on the weekends? If so, what did you see or do?

We went to Murchison Falls on the weekend which was great. We went on a safari through the Game Park and visited the Falls which was beautiful.

On the way to Murchison Falls we stopped off in Gulu and during our second week we went to Tororro and Jinga for a day trip which was very nice. There we went to some schools and visited with some foster families.

How did you hear about Abroaderview Volunteers?

Through one of my co-workers.

Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?

Sure – I had an unforgettable experience.

Would you volunteer abroad again?

Definitely

Any other comments you would like to add:

I had an absolutely amazing time and am so thankful that I was able to experience this.