Shelley Nicoll – Review


Why did you want to volunteer?

I had been to Florida before on holiday with my family but I wanted to go back and experience Florida as a local.

Do you feel you made a difference, how?

Yes we made a big difference by being there. There is only so much a couple of people can do looking after so many animals. I think we played a vital role in supporting the project.

What did you do for fun?

We sat around in the evenings chatting, having fun, playing games. There’s nowhere local to go in the evenings without getting a lift but we made up for it and made friends with each other!

When was your most enjoyable experience, do you have an interesting story?

Learning to ride for the first time. I hadn’t been on a horse before the project.

Would you considering going again or perhaps to another project with Original Volunteers?

Yes I would like to return to the States but I think I would like to visit another area next time.

What would you say/recommend to a friend who was interested in volunteering?

Definitely go for it! – there’s simply too much to do! I had already done the parks when I was younger but for other volunteers who haven’t it’s a real bonus in your free time.

What items would you suggest future volunteers pack?

Old clothes are essential, some of my favourite clothes got mucky so I had to buy some new stuff, but America’s cheap to buy clothes and anything else you need.

Read more about our: Volunteers in Americas

Kieren Brown – Review


Why did you want to volunteer?

To have a safe way of visiting other countries and a chance to make friends with like-minded people.

Do you feel you made a difference, how?

Yes, absolutely, we organised fun games at playtimes and an after school club.

What did you do for fun?

Sit around the fire chatting in the evenings, played pool.

When was your most enjoyable experience, do you have an interesting story?

The visit to the hot springs was a good afternoon.

Would you considering going again or perhaps to another project with Original Volunteers?

Yes I would definitely go back if I have the time.

What would you say/recommend to a friend who was interested in volunteering?

Just do it, it’s not like other types of travelling and you meet lots of great people.

What items would you suggest future volunteers pack?

Snacks from home can be important treats if you are away a long time.

How much money would you suggest you take per week?

£50 a week was plenty but if you do safaris then you need to budget for that.

Could you offer any tips to future volunteers?

Be openminded and have a go at everything!

Read more about our: Volunteers in African Case Studies

Sarah Grier – Review


Going to Mombasa and working on the street kids project had been at the back of my mind for at least 5 years…last June I just decided to book it…6 months later I reached steamy hot Africa, not knowing a word of Swahili and not really knowing what was about to take hold of me.

Here’s my story and why I am going back for a second time…

Read more about our: Volunteers in African Case Studies

Rebecca George – Review


Why did you want to volunteer?
I wanted experience Argentina and what it;s like for the children living in the shanty town and try and help in any way I could.

Do you feel you made a difference, how?
Yes I think we made a difference. Two girls changed their behaviour in the time I was there just because we had enough in our group to spend time with them and play skipping and some word games. I hope with enough volunteers that every child gets some attention so the same can happen again.

Would you considering going again or perhaps to another project with Original Volunteers?
I am considering Cambodia because I have heard some great things about the place and some friends have been already.

What items would you suggest future volunteers pack?
Activities for the children because you don’t want to rely on what the charity has as they can run out.

How much money would you suggest you take per week?
£150 should be plenty, I spent more but I ate out more. And you need to allow £20 a week for your project transport.

Could you offer any tips to future volunteers?
Be prepared to see children affected by really poor ugly conditions in a city. I met one girl who was only thirteen and pregnant, it was very emotional but we tried to involve her as much as we could because she still wanted to do everything the others were.

Read more about our: Volunteers in Americas

Aisling Fletcher – Review


Why did you want to volunteer?
I always wanted to visit Mexico and thought volunteering would be a good option.

Do you feel you made a difference, how?
I worked in a few different projects so not sure how much of a difference I made to the children, but it was great doing different things in totally different places.

What did you do for fun?
Evenings in the city centre listening to the street music.

When was your most enjoyable experience, do you have an interesting story?
Not really, although it was funny teaching English when you can’t speak Spanish but I managed it okay in the end.

Who did you make friends with and for what reasons?
There were twelve of us in the volunteer house so it wasn’t hard to make friends as you all live and work together.

Would you considering going again or perhaps to another project with Original Volunteers?
Yes I would definitely do another project, probably Thailand or Cambodia if I can save the money.

What items would you suggest future volunteers pack?
Clothes for hot weather! It gets really hot there, everything sticks!

Could you offer any tips to future volunteers?
Teaching is the best type of work even if you’ve never done it before, maybe playing outdoor games a close second.

Read more about our: Volunteers in Americas

Sofia Crew – Review


My time at the sanctuary

My time at the sanctuary was amazing, it’s about the horses but it’s also the people you meet and get to know. I have made so many friends and will be keeping in touch with everybody!

Every day was the same but different but the usual routine was have breakfast, then clear and muck out then go out riding. My favourite time was reading to the horses which was funny the first time but I think they liked it!

I would recommend this project to anyone who wants a project where you work in a team and live altogether like a big family.

The hardest part was leaving!

Read more about our: Volunteers in Americas

Aidan Flynn – Review


Why did you want to volunteer?

To try to make a difference in a child’s life. To see if I could help someone less fortunate even if in a small way.

Do you feel you made a difference, how?

Yes, by helping the boys to read and write we were able to help in some part in improving their future.

What did you do for fun?

We played games, played cricket outside after classes.

When was your most enjoyable experience, do you have an interesting story?

Playing cricket with the boys – they didn’t want to stop.

Would you considering going again or perhaps to another project with Original Volunteers?

Yes but I would like to try some other projects, Cambodia and Thailand appeals to me.

What would you say/recommend to a friend who was interested in volunteering?

Just have a go and see what happens, you will be surprised how easy it is and everyone is so friendly.

What items would you suggest future volunteers pack?

Clothes for summer and spring – I was there in the winter and was still really warm.

How much money would you suggest you take per week?

£50 is enough for all your basics.

Could you offer any tips to future volunteers?

Just have a go! It’s really not that hard and you’l be a better person for it afterwards!

Read more about our: Volunteers in African Case Studies

Nicola Fairclough – Review


Would you considering going again or perhaps to another project with Original Volunteers?
I would absolutely, volunteering helps you to learn about yourself and the world around you. I am definitely a better person for it.

What would you say/recommend to a friend who was interested in volunteering?
Just do it. Throw yourself right in and take everything as it comes. All my best times volunteering were the unexpected things, the planned activities were never the same as the last minute ones.

What items would you suggest future volunteers pack?
Trainers for running around and casual clothes as you will be working in a really rough area. I wore my project tshirt and a hoodie, jeans and trainers, you really want to blend in. Don’t wear your jewellry either or a watch, you don’t need them and I think it makes the children feel awkward.

How much money would you suggest you take per week?
I managed on £100 a week including the taxi to get to the project each day, all my food and nights out. Other people who were with me were spending £150 a week so I guess it depends.

Could you offer any tips to future volunteers?
It’s a massive modern city but the work you do with the kids in the community project is something really special as there are not many other people helping them so go with an open mind and be prepared for extremes each day, on the one hand modern Buenos Aires and then the next minute total poverty and serious problems. It can be quite difficult to take in at times and was heartbreaking to leave.

Read more about our: Volunteers in Americas

Connor Lane – Review


Why did you want to volunteer?
I wanted to be able to travel on my own and make friends at the same time. I have travelled around Europe before Interailing but it’s hard to make friends when you are at different hostels each night.

Do you feel you made a difference, how?

Yes we definitely made a difference to the children. They seemed to love having volunteers around and they were easy to make friends with from day one!

What did you do for fun?

Bars, cafes and the city centre. I was surprised at the number of bars in the city and we worked our way round quite a few!

When was your most enjoyable experience, do you have an interesting story?

Teaching the children at the school new sports and games. British bulldog was quite popular and I managed to pass on some basketball techniques to some of the girls.

Would you considering going again or perhaps to another project with Original Volunteers?

Yes but not to Merida as I have done this one now!

What would you say/recommend to a friend who was interested in volunteering?

It’s a great way to travel on your own without all the hassle of moving around between places with taxis and buses when you don’t speak the language. In Merida everything felt like home because you have people there to help you out if you need anything.

Could you offer any tips to future volunteers?

You have to give it 100% and not holdback because the time goes so quickly, my 3 weeks felt like 1!

Read more about our: Volunteers in Americas

Martin French – Review


Why did you want to volunteer?
I am studying equine studies at college so wanted to get some experience by working at a stables.

Best bits about free time?
Saw lots of things, epcot centre and the space centre.

Tips for future volunteers?
Expect to work hard at some times and relax at others as it depends on what the horses and staff need.

What was your day like?
Worked in the morning and then in the afternoon with a break in the middle.

What was the most rewarding?
Seeing the staff work so hard and know you are really helping them out.

What was the hardest part?
Saying goodbye.

What is your best memory?
Riding to the beach.

Top tip for future volunteers?
Take old clothes as they will get dirty and smelly working with the horses. I wish I had taken more clothes for working.

Would you volunteer again?
Yes definitely!

Read more about our: Volunteers in Americas

Emma Harper – Review


Why did you choose to volunteer?

I had been to Kenya before for a holiday with my family.

Do you feel you made a difference, how?

Yes definitely, the boys rely on volunteers being there and helping them. Sometimes you think your hour might have made them change their mind and not go back to the streets. That is a massive deal.

What did you do for fun?

I enjoyed sitting chatting with the staff in the evenings and learning more about what it is like to live there, some volunteers went into the city to hotel bars for fun.

When was your most enjoyable experience, do you have an interesting story?

When we took the boys to the beach and organised a picnic that was great fun. Some of the boys had never been to the beach to have fun.

Would you considering going again or perhaps to another project with Original Volunteers?

Yes I would like to go back to Mombasa, one of the other volunteers was on her second visit as her first trip had affected her a lot and she wanted to keep on helping the project.

What would you say/recommend to a friend who was interested in volunteering?

Just do it and don’t let anyone put you off. The people are amazing and the boys at the shelter really need all the support they can get.

What items would you suggest future volunteers pack?

There is no need to bring a lot of things for the boys as you can buy everything there for less. I bought some new shorts and t-shirts for the boys. They also need more paper and pens but find out before you go so you take what is needed.

How much money would you suggest you take per week?

£50 was more than enough. I spent £380 on a safari, it was a once in a lifetime experience and I could have paid less.

Could you offer any tips to future volunteers?

Don’t let anything stand in your way, the boys need you.

Read more about our: Volunteers in African Case Studies

Hai Sin Lin – Bulgaria


Why did you want to volunteer?
For a good experience.

Do you feel you made a difference, how?
With the gypsy children we help to be more behaved and play nicely.

What did you do for fun?
We went on kayak in the forest and to the beaches.

Who did you make friends with and for what reasons?
I went with my friend and made many friends with other volunteers.

What were the names of the best places to hang out and socialise
The volunteer house was my favourite place to be with everyone. We also went to the city centre in the evenings.

Would you considering going again or perhaps to another project with Original Volunteers?
Yes to Morocco.

What items would you suggest future volunteers pack?
Toys for the children to play and an interest in the projects and children.

How much money would you suggest you take per week?
100 pounds is enough

Could you offer any tips to future volunteers?
Go in the summer when the weather is good.

Read more about our: Volunteers in Europe