I’ve had the best time. India is a beautiful country and offers everything. I met such amazing people and did things I never thought I would. I always felt safe and was in constant communication with the coordinators. I would recommend this to everyone, you have to do it!

I give 4/5 starts for the following reasons:

1st star: The host family was lovely and treated me like their son.

2nd star: The food was delicious in Cusco. It was a good price too.

3rd star: The children at the project were adorable. I loved working with them and learned a great deal about their culture.

4th star: The weekend excursions were phenomenal. We explored many beautiful hikes with lots of photo opportunities.

However, I took away the 5th star because the Machu Picchu trip was a bit disappointing. Volunteer Solutions didn't tell us that the classic view of Machu Picchu (i.e., the most popular postal card spot on social media) wasn't included in our ticket. We were unable to access the best photo-op view known in the entire world, and it was devastating to us. Volunteer Solutions knew this and didn't tell us ahead of time. Thus, we had high expectations, and those expectations weren't met.

If you decide to do the 2-week special in Peru, be extra careful and make sure that Volunteer Solutions is very transparent with you. Otherwise, you might think you're getting something that you paid for... when, in reality, you're not going to get it at all. Just because past volunteers got the full experience doesn't mean that you will get the full experience. Machu Picchu is crazy busy, and because of this, there's a slight chance that your experience might be downgraded due to spot availability. It's understandable, but not when Volunteer Solutions doesn't tell you this beforehand.

Update: Regardless, I highly recommend the 2-week special. It was a lot of fun and I would definitely do it again with some buddies =)

After just a few days, I felt very comfortable at EnriquezArte. The other volunteers welcome you with open hands and are always there for you.
What sets EnriquezArte apart from other NGOs is that they don't specialize on just one area, but several.
Every day is different: whether you spend a day with the kids at the museum or you give food to families in need at the food bank.
I can recommend volunteering at EnriquezArte to anyone who wants to expand their own horizons and is up for an adventure!
It was a wonderful and unforgettable experience! Thank you!!! <3

Absolutely unforgettable experience!! I cannot stress enough how great it is, I highly recommend giving Enriquezarte a try, it’s a lot more that can be put into words!

I went for the 3 week program with safari included and it was really nice. The coordinators helped me with everything. It was a very good experience.

Excellent experience, Volunteering Solutions does a great job. I have and will further recommend you within Cisco! Will also share my story on LinkedIn - regards, Petra

The specific issues of interest ( I had chosen the project named WOMEN EMPOWERMENT) was not possible to be fully treated as the level of English of the school selected by your organization was not very high. Fortunately the teachers of that school were very helpful and collaborative. By privately visiting other schools in Kathmandu I have had the opportunity to realize that there were other secondary schools were the students were more competent in English. So, for the future, I sincerely would suggest to put more attention in selecting the schools when you propose such an high-sounding project title!
However, the experience was ok and I fell in love with the place and the people. Thank you.

I participated in the Community Development Project in Barcelona, Spain with the NGO EnriquezArte for 2 weeks during my summer holidays. At first, I was scared to travel alone to a country I’ve never been before. But from the moment I got there, I felt super welcome. I lived in a flat about 20 minutes walk from the organization. The flat was nice, with a kitchen, bathroom and balcony, everything you need. My roommates were super kind and offered help every time I was struggling. I got to meet many people from all around the world and share my experiences with them. At “work”, we had different tasks that changed every day, like looking after the kids during the summer camp, preparing lunch, collecting and distributing the food for food bank and decorating the house with mosaics. It didn’t really feel like work since every part of it was fun, but we could still help people and see the direct effect of supporting a community. We also had trainings about topics like community building and alternative education as well as Spanish class. And apart from that we had different activities at the end of the day like climbing, yoga and mediation. I loved all of it but especially the climbing. It was so nice to see how kind and supportive everyone is. EnriquezArte is a very bright, colorful and joyful place that really inspires you for your life. I hope I can come back one day to this beautiful city/place and these beautiful people. Definitely recommend<3

I have just returned from the turtle conservation site in Matapalo - Costa Rica. Although staff members left and arrived which seemed to be the thing that happened, Enrique was a constant throughout. I have never seen someone work so hard. He was in charge of the camp; arranged the volunteers rotas; was responsible for all the cooking; carried out lots of nightly patrols and kept busy throughout the days in the garden areas. What he didn’t know about turtles wouldn’t be worth knowing. All the staff were lovely. Very welcoming, helpful and professional with the main aim of rescuing as many turtle nests and eggs as possible.

Even though I didn’t know about the problem with poachers beforehand, this never caused a concern as I always felt safe in the late night or early morning patrols. We certainly walked a lot but this was so special, with a sense of camaraderie and doing something important made more beautiful especially when the sky was so full of stars. (Be prepared with red light torches for the patrols). A must!

I will never forget the emotional experience of watching a turtle emerge from the ocean, walk up the beach to a ‘safe place’. There she made her nest and laid her eggs oblivious she was dropping them in a carefully placed carrier bag. I was so excited to be allowed to measure one of the turtle’s shells during this process when she was in a trance light state. It was wonderful. We watched the turtle slowly make her way back into the ocean whilst carrying the precious eggs to place into the ‘hatchery’. If a couple of babies hatched after approximately 54 days and then nothing more happened Enrique carried out an exhumation a day or so later which was really interesting. Too many details to share here.

The camp is run by sharing out the tasks by the staff and volunteers. Enrique writes everything on a board which includes Patrols, Hatchery 4 x shifts over twenty four hours, Daily cleaning, Help with meal preparation, General cleaning and so on. Extra activities included regular Sloth monitoring, Beach cleanups, Reforestation and so on. This is done fairly with the possibility to swap tasks if needed.

As a rice eater I enjoyed the food immensely. There were three meals a day at 8, 12 and 6 pm. The meals consisted of rice and beans, vegetables, soup, sometimes pancakes for breakfast, always fruit with the choice of juices, coffee and tea. Something very notable was that the water is absolutely fine to drink. This was great to find out as I was concerned about having to depend of buying bottles. A kettle was available twenty-four hours a day which as a typical British person was excellent for my tea drinking. I did take my own tea with me but when it ran out the te negro was a good replacement.

Sleeping arrangements were cramped. The photos on the site were not quite true when every bed was filled and everyone had their personal belongings over the floor. Very little room to manoeuvre.

It is the rainy season which meant it was sometimes difficult to get clothes dried. I used the laundry next door who charged 2,000 colones per dry kilo. The washing and drying space at the camp is very adequate. Take your own washing powder.

Clothes. You really don’t need to take as many as I did. I felt I overpacked. I read somewhere about it being cooler at night but this must have been in another region as it never cooled down. Definitely take black clothes for the patrols. I would recommend light cotton long sleeved tops and long bottoms with possibly socks. I’m saying this as you will not know how you are affected by sand flies and mosquitoes. Lots of people wore vest tops and shorts for the patrols, clearly not worried about being bitten or not affected. Take the best mosquito spray you can find and also a zapper thing to deal with the after affects. One of the patrols crosses a shallow river so reef shoes or similar are very advisable. Any that dry out quickly really and are comfortable for the three hour plus patrol.

There is plenty of time to rest on the beach and visit nearby places of interest. Quepos, Dominical and some waterfalls are nearby. Bus service is cheap but a little irregular. I had a lovely horse ride on my last day with Angelo and a group of seven riders. He lives nearby and there is a sign up advertising him and also nearby kayak trips.

I loved my adventure - even as a senior - and made lots of friends from all over the world. It is important to read the small print on the website as I was fully expecting the type of meals we were given and the cold water showers. Not everyone did this and chose to spend a lot of money at the supermarket.

I’m really happy to answer any individual questions by email as I would have welcomed this opportunity before I traveled. rosie.owen13@gmail.com

I really enjoyed participating in the volunteer program in Tanzania. I had the privilege of knowing a reality very different from mine and living with very friendly, warm and peaceful people. I really enjoyed the organization of the Hostel and the activities and meeting other volunteers. In my opinion, it is an experience that everyone should have the opportunity to live, as it alerts us to the importance of true values in life. I had a great time. I strongly recommend this experience. Asante sana! 😊

The experience at the hospital was eye-opening and thought provoking. I met a lot of friendly volunteers from different places in the world. The local staff there helpful most of the time. The food at the volunteer house was not too good, but the living environment was clean. Overall, I has a great and memorable stay.

It was one of the best experiences of my life. I learn a lot in Greenpoint Clinic and could help too. 5 Perth Road is a incredible Host House and I had a oportunity to met anothers volunteers from so many countries which further enriched my experience. South Africa is amazing, no regrets! Just go!

I volunteered in India working at a school and then with elephants and bears - it was amazing! The entire trip was awesome and well coordinated from the program events themselves, the tours, having the staff shuttle the group around or giving us free time to explore. I will 100% be using this company again to volunteer in other countries. Such a great way to travel as a single female while being safe and meeting new people.

I had a great time, both in the tours and during the actual volunteering. The staff was amazing and extremely helpful all the time

I have participated in the 3weeks summer program in India. I taught in a school the first week in Delhi. The children were so loving. The apartment is fine. It is 20minutes from school and you have to pay everyday the Uber/tuktuk to go to school. You have to share your room and bathroom with more people. Shankar and Dipak are in charge of the house, they will answer all your questions and help you. On Sundays no meals are provided (they do not Cook even breakfast)
The second week was supposed to be a in Palampur teaching, but the school has been closed, so we did the elephant and bear program in Agra which was awasome and learnt a lot of things. The apartment there is bigger and cleaned.
Last week os travelling, the guides were polite, but one of them carried us to a Stone shope after Taj Mahal and we were not interested. Sometimes, guides have a agreement with shops and restaurant and they do not let you to choose where to go.
I do not recommend going to the Monkey temple in Jaipur, monkeys are nor treated well, they are over feed and the place is full of trash. Do not go to the elephant rescue center in Jaipur, It is not a real rescue center and elephants are not n good health condition.

This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! I am truly grateful to the organisation for having organised this trip with care and responsibility. The tours were all very well organised and enjoyable and the staff was always helpful and friendly. The group was excellent and we became friends quickly, which was especially important on our free days! The volunteering days were very few, which I did not expect. I wish we could have spent more time at the elephant camp which their amazing team of workers, who care deeply for the elephants. I recommend this trip for all young travellers who have an aptitude and curiosity for adventure, as well as some volunteering. I encourage them to ask many questions and read carefully the itinerary to know exactly what they will be doing. Amazing and life changing experience overall!!

I absolutely loved Arusha and this experience was truly life changing. The transport to and from
placement was very convenient and the staff at the volunteer house made me feel at home instantly. However, I was in a newly built volunteer house that lacked some amenities such as wifi (had to use data whilst in my room-extra cost) and hot water wasn’t always available. I would highly recommend volunteering in Arusha as the city, it is truly an amazing place.

These last three weeks have been an incredible journey filled with amazing people, unforgettable memories, and personal growth that I could have never imagined.
One of the things that made this trip so fantastic was the diverse range of activities I engaged in. There was never a dull moment. Some of the activities may be challenging at times, but that is where your resilience and determination shines, you learn things about yourself you never knew before. It is also so rewarding to see the good that you are doing.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of my journey was the personal growth I experienced. Throwing myself into an entirely new environment where I knew no one was initially scary, but it proved to be one of the most rewarding decisions I've ever made. The lessons I learned about myself and the confidence I gained have been nothing short of incredible and everybody is so kind that you quickly become a family.

Enriquezarte is a very special place. The people, the atmosphere, and the overall experience make it amazing.

it was a wonderful experience, in just over a week I had the opportunity to get to know a reality that was very different from mine and it was wonderful to meet the children. Shankal the manager of the volunteer house in Delhi was very welcoming and ready to help.

Overall, I had a good experience there. I’ve met people from four different countries. Working with other volunteers to prepare food for animals and clean their enclosures were fun. The work was taught by other volunteers, so we all had responsibilities of our duties and we cooperated as a team. Apart from work, I enjoyed spending free time such as cooking and walking around the volunteer activity area with other volunteers.