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Visit International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)'s website to learn more about their programs abroad
Overview
Overview
IVHQ offers the world’s most trusted and affordable volunteer programs in more than 50 destinations. Programs are available in Africa, Asia, South America, Central America, North America, Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East and the Pacific where IVHQ has supported over 100,000 people to volunteer abroad since 2007.
Currently, IVHQ has programs in Bali, Costa Rica, South Africa, Greece, Fiji, Nepal, Peru, Jamaica, Madagascar, Spain, Cambodia, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Italy, Tanzania, Cambodia, Victoria Falls, India, Vietnam, Portugal, New Zealand, Laos, Belgium, Morocco, Romania, Brazil, China, Ghana, Colombia, Zambia, Uganda, Ecuador, Argentina, Jordan, USA, Croatia, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Mexico and Thailand.
IVHQ has the largest range of affordable volunteer programs, ranging from 1 week to 24 weeks. Visit www.volunteerhq.org for more information.
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Editorial
By Sarah Vandenberg
Director of Partnerships
Sarah has worked in the volunteer travel industry since 2004. She supports all of our partners, and shares stories, trends, and advice for travelers who want to volunteer, intern, or teach abroad.
International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) is a leader in volunteer travel, working in 50 countries worldwide, and placing travelers on projects that contribute meaningfully to the community they are visiting.
An awesome organization
Launched in 2007, IVHQ connects knowledgeable and skilled travelers with responsible, high-quality projects that heighten global awareness and cultural understanding.
IVHQ prides itself on being a values-led organization, and places four values above all others: Responsible, Innovative, Trusted, and Awesome.
IVHQ equates “awesome” with being ambitious, tenacious, and youthful – the goal is to use size and scale to have a significant global impact, and to be flexible to adapt and respond to volunteer and community needs.
Marine conservation with IVHQ
More than volunteering
IVHQ offers more than volunteer placements abroad! This organization also provides services like fundraising advice, scholarships, service activity ideas, online TEFL courses, customized flight itineraries, a carbon footprint calculator, volunteer travel insurance, and even an online store.
Some of IVHQ’s achievements include:
- Helped volunteers to contribute more than 860,000 hours of support to community programs abroad
- Enabled volunteers to spend more than 410,000 hours supporting education and literacy projects
- Invested over $11 million in communities abroad through IVHQ program fees
- Grew its overall volunteer numbers to more than 100,000 since 2007
- Reduced its carbon emissions by 15%
Teaching abroad with IVHQ
A trusted provider
Volunteers rave about their experiences with IVHQ, leaving more than 3,500 verified reviews on IVHQ’s website, and hundreds of reviews on Volunteer Forever.
From solo volunteers to families to students, the consensus is that IVHQ is organized and makes travel fun. Read on to see what volunteers have to say about this amazing organization!
IVHQ volunteers in Spain
Top projects
Gallery
IVHQers in Spain
Volunteering in Madagascar with IVHQ
IVHQ volunteers on orientation in Colombia
IVHQ volunteers in South Africa
IVHQ Teaching project in Bali
IVHQer Teaching English in Bali
Marine Conservation in Madagascar
IVHQ construction volunteers in Bali
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Shiori Kuboki
1 Jul 2022
The experience was amazing :) The local staff were very nice and helpful and my host family was the most welcoming and accommodating family ever. With the 'rural' experience, it...Read more
The experience was amazing :) The local staff were very nice and helpful and my host family was the most welcoming and accommodating family ever. With the 'rural' experience, it was very interesting to get a sneak peek into the daily lives of the local people, rather than staying at a volunteer house. The teaching itself was definitely not easy but it was a great experience to get to interact with the kids and the local teachers.
kristi cooper
30 Jun 2022
By far the best experience Ive ever had!!! The host family and program manager were all so helpful and answered any and all of my many many questions. I will...Read more
By far the best experience Ive ever had!!! The host family and program manager were all so helpful and answered any and all of my many many questions. I will go again!!
Maya Rogers
30 Jun 2022
My time at Nakavango changed me as a person. The people and the place are gems that cannot be found elsewhere. The experiences from dancing around a campfire in the...Read more
My time at Nakavango changed me as a person. The people and the place are gems that cannot be found elsewhere. The experiences from dancing around a campfire in the wild bush singing local songs all the way to nights of karaoke will forever fill my heart. I made friends for life and you will too :)
Cecilia Hugo
29 Jun 2022
I volunteered at Nakavango in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, as part of the IVHQ Wildlife Conservation Project. It truly was one of the highlights of my life. And I’ve had some...Read more
I volunteered at Nakavango in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, as part of the IVHQ Wildlife Conservation Project. It truly was one of the highlights of my life. And I’ve had some pretty remarkable experiences so that says a lot. The staff a Nakavango was incredible and extremely knowledgeable. They create the perfect balance of hard work and joyous moments playing with the children at Masuwe School, observing wildlife in the bush, and taking in the sights of one of the seven wonders of the world. We each had our own room, were provided three yummy meals a day with great care to accommodate those who have special diets. Highlights of my stay included morning and evening game drives, sitting around the fire pit under the stars, camping out in the bush, and completing a work task feeling that we had made progress on a project. Yet, the most outstanding aspect of this experience for me, was bonding with my fellow volunteers. Prior to arriving at Nakavango, I thought I’d be the senior member of the crew so I was a bit apprehensive even though I had worked for weeks to get in shape physically so I could contribute equally. Well, I wasn’t the most senior. In fact, we had a wonderful range of ages, nationalities, and personalities. We became a family, caring for and respectful of all. That truly blew me away. And now, we continue to stay in touch. I am so grateful for the IVHQ program at Nakavango. It changed my life!