GIVE VolunteersReviews of givevolunteers.org

This trip was absolutely amazing! Give is great with bringing groups of people together who wouldn't otherwise have met, you truly form lifelong friendships on these trips and leave a piece of your heart in Nicaragua. Our give guides Mike and Moses (plus Julia!) were amazing and made sure everyone was feeling okay before every worksite. When people hadn't slept, felt sick, or had some stomach trouble they made certain they had whatever they needed. One of the first nights I couldn't sleep at all and opted to sit outside to not wake my roommate. The hotel staff were extremely kind and came by to check on me as did Moses. The next day when I was finally able to sleep for a few hours after lunch, missing job assignments, Mike put me with the education group so I wouldn't be working in the sun that day. Throughout the trip everyone in our group truly took care of each other with sunburns, bug-bites, scrapes, etc literally any supplies became shared as we were all in it together. Now that thats out of the way, Jiquilillo is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and not just because of the environment but the people. Monty's surf camp became a home to everyone there, the staff became family, and you leave a piece of your heart when you leave. For anyone wondering about accommodations they are VERY nice. Every roommate pair gets a room with three (comfy) beds and mosquito nets plus a fan which is a godsend on humid nights. The ladies will change your sheets and clean your rooms every few days. Which was wonderful when sand and work mud inevitably got on the floor and in the bathroom. Allen the hotel manager is so kind and will make sure you have whatever you need. The worksites we did were construction, gardening, education, and mangrove reforestation. Each one was genuinely a fun time with music and water breaks (even when we didn't think we needed one). I mainly did education in the afternoons alongside construction in the mornings. I wasn't originally planning on doing education but after one time I had to come back. The kids are brilliant (obviously) and really want to learn. Some are shy at first but once you get to know them you become attached at the hip. Moses (from Chinandega) was a brilliant teacher and got the kids to open up. After class we would head outside to play futbol, kickball, climb trees, have tickle wars, piggyback rides etc. When our last day came everyone was very emotional leaving the kids. If you go on this trip and try education please enjoy it and let the kids learn and have fun because while we aren't there for very long we have a big impact. This trip is impossible to fully put in a review because there are so many magical moments to mention. If you are on the fence about doing it DO IT. This was my first give trip as a fresh highschool grad and I thought I would do one and move on to worldpackers but no. Give for life The connection with the locals and relationships you build do not happen anywhere else.

This was such a unique experience that allowed me to learn more about conservation and the importance of mindfulness about the land that we live on. I was able to learn more about the Snoqualmie tribe while responsibly working and recreating in their landscape. The people I’ve met are so special and as passionate as I am! The volunteer work and experiences that we accomplished in such a small period of time was truly inspiring and got me thinking about a career in conservation and sustainability.

Traveling to Southeast Asia with GIVE was a very positive and impactful experience! I was blown away by the hospitality and love the locals showed us immediately upon arrival! I’m grateful for the chance to learn from the locals and support and empower their communities. The guides were clearly passionate about this program and very organized. They taught us about global citizenship and sustainable travel, which are things I’ll continue to practice in the future. There was a good balance between volunteering time (English education and permaculture), adventure activities, and free time. This trip was a great way to connect with like-minded people! I can’t possibly sum up the most wonderful 4 weeks of my life into one review, but I strongly encourage anyone who is hesitant about traveling with GIVE to take the leap of faith… you’ll be so glad you did! I just left Southeast Asia, and I already can’t wait to go back!

This was genuinely one of the best things i’ve ever done. I met so many amazing people is such a short amount of time. The whole trip was so inspiring and rewarding. I learned so much in such a short amount of time. I would go back in a heartbeat <3

The PNW trip is awesome! I think it’s a fairly new location so there were some hiccups but it was so great. Carly Jo and Mike were so fun and inspiring and curated a great group and great time. They taught us very valuable lessons that will always stick with me!

Volunteering with the local guides and going on amazing excursions made this trip so unforgettable. Made so many memories and met so many awesome people! it’s a must do if you can find the time and money for it!!

Being immersed in the culture made my experience so memorable! I enjoyed being a part of an organization that works to help communities in anyway that they need help in! It was incredible having guided who were so knowledgeable on Zanzíbar and cared for every volunteer on the trip!

I absolutely LOVED my GIVE trip. All the people were so welcoming, it was well organized, and the communication was stellar. The volunteer work felt meaningful and the activities that we did were super super fun. My one complaint is that it was not enough service. A 14 day trip with 6 days of service should not be advertised as a volunteer trip. If I had one thing to change about give, it would be to add at least 2 more volunteer days.