Volunteer in Peru

1- How was the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country?

Maria Elena was helpful from the airport to directing me to my assignment locations.  She often checked in on my progress and was helpful in assisting me with my travel and touring plans.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

Unfortunately, with a large teacher and medic strike, and the national independence week, I was unable to provide as much patient care as I would as wished, this was out the control of ABV but Maria Elena did her best to have programs for me. I was pleasantly surprised by the clean and comfortable room I was afforded.  They were very gracious hosts, and the food served was delicious.

3- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?

• The lack of enough dental instruments and functioning equipment to be able to use, it was to be expected.
• Accepting the poor protocol practiced in infection control, regarding disinfection and sterilization.

4- Any tips for future volunteers…

1. A command of the language is always helpful.
2. Bring supplies, possibly to donate, i.e. instruments, disposables
3. If visiting in winter, wear layers of clothes
4. Carry hand sanitizer

5- Personal Paragraph about the experience (ABV Program Testimonial):

One cannot always measure the impact that your service has had on those you have served. That is the unfortunate part. However, it is what you feel from giving of your time and energy to those of less fortune and health.

Volunteer in Peru

6- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, security, friendliness, quality others:

EXCELLENT

7- What was your favorite memory of this trip?:

Program: Providing toothbrushes, floss and paste to the children at the orphanage and conducting a program on oral health care.
Host Family: Their graciousness.
Country:  The colorful environment and pride in Inka tradition and culture.

8- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

Sarah was always helpful and prompt, whether by phone or e mail.

9- What do you think about the reservation system online?

Functional.

10- How did you find Abroaderview website (keywords, search engine, word mouth to mouth, recommended by .., other).

How I found out about Abroaderview was through the ADA Dentist Volunteer Website.

Volunteer Ecuador

1- How was the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country?

The staff and support in country exceeded expectations. As soon  as we arrived we were given a warm welcome and it seemed like they were genuinely happy to have us visiting. We were given multiple contacts of people in case of emergency, and the staff kept in touch during my entire stay to make sure everything was okay.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

Program:  I was surprised by how pleasant everyone was, even with the language barrier at work my coworkers did their best to help me fit in. I was also shocked my the number of patients in the hospital every day. Being a public hospital, had hundreds of people needing help even before we started working (7:30am). It was sad to see so many people in need, but you felt better knowing you were trying your best to help.

Host Family:  I think my host family was the biggest surprise. I can’t say enough positive things about my host Mom, we got incredibly lucky. She was so welcoming, and cooked us great food three times each day. Her children were friendly and awesome to talk with too.

Country:  I was mostly surprised by how huge Ecuador/Quito is. I thought I’d be able to see most of the city but I was wrong, it’s tremendous. I also underestimated how much traveling I was going to do, which was by far the best part of the trip. I can easily say that the places I’ve seen in Ecuador are the most beautiful places I’ve been to thus far in my life.

3- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?

Program: The language barrier was by far the most challenging thing to overcome at work, after 4 weeks I still find my self struggling to communicate with the staff at the hospital.

Host Family: the living conditions at home took some time getting used to, like the bed and the shower, but other than that there weren’t many things challenging about Janet and her Family.

the biggest thing to overcome in my point of view is constantly worrying about the water you’re drinking and the food you’re eating. You don’t want to get sick in a foreign country, so being on your toes at all times gets tiring.

ABV: from all our volunteers no one has been sick by eating at our host families. Always drink bottle water and if you eat in restaurants only do at well known and good review locations, never from street vendors.

4- Any tips for future volunteers… (clothing, travel, personal items, donations)

Bring your smartphone, computer, or tablet, try to write in a journal every day, bring water-proof clothing and shoes/boots, travel, try every single fruit you can (everything is delicious).

5. Other things volunteers should know before coming here:

If you’re volunteering at the hospital ABV says you need a bunch of medical equipment which is not accurate, unfortunately it will just be a waste of money. Also if you’re working at the hospital, no matter what the website says, you NEED WHITE pants and a WHITE top.

ABV: Our website asks for supplies as many hospitals and clinics need many supplies, our website is as general as possible as we work with dozens of medical locations and they are all different. But the White pants and white tops and white sneakers are described in the website and volunteer guide.

Volunteer in Ecuador Quito North: PreMed & PreNurse

6- Personal Paragraph about the experience (ABV Program Testimonial):

This trip was incredible and I don’t regret coming for a second. Our trip was a month long and I think that is a perfect amount of time for first time travelers.   Changing sheets, cleaning the bed frames, and washing patients will most likely take up all your time. Instead of shadowing doctors and nurses, we mostly worked with the nurse assistants.

ABV: volunteers needs to be proactive, jump in and ask to help with any tasks, dont expect a schedule of shadowing one on one doctors or nurses, you need to ask to help in all the areas of the hospital or clinic, also you need to talk with your supervisor, local coordinator if you are not getting the exposure you want, also you can always email ABV US to have us inform of any change you want.

7- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, security, friendliness, quality others:

The accommodations were better than expected, clean and comfortable. The meals were also great, very convenient and prepared well. I felt safe, the only setting where I felt I needed to be careful was walking around at night. And everyone I’ve met was extremely nice, some of the most pleasant people I know.

ABV: we have a curfew so volunteer shouldn’t be walking around at night and take a cab home if you are late.

8- What was your favorite memory of this trip?:

Program: the best part of the program was actually shadowing doctors the last 2 days in the emergency section of the hospital.

Host Family:  Eating meals together, talking about our days, and laughing with each other was a highlight every day.

Country:  Traveling to the jungle and baños we’re equally incredible. I’m extremely happy I went to both places and would go back in a heartbeat

9- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling? (who helped you, emails, phone calls, chat online, how fast did you got an answer, did you got all your answers)

ABV support prior to travel was exceptional in every way possible.

9.1- What do you think about the reservation system online?

Reservations and setting up the trip was also easy and clear.

9.2- Who did you find Abroaderview website (keywords, search engine, word mouth to mouth, recommended by .., other)

I found out about the program by my Aunt, who heard about it from a friend.

Volunteer in Chile

I’m a student at Cary high school. I’m from Cary, North Carolina, USA.

I chose to volunteer in chile to help the school in there attempts to become a more bilingual population. I wanted to practice my Spanish as rigorously as I could and I had been informed that Chile is notorious for its Spanish being more complex.

The host family was very nice and I found it very surprising how alike we were in terms of political and social views. I was able to have several discussions with them about how the politics in Chile were similar to those in the United States.

One thing I found difficult was learning how to use the public transportation. Me and Adrienne would spend up to and hour in the cold mornings searching for a “taxi-colectivo” that wasn’t full. Not having air conditioning was another thing I had to get used to.

I recommend that other volunteers pack warmer clothes. Its usually 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature doesn’t change much throughout the week. During the week ends I would recommend going to places like isla damas. Volunteers should really take advantage of the days they have off.

Volunteering in Chile

My accommodations were very pleasing and I was very satisfied. Silvia, our host mom was a very good cook and I was always looking forward to what she had prepared for us. I loved her rice. I’m not a fan of fish but Silvia made the best fried fish I have ever had. I never felt like I was in danger so I don’t have anything to complain about when it comes to my security. My host family was amazing and I didn’t miss my family at home since I had them for company and they made me feel comfortable in my new home.

My local coordinator, Vilma was amazing. She made sure we had things to do on our days off. I didn’t really feel the need to ask her for any assistance, but I was confident that if I needed anything that I could depend on her.

Volunteer Honduras

1.-How was the local ABV Coordinator and the support provided in-country?

Rafael was very welcoming and kind.  He was helpful in getting me oriented to the hospitals and introducing me to key people there.  On an ongoing basis, he checked-in with me to make sure if I was having a good experience.  Yet he also correctly assessed that I could manage independently as well and he gave me the room to do that.  He was also very flexible with altering the schedules to accommodate sufficient rest, occasional outings, and the type of medical volunteering opportunities of which I wanted  to take advantage.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

At the program: The most surprising thing is how exhausting it is to work in a different health care system in a different language.  My brain would tire from constant attention to understanding Spanish and learning new systems.

At the accommodation: I was surprised to learn that Rafael was not only my coordinator, but also my host.  It was very helpful though because we could chat about how things were going over meals and he could help decipher some of the days’ puzzles from the hospital.

I also was surprised at how “suburban” the area is.  In many ways it didn’t feel like the typical neighborhood and life of what I have become accustomed in Central America.

About the country: I have traveled a fair amount in Central America so I was pretty prepared with my expectations – except how suburban it would be.

3- What was most difficult to experience?

At the program:

Just living everyday without the certainty of knowing what is going on around me – due to the different medical systems and the language.  I just had to be okay with not understanding a lot, as well as with taking responsibility for the quality of my own experience.
At the accommodation: I was quite happy with the accommodation.  Probably the most difficult part for me is that there were other english speakers there for me so it was hard to be immersed in Spanish as much as I would have liked.

The country: I think there is a cultural difference in how the Hondurans present themselves to someone they first meet (at least at the hospitals).  My experience was that it often felt like the nurses and doctors were dismissive, disinterested, or not very happy to have me there.  But I learned that if I extended myself a few times, they were surprisingly welcoming, friendly, and healthy.

4- Any tips for future volunteers…

Clothing:

– surgery cap

– blood pressure cuff

Donations:

– thermometers – non-digital

– athletic tape

– ace wraps

– don’t bring items to donate such as alcohol wipes, ointments, fancy bandages because they will only be a novelty and probably not used – and certainly not something they will invest in buying in the future.

Volunteering in Honduras

4.1 -Other things volunteers should know:

a.- Knowing a fair amount of Spanish is definitely helpful

b.- Spend time at the hospital helping with some of the more mundane tasks such as restocking items needed on a daily basis, making gauze pads, putting together paperwork.  The nurses will appreciate it hugely and they will give back by teaching you even more.

c.- This is not really a volunteer program as much as it is a volunteer opportunity.  Very little is actually set in stone or set up.  You have to be okay with lots of ambiguity and you are really the one responsible for the form, day-to-day experiences, and the quality of your experience.  So, be direct with the nurses and doctors about what you want to do., such as only observe, or focus wound care, or learn how to insert IVs.  If you tell them, and remind them, they will give you the opportunity, if you don’t tell them, they likely won’t suggest it.

d.- Pace yourself.  It can be really tiring and frustrating so give yourself room to take an afternoon off, or go in late, if it helps with your energy level.

5- Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial), don’t leave blank:

I have had a good experience as a medical volunteer in La Ceiba, Honduras through A Broader View. I chose to do a program like this because I want a career change and medicine is a new career path I have been considering.  Before committing to it, I wanted some more direct experience to inform my decision.  I knew it can be very difficult to get real hands-experience like this in the U.S., but I also knew that those restrictions don’t exist in many developing countries. This, along with my love of experiencing new places and cultures, made a medical volunteering program the perfect opportunity to “try on” the job of ER nurse.

I certainly got hands-on experience. From simple cleaning of wounds to response to cardiac infarctions, from inserting IVs to early labor care, I was able to practice skills I already had and learn new ones and new techniques. The volume of patients allowed for many chances to improve skills and communication.

In addition to the hands on experience, I was able to assist with more advanced procedures and to observe surgeries close to the side of surgeon performing the operation.

What I found most fascinating though was the resourcefulness of the doctors and nurses.  Without the benefit of advanced technologies and supplies, these personnel relied more on the tried and true techniques of medicine. They  were also inspiringly creative in making their own “technology and supplies” to serve the same purposes but using the things they have on hand.  For me, this was an invaluable aspect to experience.

I am happy with the experience I have had here and will remember it fondly as I move into my new career as a nurse.

Volunteer Peru

1.- Whats was a daily schedule at the program, hours volunteered?

I study Spanish in a local school from 8:30-12:30 during the week. After classes, I have a break for two hours. After the break, I volunteer in an orphanage until 5:30. The rest of the evening is mine to spend as I wish.

2.- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

Host Family: The family was very welcoming and warm. They make me feel like part of the family. I was not expecting such kind people.

Program: I was surprised about how self-sufficient the girls in the orphanage are.

Country: It was shocking how quickly the weather conditions can change here. It can be warm and sunny one moment and then cold and rainy the next.

3.- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?

Host Family: In the house, the family speaks Spanish. Although I have studied the language a little in the past, it was very difficult for me to communicate and understand them at first, but I am improving at a rapid pace.

Program: Communication continues to be difficult. This is greatly due to the fact that much of the conversation is in a group and not directed at me. It is sometimes difficult to understand the language.

Country: I was not expecting to negotiate so much in Cusco. From taxis to local markets, there is often not a set price. For example, a taxi driver may say the taxi ride costs 6 soles, but you can and should argue for a fairer price when the drivers try to overcharge.

4.- Any tips for future volunteers… (clothing, travel, personal items, donations, money, internet)

Make sure to bring clothing for layering. The weather is very volatile.

Additionally, the altitude caused me small problems, but I believe the altitude sickness pills I took helped me greatly.

Volunteer in Peru

5.- Other things volunteers should know before coming here:

Host Family: It is important to understand that the food may be very different than what is typical in other countries. For example, the people here eat a lot more carbohydrates than in my country. It is important to understand that many of the differences that are experienced while abroad are not necessarily bad. They are just different.

Program: It is important to communicate with the local coordinator if any problems arise. They likely can help significantly. Communication is key.

Country: Cusco is at a very high altitude. It is important to take it easy for the first few days to avoid altitude sickness.

6.- Personal Paragraph about the experience (ABV Program Testimonial):

I have really enjoyed my time in Peru. Cusco is a beautiful city with many activities. The girls and workers in the orphanage are quite self-sufficient here. The most important thing the orphanage needs from volunteers are donations. These can range from clothing to school supplies to other necessary materials.

7.- How would you describe your accommodation: meals, security, friendliness, quality others:

Meals: They are normally very good. One should expect lighter breakfasts and dinners and larger lunches.

Security: The city feels very safe. Like any city, it is best not to be out alone during the night. This is simply practical.

friendliness: Everyone has been friendly here. There have been no problems for me.

Quality: The city is beautiful and has many fun activities for volunteers during time away from work.

8.- How was the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country: Airport, orientation, introduction to the program, schedule of the program, friendliness, solving problems?

The local coordinator is excellent. She is very friendly and responds quickly to messages. She is willing to help volunteers with any problems or with scheduling travel.

9.- What was your favorite memory of this trip?:

Accommodation: I really enjoyed spending the 30th of August with the family. It was a holiday in Peru, and the entire family gathered and ate at a rustic restaurant. It was a beautiful day.

Program: I really enjoyed communicating with the girls from the orphanage. I remember my first successful conversation with them in Spanish. It felt very rewarding.

Country: I really enjoyed traveling on the weekends and would highly recommend this. Travel was surprisingly inexpensive. I am looking forward to visiting the Rainbow Mountains this weekend.

Gap Year Peru

10.- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling? Emails, chat online, calls, volunteer guide:

I found Sarah to be very helpful and friendly through emails. I primarily communicated with her.

11.- What do you think about the reservation system online?

It was very straight forward and easy to understand. I see no problems with it.

12.- Who did you find Abroaderview website
?

I traveled to Peru with my friend, Megan Lacombe, and she showed me the website for the first time.

13.- Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?

Yes, I am more than willing to communicate with them.

Volunteer Zambia

1- How was the local Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country?

​He was very attentive to me and ensured I was settled in well.  He immediately showed me around and helped with booking excursions. He made introductions to the key staff at the clinic. He helped me sort through the paperwork needed for the clinic.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

​The ​unexpected las minute US$100 clinic fee.  It made things seem unorganized, but ABV refunded the US$100 which I was thankful.

ABV: The clinic changed the policy a day before your arrival, some programs do this, but is not common practice of the clinics or hospitals. We will always try to have updated information from all our 245 locations on a weekly basis.

3- What was most difficult to experience?

​The lackadaisical attitudes of Zambians and laid back attitude about everything, including professional issues.

4- Any tips for future volunteers… (clothing, travel, donations)

​October was very hot/extreme heat. Bring a bathing suit.  Be ready for relaxed attitudes about ​punctuality even with tours/dinner service.  Donations: toys, pencils and crayons for the kids in the nearby villages

4.1- Other things volunteers should know:
a.- Water is safe to drink in Livingstone. I had no issues​
b.- Absolutely use  mosquito nets.  You need it. Bring one
c.- Kids are very friendly and curious. They ask a lot & ask for money ​
d.- Livingstone is safe. The coordinator is great about ensuring safety.

Volunteering in Zambia

5- Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial):

​This was my second trip with ABV out of 3.  Africa was an extremely different place (than Peru).  However, it was lovely to see the contrast.  I had a hard time adapting to the laid back attitude by the locals, but by the end of my time there it didn’t even phase me. You learn to adapt.  I felt like this trip was great for my patience. The clinic I worked at was a good exposure for me to see how healthcare works there. Everyone was so happy and friendly.  Plus, the excursions in the area were amazing.

6- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, security (e: host family, on-site, shared)

​The house was clean and comfortable.  The meals were delicious ​and I loved trying traditional food.  I felt safe and bonded with the family.  I miss them.

7- What was your favorite memory of this trip?

​The safari was exceptional. Seeing the animals in the wild and learning about them made me feel more connected with nature.

8.- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

ABV staff in USA were supportive throughout and help with with anything I needed or asked.  I appreciated the refund of the $100 unexpected fee. ​

9 – Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers

​Yes!​

1- How was the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country?

The staff (Sebastian and Herman especially) for the duration of the project were fantastic. All questions and assistance were quickly and thoroughly answered-provided. Sebastian did a fantastic one on one job during orientation to my project, learning the surrounding area, and using the local buses and taxis. Herman was very helpful with arranging donation for all of my preschool English materials to other older student classes as my 3 year olds were not learning English. My Spanish teacher Cecilia was fantastic not only with teaching beginning Spanish but also sharing culture and local information including a few “field trips to practice my elementary spoken Spanish in the market and other locations”.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

Program: I was very impressed with the dedication of all the teachers at the preschool. Despite a very poor indigenous barrio they love their kids and work!

Also surprising was the stark difference between the countryside with volcanoes/mountains and small villages on excursions and the feel of Quito being a big hectic poor city especially near my project day care center

I was also surprised at how the downturn of the Ecuadorian economy (recession, petroleum price drop) has negatively affected this typical middle class family.

3- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?

Program: As a beginner Spanish student, this provided challenge with communicating with teachers and ninos. I learned a lot of Spanish with the kids & teachers!

Host Family: Again being a beginner with Spanish was a challenge. However, it was helpful the daughter has very good English when she was at home (for 2 of the 4 weeks).

Country: Getting accustomed to the poor kids at school, and overall air pollution. The contrast was a village we visited that was spotless in the countryside!

4- Any tips for future volunteers… (clothing, travel, personal items, donations)

1. Listen to the local staff on issues of security and safety, especially using taxis! One day a taxi tried to charge $10.00 for a $1.50 route. We walked!

2. I observed many “materials, puzzles, other play items for the kids from the USA” in my day care. They really appreciate and use “donations” at the projects. Bring lots of donations!

3. Travel on excursions outside the city can take a lot longer using local transportation than we expect. Be patient!

4. Most items can be purchased somewhere in Quito at the grocery store, or market etc. Don’t worry if you forget something!

5.1-Other things volunteers should know before coming here:

a. It is very important to NOT place Toilet Paper in toilets at your project, the Spanish school, or in your host family residence (anywhere in Ecuador). Plumbing does not accommodate paper and you MUST put paper in the trash can (basura). I was aware of this as I had traveled in S. America prior for business but I was not told this during orientation either at my family or the school/project office as everyone expects to do this.

b. It is very easy to buy bottled water everywhere in little shops, or the grocery.

c. People really appreciate daily greetings when you meet them (at your project or language class, host family etc.) It is a great way to practice Spanish too!

d. Don’t be afraid to “help” anyway needed in your project. Take initiative as the teachers really appreciate your helping out.

e. Comment: Excursions, extracurricular lectures on local food, shamanism, Ecuador National Parks etc. were all provided in Spanish – there could have been side by side translation.

6- Personal Paragraph about the experience (ABV Program Testimonial)

I was delighted to volunteer at the day care center in a class with the 3 year old ninos/ninas. The teacher was very dedicated and creative-artistic. I enjoyed helping out with the daily activities and learning along with the children. The other teachers as well often asked me to help for a moment or two and it was fun to be a part of the entire day care center. Working with the children was fantastic, learning their individual personalities, despite my lack of Spanish, and having great fun during the play times. I also was able to encourage “manners” always speaking with the children using por favor and gracias! Overall, I will have fond memories of the kiddos and teachers for a long time!

7- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, security, friendliness, quality others:

I was pleased to have my own room in a lovely modern apartment. The security of the building and surrounding neighborhood was very safe and I never worried about walking everywhere. Meals were delicious traditional including heavy on bread, rice, and potatoes. Communication was challenging at times due to my lack of my Spanish. It was fun to learn about things other than Ecuadorian like boy bands in S. Korea, wii games, and visiting with the family on work, travel, and other music interests.

8- What was your favorite memory of this trip?:

Program: I almost cried on my last day volunteering, as my teacher Carolina and all the ninos/ninas gave me a big hug. All the teachers at the day care and the director really appreciated my efforts and hard work during the month despite my poor Spanish! The kids wore me out every day but it was very rewarding and I will long remember the experience!

Host Family: Learning all about the Beatles while watching ancient videos on the TV with Oscar. Oscar is Beatles aficionado and I learned a lot about the Beatles and their music (from long ago) and more recently! It was a fun evening!

Country: I loved the excursions on the weekends provided by the Spanish school to Otavalo and Cotopaxi seeing the mountains – volcanoes, visiting smaller villages, experiencing the market and practicing Spanish while shopping. I am not a big city person and loved the Ecuadorian countryside and the giant volcanoes.

9- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

Sarah was exceptional with support prior to my departure for Ecuador. All queries were answered immediately and the suggestions for donations and gifts for the family were fantastic.

9.1- What do you think about the reservation system online?

The online system for providing all necessary documents worked effectively.

I had some difficulty with understanding the “chat” function (probably me computer error!)

9.2- How did you find Abroaderview website

Googled volunteer – Spanish immersion and found Abroaderview in the search results

10 – Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?

Yes

How was the local Coordinator and the staff and the support provided in-country?

He was very helpful and almost always available to answer any questions that had also The “staffs” were very friendly and helpful at all the times. Sudhir was great at giving directions to anywhere you would want to go. He is just a good dude.

What was the most surprising thing you experienced while in the program?

The heat was the most surprising thing to me and I came at the pre- rainy season. So. The list of

Recommended items included winter equipment and my fault as well for not looking this up other then that I came with an opened mind

What was most difficult thing you experienced while in the program?

The heat and the rain. The heat here was killer for me but that could just be that I am not used to it. I came during the Manson season and it rained hard at some point of the day every day. I got used to wet and sweating.

Any tips for future volunteers….(clothing, travel information, packing, sightseeing, donations)

Bring the coldest clothes (temp) and pack a pair of sandal. Bring spray might just save your life on trip away from the homestay. Get your self some tagging skills; shopping area you can haggle for just about everything.

Personal paragraph (volunteer program testimonial):

I am a high school student that volunteers often but on a small scale with the Red Cross. I was able to come here from Germany to help with the construction project at an orphanage. The staff were very nice and welcoming. I helped the orphanage level their front yard. We build a wall to help stop flooding and I painted the entrance room and some of the stairwell.

How would you describe your accommodation, meals, and security?

The room was clean and the beds were nice. We were given a nice lounging area where w could chill. The food overall was too good although some time a little spicy or me . As I a not used to with much spicy foods.

What was your memory of this trip?

The most memorable part was the being with the children and helping at work while construction during the holidays.