GIVE Volunteers Reviews 

It's hard to even put into words how much this trip truly impacted me. It was hands down the best two weeks of my life I have ever lived- truly beat my unforgettable and amazing four years of college. I have been home for two weeks now and an hour does not go by without me reminiscing on all of the great moments we had together as a group in Thailand. Traveling with GIVE was the best decision I could have ever made for myself. This unforgettable experience allowed me to fully immerse myself in the Thailand culture from cooking classes to language classes to dancing with the children. I was able to make connections with the locals, guides, and other volunteers that I will hold onto forever. Everyone was genuine, kind, and there for the right reason. Teaching the children was eyeopening and so powerful. I loved going into the classroom and watching the children's faces light up when they saw us arrive. I would love to teach over seas after this experience in the future! Participating in permaculture was another big highlight for me. We only had a short amount of time and it was amazing to see how far we came. Together as a team we worked so hard and made an impact on the community. Our trip to Thailand was so personalized, organized, and wholesome. We got to travel to three of our guides home villages where they welcomed us with open arms and shared their ways of living with us. Words don't even do justice to say how amazing this trip was. Thank you GIVE for giving me this experience, changing my life in the best way possible, and for all of the people you blessed me with through this trip. Special shoutouts go out to all of the guides- P' Nick, P' Krit, P' Boca, P' Tony, P' Yanne, P' Chelsey, P' Chloe, P' Boon, P' Au!! So inspiring, impactful, wholesome, and they just enjoy living life in each moment of every day. You all are seriously the best humans I have ever met and I hope to be half of what you all are one day.

I could sit here all day and type all the best things about traveling to Thailand with GIVE but I think the biggest takeaway anyone reading this should take is- book the trip!!! Traveling to Thailand was the first time I traveled out of the country- I was nervous and did not know what to expect going somewhere so far away from home with a group of strangers. My best friend and I took the leap and booked the trip and the only regret we left with was not staying longer to do the add on trips. This trip truly impacted the both of us in so many great ways and we are already starting to plan our next one!! Travel with GIVE, travel with a purpose!!!

I am so grateful for my second trip with GIVE Volunteers on the Big Island Hawai’i 💚 🌊 🌺 🌅

The people of Hawai’i have endless stories to tell that most people will never hear (or listen to). I’ll never forget the moment after a beach cleanup with the Hawaiian Wildlife Fund, when a local told us, “You have two eyes two ears and one mouth…what that means is you should look and listen twice as much as you speak.” As he spoke, he looked over his ancestors’ land while the powerful waves of Kawa Bay crashed behind him.

Our guides taught us just a few Hawaiian words, but the one that resonated with many of us throughout the trip was mana. Mana is the universal life force that moves through everything, and it is deeply powerful on this island. Mahalo nui loa to our wonderful trip guides, for their open hearts guiding us on this once-in-a-lifetime experience. And of course, I could never forget to mention the loving ohana of my fellow volunteers—these are the most wonderful, like-minded people all dedicated to our work each and every day.

If you’re interested in volunteering with GIVE (either in Hawai’i or any of the other trips) check out their website!

As a parent, I cannot say enough great things about this organization. From the start, they were responsive, from the emails to the scheduled call. They answered all my questions. During the trip we had a minor medical issue with my son and they were immediately responsive and followed-up with me multiple times. I had a prior negative experience with Volunteer Solutions with my older son so I was very picky and Give exceeded my expectations. My son had a fantastic experience and wants to do another trip next summer. Thank you Give for being professional and thorough, for being structured and responsive and for giving my son a life changing perspective of the world.

Iv'e done 3 trips with GIVE so far! Tanz, Thailand and most recently Costa Rica. Each time I come away such a different person, the things I've learned, the people I've met and the most unforgetable experiences I've had have shaped me into the person I am today. Traveling solo and meeting such like-minded and open-minded individuals makes this experience truly one of a kind. You're traveling in a way that changes you.

Traveling with GIVE to Laos was single handedly the most impactful and fulfilling traveling I have ever experienced. I know that before my trip I was full of concerns regarding traveling the world on my own and volunteering in different countries in a respectful and helpful way. I’m happy to say that this trip exceeded my expectations for meaningful volunteering and sustainable practices! What I wasn't expecting was the lifelong friendships and powerful connections I made with not only my fellow volunteers but also the amazing and strong people of Sop Chem. The connections GIVE has with these local communities is inspiring, and whether it was teaching English, shoveling sand, or sharing a beautiful dinner with the community on our last night, I truly felt welcomed in these places that months ago would have seemed so foreign to me. A special thank you to all the incredible GIVE guides, they will be there to support you through every stomach ache, tear shed, and beautiful moment experienced, you all truly made Laos all the more impactful and special. Yes it was very hot, and there will be moments that push you way out of your comfort zone, but if you are looking for a meaningful and life changing volunteer experience, GO TO LAOS WITH GIVE!!

Traveling to Hawaii with GIVE was one of the best experiences of my life. The people I met on the trip, ranging from the incredibly down-to-earth guides and the other passionate volunteers, are some of my dearest friends and I hope to stay in touch with them for the rest of my life. Immersing myself in the local culture of Hawaii’s big island allowed me to embrace a new cultural environment and learn from the steward and caretakers of the beautiful āina. Having been on this trip and making so many incredible friends, I would definitely recommend going on a GIVE trip to anyone and everyone who’s even slightly interested. It may just change your life forever. I know it did for me. Thank you Liv, Jayden, Carly, and Traven for welcoming me to go on this wonderful journey and allowing me to learn more about the people and culture of beautiful Hawaii.

GIVE Volunteers goes above and beyond to make every project and trip participant feel valued and inspired. This program pushes you to think deeply about your role in the world and the impact you can make. An unforgettable experience—absolutely recommend it!

GIVE has been one of the best experiences for me while traveling. They allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people at my Hawai’i trip. At first, I had no clue what I was getting into and was a little nervous at first. But my amazing GIVE guides created an unforgettable experience I had with other volunteers who I consider my ohana (family).

I always have such a great time on these trips. Even on this trip, which I thought would be more self-serving in nature as it was primarily about getting open water scuba certified but i was very impressed with out GIVE integrated their idea of "responsible tourism" into the Scuba course as we learned about coral reef & wildlife and what we can to preserve the oceans, as we would now be active members of this community. And even on this excursion we got to spend time volunteering with children at the local school, and it is always just my favorite thing in the world to put smiles on kids' faces and hear their contagious laughter. It was truly an amazing experience, my only complaint is that it was not long enough!

Being on this experience with a group of like-minded individuals made my trip so special. I found a community that helped me push myself outside of my comfort zone, which only made me feel more empowered and helped me realize I can do anything I set my mind to. It was so rewarding seeing how much postive change our group was able to make in local communities. I am so grateful to GIVE for giving me the opportunity to travel with purpose. I can't wait for my next GIVE trip!

When I first found out about GIVE, I was a little worried. I have never done anything like this before and it would be with a bunch of strangers. I didn’t think I would be able to make friends and have all of these experiences in the matter of one week. Little did I know I have became a part of this family with memories that last a life time and I was taught the right way to traveling. Seeing the before and after of your work on this trip makes you feel something magical. Even though you are just one person in a world of many, you have helped an entire community and have brought smiles to others, and even bringing a smile to your own face. You learn of a new way of living, you see other perspectives and you may even face your fears of bugs. To end this review of, whatever reason it is that your here and reading these reviews, just know that there is a reason your here and this GIVE trip might just solve all your problems.

First, I want to address a few concerns that some people I met had about the Laos GIVE trip. The trip cost and traveling across the world alone. I believe that this experience was invaluable and it was something that I will forever hold close to my heart. If cost is a problem for you I would recommend fundraising for your trip. I appreciate being informed during my trip of where my money was going. The logistics like accommodations, transportation, food and activities are all covered with the trip price. Most importantly, GIVE does a wonderful job of using those funds to support local businesses and people everywhere you go throughout the trip. By going on this trip you get to support the local people of Laos so they can provide for their families and make a living. One thing I appreciate about GIVE is that they push you out of your comfort zone. During this trip you will experience personal growth, discover new insights about the world and gain a fresh and meaningful outlook on life. Traveling across the world to a country you know nothing about can be intimidating, but once you arrive in Laos you will be greeted by the nicest guides that will make you feel like you are home. Also, you get to meet other like-minded volunteers that you will get very close with on the trip.
There has been so much to reflect on after returning home from the Laos GIVE trip. The local guides make this experience so special by having connections and relationships with people in the communities that you visit. Experiencing the Lao culture was an incredible adventure. The kindness and warmth of the people make you feel welcomed, like you're in a second home. Their genuine hospitality creates a special bond. You'll stay in a remote village for the majority of the trip, where you'll be fully immersed into the culture and live alongside the locals. You will have the chance to teach English to kids, helping create a brighter future for them. You'll also get involved in local projects like permaculture and construction work that makes you feel like you are a part of something greater than yourself. Along with all of that, you'll get to experience the everyday lives of the men and women of the village that work hard to weave, fish and farm rice. You'll learn so much from the locals and guides about the history, traditions, and way of life of the village. You'll encounter a different way of life, characterized by hard work and resilience. Though it can be challenging, its clear how much joy they find in their simplicity. The strong sense of community is something you'll never forget, and the love they have for one another is evident. Their lifestyle is genuinely inspiring, and I hope to bring a piece of that back to my own community. The bonds and connections I formed with the locals will always hold a special place in my heart, and I know that if I return, I'll always have another home away from home. Thank you GIVE Volunteers for this life changing experience!

This was the most impactful and educational trip I have ever been on! I had so much fun while learning about conservation for many different topics, like elephant conservation and coral conservation. I have never experienced anything like travelling with GIVE, and I will remember it forever!

I have now done two trips through GIVE to Costa Rica and Tanzania. They have both been the most life changing, empowering, transformative experiences. Being able to travel with a purpose and meet like-minded people has been so incredibly special. The guides I have had are absolutely amazing. They truly care about each volunteer and their well-being, and the local guides are so happy to share their home and culture with you. It is an experience like no other, being able to actually immerse yourself in the local culture and get to truly know the community. They do a perfect mix of volunteer work and fun activities, and are always working to make it educational and impactful!

GIVE's Tanzania program is a fantastic two-week trip where you learn about the culture and wildlife from a local community. I signed up for the trip because of all of the recommendations from my past guides and fellow volunteers and it defied my expectations! On the first day and throughout the trip, we learned about the history of Zanzibar and had opportunities to learn about Kairo and the people who live there. We spent 8 days in Kairo on Zanzibar, getting to know the locals, eating delicious food cooked by Chef Anaur, teaching English, and doing construction. There was an adventure day between each two days of education and construction, and the trip ended with two days of safari in mainland Tanzania. I'm especially grateful for Kasha, Smile, Tahla, BigHead, Amore, MC, Cau, and Baboi for being excellent guides and staff who taught me about the culture and supported me throughout the trip!

This GIVE experience changed my life and was completely unforgettable. Our guides, P’Chiarra, P’Dee, P’Pohn Pohn and P’Anne made this trip magical and so so special. It taught me the importance of ethical tourism and that we all have to do our part in educating ourselves on these issues that could hurt our beautiful world. It helped me realize that I could be part of a smaller ripple that could make a bigger wave. I plan to share my experience to inspire others by educating others about ecotourism and the mission that GIVE dedicates themselves too. I want others to be able to see experience everything me and my group did and see how beautiful our world can be when we step out of our comfort zones and take that leap. Thank you GIVE for the best trip of my entire life and for changing the perspective of my life. This company made me realize how I want to move forward with my own career and do my own part in this mission.

This trip was life-changing! I learned so much about myself and the world, inspiring me to continue making a difference in the lives of others and the planet. Leaving the trip, I came home with immense knowledge, unforgettable memories, and lifelong friends.

Traveling to Hawaii with GIVE was the best experience of my life. Going to a place like Hawaii and experiencing the culture in a way most people will never get to was such a blessing. The trip opened up my eyes and reminded me that the world is much bigger than my life I am so used to back home. A goal of mine is to force myself out of my comfort zone, and this trip definitely helped me do that. I was a bit nervous going into the trip, navigating an airport alone for the first time and spending so much time with strangers. But do not let those nerves hold you back at all!! Taking this step was the best decision I’ve ever made. I was able to meet the most incredible people that I now consider close friends. I learned so much about sustainability and how to steward the Earth, as well as so much about myself and my passions. This trip exceeded all my expectations and I could not recommend traveling with GIVE enough :)

This trip was an amazing experience! I found forever friends with the other people that went on my trip and my guides were amazing. Shoutout to P'Ann, P'Dee, and P'Phon for creating a once in a lifetime experience. They are genuinely some of the kindest and most caring people I've ever met. They made me feel safe and cared for in a new environment. I can't rave about them enough. The trip itself was also such an amazing experience. Being up close to all the elephants and learning about the Thai culture was unbelievable and I can't wait to go on another GIVE trip soon!

Traveling with GIVE was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Being welcomed into the communities in Thailand and having the opportunity to truly immerse myself in their culture was an experience I’ll never forget. The connections I made—both with the locals and fellow volunteers—were genuine and meaningful. Working on projects that directly benefit the community gave me a real sense of purpose and showed me just how much of an impact you can have, even in a short amount of time. It was inspiring, humbling, and incredibly fulfilling. I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.