A Broader View Volunteers Reviews 37

I had the pleasure of traveling with A Broader View Volunteers in 2014 on an individual trip to Guatemala, and it was such an enriching experience that I didn’t hesitate to reach out when I began organizing group trips during my graduate Physician Assistant studies in 2016 and 2017. Since then, our program has continued to work with A Broader View, and now as a faculty member, I still lead trips with them on an annual basis!

From start to finish, the support from A Broader View has been exceptional. Whether in the planning stages or while on-site, we always feel well taken care of. The logistics are handled seamlessly – from lodging and transportation to all the little details in between. Sarah and Oliver are incredibly supportive and responsive throughout the entire process, ensuring that our needs are met, our goals are achieved, and that everything runs smoothly.

In particular, Petra in Xela, Guatemala, and Maria Elena in Cusco, Peru - who are ground staff in their respective programs - have been extremely valuable to the success of each trip. Their knowledge, passion, and commitment to the volunteers and local communities are nothing short of phenomenal. They balance both the altruistic goals of the trip and the logistical aspects perfectly, making each experience incredibly impactful.

A Broader View Volunteers has consistently supported the goals of our graduate program, and I’m so grateful for their continued partnership. I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone looking for a well-organized and meaningful volunteer experience.

This company is the worst I have ever worked with. They charge lots of money and then they pay the coordinators of each country they work with, the schools, and organizations pennies. The owner is a person without feelings and now he is a millionaire after more than 20 years doing this. They say the volunteer, but they have an office at home and are experts in fooling people. Be careful with this company.

Its a great organization. I volunteered with them once, and it was amazing.

Back in August 2017, I was extremely fortunate to identify a wonderful non-profit volunteer organization, A Broader View Volunteers (ABV), in my desire to perform my first orphanage volunteer work in Ghana Africa. They connected me with a very special group of people from a refugee camp in Ghana who stole my heart. I fell in love with the children and consider those running the orphanage/ school very dear friends. At the end of my assignment, a poignant life changing experience, I was counting down the days to return which occurred August 2019. From my first trip onward, I stay connected with these remarkable people to support them financially and in many other ways as their needs are many. To present day, ABV continues to be instrumental and supportive of my requests on behalf of this orphanage. Over and above both assignments that ABV very effectively prepared me for, they have been a true partner that continues to support of the many needs that this orphanage has on behalf of many beautiful children. I am so fortunate to have found ABV and will always be grateful that they placed me exactly where I belonged.

My experience in Belize was amazing! I had such a great time with the kids, and the orphanage's staff were welcoming, accommodating, and incredibly friendly.

I volunteered with an orphanage in Belize and really enjoyed the experience. Everyone was extremely kind and accommodating, and you could tell they had the best interest of all of the children at heart. I would definitely recommend to anyone!

When I was looking at volunteer opportunities in India I discovered A Broader View. From the moment I first interacted with this organization I was impressed with their professionalism and their service orientation. My questions, pre-trip, were answered promptly and thoroughly. As my time of departure neared I was supplied with logistic information, cultural considerations, and tips for what I would need to bring from home.
On arrival I continued to be impressed with ABV. My host family accommodations were clean, comfortable and my host family was welcoming and kind. I was provided with three healthy and delicious meals a day. My program coordinator went above and beyond what was required to make sure that I had the support I needed in my volunteer placement at an orphanage. In addition to the necessities, she provided enrichment activities such as cooking classes, sari tying, Hindi lessons, yoga classes and many more add-ons.
While I was in country, A Broader View staff checked in with me on a weekly basis and made sure that things were going according to plan. I felt safe, well cared for and valued. I knew if I had any issues A Broader View would would step in to help, as needed.
I would highly recommend that any one looking to volunteer choose A Broader View. I intend to volunteer again and I fully expect to find that A Broader View will provide the same high quality experience that I found on my first volunteer assignment.

I volunteered through ABV at an orphanage in Belize. The process was simple and professional. When we arrived in Belize they greeted us at the airport with the ABV sign and made it easy for us to get to the orphanage. I went with 2 female friends and spent a week at the children's home. Once we arrived we were given a tour of the place and they brought us to a store to get anything extra we might need for the trip. This trip changed my life. We feel in love with the children and since that trip we have returned multiple times.

I volunteered at an orphanage in Belize through A Broader View. My experience was fantastic!
When we decided that we wanted to volunteer at an orphanage, all research that I did suggested we use A Broader View to facilitate our trip.
We were looking for an English speaking country & somewhere to make a difference with children. A Broader View's website and recommendations made it easy for us to connect with the orphanage in Belize - which was the perfect fit!!
After going through the approval process, they very accurately let us know what to expect for our trip & we had a life changing experience in Belize at the children's home.
Our housing was comfortable, meals were healthy, the staff was accepting & supportive, and the children are amazing. In the 10 day trip, we felt like we made a difference at the orphanage through time with the kids & work around the orphanage. It was fun and rewarding.
A Broader View made all of it possible. Very grateful that we decided to use A Broader View for our trip!! Thank you!!

Two of my colleagues and I wanted to spend some time giving back in the world. ABV matched us to the right experience in a children's home in Belize, they helped us with our documentation, they educated us on cultural expectations and the communication between our group before, during and after the trip, was top notch.
We have since been to the same home over 25 times in the last five years, it was a life changing experience. Sarah and her team continue to support the home and our efforts, we are so appreciative.

I was in Ghana for 5 weeks from end of October to December. Sarah described me very accurately my teaching assignment and living conditions during my initial call. They were checking the trip progress periodically while in Ghana. This is well run organization I had lot of trust from the initial inquiry. Since they have limited control of in country organization minor changes should be expected. I worked in Ghana with dedicated teachers and bunch of great kids.

I had a great experience in Belize through the A Broader View Program. Highly recommend.

I volunteered in BeliZe a week before Christmas of 2019, and my project was suppose to last for two weeks. My mission was abruptly cut short after only being in the orphanage for three days, due to being sexually harassed by their male orphanage director and being eaten alive by bed bugs. From the minute I was dropped off at the volunteer house, he was making inappropriate comments and looking at me inappropriately. He was a married man, propositioning me, and I felt extremely disrespected. The second day, some little girls in the orphanage came up to me and made some pretty disturbing comments regarding him, being inappropriate. I felt extremely uncomfortable, and since I was the only volunteer there, I didn’t feel safe. To make matters worse, I was being eaten alive by bed bugs. I’ve traveled all through Africa, volunteering, I know mosquito bites when I see them. I had marks all over my body, despite using the proper sprays..and was only being bitten in my bed. So I reported him to Agatha, and she was very compassionate and apologetic to me. They fired him immediately, but I left Belize because I was in a foreign country, alone, and the integrity of my mission was already compromised. I had spent so much money to be there, and to try to make a difference in the children’s lives. A couple of weeks later, I hadn’t heard Anything from Sarah, until I reached out to her first. She emailed me practically blaming me for the incident. She offered me a partial refund, which was disappointing. My program was $995, plane ticket $789, took unpaid time off from work then I spent more money leaving early. For her to deny me a full refund, and charge me for the three days that I was there like it was some hotel was distasteful and showed me that she is more concerned with money then anything. During my stay I didn’t eat the food because I had become sick after the first meal, and I was bitten by bed bugs in the living counters. Even a hotel would offer their guests a FULL refund. I understand that it’s not the organizations fault for how the inappropriate director behaved. However, how Sarah handled the situation was very disappointing, and I will not be supporting her organization in the future.

I went through three weeks in the Belize halfway house as a feature of the A Broader View program. I helped in the preschool making ensembles for a motorcade. It was a superb time. The children and grown-ups had an awesome time. I likewise worked in the yards with raking and cleaning. A few days I assisted with schoolwork also. My facilities were great. I had my very own home and it was without bug and cool around evening time. The wifi in the workplace worked incredible. Sarah at ABV was exceptionally responsive and strong all through my whole program.

We had a wonderful experience with A Broader View. It's great to be back in the comforts of our own home but it's also heartbreaking to be away from the people we grew to love so much in Kathmandu, Nepal. Two weeks wasn't a lot of time, of course, but we felt like we gained a lot of new family members while we were there, and that made it so hard to leave. Thank you to ABV for all that they do so that we could have such a marvelous experience as a family. It really was everything we were hoping it might be when we first started investigating potential groups to work with.

I absolutely loved the animal rescue program in Costa Rica with A Broader View. My coordinator, Jeny, was phenomenal. Everyone at A Broader View was helpful and compassionate to me during the difficult time with my mother (and allowed me to reschedule this trip more than once due to her illness). Thank you for all you do and the magical experiences that you provide to so many.

I recently returned after spending two months in India as part of the ABV program in Jaipur. I was challenged every day by new ways of doing things (in a good way). Sushila, the director of the Care Center, found lots of ways to put my skills to use including an organized event to showcase students exhibiting safe childhood performances of dance and skits. The support provided by ABV staff was truly amazing. So much more than I could imagine. I have seen others in different programs with different support and I can tell you ABV staff does a terrific job. They guided and helped me throughout my stay. I was extremely happy during my stay in Jaipur. The ABV staff and their pre-trip information were spot on.

A Broader View was very thorough in helping us get set up for our trip to Nepal. Based on our experience ABV is also quite selective and diligent when it comes to taking on their coordinators that host the travelers in each country. The staff was very helpful, polite, and driven to making this world a better place.

Un trabajo optimo, eficiente y agradable