I absolutely loved the animal rescue… 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.

VERY TRAUMATIZING EXPERIENCE 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.

Volunteer Experience In India 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.

Rewarding experience 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 went through three weeks in the… 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.