#ivhq

I am volunteering through International Volunteer HQ or IVHQ. They were established in 2007 and they continue to add more locations and projects to their organization. They partner with other organizations and send their volunteers to those destinations to help out on projects. The categories of projects include childcare, teaching, medical and health, wildlife and animal care, environment and conservation, construction and renovation, arts and music, sports, NGO support, community development, elderly care, and special needs care. They offer so many locations: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Belize, Jamaica, Buenos Aires and Cordoba (Argentina), Brazil, Bogota and Cartagena (Colombia), Quito and Santa Elena (Ecuador), Lima and Cusco (Peru), Belgium, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Victoria Falls, Zambia, Ubud and Lovina (Bali), Cambodia, China, Delhi/Dharamsala/Kerala (India), Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Fiji, Hawaii, and New Zealand. Volunteer programs last 1 week to 24 weeks depending on the location and how long the volunteer wants to stay. 

I was drawn to the endless possibilities, affordability, safety, and the overall vibe and benefit of the organization. I choose Cusco because it offered animal care programs and long term placement. 

This mix of volunteering and travel is rapidly gaining popularity across the world. More travelers today want their journeys to feel meaningful—giving their time to a cause while also enjoying local culture, food, and real-life experiences.

The most impactful organizations don’t separate these two elements. Instead, they design programs where volunteering and cultural immersion go hand in hand, creating a smooth and authentic experience from start to finish.

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IVHQ

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