Go and Volunteer Abroad - and Select A Broader View Volunteers! 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.

Life Changing Experience 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.

Amazing Experience Volunteering 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.

Highly Recommend A Broader View for Global Volunteer Assignments!! For well over a year, I researched many profit and non-profit organizations around the world who coordinate global volunteer assignments, and was so happy I selected A Broader View (ABV). It was my first volunteer trip in Ghana, Africa and the ABV staff was so helpful making sure that everything was in order for such a trip. Between my research, interviewing volunteers, and working with ABV, I was so excited and very prepared (mentally and physically) for such a trip. Since the trip was eight months ago, they continue to be very responsive and supportive as I continue to fundraise to support this very special orphanage that they assigned us to. It was a life-changing trip and I plan to work with ABV again to return to Ghana in the upcoming year!

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.