While not all our programs require insurance, we strongly recommend it for all of our destinations. In our view the best option is World Nomads. They are flexible and cheap, so visit the link and take a look.

We will do our best to accommodate your preference; however, this will depend on the number of volunteers at a given time. Please indicate your preference during registration and we will do what we can to accommodate you.

In your day-to-day work you'll be helping impoverished people. Ultimately, though how useful you are depends on you! Many volunteers choose to undertake additional "side projects" while working. If you see something missing or not working correctly while volunteering, make it your mission to fix it while you're there. It doesn't need to be huge! Maybe its a leaky tap, a broken gate or a chicken coop that needs to be built. Whatever it is, it will be your legacy after you've left!

While Love Volunteers' pre departure packages include information on visa requirements each traveller is responsible for checking and confirming the visa requirements for their specific type of travel. The best way to do this is to regularly look at the following sites:

• The UK Foreign Office
• The US State Department

Other countries have their own sites.

As well as the most recent information on visas, passport requirements and work permits if required, there is a lot of information available on these sites including addresses for embassies and consulates, health and vaccinations, driver’s licences, laws and Smart Traveller enrolment programs.

There are some basic general principles:

• You will need a current passport and we recommend that you travel with a passport that has at least 6 months validity.
• You should make sure you have at least 2 free pages for visas.
• Always check that for any country that you are making connecting flights through (refer to the above websites or your airline) to see if you need a transit visa.
• Always travel with your passport and documentation available to you plus have a copies in your bags and to be really sensible have copies available to you in your email account.

It is the responsibility of the traveller, not Love Volunteers, to make sure that the relevant visas and/or permits are in place.

Yes, we welcome individuals, couples, family, small and large groups, students and experts, as well as senior and young professionals to make a great contribution and bring changes by getting involved in our volunteer programs.

There will be plenty of time to relax in the evenings and weekends. In general volunteers tend to visit the local countryside, play sports and visit local attractions. Most weekends volunteers arrange a get together to celebrate the end of the working week.

If volunteer desire, our local team can often organise weekend excursions to visit various historical sites around the place. These may incur additional costs, but can be arranged locally.

You'll need money for travelling and shopping on days off. Other costs include your flights, visa, shots, travel insurance, departure tax. Once you've arrived you may need to pay for local buses to and from your project, which can cost about USD 1-2 per day depending on your destination and program type. You may also need to pay for bottled water, but this is usually very cheap.

For travel to India and most African counties make sure your doctor knows exactly where you are travelling so they can prescribe the right anti-malarial medication. Malaria prevention medication should be taken according to your doctor’s instructions before, during and after a visit to affected areas. Malaria is a serious tropical disease, which is spread by night-biting mosquitoes which transmit a parasite. Avoiding getting bitten is important and usually the most effective means to prevent the disease.

Long sleeved shirts and trousers should be worn in the evenings and insect repellent can be used in areas with mosquitoes. If the area where you are volunteering has mosquitoes, use a mosquito net at night. The most effective nets are those infused with an insect repellent.

With a little common sense and some precautions the chance of getting Malaria are very small. If you suspect you have malaria, see a doctor as soon as possible. Symptoms include chills, fevers, headache, nausea and vomiting.

We make every effort to be flexible. Advance notice helps a lot in ensuring time off. Some programs may have guidelines for extra time off, which is usually mentioned on the program page.

Increasingly, as our volunteers complete feedback requests from us, their personal experiences are coming online for prospective volunteers to read. You can view these by clicking the tab at the top of each destination page or viewing the quotes in the right hand column.

You can also ask questions of past volunteers on the Love Volunteers Facebook Group.

As with internet access, the proximity of a good-sized town or city means that, generally speaking, banks are accessible if visits are timed to coincide with opening hours. ATMs exist in all the major towns associated with our placements. We'll ensure that you know of any local quirks regarding these type of services well before you leave, but if you have any specific questions, just ask.

In the vast number of cases, the locations where our volunteers are placed are close to a sizeable city where internet cafes abound. The opportunity will arise at least once weekly to visit one of these. The volunteering centres themselves are in some cases equipped to enable a limited amount of access.

Mobile phones are now widely used almost everywhere. To give one example: Those volunteering in Peru will discover at Lima Airport located at Callo that a mobile phone can be easily rented for the length of their stay for around US $30 per month. Mobile phones can be bought, or a SIM card purchased for use in an unlocked phone brought from home. The reliability of phone signals will vary, of course, but the team at the placement will be only too willing to give advice regarding which networks function best and where on site to get the best signal. Equally, advice on phone cards to use in payphones is provided for volunteers. Lastly, depending on local conditions, the family with whom the volunteer is staying may well have a landline to which incoming calls will normally be welcome.

Love Volunteers only works with trusted, established partner NGOs. Transparency is a high priority and their credentials can be checked out. Love Volunteers ensure that volunteers have access to local support 24/7.

In short, they meet our requirements. That means we wouldn't mind bedding down there for a few weeks. That said, you need to remember that some locations will be lacking hot water etc... so no bubble baths after a days work. Ultimately it depends on the location so you can check each program page for more info.

Generally, yes, but this depends on the location and time of year.

We have volunteers from all over the world, but most of them come from North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, France, Korea and Japan.

Generally we have to say no to our younger volunteers. However, if you are with a group of over 18s and have someone who'll keep an eye on you, we can often work something out. Your best bet is to get in touch with us with your details.

Ultimately, you just have to be a nice human! A decent grasp of English is generally required, although the local language can be enough. Most medical and health placements require medical training. Some local organisations require a high school diploma and this is mentioned on each program page.

Click on the "Apply Now" button above and enter your details. We'll be back in touch within 48 hours letting you know if your application has been successful and giving instructions on paying the registration fee, which allows us to get the ball rolling.

Good question. A lot of people are surprised when they realise they have to pay to volunteer. However, the cost of volunteering includes accommodation, food, transport and local guides and support staff. When you consider the costs you might incur at a hotel or eating out at restaurants, the costs are minimal. Plus, you know that every penny of your program fee is going to the local organisations and people. Our local partners are funded by volunteer fees and for the concept to work, fees are essential. Ultimately, it is a decision of where your money goes... to a hotel, or to a local family. We know which one we'd choose.

Being a volunteer requires you to give up your time and money to help those less fortunate than yourself. Despite these sacrifices most volunteers leave their experience having gained considerably more. It sounds like a cliche, but we constantly hear phrases like "life changing experience" - and that it is. In our opinion (and those of most of our volunteers), to get involved at a grassroots level is infinitely more helpful and rewarding than a simple donation.

Love Volunteers was set up to offer volunteers an affordable, safe and exciting way to volunteer. We're not-for-profit and work directly with local organisations who know the local community. By doing this we can offer the lowest possible fees, but also ensure that you are immersed in the local culure and are actually making a difference!

Love Volunteers have solid relationships with various NGOs around the world. We are recognised by various volunteer associations and are a registered organisation in the UK. If you'd like some more impartial info check out some other volunteer resources and we're sure you'll hear good things. Also, we're happy to hear from prospecitve volunteers. So drop us an email, phone call, or use the Live Support link to chat with us.