International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)

Moments like this are why so many volunteers choose Tanzania. Supporting children in a vibrant, welcoming community creates experiences that are as impactful as they are memorable. 🌍✨ Looking to give back in 2025? Let’s make it happen. Apply for free online now- https://ow.ly/Vpo950Ukt82

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Level Achievers Reception. Her Excellency, the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of NSW distinctly spoke about not just the power but the responsibility we carry as future leaders—and how the smallest acts of service can create lasting impact.   Completing this award – all three levels Bronze, Silver and Gold was not without challenges. Starting it through Hornsby Girls High School it certainly took me longer than expected with ongoing injuries that landed me on crutches a couple of times and COVID which didn’t make things any easier, but equally it has been one of the most fulfilling, rewarding and impactful experiences I have been a part of. A highlight would definitely have been travelling to Portugal to complete my gold residential Project through International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), assisting young kids learning English and equally learning from them about Portuguese language and culture. Whether it was social media design for my local women’s shed, crocheting for premature babies, briefly volunteering at an aged care centre and many others have paved a path not only for further volunteering but also professional opportunities that continue to shape who I am. It has helped show me all skills are not only valuable but can be used to make valued impacts in society.   I’m a better person from the people I’ve met, lessons I’ve learnt and memories I’ve made along the way. I won’t lie it is a commitment to complete the award, but worth every hour put into developing your skills, service and sports. If you, your child, a friend or someone else you know is interested in the program it is honestly the one step out of your comfort zone and into your next adventure you won’t regret taking. And if you are beyond the age of the award, or aren’t convinced - consider volunteering- even just an hour of your time, skills and experience makes a difference!   Feel free to reach out if you're interested in the program or simply want to connect!

Over the past three months, I had the privilege of volunteering in Bali, Indonesia, with International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) as a 3rd-grade English teacher at a public school in Ubud. This experience was both challenging and rewarding, providing insights into education in a new cultural context. Teaching young learners a second language required adaptability, patience, and creativity, and it was inspiring to witness their eagerness to learn. Engaging with the local community highlighted the importance of collaboration in creating meaningful impact. It was an opportunity to contribute while learning valuable lessons in communication, teamwork, and cross-cultural understanding. These programs have a true impact- not just by supporting local initiatives but also by allowing personal and professional growth while building essential skills. I’m truly beyond grateful for this opportunity and all it tought me.

Happy International Volunteer Day! We love all of our volunteers — whether they come through their work places, join us on a beach clean-up or Litter Intelligence survey, or come from across the world to join our team for a few weeks! Here's our most recent bunch of International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) volunteers helping out at a recent team-building day in Auckland 🤙

We are excited to announce our new Hill Tribe Support project in Hua Hin, Thailand! This initiative supports the Karen hill tribe community by providing much-needed educational support while helping preserve their traditional way of life. Volunteers assist with English lessons, after-school activities, and even community or farming projects, all while experiencing the authentic lifestyle of Kaeng Krachan. If you’re looking for an impactful, culturally immersive experience, this is it. Learn more here- https://ow.ly/mKNA50UfiTv

We’re seeking passionate individuals to join our volunteer ambassador program! 🌟 If you’ve already volunteered with us or are about to embark on your journey, this is your chance to inspire others while giving back. As a brand ambassador, you’ll: ✅ Represent a globally recognized volunteering organization ✅ Share your impactful experiences with your network ✅ Be part of a community that’s changing the world Take the next step in meaningful travel—apply today through the link! https://ow.ly/agl550UfmQM

This Black Friday, let’s focus on something bigger 🌍✨ When you register to volunteer abroad, you’ll receive a FREE^ course of your choice (valued up to USD$399!) to help you prepare for a meaningful experience: 👩🏫 Teach English Abroad with Confidence (TEFL Course) 🌱 International Volunteering Certificate Because giving back is the best kind of investment. Ready to make it happen? Follow this link to secure your spot and your free course today- https://ow.ly/3C0B50Uftzf ^T&Cs apply. Visit our website for all details.

Join us in making a difference through creativity! Our Upcycling for Social Good project aims to transform waste materials into functional items that benefit local communities. 🇵🇹 This initiative not only promotes sustainability but also empowers individuals to contribute positively to their surroundings. Click here to find out more- https://ow.ly/ljGg50TRigT 💚 #ivhq #volunteerabroad #volunteering #travel2024

I’m happy to share that I’ve obtained a new certification: International Volunteer Service from International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)! Volunteering at ReFood in Lisbon, Portugal was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity as I immersed myself in the Portuguese culture, mitigating food waste and insecurity among Portuguese citizens, Ukrainian refugees, and North African refugees.

This summer I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Tanzania, Zanzibar to work alongside International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) as part of the Laidlaw Foundation Scholarship. In the 6 weeks of volunteering I was able to take part in Coastal and Marine conservation and work closely with local organisations and charities such as Under The Wave. This opportunity allowed me to explore sustainable solutions including dolphin research where 6 hours a week were spent researching the levels of unsustainable tourism including, dolphins being chased and ran over by boats, this is ongoing research that is being collated and analysed to be sent of to the Tanzanian government. As well as this we undertook work in beach clean ups with the clearing of plastics and waste from beaches and coral reefs through snorkelling and diving. The team have also been building new coral farms to help with the reduction in coral due to bleaching. We also undertook weekly work on planting new mangroves in the coastal regions to provide the islands with more protection from flooding and increased sea level. This project involves planting nearly 1000 mangrove seeds every week and has been a very successful project so far. We worked closely with Chako and Ozti who are local charities that create products from plastic and glass waste found on the island. It is a way of coping with the large levels of waste found on the island from tourists as there is no rules and regulation with waste collection and removal and also provide jobs for local women who are often expected to stay at home. As well as this, a group of 5 were lucky enough to be in charge of creating a system to use local people and the communities to clean up the villages, while providing them with a stable income. In order to achieve this funding, we sent out emails and messages to 20-30 hotels in the surrounding region to request funding from them. We worked with local women in seaweed farms and helped the local chief of Matemwe and his team in building a sea cucumber farm to help increase the business for local fishermen without the exploitation of sea animals. We had daily lessons with the village children on waste and the understanding of non decomposable waste as plastics are a relatively new issue. This experience allowed me to gain such an improved understanding of the approaches required to make global change. The community are at the heart of each project and without their approval and understanding, no sustainable project will be successful.