GVI

One of my friends who's very active in outreach activities and volunteer work told me to check out GVI. She applied for a short-term volunteering program in Kenya and she is now processing her papers because she's bound to leave on June, right after her graduation. Just a short background about GVI:

GVI is a non-political, non-religious organisation, which runs over 100 projects in 25 countries. GVI volunteers fill a critical void in the fields of environmental research, conservation, education and community development.

Global Vision International (GVI) was formed in 1997 to provide support and services to international charities, non-profits and governmental agencies, through volunteering opportunities, internship programs, training and direct funding.

GVI is guided by a unique commitment to its volunteers and to its partners. To the volunteer it offers safe, responsible travel experiences, exceptional training and career development opportunities, and facilitates the ability to make a real difference.

To our communities we commit all project ownership and all work undertaken to their direction, in conjunction with our local partners.

International partners include the South African National Parks Board, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Jane Goodall Institute, Rainforest Concern and Kenyan Wildlife Service. From 2007, 70% of all volunteer contributions received were spent directly in the field.

GVI runs over 100 volunteer programmes that are consistently amazing. How do we know this? Because we built them. Our organisation is globally renowned for its sustainability and for providing safe, friendly and inspiring experiences. By and large, we run our own operations from the application process to the field work which means the leaders you meet on-site are employed by GVI, living and working at our locations year-round to ensure the longevity of our work. Our projects are designed to adapt to the communities’ most urgent needs, from education to construction, to conservation. We include the local community members in our efforts and decisions, fostering these relationships to build stronger, healthier communities for the future.

Our bases are home to some of the most remote and pristine environments in the world. Find yourself on our South African reserve where you’ll share in the excitement of tracking a cheetah earlier that morning with your Field Guide. Or sway in a hammock on a breezy day at our base in Mexico, listening to your favorite tunes while studying the marine life down on the Yucatan Peninsula.

Wherever you are based, our bases are places of profound discovery, awe-inspiring observations, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. You will work side-by-side with those around you to feed the fire of the GVI spirit as people from all walks of life come together in one place to achieve a shared goal: improving the quality of life for indigenous communities and the natural environment by building sustainable systems that last for generations to come.

Note: Info taken from the GVI website.