Original Volunteers - www.originalvolunteers.co.uk

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Original Volunteers - www.originalvolunteers.co.uk
★★★★☆
4.3
86.0% of users recommend this
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“Amazing, Once In A Lifetime Experience.”

★★★★★

written by kblakeley on 01/07/2013

The time I spent in South Africa was amazing, I met some lovely people who all had the same thing in common. Animals. Everyone was dead welcoming and we would all go out together on the night and work together during the day to create a sanctuary for new monkeys that needed saving. The excursions were great too. Well worth the money. Me and my friend got to ride a horse through a safari and then feed lions and take them on a walk. We also fed and played with cheetahs and even White Lions. I would deffinitely go back to Africa and help the monkeys again.

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“India School Project”

★★★★★

written by LouisGray on 01/07/2013

The India School Project is situated in a remote village around three hours away from Chennai. I set out there on my own and, although it was scary at times, I loved every second of the experience. It was fantastic to interact with the children, who were energetic and enthusiastic about the education they were receiving. It was especially rewarding to see them understanding and using the knowledge I taught them. Furthermore they were always happy and willing to learn which helped me fit in to life at school straight away. On top of this, I was a little worried about leaving for India on my own but when I arrived all the volunteers were really accommodating and I made many friends in just the first few days, some of which I traveled with after working at the school. We were also allowed to travel to nearby tourist destinations at the weekend which was a good way to chill and chat with the other volunteers. I would recommend OV's and the India School Project to anyone who is thinking about volunteering as it was an interesting and rewarding experience.

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“Original Volunteers Malawi”

★★★★☆

written by Jack_Brad on 01/07/2013

A friend and I spent two weeks working in a remote-ish region in southern Malawi with the Tekondwe Youth Organisation through Original volunteers. It was a fantastic experience. There were many like minded people out there and, cliche as it is, I made lots of new friends, especially on weekends off when we travelled to beatiful places like Cape Maclear (well worth a visit) and off on safari. Accomodation is basic, but decent enough and all part of the experience and the food was far better than I had expected. They are also in the process of building a brand new volunteer house. Electicity is available to charge phones and iPods and phone signal is fantastic out there so it is dead easy to phone home if you want/need to. We spent time teaching is schools which was challenging as I have no background in teaching, but the leaders there help you and to begin with we were partnered up with people who'd been there for a while and knew the ropes. One of the cheaper OV destinations,a great experience, I would recommend it.

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“My trip to Tanzania”

★★★☆☆

written by R.hughes on 01/07/2013

I visited Tanzania for two months in September of 2012 and can honestly say it was the time of my life. I met some wonderful people and experienced some really incredible things, both through the projects and the day trips that we went out on. My highlights included working with Mote, an inspirational man running the FISCH project for street children in Iringa, and also visiting the Ipamba baby orphanage. The experiences really hit home and were very emotional but hugely rewarding! We also got to experience some real Tanzanian culture- we stayed in an African village for a week, tasted Konyagi (incredibly strong vodka esque drink!) and even tried goat. If you get a chance, you should definitely visit Mamas kitchen, located just inside the market and serving local food (ugali and beans is a must try for a taste of the culture) at very low prices! We all went out as individuals or pairs, but came home great friends and are still in touch now! It truly was an amazing experience, and I would do it all again in a heartbeat - and several of my friends already have! Original Volunteers were very helpful in the run up to the trip, and though the project was fairly new at the time we got to experience a lot of different projects, which we could choose to visit as often as we wanted. I had a great time and for the price it was fab. We also found out that the volunteer permit purchased at the start of the trip can be used to help get discounts on things such as the ferry to Zanzibar- so win win!

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“They suck ”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Markjwrx on 25/02/2013

They will say anything to get your money me once they do you will hear nothing from them. They are no more than a sales agency for decent organisations who appear to be left high and dry by OV and left out of pocket. They don't insist on CRB checks which in this day and age is undoegiveable! Do not use this company, you don't deserve it!

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Pippajacks's Response to Markjwrx's Review

Written on: 07/04/2013

Hi there, I'm a journalist looking into the overseas volunteering sector and I'd be really interested to chat to you some more about your experience. Did you actually pay for and undertake a project? Would you have a minute to email me on [email protected] so I can contact you? I'm Pippa and work at TTG Magazine. Many thanks.

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Fly15's Response to Markjwrx's Review

Written on: 12/05/2013

I would also add to that by saying don't go to the OV CAMBODIA project because the co-ordinator running it, is very bad and is only after your money. Also since arriving at the project the co-ordinator and members of his family have taken money, personal items and volunteers out of their money!
THIS PROJECT IS NOTHING BUT A GET RICH QUICK SCHEME.

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Carlycp2013's reply to Fly15's Comment

Written on: 22/12/2013

I would like to say that this review is not only untrue but seems like an unfair attack on an organisation that I've only had good experiences with. I was at the Cambodia project in October 2012 and again this December. Both times I have been there I have had a wonderful experience as did all of the other volunteers who were there. The coordinator was always helpful and tried to be on hand as often as he could. As for his family who work there; they were only ever friendly and hardworking and I haven't heard of any personal belongings being stolen.
On the matter of money, it is mentioned that not all of the original volunteer donation is received by the organisation but I feel this is information we should know.
I would recommend the Cambodia project to anyone who wants to volunteer

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“Problems with OV ”

★☆☆☆☆

written by burros10 on 22/07/2012

I in good heart would not reccommend this company to any one i went with the over three years ago to one of their projects in northern india . i have remained in contact with this project and family ever since Last year Ov changed their website and dropped the project ROSE Kanda from their site THat is their right to do so But what is not right is leaving Rose kanda being owed nearly £4000 in money that volunteers had paid paid OV in accommatation fees ans donations and not passing it on to the project Rose kanda i was the last year and on young girl was reduced to tears by the fact that Ov had passed her money which came from an eductional bursary had not been passed on to ROSE KANDA . I am now finding out that this seems to be a tread that Ov has adopted in dealing with other charities and projects other reviews on other sites have also raised concerns about the ethics of this company ORIGINAL VOLUNTEERS .

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“Amazing and wonderful experience in Peru.”

★★★★★

written by MarieRS on 29/02/2012

AMAZING! AMAZING! AMAZING! I went to Peru as part of my gap year. I had no idea what to expect on this volunteer experience but it was absolutely wonderful. The kids were great and especially the support. Going to Peru was the experience of a lifetime. I got my own private room and there was a café down the road we used to go all the time. The house was always full of volunteers and there’s lots to do outside your volunteering time. I’ll always remember talking to the children and helping them it was so rewarding. I also made great friends amongst the other volunteers you won’t regret a minute of it. Definitely find time if you can to visit this wonderful project!

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“Marrakech with original volunteers”

★★★☆☆

written by on 10/01/2012

I have just returned from doing volunteer work in Marrakech with original volunteers. I wanted to write a review to prepare people before they go. I was not given much information about what the work entails and i feel if i was better informed as to what was involved I would have got more out of the experience. The children spoke very little english other than simple phrases which I wasn't expecting as it said on the OV web site that the children do speak english. Their primary language is Arabic and secondary is french so I recommend brushing up on your french before you go! Otherwise it becomes quite frustrating for both the children and yourself trying to comunicate! The work was varied, we did 2 projects a day. The first was at around 9am-12pm then after a couple hours rest in the afternoon we'd go to the next project which was around 3pm- 5pm. Our coordinator would meet us and take us to the projects. On the information pack it mentioned a typical session would be in an outdoor space but during my stay there was only 1 outdoor activity which was in tameslouht, a small village just outside Marrakech. The boys love to play football, some of the volunteers managed to get some footballs at the supermarket which is just 10 minutes away from the riad. The other children were happy to play with a bat and ball, balloons, skipping rope, they also enjoyed playing stuck in the mud or tag. The other projects were all inside, we worked at orphanages, schools and nurseries. The childrens ages ranged from around 6-14. I recommend taking plenty of art and craft! the children loved making masks, bracelets, hats, puppets and doing finger painting, playing with play dough, face paints (ask first though! some of the nurseries wouldn't allow it) nail painting (again, ask first and only use pale colours! nothing too dark) I'm sure you would be able to get plenty more ideas online. I strongly recommend preparing before you go as we found it very hard to find supplies once we were out there! There are a few bits and bobs which have been left at the riad such as colouring books, paper and pencils although colouring in gets pretty boring for the children as well as the volunteers! Also, if you are going in winter the temperature during the day was around 20-25 degrees but the temperature dropped considerably at the night and the riad we were staying in got very cold!! take loads of warm jumpers and perhaps an extra blanket! I had a lovely time in Marrakech, although at times I felt the work we were doing was unfulfilling. However; its an excellent opportunity for trying out volunteer work for the first time and I have met some amazing people along the way! I hope this information helps :)

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Tamie's Comment

Written on: 22/04/2013

Hi,

I was hoping to contact the company in Marrakech in person, just to know more about the project they have to offer. Do you have an email address to contact them directly?

Thank you
Tamie

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Aimee957's Comment

Written on: 22/04/2013

As far as I know all the information is on their web site. I think you fill in some info to request a call back then they will send you more information about the projects you are interested in. The sales team are very helpful with finding you flights and providing any information. Although I found that once you have paid, getting help and support after that is a little more difficult. I hope this helps

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“I went to Ghana with original volunteers last summer -...”

★★★★★

written by tlovato8 on 24/03/2011

I went to Ghana with original volunteers last summer - THEY WERE AMAZING!!!!! I had THE best time of my life, and i miss it every day. You do not just get left in the country when you get there at all - there is staff who look after the volunteer house and the co ordinators fred and rebecca are always involved. Yes, you do have to motivate yourself, choose your placments and stuff, of course you dont live in their pockets and you do have to be independant, but there were 20 other people in the house when i went there.
I can only say how AMAZING it was, the best experience of my life and i miss it every day. Dont hesitate to go with them!
You wont regret it if you go. Im not gonna lie, it was a culture shock but ghana and the people are just amazing. And the village of obo and twendurase where the houses are are just lovely.

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Koli123's Response to tlovato8's Review

Written on: 25/09/2012

hi, I went to Thailand with OV, felt a bit ripped off.OV volunteers charged me £250 for the placement, while i was in Thailand i found out that organisation they put me with only charges £60 if you book straight with them.
I want to go Morocco and Ghana In January, I was wondering if you have the details of the Organisation in Ghana, that way i can cut out the middle men, plus make sure the charity it self gets the full money. i would be really greatfull if you could reply with their details. thank you

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“I went to Morocco with original Volunteers in June,...”

★★★★★

written by margaretdmngz2 on 16/03/2011

I went to Morocco with original Volunteers in June, what a fantastic experience!
I found OV to be pretty well organised (Morocco was a new placement so still finding their way) and gave me all the help I needed. The Co-ordinator in Marrakech was also very good. We had regular meetings and were told where to go etc. I worked in 3 different orphanages in Marrakech.
Im going to Merida with Original Volunteers in February, having heard good feedback.
A good way to gain feedback is to join the Original Volunteers Group on Facebook and you can find out from there who is going or has been to certain places, and find out more info or even find people to go with, which is what I did for Morocco!
Go for it, you'll have a fantastic time!

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Gandrews13's Response to margaretdmngz2's Review

Written on: 07/02/2013

Curious if how you found Merida? A friend and I are going in April and its our first time volunteering abroad

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Tamie's Response to margaretdmngz2's Review

Written on: 22/04/2013

Hi,

I was hoping to contact the company in Marrakech in person, just to know more about the project they have to offer. Do you have an email address to contact them directly?

Thank you
Tamie

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“Having just got back from my first Volunteering trip,...”

★★★★★

written by RobRum on 15/02/2011

Having just got back from my first Volunteering trip, I thought I'd share my review of Original Volunteers, the company I booked through.

They were amazingly helpful whilst organising my visit to Paraguay, and I would recommend them without hesitation!

The way they work is that there is a £125 registration fee which lasts a year from the day you start your travels. You then have to pay the weekly fees stated depending on the trips you choose, however the one I chose (Paraguay) is currently free :D

Locally it was a bit disorganised at times, but the staff and locals were really friendly and helpful. I guess its like any travel in a developing country - you have to have some patience.

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