IVHQ experience - or other overseas volunteering

[Mummymay2]

My DD (will be 17) has found an opportunity to volunteer in Tanzania with IVHQ (International Volunteering HQ) next year that she’s very keen on - and for me to go too (!). The experience looks great but I’ve read a few online reviews which are a bit concerning about the company. Has anyone volunteered with IVHQ - or have any experience of them or other similar opportunities? She’s only looking for a very short assignment. TIA

[TonyHallintheTardis]

OP, sorry you didn't get any replies last year. Can I resurrect this to ask if you and your DD went or are planning to go? My DD is keen on this company too. The trustpilot reviews seem good, in the main. Where did you see the bad reviews?

[Saisong]

Don't have any experience with IVHQ but my DD is going with Challenges Abroad arranged via school. It all seems very organised and thorough.

[Mummymay2]

No, we didn’t go in the end - for many reasons but we were partly put off by the answers I received to a similar query I posted on tripadvisor forums. General feedback was that the schemes are neither welcomed by nor useful to the local population unless you a) have a particular useful skill (eg qualified teacher) and b) able to spend several months there. We didn’t pursue further as other life things got in the way but the comments I had certainly weren’t encouraging!

[TonyHallintheTardis]

Thanks OP - that's very interesting - so it's more for the traveller to get an experience it seems. Thanks too, Saisong! I'll look into Challenges abroad.

[Mummymay2]

Yes, that was the message I received. Although that isn’t necessarily a bad thing as long as it’s not detrimental to local people - it still opens horizons and has a longer term benefit