Testimonials

  • Lesley Ashton

    When I had the crazy idea to take my Guides to Nepal to carry out some voluntary work most people thought that I had finally lost it! However, I felt very strongly that it was the right thing to do and the right place to go. As a group we had been sponsoring the education of 3 Nepali children for a few years. I quickly realised that I needed help and found Projects Abroad via the internet. When Scott visited the group one Friday night, we knew that we had found the right company and that we would be going. Projects Abroad held my hand throughout all the planning and came up with an incredible and challenging programme for our 2 weeks in Kathmandu. Going the extra mile was never too much trouble either before we left or whilst we were there. Risk assessments had been done and every effort made to keep us as safe as possible in such a different culture.
    The girls who went were aged 12 to 17 years and they had the most fantastic time. They learnt so much about themselves and were able to put life in the UK into a real perspective. They aimed to give more than they received but found it impossible as the Nepali people shared all that they had with us. We experienced the culture, the food, the clothes and the problems of a third world country. The work with the children was a huge success and the painting work at the school has given us another connection to follow up and to support. All the girls and leaders want to return and I know that many will as Nepal is now in their blood, as is the gift of giving of themselves that they learnt.

    Lesley Ashton,Girl Guides Group Leader

  • Wesley Thomson

    I wanted to teach my students firsthand the importance of helping others. The school and I chose projects abroad over other similar groups because they were able better cater to the needs of our unique school.

    Our trip was a month long. We wanted our students to experience both rural Africa and a more urbanized setting. We spent two weeks in Kwamoso, Ghana where we refurbished a school building and helped out at a local orphanage. We spent the second two weeks teaching at an elementary school and a preschool in Cape Coast, Ghana. We taught P.E., English, and Creative Arts. On the weekends, Projects Abroad help us organize excursions to nature reserves, safari parks, slave forts, and waterfalls. In addition, I taught an African studies course and Journalism class to my students while on the trip. My students also participated in a locally taught African drumming and dancing class. The students performed for the local community after their drumming/dancing classes were completed.

    I witnessed great change in most of the students. One of the girls discovered her ability to lead and affect others, another came back in a better place to improve how she interacts with other and how she reacts to tough situations.

    Yes, Projects Abroad took care to ensure the trip was specific for our school. That is actually why I chose PA. We have an African drumming class at our school and PA made sure my students participated in an African drumming class while in country. PA made sure each participant went home with a djembe drum.

    Wesley Thomson,Greenbrier Academy Group Leader

  • "Projects Abroad held my hand throughout all the planning and came up with an incredible and challenging programme for our 2 weeks in Kathmandu"

    Lesley Ashton,Girl Guides Group Leader

  • Only a few days in to our Care and Culture experience in Mongolia, the Guest House that Projects Abroad arranged for us became “home” in our regular vocabulary. We trusted our project organisers and they returned our trust with fascinating experiences, professional knowledge, and admirable skill. From the first personal contact and patient planning sessions over email, to the impeccably planned forays into the beautiful countryside, to the valuable and varied experiences; the extensive materials, the planning, and the expertise helped make this trip seamless and memorable.

    Michelle Coupe,Appleby College
  • "The opportunity to learn about a world very different from their own in a safe and supportive environment is the hallmark of a Projects Abroad experience."
    St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School has developed a close partnership with Projects Abroad since 2005 in support of its extensive experiential learning program.

    To date SMLS girls have worked in Mexico, Ghana, Morocco, Argentina, Thailand and Mongolia. They have experienced an extensive range of voluntary placements in the fields of care and community, teaching, turtle conservation, medicine and marine conservation. The opportunity to learn about a world very different from their own in a safe and supportive environment is the hallmark of a Projects Abroad experience. This company offers a complete experience with impressive attention to detail from start to finish. The professionalism of the PA staff, both in the field and at head offices, is commendable, reliable and totally reassuring to both school administrators and parents as we coordinate these wonderful experiences for our students.

    We take every opportunity to recommend Projects Abroad to like-minded educators and look forward to further developing our relationship and programming with Projects Abroad in the coming years.

    Judy Ross,Director of External Studies
    St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School

  • Two weeks ago, eleven Canadians left Toronto amidst a ferocious snowstorm and arrived in Liberia to a warm welcome and the Costa Rican sunshine. The nine students of The Bishop Strachan School and their two teachers had the incredible opportunity to experience Tico Culture with the help of Projects Abroad.

    Our time in Liberia was amazing. We especially loved our placement at the Cin Cenai Day Care. The children there were so excited to meet us and play with us. Using supplies we brought from home, the group created art projects while also having the opportunity to teach the students basic English lessons. We ended up learning a lot Spanish from our new little friends and we felt very loved and appreciated at the school.

    Our second placement at the Escuela de Enseñanza Especial was also incredibly, special and meaningful. It was a true blessing to be able to interact with the gifted, friendly and talented students. We were also really privileged to see the love and kindness they are given by their teacher. We were very humbled by our experience at the Esc. De Ensenanza Especial and we learned that everyone is special and valued regardless of their intellectual or physical capabilities.

    The second week of our trip was spent in the very beautiful surroundings of Barra Honda National Park. Here, we had the opportunity to hike, explore the underground caves, see animals and truly appreciate the beauty of Costa Rica. We also gained a greater appreciation for our natural environment. The spirit of the camp at Barra Honda is truly “Pura Vida”(the good/pure life) and we had a marvellous time getting to know the park staff and other Projects Abroad Volunteers.

    Our Project at Barra Honda was one we are especially proud of. We had the opportunity to re-design and improve the educational centre at Barra Honda. As a group we cleaned and organized the centre’s library, painted the windows and doors, and decorated the walls with posters, hand made paper flowers, maps and drawings. However, the element of the project we are most proud of is the full wall mural we designed and painted the education centre. We hope that this space will now be happy and functional for those who will have the opportunity to learn about conservation.

    Of course no trip to Costa Rica would be complete without seeing the beaches and volcanoes. We visited Arenal Volcano, Boldi Hot Springs, Playa Tamarindo and Playa Conchal. We were also lucky enough to visit Liberia once more which was an exciting cultural treat for all of us.

    Gracias Projects Abroad for our incredible time in Costa Rica. Pura Vida!!

    Alice Barnett,Group Leader