1- How was the local ABV Coordinator and the support provided in-country?
Excellent. From start to finish, I couldn't have asked for a better coordinator
2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?
How much love, how open, caring and giving the children of the program were. I came here to do something to help them and I feel like they gave me more than I gave them.
3- What was most difficult to experience?
Seeing how little love some of the children receive from their families.
4- Any tips for future volunteers… (Clothing, travel, personal items, donations)
Bring an umbrella :)
Childrens activity books. They were an absolute god send for me in the project. They sat with me working on counting for over an hour and then we got to play with the Jungle Book that I brought, each taking a turn to choose a sticker and put it o the page to create a little piece of art. They loved it. And it was a far cry from the first day where they didn't want to engage with me at all, continuing to fight amongst themselves and play...not learn! If only one child learnt something, then it was worth it and I think I found that one child in Mathias.
7- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, security (e: host family, on-site, shared)
We ate like Kings!
8- What was your favorite memory of this trip?
The friendliness of everyone I met but in particular, Stalin, Dana, Drake and Valentina. I am sad to not see them again.
9- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?
Can't fault anything.
10 – Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?
Absolutely.