Construction and Renovation Volunteer Project in the USA - New Orleans

Try new things as it can make you learn more. Not just about a community but you can also make a lot of friends as well as immerse yourself in a new environment that you can learn new skills from.

I gained in maturity, improved my English and learnt to manage on my own.

IVHQ made it such an easy process to apply, register and prepare for my volunteer trip!

I had a lot of moments were I felt very content with the work that I was doing. I asked an elderly lady to excuse me so that I can mop the floor underneath where she was sitting, then we started conversing. She told me about hurricane Katrina and what New Orleans went through during that time. She showed me a lot of strength when she talked about how they lost their house by saying that this loss had its positive as well as its negative impacts on her. There were also moments of smiling at children who come with their parents to the food pantry, wishing a Muslim family a happy Ramadan in Arabic, and wishing all a happy Easter. Working in the community center was a very well rounded experience. The biggest impact this volunteering trip has had on me is the realization of how I can converse with all people. I am so grateful for that, and I definitely have more to learn. It is through experiences like this that I gain more empathy and understanding towards all people of all backgrounds. It can be scary to be a new place which is foreign to you while also having a responsibility to help out its community. This fear should not however stop you from leaving a good impact on communities that need your help. It also should not stop you from your journey of self- exploration which happens through meeting new people and being in a new space.

I think that hesitancy is definitely valid, because embarking on a volunteer trip is a pretty major step into the unknown and to new, very different experiences, and especially if the hesitancy is also due to someone wanting to make sure that the work they will be doing is entirely ethical and has the support of local communities who stand to be impacted by it. Also, I think it is hard sometimes to really know for sure what the impact of your work will be and what the future will look like. But if you trust that your program is working ethically or at least coming from an ethical place, and doing so in partnership with locals, then go for it! At least you're trying to make the world a better place, especially if you humble yourself to know that you are a small part of an effort greater than any one person, and that is a good thing to be.

The impact my volunteering trip had on me was impressing upon me the reality of poverty and life experiences that are vastly different from what I am accustomed to. The struggle to find affordable housing, to get medical and mental healthcare, to support a family and to survive when society doesn't care much about you. I think anyone from a privileged background, including myself, can benefit from gaining a little empathy and a little understanding for people in different circumstances. Volunteering in itself is gratifying work, but it is made infinitely more enjoyable and memorable if you are working with others who maintain a positive, welcoming workplace culture, who are committed to the cause but have time to greet and chat with fellow volunteers while we work. I met some really good people and had some great conversations over the din of hammers, nail guns and saws. I have a feeling I'll remember them with fondness for many years.

On the whole I had a fantastic time volunteering in New Orleans. I enjoyed meeting the rest of the volunteers, getting to know people from other countries and their stories of why they are volunteering. I have made some new friends which I will keep in contact with and look forward to my next adventure. I thank IVHQ for this experience and wish you guys all the best for the future! :)