Why AV

Testimonials

Making a difference in South AfricaMaking a difference in South Africa

South Africa was one of the most amazing experiences; I had an absolutely incredible time, and experienced things I thought I never would. The children and community really did make my time there worthwhile and gave me the biggest feeling of achievement. The p...

Message from IndiaMessage from India

We were delighted to receive a postcard today from Ollie Dixon, one of our Lepcha volunteers. He was kind enough to take the time to write to us whilst on his extended travel through India. We look forward to catching up with him on his return!  ...

Well done Lepcha AVsWell done Lepcha AVs

A message to all our Lepcha AV volunteers.....Well done and thank you to each and every one of you who have volunteered with the Lepcha people...... ...

Thank you from Ban Sunpakha School, ThailandThank you from Ban Sunpakha School, Thailand

  To    AV  Organization  (Khun  David Graham)   Subject :   Thank  you for  The  Volunteer  Teachers               &nbs...

Thank you Oakham SchoolThank you Oakham School

The Oakham School group recently returned from their volunteering project with AV at Mutethia School in Kenya. We have just received a lovely letter from the Headteacher at Mutethia to say thank you - well done guys - see you next year!     ...

Memories of milking cows and teaching by candlelightMemories of milking cows and teaching by candlelight

I cannot believe it is almost a year now since I was in Pakang milking cows at 5am and teaching by candlelight. As my Nepali and Lepcha vocabulary melts away it brings back endless memories of nights by torchlight trying my best to proof read my 900 pages ...

Amazing and rewardingAmazing and rewarding

I would like to thank everyone at AV for making the past few months some of the most amazing and rewarding of my life. The amount of support and help i received, both in England beforehand and out in the villages was wonderful. It meant I could completely...

A letter from Uganda

The recent 5 week Uganda community project group recently returned and made a lasting impression on Busesa Primary School. Thanks to the whole group for working so hard.   ...

Molly Tucker in Tanzania

The need for a gap year had always been at the front of my mind as I toiled through the necessary stresses of A Levels but finding something worthwhile to use it for was a little more of a challenge. The traditional Australia scenario, whilst enjoyed by everyo...

Think about the futureThink about the future

AV assisted me in a number of different ways. Even before I went on placement AV affected me personally.  I was tremendously keen to finance my four month placement in Uganda by myself, and became supremely aware of the ‘value of money', budget...

Truly InspiringTruly Inspiring

My time with AV was truly inspiring. I never thought that I would have the 'get up and go' to do something like that and I proved that I could not just to myself but also lots of other people. My experience in Kenya has really helped me in my job and ...

Invaluable Malawi experienceInvaluable Malawi experience

My experience in Africa was invaluable. I would probably go as far as saying that it was one of the best years of my life. I dream of it regularly and I am constantly wanting to go back. I found that teaching in Malawi not only developed my confidence but...

Thank you AVThank you AV

Dear AV,Katharine returned last week after a most wonderful experience with AV in Africa.  This is just a short note to thank you for the excellent organisation that you have in place that seems to manage both to ensure real direct benefits are felt in th...

Homecoming QueenHomecoming Queen

Good morning Lynette (AV Africa) I thought you might like to see a photo of Olivia as she came through the barrier at Heathow!!  Definitely a mixture of happiness and relief to have finally made it back!! This is just to thank you so much for all you and ...

A walk down memory laneA walk down memory lane

George Tarus, a former teacher at Kipriria School in the Nandi Hills, Kenya has been taking a walk down AV memory lane."I visited Kapnyeberai High School today where my sisters go to school and I was glad to see AVs there. I am happy that AV is doing well...

Alastair’s Lepcha Adventure!Alastair’s Lepcha Adventure!

When I decided to sign up to spend three months teaching in a remote community living in the foothills of the Himalayas, I had no idea what I had let myself in for. I was given lots of information, talked to people who had been there and watched films abou...

The Value of a Gap YearThe Value of a Gap Year

"I never took a gap year in the traditional sense of a year out. Instead each summer since my A-levels and through university I have gone away on a project. My projects have taken me from Kenya to Thailand, back to Africa for a three month expedition ...

Busesa thank youBusesa thank you

...

An AV parent says....An AV parent says....

"This is just a note to say how really grateful we are to you concerning Jo's time with AV travel and thankyou for all your help.  Jo seems to have enjoyed every minute of it and she has grown up and become much more confident. Just what a g...

A new look on his face....A new look on his face....

I just wanted to write and thank everyone at AV for making it possible for my son, Carl, to have a wonderful, thoroughly worthwhile and memorable 4 months in Kenya. It was quite simply an amazing experience for him and came at just the right time, somewhat out...

Dan in TanzaniaDan in Tanzania

My son Dan is currently on your Tanzania scheme and I'm very happy to report that after a rough first 3 weeks he's now having an incredibly great time!  I've been exchanging emails with Dan since he left, but today was the first time I was...

Merritt in KenyaMerritt in Kenya

We wanted to thank you so much for the opportunity you all at AV provided Merritt the past four months.  We appreciate you looking after their well being.  If we can ever do anything for AV please do not hesitate to call on us.  We have ha...

Sequoia’s challengeSequoia’s challenge

In general, we are very happy with the AV experience Sequoia had. I would say that, from a parental standpoint, it turned out to be more challenging for her than we anticipated (particularly the first assignment in Rukanga) but she adjusted and learned a g...

Rupert – a changed man!Rupert – a changed man!

I certainly have seen some changes in Rupert! He looks quite different - more 'chiselled'.  As his friend said -" He went out a boy and came back a man". I notice he is reluctant to use his car/washing-machine/mod-cons.... although ...

Another Carr–Ellison.....Another Carr–Ellison.....

We are so pleased that Harry is going to join AV next year - it is a brilliant organization and gives such a worthwhile point to the whole gap year experience. Best wishes, Katie Carr-EllisonIn 2008 Hannah Carr-Ellison volunteered with AV in Uganda at S...

Reflecting on AV KenyaReflecting on AV Kenya

Dear Nigel,I was a AV volunteer at Kipsigak High School in Kapsabet back in Sept 2002 with Peter Harris. Life has moved on quite a bit since then (mostly for the better I'm glad to say!), but I'll never forget what an amazing time we had in Kenya....

A ’real’ gap yearA ’real’ gap year

I am writing as a parent to thank you and your team. Earlier this year Anastasia, my daughter, travelled to India, met up with you and the other volunteers, then for four months lived with the Lepchas & taught in Pachok school. The detail with which you organi...

Richard Crossby – Malawi

It is hard to think of a fuller four months than those I had teaching - living and travelling in Africa. Rather than expanding on just one or two experiences, I've jotted down a list of those that either jump out or, for me at least, encapsulate my time as...

Annie Sprogell – UgandaAnnie Sprogell – Uganda

Since I have been home, I have been looking back on my time in Africa a lot and trying to figure out specifically why teaching at PIlkington was such an amazing experience. Of course I had so much fun with Alice, Allie and Emily in the house everyday, but ther...

Danielle Cox – Kenya

Let me try to explain, as a hard core AV, why I stayed in Africa for another full term - three months - at my school long after my fellow volunteers had departed. I have been asked many times now: "Why did I choose to return?" And no matter how many ...

Harry Maitland and Allan Sheriff – Tanzania

Five months shacked up among the foothills of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, alongside Maasai warriors and living on rice and beans, may sound pretty ordinary but being assistant English and PE teachers (and friends) to 300 kids in a school like Nkwarungo Primary was ...

Vicky Walvis – Mexico

Hola! Peter, a.k.a. Pedro from AV, paid a visit and was a reminder of England until we got him dancing on chairs on the last night! In the mornings we learnt a bit more Espanol but mainly Lara gave us teaching techniques and we planned a few lessons. Jess and ...

Change of Direction for Clare – South AfricaChange of Direction for Clare – South Africa

"I was originally meant to be doing Criminology at Northumbria!!  I'm now going to the University of East London to do "Early Childhood Studies and Third World Development" - Gap year inspired ... Thanks AV!!! Cancelled my UCAS app when...

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