• You are here: Home | Why AV

Why AV - Africa and Asia Venture

Our vision at AV is to create gap year opportunities for you to live and work in the developing world, to have an ‘experience for life' and to promote global citizenship. Our expertise and knowledge will allow you to get the most from your experience whilst knowing you are in safe hands. We pride ourselves in being a specialist gap year company that really cares about each individual. You will become part of the AV team and, as so many past volunteers have told us: "Once an AV, always an AV!"

Why are we (and you!) special? Since 1993 we have sent over 4,000 gap year and graduate volunteers overseas and are one of the UK's leading ‘year out' organisations. AV is also a founder member of the Year Out Group. We have a second-to-none reputation for excellent management and care, with in-country representatives (not agents) and each of our experienced staff have personal, in-depth, country knowledge.

You as an Individual. We treat you as an individual from the time you first get in touch. We meet you early after you apply and aim to match and place you carefully with your experience and fellow gap year volunteers. We get to know you better during the orientation course and by supporting you during your project work, so that you always feel a part of the AV team yet live with real independence. Our longer AV experiences of 4-5 months are specifically designed to provide you with a unique balance between constructive, rewarding work and friendship travel and adventure. Carefully chosen, long term placements in schools, community and environmental conservation projects are followed by the adventure of travel opportunities, including our AV Safari.

The AV Charity...We have our own charity - The AV Foundation - (Charity No 1069099) founded in 1998. By participating in AV, you will also directly help sponsor the projects or the education of African, Indian, Nepalese, Thai, Chinese or Mexican children. To date, the AV Foundation has donated over £240,000 to our projects overseas, through our volunteers, whilst helping to educate about 60 deserving children every year.