GVI
Why choose GVI?
GVI is an award-winning organisation that tackles critical local and global issues through our travel-based volunteer, internship, fellowship and apprenticeship programs as well as online courses, and virtual programs. At GVI, we believe that long-lasting impact is locally-led, which is why our programs are run in partnership with local organisations like the National Parks of South Africa, Madaga...
GVI is an award-winning organisation that tackles critical local and global issues through our travel-based volunteer, internship, fellowship and apprenticeship programs as well as online courses, and virtual programs. At GVI, we believe that long-lasting impact is locally-led, which is why our programs are run in partnership with local organisations like the National Parks of South Africa, Madagascar, Costa Rica, Seychelles, Mexico and Thailand. We’ve been connecting thousands of change-makers, like you, through an extensive range of nature conservation and social development programs in some of the most vulnerable habitats and communities around the world for over twenty years. Our projects tackle a number of critical global issues from turtle and elephant conservation to citizen scie...
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GVI Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
I absolutely loved my time here
by: Emilie Norregard-nielsenProgram: GVI Internships in MadagascarI absolutely loved my time here in Madagascar and I cannot recommend the program with GVI enough! Teaching was truly so giving and I loved the bonds that I created along the way! Nosy Be is truly a gem.
They brought a lot of joy and motivation to the classroom.
by: Lisa Marie MelzerProgram: Women's Empowerment Project in NepalI was inspired by the life experience that the women had. We definitely learned from each other. They do not have the same academic privilege that we have but they knew so much about planting vegetables, how to deal with snakes and they brought a lot of joy and motivation to the classroom.
My time at GVI limpopo was incredible.
by: Ranulph RaymondProgram: Wildlife Research in South Africa ExpeditionMy time at GVI Limpopo was incredible. I don't think I could've enjoyed it more than I did. The game drives, data collection and life on base was very inspirational and rewarding and I would thoroughly recommend it.
GVI Programs
Browse programs you might like
In Northern Thailand, support local community members and elephant mahouts to reintegrate these intelligent land animals into expansive forest gr...
Travel to a country known for its equatorial climate and enter a year-round summer in Seychelles. Spend your days diving in the supreme clear wat...
Live on a private reserve in Limpopo, surrounded by wildlife in their natural habitat. Collaborate with GVI staff and other participants to contr...
Volunteers will live and work in a wonderful beach location and travel to indigenous communities to help improve the infrastructure that supports...
Take part in this wildlife conservation expedition and be an active member of GVI's research team in the Costa Rican rainforest. Work on a variet...
Join our international team in the spectacular city of Cape Town and work with children from the local townships while developing teaching experi...
Media Gallery
Interviews
Read interviews from alumni or staff
Jill Walker
Interviewed in 2014
Jill Walker oversees all of GVI’s projects in Laos, Nepal, Thailand, Australia, and parts of Africa even. She understands the ins and outs of not only...
Jill Walker
Interviewed in 2014
What inspired you to travel abroad?
I had finished college and I was doing side-jobs and things like that. I didn’t really know what I was going to do, and I had a friend that was living in Taiwan teaching who would visit Thailand every year for a Chinese New Year holiday. So she just asked if I wanted to be here for a couple of weeks, so I said sure. I figured, I didn’t have much money, so I was going to save up the money and stay there for a while and just wander around and do some volunteering and see what happens and then I never ended up leaving. I didn’t plan for that!
Dee Drinya Totrakool
Interviewed in 2014
Dee works as GVI’s Thailand Country Director. Prior to joining GVI she worked for other volunteer organizations and has specifically worked in the vol...
Dee Drinya Totrakool
Interviewed in 2014
What inspired you to travel abroad?
Well, it’s a big market. I would say there are so many volunteer orgs in Thailand offering the same programs. From my experience, talking to our volunteers, they are looking for something a bit more, different. They want to travel, they want to get an authentic experience, something a bit beyond any touristic experience. To experience the place, the people and the culture. The fact that GVI operates our own projects makes us stand out among the crowd.
Steve Gwenin
Interviewed in 2014
Steve started with GVI in 2002 as a marine biologist and commercial diver with a history of working around the world with NGOs and commercial companie...
Steve Gwenin
Interviewed in 2014
What inspired you to travel abroad?
Our founder and director, Richard Walton, volunteered internationally when he was 18. He had a great time but felt the experienced was focused upon his personal development as opposed to community development. I think he built a bandstand or some such thing which was pulled down by the community afterwards and used for firewood.
Articles
Recognitions
Check out awards and recognitions GVI has received
