VoluntEars - Hove

Jane X

What an incredible weekend in Morocco with VoluntEars. I’m still processing the whole experience but safe to say these opportunities should be grabbed with both hands. We have met wonderful people from all parts of UK, America and Japan who all have an interest in deafness in common. This safe and friendly group has given one son the opportunity to holiday with peers and friends rather than just family. His growing confidence is beautiful to see. For 4 days my other son has been pushed so far out of his comfort zone but he has accepted the challenge and embraced all of the opportunities and his life will certainly be enriched for all his efforts. I know he will talk about these memories for years to come.
Richard your vision for Voluntears is something you should truly be proud of. It will definitely change lives. Thank you.

Kate R

Such an experience! Just been on my second trip with VoluntEars this time to Morocco and had an amazing time. The trip was planned perfectly with the perfect amount of activities, as well as opportunities to explore! Richard has great knowledge of the city and took us to the best places Marrakesh had to offer! The group of people were lovely and we all got on so well. Memories have been made that will last a lifetime. Thank you so much Richard for such an fantastic trip.

Sarah Dunn

I have just had the most amazing weekend away with VoluntEars in Marrakech. Quite apart from being a stunning location, the organisation is amazing. The attention to detail was extremely reassuring with nothing left to chance. VoluntEars is a brilliant example of inclusive travel. It allows people to give of themselves and have adventures that simply might not work without an amazing level of support and foresight. There is an evident determination to understand the barriers to travel and an even greater determination to remove them. .

Jane X

Definitely recommend VoluntEars for anyone looking for an extremely well organised trip abroad.
2 weeks of adventure and fun, trekking in the Himalayas, helping redecorate a dormitory in a local deaf school, learning some basic Nepalese sign language, visiting local restaurants, temples and other attractions. So much to see and do with people who know the area and will help you make the most of your time there. My sons will have stories to share from their experiences for years to come.

Matthew Jack

I'm profoundly deaf and, have travelled solo & with friends which I throughly enjoyed and, is my passion. But I decided it was time for something a little different which's when I decided to go to Nepal with Voluntears for 2 weeks. It might sound bit clique but really was the best thing I ever did! I feel like we did so much in 2 weeks without feeling rushed. Enjoyed it so much that I have already booked for my 2nd trip, to Morocco in April! Thank you Richard & team!

Iris Müller

It was one of the best vacations ever, a perfect mix between volunteering, sightseeing and experiencing authentic Sri Lankan life. Our host family as well as Richard were always helpful and very dedicated. It was also great to see how happy the children and teachers were with our work at the school 🙂
Would do it again without hesitations ? Thank you so much, Richard, for this experience and all the new memories!!

Annahita Forghan

I lost my hearing but not my will to travel and have a meaningful life! I was searching online to find an organization to travel with that would allow me to make a difference in the world, without letting my different abilities limit me. I found VoluntEars by chance. I emailed the director thousands of questions that he quickly responded thoughtfully to, and I even met with him over zoom calls to go over any questions and concerns- I was able to reach out to previous volunteers too who had done these trips. I went to Sri Lanka with VoluntEars and it was WONDERFUL!!! I can't say enough, I learned so much, tasted the culture, learned that I could be independent still, everything. I was given the support I needed, and was given the freedom to explore on my own when I was ready. This trip truly empowered me at a time when I was losing hope. Then covid happened. And I hadn't been practicing sign language. But you don't even need to know- there's always someone to accommodate you. In my case, the director was there to repeat things, and other VoluntEars were willing to as well, or they would sign slowly for me to catch up! So, for my second trip, I went to Ghana. It was my first time setting foot in Africa. The people are beautiful and bold and respectful and caring. I learned to respect myself more. I think this time I learned even more than I gave, and I found that I was able to teach again, without having to hear the students. We taught the local deaf students art, health..I taught an origami class that involved signing the different colors and numbers- we learned Ghanaian Sign Language (it was so close to American Sign Language!! Lucky me!! And I was learning more British Sign Language, and even some International Sign Language from one of the volunteers who works at United Nations). My favorite thing was dancing with the Ghanaian people, they were always willing to dance with me. I will miss this. I loved the refreshing bucket showers. The laughter and the ways we could laugh together when things went downhill! This trip has taught me to find positivity in all I can. The last night we had together was one that we'll never forget. Everything went wrong while everything went right. I wish the night lasted forever. We danced, experienced customer service at the restaurant above and beyond (they went beyond the restaurant's perimeters for us!) And it RAINED like never before and we found a way to make the most of our rainy dinner together. Life is about being together. Isn't it? The dancing and laughter continued into the night, and even the mosquitos gave me their last good night kisses. When you want a way to live your life to its fullest, this is it. This organization will connect you with people in ways you can only dream of, until you take that leap and actually experience it. Expect challenges, and expect a better version of yourself afterwards. And expect a LOT OF FUN. I'm going back soon 😉

**Update half a year later: we made our way halfway around the world to see old and new VoluntEar friends in Morocco! This one was a shorter trip and so much happened! It has been said so many times but I can't leave it out- the food was AMAZING there!!!! Their tea and fruit juices too? I loved meeting the local deaf students, they are amazing humans. So generous and sweet, it felt like we were family. I loved seeing the little shops each specific to one thing, like a shop just for tea pots and tea cups, another shop just for board games, another just for scarves, etc. Have you dreamed of getting a henna tatoo without being invited to a middle eastern bachelorette party? Morocco is ready for you. I can't say enough 🙂 Don't miss out on the quad bikes, it is WILD ?

Adam Cook

Wow! VoluntEars is such an amazing organization with incredible experiences. Helping others and going on vacation has never been more enjoyable and it’s such a great experience meeting new people. I will never forget my VoluntEars experience.