Volunteering Projects in New Zealand Nature Program

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Volunteer Feedback from New Zealand Nature Program

Michael Allen

"Three years ago I traveled to New Zealand and became part of a group who worked for a month to lift the environmental conditions of the country. It was an experience that has since become part of my soul and made a meaningful and positive change in me as a human being. It happened to me because of you and GVN. I would like to give you enormous thanks and all my gratitude for making what you did for me possible, but also for the vital work GVN does, through you, to make a critical difference in the lives of people throughout the world who are struggling in so many ways and assisting them in every way imaginable. As we embark on this life we should do what we can to become a benefit to those who need it. Your organization provides that opportunity and you deserve our deepest thanks for that. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Wade Gurley

"My overall impression with GVN is one of admiration. I feel proud to have been associated with a group of people who are so evidently trying to impact the world in so many positive ways. I think that GVN has set a standard that many and more companies and individuals should aspire to meet. I only witnessed the work on the New Zealand program first-hand, but we were introduced to other GVN projects on-going around the world and I was once again proud to be a part of a part of this worldwide volunteer community."

"The nature program turned out to be all that imagined and more. I feel confident that every effort was made during my stay to ensure that my experience was not only educational, but personally fulfilling. I arrived not really knowing what to expect, but left with a greater understanding of myself. It has now been over two months since I returned and not a day has passed that I don't yearn for all that New Zealand and the Nature Program came to mean to me. While there, New Zealand became a part of me, and through my work and time spent there I hope that in some small, special way, I too became a part of New Zealand."

"Another thing that I think had a big impact was the inter-mingling of people from different countries & different social, ethnic, and spiritual backgrounds. The other volunteers were for the most part really incredible, very interesting people who, in hindsight, I couldn't see myself sharing the experience with anyone but them."

Hannah Mutch

"It's been two months since my return from New Zealand and I still fall in to a day dream about it every day. I'm considering escaping the rat race and going in search of a better quality of life. Although my time with GVN was short, it gave me a huge amount of inspiration, opened my eyes to how amazing this planet is and took me to a place where I felt I belonged. It been hard coming to terms with being back.

Thank you so much for the opportunity and experience"

Candice Boswell

"I never intended to fall in love with everything... The people, the places, the challenge... Everything has made such an impact I am finding it hard to leave now."

"My time here was extremely rewarding! There was such a difference in the work we did and the diversity made me feel like I was part of the bigger picture, helping truly make a difference."

"There is not enough space to allow me to express how the NZ program director has been! He is good with people, time, resources, etc. His knowledge of New Zealand is very useful and much appreciated."

Debra

"The best is when we built something and we could see the outcome of our hard work then - like the sanctuary. I also knew that when I come back, 20 years from now, I can say "I helped plant those…." The work is very fulfilling.

I recommend GVN to anyone who asks me, and I will tell them how positive the program is. And not just for the environment, but on a personal level. I only wish I could have stayed and worked longer."

Wendy

"All of it was great - however the seal and robin monitoring were highlights, simply because I came to see critters that I couldn't back home and I liked being up close and personal, with the animals.

It personally gave me a bit of an overview of some of the conservation work being done here."

Louise

I enjoyed every minute of it.

I really enjoyed meeting all the people living in the volunteer house, i have met some lovely genuine people and made some new life long friends.

Every little helps towards conserving the environment and im just glad that i could do my bit.

GVN were great. Eveyone who worked there did their best to prepare me for what to expect in the programme.

Alex Clayton

The conservation work we participated in was varied and enlightening. It ranged from physically torturous to pleasantly relaxing, but in the case of the former, it was never that we were pushed to exhaustion, only that those who wished to pushed themselves. The level of physical intensity was determined by what you yourself could achieve, and this has the effect of making each person feel fulfilled, independent of how far others are prepared to go. I found the work thoroughly enjoyable.

The GVN was very good at helping me to prepare for the programme. Everything in preparation went smoothly, I was happy with the guidance I was given. GVN itself seems a great organisation, committed to what it believes and to expanding its range of charitable enterprises. In considering further volunteer opportunities, I seem always to come back to GVN after looking at other organisations.

Matthew B.

After completing the NZNP I have a definite positive feeling about my time spent vounteering. There was not a moment when I did not feel taken care of or looked after and I will always look back on the program with incredibly fond memories.

I loved my time with GVN.

I think there was a good team spirit which made the work enjoyable and easy.

I was overwhelmed by the luxury of the accomodation and very pleased … Communal areas were so nice. The sitting room was comfortable, expecially the sofa along the wall (that's my spot) and the Playstation, DVD and TV all helped pass the time.