Volunteer in Morocco with IVHQ from $24/day | Most Affordable & Trusted

I spent 2 months on the childcare programme in Morocco and overall, had a mixed experience. Firstly, I don't feel that the IVHQ website accurately describes what the volunteer role entails - I thought I would be running a mix of music, dance and craft activities with the children and encorporating some basic English lessons. However when I arrived, it was clear that the staff at the childcare centre expected me to teach English lessons to children as young as 3 years old throughout the day (10am-4pm). I wasn't prepared for this at all and there was limited support and resources provided by the teachers there.
Furthermore, the IVHQ website states that volunteers will be helping disadvantaged and underprivileged children in Morocco. But when I arrived, I discovered that all of the childcare centres on the programme are private centres that parents pay for their children to attend. Personally, I feel that volunteers would make a greater impact working with children whose parents cannot afford a private childcare centre.

On a more positive note, I really enjoyed staying with a local family in Rabat. They were very kind and welcoming (the mother even took me to experience the local hammam baths) and the food was delicious. I was also grateful for the opportunity to take some Fridays off from volunteering so I could travel slightly further on weekend trips and see different parts of Morocco.

Finally, I was somewhat disappointed by the support provided by ILCS staff (ILCS is the affiliate organisation that runs the Rabat programmes). I found that the orientation given when I first arrived was quite poor/insufficient and by the end of it I still didn't know how to use the local public transport, which areas of Rabat might be unsafe or what the actual volunteering would involve, despite asking the ILCS staff these questions. On the other hand, ILCS made it very quick and easy for me when I asked to change the childcare placement I was was originally placed on and staff frequently checked in to see how I was doing.

Overall, I would not specifically recommend the childcare programme run by IVHQ and ILCS in Rabat. However, I know other volunteers who signed up to teach English really enjoyed their time on that programme, for example.

If you’re thinking of volunteering with IVHQ, you absolutely must! The confidence this trip has given me, even in a week, is incredible. Being my first trip abroad alone with ADHD, I was excited but quite nervous however IVHQ, the local team/host family and other volunteers were lovely and so helpful. I learned so many things - navigating a new city and public transport alone (with the local team available if I got lost lol), teaching in front of a class (the students were brilliant and so grateful), and socialising in different languages (with both locals and volunteers). Also having the opportunity to experience another culture was amazing. The food was beautiful and my French speaking came on a lot, even in a week. Although, if you can, I would recommend going for more than a week since there is so much to do and you won’t have time (and won’t want to go back!). It also put me at ease knowing for sure once I was there that the organisation is ethical and actually contributes to the sustainable development goals! Overall, such a great experience!!!

Salam! I spent a week in the Atlas Mountains volunteering with IVHQ and it was a truly unique and fun experience. The family I stayed with was incredibly accommodating, there was always plenty of food. It was amazing to walk through the valley and mountains everyday with the sheep to find fresh grass, the views were beautiful. I would recommend this to anyone looking to volunteer in a small community to learn about the lifestyle of the locals and how they work together so that everyone can thrive.

My time in Morocco with International Volunteer HQ was everything I expected, and much more! The support network provided by the program's staff was incredible, they were available and open to any questions, whether it was about volunteer placement, cultural adjustment, top things to do in the city, travel tips, and anything in between.

One of the major highlights of my time in Morocco, though, was definitely my host family. Being immersed in a traditional Moroccan family setting during the holy month of Ramadan was life-changing to me. The family was extremely welcoming (as expected of everyone in Morocco), they made me feel very comfortable, and were also very helpful when it came to recommendations of things to do in Rabat and the rest of Morocco, how to go about daily life in the country, and more. Not to mention the absolutely delicious food!

When it comes to my volunteering experience itself, it was truly transformative. I worked as an English instructor at an NGO called "Le Feminin Pluriel," where I taught a group of around 18 adults (both men and women). As a non-native English speaker who hadn't taught English before, I have to admit that I went into the experience nervous and with a little bit of fear. Everything turned out to be perfect, the students said they really liked my lessons and that they were going to miss me having around as they felt that their English improved a lot while I was there. I was happy I took the challenge!

The selection of volunteering places by International Volunteer HQ is top notch, and I say that not only based on my own experience but on that of other IVHQ volunteers I met while in Morocco. They were in different programs and they all shared similar stories to mine, saying that they enjoyed their time and felt like they were having a significant impact on those they were serving, which is what volunteering is all about. With that said, I can't wait to participate in another International Volunteer HQ program soon!

We had an amazing time volunteering in Morocco through IVHQ. They were supportive from the moment I contacted them via their website before booking, throughout the booking process and answering all my questions before we left. They gave great advice and answered all my questions very quickly and informatively. Before we left we had all the contact details we needed whilst there. When we arrived the staff collecting us were so helpful and kind. They kept us informed and went out of their way to make our experience amazing. IVHQ were always contactable and helped us feel safe, informed and excited. We had an amazing time at the home stay and the placement. The home stay was beautiful with a lovely lady who was so helpful and always made us feel cared for and safe.
I’m looking forward to our next IVHQ adventure.

I had the pleasure of volunteering at the Nakavango Program in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (through IVHQ). I've done a fair amount of traveling in my life but this was my first time going to Africa. I didn't feel nervous at all about going (alone) and I give credit to IVHQ. They provided all the necessary tools to help prepare me on my trip.

The Nakavango Program is like this hidden gem nestled in Victoria Falls. I wish more people knew about it because the work they do is incredible, and since I've gotten back, I've been sharing my experience not only to my friends and family, but also to strangers!

I loved everything about the program-- the camp outs, the game drives, the sundowners, the conversations with the guides and property manager. And I enjoyed not only the 'fun stuff' but the hard work that we did, as well: the weed removals, the digging of trenches, the maintaining of roads, the turning of the compost, etc.
Best of all, though, was the people that I met-- the volunteers who came from all over the world, each with their own unique story to tell, and also the guides and property manger who showed such passion in what they do, it was nothing short of admirable.

Just returned from my one week volunteering trip in Morocco and started to plan for my next trip to the same destination but for a longer time! Can't wait for that!

I had some concerns before joining specially that I am a solo female traveler but IVHQ team did a great job in properly organizing my trip in a way that contributed in its success! Morocco was too safe with me and even for you if you use your common sense and it is totally worth it and Moroccans are too friendly and willing to learn.

If you think about volunteering through IVHQ in morocco don't think much and don't hesitate, just go a head and join as it is fully professional and fully trusted and you wont regret! Who knows we might meet once there and enjoy it together!

Best of luck!

Thanks to IVHQ, my experience in Morocco was truly remarkable. I worked on the childcare project, and was placed in a small school located in a medina. I had so much fun teaching the children English. They learned the English alphabet, colors, shapes, body parts and so much more. I also allocated time so that they could play some traditional American games, which they absolutely loved.
One of the highlights of this experience was living with a host family! I was fully immersed in Moroccan and Arab culture. I learned some Arabic and French words, ate the traditional dishes and learned what daily life was like in Morocco. Without a doubt, IVHQ made my experience in Morocco worthwhile and I am truly grateful for all of the support that received from my program manager.