client feedback
Feedback from our GVI CA Partners...
"Whole Foods Market conducted a thorough review of volunteering organizations before deciding to partner with Global Vision International on our team member volunteer program. GVI stood out as an ethical organization committed to promoting sustainable development through environment research, conservation and education. We are looking forward to developing our joint vision of a sustainable world."
John Mackey - Chairman and CEO - Whole Foods Market
"The Whole Planet Foundation's mission is to create economic partnerships with the poor in those developing-world communities that supply our stores with product. Global Vision International is contributing to this mission, ensuring that the local community benefit not only economically, but also from the opportunities providing through our volunteer program to make a lasting impact on sustainable development, conservation and other economic development programs."
Philip Sansone - President and Executive Director - Whole Planet Foundation
"GVI’s Corporate Alliance program is a win-win, enabling companies and their employees to connect with customer and supplier bases around the world in creative and meaningful ways. The program provides a strategic advantage for companies operating in an increasingly competitive global environment while positively affecting communities in need. Laufer Green Isaac is honored to be working with GVI to create customized opportunities for companies to build their brands and enhance employee morale."
Jessica K. Laufer - CEO - Laufer Green Isaac
"GlobalGiving is thrilled to work in partnership with GVI on a range of programs that will make it easy for volunteers to support the projects they’ve visited and to get the word about GVI out into the philanthropic and volunteer communities in the United States."
Dennis Whittle - CEO - GlobalGiving
Feedback from Project Partners...
"GVI has been a key partner for Amigos de Sian Ka'an in developing a permanent reef monitoring program in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. The information gathered by GVI volunteers provides continuity to the long term reef survey that Amigos de Sian Ka'an started 15 years ago. It is also a very important help to local stakeholders to make proper, informed management and conseervation decisions.
Our collaboration with local communities is also enrinched with the participation of GVI volunteers in activities that increase an intercultural exchange an increase training and educational opportunities by local users of natural resources.
The joint project of GVI and Amigos is a great opportunity for people from around the globe to enjoy the natural richness of the Mexican Caribbean while helping us to preserve them for ever."
Gonzalo Merediz Alonso, Whitley Award Winner, Mexico June 2005
"The Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society's partnership with GVI has been valuable to further the mission of the organization which is to enable communities to balance ecosystem protection and economic development by pioneering a model for sustainable conservation.
The SLWCS firmly believes in the Philosophy that the realistic path to sustainable conservation in the long term can be achieved only by ensuring a reasonable standard of living for all people - especially for the marginalized rural people of developing countries who have access to some of the world?s biologically rich areas. Community development and sustainable economic development must be ultimate goals that coincide with our biodiversity conservation and scientific research efforts. The education and sustainable economic development of rural communities is imperative for the co-existence of both wildlife and human beings over the long-term.
The GVI volunteers and the contribution they make to SLWCS for participating in our projects makes it possible for us further these goals and objectives. The funds from GVI generated through its Sri Lanka volunteer program has made it possible for us to continue to maintain our research and conservation projects, provide employment to local community people and provide funding for local community development and capacity building."
Ravi Corea, President, Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society, 2005
"Elephant Human Relations Aid can not operate without the volunteer scheme. We do not receive any other form of funding. In order to remain independent we made a decision not to source income from local government and international funding schemes and therefore set up the volunteer project we currently run. We are a small organisation operating in the wilderness of Damaraland. We need partners such as GVI to recruit volunteers for us, as we do not have the capacity to do this ourselves.
Within a few hours of the project being on the GVI web site we had our first booking and the volunteer scheme has gone from strength to strength. GVI provide the volunteers with fantastic support, including professional advice and information.
We are incredibly appreciative of the support that GVI gives to EHRA and indeed with out this partnership we would be unable to provide support to the local people of Damaraland and protection for the desert elephants."
Rachel Harris, Director EHRA Namibia, June 2005
Feedback from Participants...
"I have now participated in two different Global Vision International expeditions and I see that they truly care for the communities they work in as well as the travellers who desire to do more than the normal tourist."
Nicolas Flaherty, teaching and community development expedition in Mexico
"I felt GVI’s projects allowed you to be very 'hands-on' and have a say in how the money was spent. With some companies you just seem like a responsible tourist rather than getting actively involved. That might make you feel better about yourself but how much does it actually help other people?"
The Financial Times, How to Spend It magazine, February 2007.
Interview with Vicky Grant, Guatemala
"I chose a volunteering project in Ecuador, teaching the Indigenous children high up in the mountains whilst my partner chose a 10 week expedition in the Amazon Jungle way down in the South East of Ecuador. The experiences we both had were simply amazing. The effect the project has had on my life is more than I ever expected it to be. I returned to Ecuador in April for 6 months as co-ordinator of volunteers and schools, something that only ever seemed to be a dream has become a reality. Wow! If you're thinking about a change, whether it be straight from School, University, or taking time out from your full-time work or even at retirement age, there's definitely something that GVI can offer you."
Chrissie Ellison, Ecuador community project
