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The Real Deal
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One of the best ways to avoid the tourists and really understand a country and culture is to go there and do something.
Real Gap Experience works throughout the world, helping to join people with a passion and the projects that need them. REAL people work with animals, volunteer with children and help on environmental projects.
These are 10 Real Reasons to Volunteer with us…
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Help From Day One
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“My REAL travel advisor was great, she explained what I'd be doing, what to expect and answered any questions I had. REAL Gap provided me with all the right information before I left.”
Qamran Hussain, Goa Volunteer |
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Speak to someone who's been there and done it - 5 days a week, from 8 am - 7pm and 10 am - 4pm on Saturdays. We help fit the skills and interests of our travellers to the right projects and experience, bearing in mind of course that you want to have fun as well as make a difference!
Our pre- departure packs give you detailed information in preparation for
your trip.
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Don't Think You Have Anything To Offer?
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The answer is of course you have! Volunteering is for everyone. Our projects need all the help they can get. Whether you simply bring your time, energy or focus or have special skills, we want you all!
It sounds rather grand, but we believe that in the wider scheme of things, the interaction between REAL people and their projects will help to bring a better understanding between communities across the world. And that can't be a bad thing.
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“ I thought I was too old and ‘over the hill' but apparently not! The project touched my heart - I went for adventure and came back home with commitment.”
Julie Jones, Kenya Community Outreach |
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A Defined Role and Purpose
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“When I arrived in Ghana I felt nervous and excited but felt that REAL Gap had prepared me as much as possible.”
Alice Richens, Teaching English in Ghana |
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We make sure that everyone knows in advance what their role will involve.
We also make sure that you know what to expect and that you're comfortable with it before you commit.
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First Impressions Count
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You've probably made the biggest leap of faith of your life. And we know how important it is to feel confident and supported in your choice. So, we meet you at the airport, and once you've drawn breath, take you through an orientation, which gives you all those useful little tips that help you live and work comfortably.
We also introduce you to other people on the projects and the communities with whom you will be working.
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“Upon arrival I met many volunteers, and also Mary and James - my project leaders! Immediately they were very welcoming and I felt straight at home.”
John McClelland, Kenya Community Outreach Project |
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We Choose Our Projects Carefully
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“ Volunteers have made all the improvements at this wildlife centre. It is their donations, hard work and dedication that drive the project forward and give orang-utans in this part of the world a great chance of survival.”
Guillaume Feldman, Malaysia Orang-utan Experience |
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We work with individuals, organisations, NGOs and Christian groups. We only work with established partners on the ground who know where the help is most needed and how best to channel and co-ordinate the skills and time of volunteers.
We know all of our project partners personally and keep in close contact with them.
We know that our REAL people deliver real benefits - from their skills, energy, time and financial aid. Many of our volunteers raise additional funds for the projects, long after they have returned home.
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24 Hour Safety & Security Assistance
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Our co-ordinators are always on hand to help. We also regularly assess our programmes - identifying and minimising potential risks, as well as evaluating the overall benefits for all concerned.
Everyone travelling with REAL has 24-hour emergency back up and can contact a member of our UK team should they need to.
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“The trip was better organised than if I has planned it myself. Also Real Gap made me feel more safe and secure whilst I was out there”
Kate McCue, Kenya |
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Why Pay To Volunteer - Where Does My Money Go?
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Costs vary from programme to programme depending on destination, duration and programme particulars. Your money is used to cover the costs of developing and managing the REAL business, services on the ground, such as food, accommodation, local transport, and coordinators, and of course, project donations.
The success of REAL directly contributes towards the success of our partner projects. We are committed to running a lean and efficient business, focused on our customers and our charitable partners.
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How Can I Make A Difference in A Few Weeks?
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We will show you how your contribution makes a difference in the context of the long-term goals of the project. During orientations, you will learn about what has already been done by current and past volunteers to ensure a smooth ‘hand over'. We also encourage volunteers to document their work to help new volunteers when they come in.
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“Each contribution - no matter how small - can help make a difference”
Kofi Annan |
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Will I see Long Term Results After I Get Home?
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REAL people come back with first hand experiences of the challenges faced by other communities less fortunate than ours. This often means that you will develop a deeper interest and awareness in global issues. We hope that this will stay with you throughout your life and that you will take this greater understanding wherever you go.
And as far as our projects are concerned - we are working on a regular news bulletin that will keep you up to date with their developments and achievements.
We ask all REAL people to complete a feedback form, which helps us to evaluate our programmes, maintain the high standards that we expect and continue to develop and respond to the needs of our customers and partner projects.
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What's Real Gap Experience's Contribution?
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REAL's success is based on the success of the project's we support. They are at the heart of what we do. The collective commitment of REAL people has helped improve the lives of communities in over 40 countries across hundreds of projects.
The REAL Development Fund contributes thousands of pounds of aid to projects around the world.
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Volunteering Not For You?
50% of our programmes are just about having fun - going there and doing it. They include sports, expeditions, adventure travel and paid work. But what all our experiences offer is a taste of the REAL place and the REAL culture.
We are member of the Year Out Group. This association of UK registered organisations promotes models of good practice. All the member organisations are carefully evaluated and provide annual confirmation that they continue to abide by the Group's Code of Practice and Operating Guidelines.
 Further information on Where We Go
Back to Gap Year Advice
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