Orphan Voluntourism in decline – what are the alternatives? In 2012, a hard hitting documentary by Al Jazeera highlighted some of the dangers of poorly managed short-term volunteering in orphanages in developing countries, and has ignited intense debate. The documentary, shot in Cambodia, highlights the relationship between the demand for orphanage placements and the […]

Climbing Kilimanjaro is the most satisfying thing I have ever done. Yes Chris Moyles has done it, but the feeling of accomplishment when you see the summit sign is something you can’t really put into words, especially when you have climbed throughout the night.     We started our submit trek at midnight, and were […]

Thanks to their trusty leader Pete, here we have part 1 (of 2) of the Parents’ adventures in Ecuador and Peru last month – enjoy! Whether inspired by their offspring’s’ travel memoirs from Quest-fuelled adventures…perhaps an insatiable curiosity towards the great civilization of the Incas?…or just the desire to get away and do something completely […]

Our latest update from across the miles – this time courtesy of Tilly – enjoy! This past week there has no time for rest and relaxation, despite the dreary weather we have been thrown into the Ecuadorian culture fast and furiously. At trip to Inti-ñan saw us standing on a latitude of 0’0’0. (Before this […]

Greetings to one and all. My name is Alex and I’m officially 1 week into my new position as Operations Assistant at Quest Overseas. I dare say I’m learning the ropes as I make the various Questies acquaintance and try to ensure I don’t send our current applicants to the wrong continent. JOKE! Like the […]

Just a brief update this time as they are getting stuck into the project work – thanks Tilly for the post! After a long and dramatic flight we have arrived in Lima, Peru to start the volunteering phase of our trip. To begin with we were all filled with nerves as we didn´t know what […]

A Farewell to Villa Maria By Zoe, Tilly, and Tom Our last week in Villa Maria has rapidly approached, and we have began the process of reminiscing. We now laugh at our first impressions of Villa Maria, when staying here for a month seemed like a daunting and difficult task. Now after four weeks, which […]

Hi everyone!! I’m Teresa and I’ve just started my internship at Quest, I’m really excited!! I come from Madeira where I was born and raised. Madeira is a small Portuguese island, for those who don’t know Madeira I really advise to google it and look for more information ’cause it’s a beautiful place to live […]

Hola everyone! Having read some fantastic blog reports from the Villa Maria GAP team 2014, I felt it was about time there was a report from a Quest Leader ‘in the field’! My name is Matty and I am currently in the beautiful Bolivian City of Sucre. Sucre has a chilled out, relaxed atmosphere that […]