2007 – A Successful Year

IFRE was officially registered in 2005. But, it was not until 2006 that we began setting our eyes abroad – traveling to 12 different countries – researching potential service projects and screening prospective, experienced coordinators. In the beginning, we selected Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nepal, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania and Thailand as the initial volunteer abroad destinations

One of the most frequent complaints voiced by individuals interested in volunteering abroad stems from the often-exorbitant prices charged by such organizations. Some organizations charge as much as $2500 just for a 2-week program. We at IFRE realize that the majority of these funds go toward local volunteer placement agencies (primarily local/host volunteer organizations). So, we made the decision to directly hire and pay a local coordinator in addition to allocating funds to local, in-need orphanages, schools and various grassroots organizations. Through this innovative method of organization, we are able to offer exceptionally affordable program fees to our volunteers. To this day, IFRE remains committed to maintaining its low fees – providing more opportunities for college students wanting to spend some time abroad in a wonderful country; amid a wondrous culture.

In 2006-2007, IFRE received 823. This was an outstanding achievement for such a small organization – seeing an overwhelming high satisfaction rate of nearly 99%. Statistically, an estimated 80% of our volunteers participated in our numerous orphanage projects. Working 6 hours/day and volunteering on average for a duration of 6 weeks, our first wave of volunteers contributed approximately 29628 hours – all in an effort to make our world a better place.

Just a Few of the Exceptional Contributions Made by IFRE Volunteers

• In Nepal, IFRE's volunteers assisted a number of impoverished children by selling post cards and other various merchandise items to visiting tourists with all proceeds going toward a local orphanage – raising a total of $1800.
  
• In Tanzania, international volunteers constructed schools and orphanages – providing stability and hope to nearly 400 orphaned children in the form of a home and proper facilities for an education/schooling.
  
• In Peru, IFRE assisted in boosting the country's growing international tourism industry – distributing informational materials to further explain the natural and historical beauty of this wondrous country.
  
• In Costa Rica, IFRE volunteers lent their hands to the country's amazingly diverse wildlife population by assisting in a sea turtle conservation project – aiding in these creatures' repopulation by helping in breeding programs and hatcheries.
  
• In India, our volunteers organized a moving children's rally in hopes of creating awareness and promoting children's rights for a proper education.
  
• 2006 was indeed an amazingly great beginning for IFRE. We were overwhelmed by the love and support provided by our volunteers in addition to the desire of individuals around the world to better the global community.