Experience:
Organisation:
*Madventurer no longer run projects in Trinidad*
Name: Max
Hometown: Cambridge
Destination: Trinidad
Project type: Soccer Coaching
Organisation: Sportventurer/Madventurer
What were your impressions of your destination?
Trinidad is a fantastic country with the most exciting people in the world. Do not go there if you want the 'traditional' Caribbean ideal of deserted palm tree lined beaches. The capital, Port of Spain, is lively and very developed. Some areas can be dangerous so do not go there if you do not think you will have somebody to guide you. There are also plenty of idyllic caribbean locations in easy reach and the best carnival in the world in February.
Was the work interesting and challenging?
When we first arrived in Trinidad we were slightly taken aback by the fact that we were teaching the richest children in Trinidad at a private soccer academy. This was very challenging, as we received little training. More importantly it went against most of our reasons for going abroad in the first place. I had hoped to do charitable work as i could have been payed to coach privately in Cambridge. As a result we effectively went on strike. Luckily our co-ordinator went above and beyond the call of duty and organised a whole new program for us while we were out there. We were then able to teach in poorer communities and with orphans and disabled children which was even more challenging but the most rewarding thing I have done in my life.
What was your accommodation like? Did you feel comfortable and welcome at all times?
The accomodation was good (especially considering there were 11 guys living in one house). It was particularly nice to be living in a predominately Trinidadian area rather than in some of the 'safer' parts of the city where western oil workers live.
Were you happy with the organisation and the staff that were responsible for you during your stay?
I was very disappointed with the organisation Madventurer. They had failed to organise any charitable work in advance and had obviously assumed that we would have been happy to teach at a private academy throughout. This was clearly not what was indicated on their website. A group that we met that was in Trinidad and Tobago doing turtle conservation with the same company also had problems. The staff on the project, however, were fantastic and eventually managed to make up for many of the problems caused by the company (mainly without any real help and sometimes putting their own lives in danger)
Do you feel that you got value for money on the project?
I would pay the same again to go back and live and work in Trinidad but I would not pay the money to Madventurer
Would you recommend the project to others?
No
