Safety
Hello future possible volunteers or parents/guardians of volunteers!
We are big believers in keeping everyone safe, and we assume that you are too. Live Different (formerly known as Absolute Leadership Development) has been a registered Canadian charity since 2000. Our Hero Holiday program has been operating since 2005, and to date, we have had over 3000 volunteers join us at our different project locations. We exist because we believe in the power of this generation to affect positive change, both locally and globally, and we count it a privilege to work with and lead them through their time with us.
We take every possible measure to ensure that our volunteers are safe, comfortable and have peace of mind during their time with us. If you still have questions, concerns or comments after reading the information below, please feel free to contact us anytime. We would love to hear from you, or to provide you with references from other parents we have worked with!
All of our Live Different Hero Holiday staff are experienced professionals in in their respective areas of facilitation. We have professional drivers, builders, youth workers, cultural specialists, logistics coordinators, cooks (when needed), interpreters and experienced ground staff. Our staff are very passionate about what we do and we believe that through empowering this generation to live their lives with purpose, our world can be changed for the better.
In the various countries where Live Different works, we maintain excellent community relations, working diligently alongside of community leaders, other NGO's working in the area, and local government officials. Safety is always our number one priority. All of our key staff are First Aid and CPR certified and we always have access to quality medical attention if needed. All of our staff are also properly trained and equipped for emergency situations that may arise, and all adult participants, volunteers and staff must review and sign our Child Protection Policy.
We value your trust as a participant, parent or guardian, and go to great lengths to provide peace of mind. We are available at any time to talk with you about questions or concerns that you may have before the trip and communication also happens via our blog, website and facebook throughout the duration of each trip. Family and friends can follow along and see pictures and stories of what our groups are doing on a daily basis and can also send messages by commenting on our blogs or with our home office and/or ground staff. Our ground staff are also available 24/7 with a mobile number that we provide to each parent/guardian before each trip begins.
We provide safe, secure and comfortable accommodations for all of our destination locations. Please click on your country of interest to find out more about the accommodations.
Will this experience affect my son / daughter? If so, how?
Over the past five years we have witnessed thousands of high school students from all across our country be changed by their Hero Holiday experience. As a result, they return home with a different perspective and they begin to filter their decisions through a different reality. Growing up in a developed country can give us a limited global perspective. Allowing students to have a first hand experience in a developing country begins to change them by altering their world view. Hero Holiday Alumni are constantly saying that they return home with a new-found purpose in life: they have a renewed appreciation for their families, for their educational opportunities, for their local communities and for their country as a whole.
The power of "The Personal Experience"
Our combined staff experience at Absolute represents decades of youth work experience in many different specialties and we have discovered that there is nothing that can replace the power of personal experience. Experiencing the reality of life in the developing world alters our world view. Each participant is reminded of the value of their lives and are encouraged to go home and continue making a difference in our world no matter what career path they choose.
As a parent, can I attend Hero Holiday with my child?
Yes! We love when parents join us on our trips - and in fact, we believe that there is a special connection for parents and children to share this experience together! We understand that it takes a certain amount of trust to allow your child to go to a developing country with an organization that you may not be very familiar with. Please know that you are always welcome to join us and we would value your presence greatly! Also, all children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Other ways to follow my child's experience:
We believe that as the parent, you play an important part in making sure your child gets the most out of this experience. We will send out information on how you can help your child work through the culture shock and other normal experiences they will have as a result of their humanitarian trip. You will also receive an email from Live Different during and after your child's trip, to help give you a better understanding of what they are experiencing while with us.
We post pictures and small stories to keep the participants' friends and families updated on our progress and experience throughout the duration of the trip. You will be able to follow along via our facebook page here(this is available even if you don't have a facebook account) or here on our website, www.livedifferent.com
For frequently asked questions, check out our FAQ section by clicking here
What other parents are saying:
"There is no way to accurately put a dollar value on an experience like this"
~ caring parents.
"I would like to give some constructive criticism to you and your staff regarding my Hero Holiday experience, but I can't. Everything was beyond what I expected it could have ever been, thank you so much to you and your staff for everything you do. You are an inspiration to all"
~ From a father participating with his daughter.
"The Hero Holiday staff showed themselves confident and competent in all situations. I have been very impressed with every member of the staff"
~ From a father participating with his two daughters and son.
"My son is a different person now"
~ From a caring mother.
