News & Reviews

I've traveled all over the world, backpacked, done the Lonely Planet thing and gotten off the beaten path. Nothing I've ever done compares to this experience. This was so much more than backpacker travel, and it changed the way I think about travel and volunteer work.
~ Paul, film production manager (Vietnam October 2011)

Thanks for leading such a wonderful trip. It was one of the best vacations I have taken! I feel quite lucky that I was able to get to meet a fantastic group of people, learn about new cultures, challenge my physical capabilities, give back to an amazing community, be nourished by delicious food and laughter and come back refreshed, smiling and excited to share stories of my adventures. Asante Sana!
~ Laura, global foodie (Tanzania July 2011)

You promised a bit of the unexpected and on that, you delivered. There isn't a way to totally prepare yourself for a trip like this. The most you can do is decide you are going to jump in with an open mind and see what happens. I did that and I think it may have changed me.
~ Jessica, business consultant (Peru 2011)

It was an incredible adventure in so many ways! I can't stop thinking about all we saw & learned. Thanks for your guidance & willingness to take our family to a new horizon!
~ Dr. Ann Messer (Nicaragua, Jan. 2011)

What you are doing has had a huge affect on all of us, internally. Externally, there is a playground where there was none and a bit more hope than there was just a week ago. There are ties forged by the experience that go both ways, and cross oceans, that will never be undone. It’s a beautiful thing.
~ John, architect (Vietnam 2010)

This was an amazing experience. It was an absolute travel highlight - an experience of a lifetime with amazing individuals.
~ Susan, eco-hotel entrepreneur (Tanzania 2009)

Thank you for an incredible trip. I was surprised to return from travel to a new land feeling rejuvenated by and indebted to a group of people I traveled with. We roadmonkeys dug our toes into foreign soil and I got the feeling that, in a little over a week, we were let in on some of the secrets Peru keeps from travelers of convenience.
~ McKenna, hedge fund administrator (Peru 2010)

I was hoping for a trip through which I would learn about and participate in another culture and be challenged mentally, emotionally and physically in a relatively safe format. The Roadmonkey trip fulfilled and, then, wildly exceeded all my expectations.
~ Chelsea, biochemist (Vietnam 2009)

Going to Nicaragua on my own made me realize I can go anywhere and do anything.
~ Stephanie, tradeshow coordinator (Nicaragua 2010)

Roadmonkey works really hard both at fundraising and on the project site. Of all the groups we’ve worked with, they are one of the most aware and conscientious of voluntourism issues.
~ Kennedy Leavens, director of Awamaki (our non-profit partner in Peru)

Such a privilege to have so much fun, meet so many lovely people and make new friends both in the Roadmonkey crew and at the Catalyst school - and indeed - be profoundly changed by the experience.
~ Liz, screenwriter (Vietnam 2010)

I definitely experienced the "unbearable lightness of being" feeling many times on the bike path, as we sped up and down hills, through the gorges, and over the rice paddies. Awesome does not begin to capture the emotion.
~ Philip, television producer (Vietnam 2008)

This trip was fun, it was hard work, it was empowering, and it was eye opening. I am SO PROUD of what the kids accomplished, what the teachers/parents/community accomplished, and yes, what we all accomplished.
~ Zaby, advertising executive (Nicaragua 2010)

Roadmonkey delivered as promised and then some—a challenging, unique, kick-ass adventure paired with a wonderful, fun charitable effort where you really worked hard, both of which were very rewarding.
~ Christine, charter school finance director (Tanzania 2009)

I was really impressed in nearly every respect. The trip was fun, challenging, exciting, hands-on, hands-dirty, heart-warming, heart-stopping, authentic, inimitable, and exactly the kind of adventure I was counting on.
~ Abi, criminal prosecutor (Vietnam 2009)

I admired what you brought together. You put the product out there and delivered. Well done.
~ Conrad, flight attendant (Vietnam 2008)

I couldn’t have asked for a more amazing group of people to have shared such an adventure with. I learned so much from all y’all, and I’m better for it.
~ Rollie, college student (Tanzania 2009)

I thought that the group dynamic was fantastic. I did not expect to like everyone on the trip so much and I thought you were just being cheesy in the promo stuff about how we’d make friends for life, but I think that I actually did make a few.
~ Vanessa, bankruptcy lawyer (Vietnam 2008)

This is the only trip I’ve ever been on that I’m still thinking about weeks later.
~ Christina, business consultant (Nicaragua 2010)

Thank you so much for leading such a fantastic trip. I really had an amazing time—met incredible people, eating my way through Vietnam, working hard, and having tons of laughs. What more could I want?
~ Zaby, two-time Roadmonkey (Vietnam 2009 & Nicaragua 2010)

Thank you once again to all of you for building us such a great playground. I’m deeply honored that the Roadmonkeys came to Rach Gia and are now a part of our Catalyst Family. We are forever grateful and can’t wait to have you back!
~ Caroline Ticarro-Parker, founder of Catalyst Foundation (our non-profit partner in Vietnam, Nov. 2010)

Your organization is doing an amazing job. On behalf of my country, I wish to express my thanks to you." ~ Anna (from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania)