I have decided to add a personal review of my experience with IVHQ.  It's a question that has come up again and again from people looking to travel and volunteer.  There are many companies and organizations you can choose from, and after some pretty extensive research, I went with IVHQ. (Their website may be found at http://www.volunteerhq.org/)  I chose them based on the reviews of past volunteers and because their goal really seemed to get people out there volunteering as inexpensively as possible.  Their program fees are often a fraction of other agencies. 

From my first contact with IVHQ, I was impressed.  The first step in working with them is to submit an online application.  Very quickly (they promise within 2 days, but I had mine within a few hours), they will email to confirm the country, program and dates.
Once you decide to confirm the trip, you pay a US $220 registration fee (it is refundable if you change your mind).  It is now official!

IVHQ then sent me a book full of information and advice, though I still had lots of questions.  I emailed my volunteer travel consultant and got a response very quickly.  Other questions were answered by volunteers who had already been to South Africa, who I connected with on IVHQ's Facebook page.  By the time I left I was still a little nervous, but confident I had made the right choice.  I paid my program fees for the month, booked my flight, packed my bags, and off I went.

Once I was in South Africa, there were a few issues to contend with.  We had instances of volunteers letting strangers into our apartment, which doesn't feel very safe.  There was also nowhere to lock up our belongings and when just about everyone has a laptop, camera, or other valuables this was concerning.  Several volunteers contacted IVHQ and they sent out someone to check things out.  I had the privilege of meeting Jamie-lee, who was also my volunteer travel consultant.  I was very impressed that IVHQ was so involved in their placements, and that they responded to concerns directly and in such a timely manner. 

I should note that IVHQ basically acts as a middle man in the volunteer process.  They connect with local organizations and funnel in volunteers.  While initially it seems like it would be better to work with the organizations directly, my experience taught me that having a governing body ensuring placements meet guidelines is a wonderful thing.  IVHQ does the work of finding local organizations, and then they regulate the conditions volunteers stay in.  (I have heard a few horror stories of volunteer placements gone horribly bad through unscrupulous agencies, with people staying in slum conditions or having the whole thing turn out to be a scam.)  IVHQ also gives volunteers a level of security and protection in that you can always contact them for assistance at any point.  And, as my experience demonstrates, they are quick to help in any way they can. 

Jamie-lee told us that programs are regularly monitored, and are checked out in person by IVHQ at least once a year.  In addition, IVHQ is always seeking feedback about placements and they seem to really care about their volunteers rather than simply arranging placements and then leaving everything up to the host organization.

Overall, I would recommend IVHQ without hesitation.  I look forward to working with them again.