The following terms and conditions are an agreement between you and WLS International Ltd (hereafter referred to as ‘WLS’). When you make a booking for a WLS Program you are agreeing to what is written below.

By becoming a volunteer in one of our programs abroad, you acknowledge and accept the risks associated with living and working in developing countries. WLS is not liable for any loss or harm you may suffer, including but not limited to loss caused by delays, bodily injury or death, emotional upset, damage to or loss of property, war or terrorism. WS is not liable for any errors or mistakes made by partner organizations, charities and projects.

Deposit, payment and application forms

We reserve the right to revise the program fee on our website. Once you have received a price quotation then this is valid for two months from the date of issue and you will only pay the price quoted even if prices increase on our website for a period of two months.

Program fees are due 6 weeks prior to the start of your program. Failure to make payment by this time may result in loss of your placement. Program fees paid through WLS by means of bank transfer will need to have the transaction costs covered by the payee.

Upon receipt of your application form and deposit we will start to organise your program. However if you withdraw your application at any stage, as we will have already incurred costs in processing your application, organizing your program, confirming your accommodation and looking for a placement; we regret that we cannot refund your deposit as we need to cover our costs incurred on your behalf. We will, however, refund your deposit and any other fees paid to date if we cannot locate a placement for you or if we need to cancel your program.

We reserve the right to cancel your program due to unexpected situations or changes with our partners or with the charities. In this case you will receive a full refund. We are however not responsible for any costs you have in cancelling your flights or any other costs.

Making changes to your booking

If you wish to make alterations to your placement once it has been confirmed, we will endeavor to make those changes if there is sufficient time to do so. There is a minimum charge as is outlined below to cover our administration costs. We will notify you in advance of any charges; if you wish to proceed with making the alterations, you agree to pay these. These fees only apply after you have confirmed your program location, dates and flight details.

Fees for changing your program less than 30 days before your start date = US$75

Refunds and Cancellations

We will only cancel your placement when we receive instructions from you. Cancellation is effective from the day we receive this notification. In the event of your cancellation WLS retains part of your placement fee, depending on the number of days before the placement start date you cancel.

Refund Policy:
60 days or more prior to the start of your program: Loss of deposit
Between 30 and 59 days prior the start of your program or tour: 50% of total booking cost or loss of deposit; whichever is greater
Less than 30 days prior to departure: 100% of total booking cost (including your deposits)

No refunds will be made if you voluntarily leave your volunteer placement or program for any reason after the trip has begun. No refunds will be made for any accommodation, transport, sightseeing, meals or services not utilized.

Unusual Circumstances

Your program may be disrupted by an unusual event or circumstances that WLS could not reasonably have foreseen. If the unusual event is serious enough to significantly affect your program, we will try to arrange a suitable alternative if possible. We do not make any refunds in these situations and you will be responsible for any travel costs involved. We cannot accept liability for the effect of any unusual event or for any loss, damage, expense or claim of any description you suffer as a result.

Passport & Visas

You must ensure that you have a full passport, valid until at least 6 months after your planned return date. You are responsible for organizing your own visa. Many countries do not issue visas specifically for volunteers. Work permits are often difficult to obtain. In most countries therefore WLS advises volunteers to enter on tourist visas. Technically, you are not permitted to work on tourist visas, but because you are not undertaking paid work, it is tolerated. At the time of writing none of our volunteers, to our knowledge, had encountered any problems with immigration authorities at port of entry on this point.

Flights and other Transport

You are responsible for arranging and paying for flights to and within your chosen country. Apart from the meet and greet service when you first arrive you are responsible for internal travel costs during your program. In all cases, this includes daily transport to and from your placement. We cannot meet, reimburse or otherwise be responsible for any flight, travel or other costs or expenses of any nature (including, for example, any charges made by airlines etc for cancelling, changing or transferring flights or other arrangements) which are incurred or arise as a result of your placement not proceeding or being cancelled, curtailed, withdrawn or changed.

If you give us the wrong flight details which results in our coordinator making an unnecessary trip to the airport then we can arrange a new airport pickup if there is sufficient time, a 30 US$ fee will be added for arranging an additional airport pickup.

Use of photos and comments

By agreeing to these terms and conditions you agree that we may use any photo(s)/image(s) we or someone on our behalf take of you or any comments (written or verbal) you make during or in connection with your placement for our promotional/marketing purposes (such as including them in our brochure / website) without obtaining your further specific permission or making any payment to you. WLS reserves the right to use feedback from volunteers for website material.

Insurance

You have to obtain your own travel insurance before you leave for your program.

Changes to the Program

We reserve to make changes to your program/tour if this is required. You will be fully informed if any changed are made Complaint Procedure You should email us detailing the precise nature of your complaint(s) within 30 days of the event that gave rise to your complaint.

Code of conduct

All participants on our programs are expected to adhere to proper conduct, listen to the instructions of your co- coordinator and the charities code of conduct. This covers, but is not limited to, respecting others’ cultures and beliefs, working responsibly at your project, respecting the accommodation and avoiding drugs and illegal activities. Also participants will be removed from their program without a refund if they engage in illegal, violent or improper behavior.