Yesterday we celebrated United Planet day. This took place in Boston – in our offices and on the Common – as well as anywhere around the world where we have volunteers working, meeting new people, and helping to bring about UP’s mission of cross-cultural understanding and mutual respect. We had a great day, and hope you all did too!

We also announced the winners of our 2 competitions held in this day’s honor, and I would like to take this opportunity to share the winners’ stories and the work they have done.

This was the inaugural year of our distinguished alumni award. This was awarded to two very deserving candidates: Amy McNair and Shannon De Atley-Johnson. After traveling to both Tanzania and Ghana on UP Quests, Amy held a fellowship with Tony Blair’s Faith Foundation and Interfaith You Core. She is currently living in Seattle working on developing leadership on college campuses. Shannon participated on a Quest to Tanzania, and since returning has created the MOOSE Foundation – More Opportunity and Outreach for Superior Education. MOOSE organizes cultural exchanges, and fundraises to provide a secondary education for Tanzanian children. Although Amy and Shannon are hugely deserving of their awards, they faced some tough competition from the large number of UP alumni who continue to do worthwhile and necessary work when they return from volunteering placements abroad.

We also announced the winners of our photo, writing and video competition. The Grand Prize went to Sourav Karmakar, of Calcutta, India, for his beautiful photograph ‘Give Me Red’.

The honorable mention in the photography and video category goes to Melissa Malfavon, of Wisconsin; and in the writing category went to Teijna Pickrell, of British Coumbia, for her piece ‘Breaking the Wall’.

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to everyone, all over the world, who helped make this year’s UP day so special.

We welcome you to visit this wonderful blog from Shannon Coyne in Ghana.

I cannot say enough good things about my experience in Ghana with United Planet. I loved working with UP because of their emphasis on cross-cultural understanding. I was told from the start that I was not in Ghana to impact change, but rather to experience a different culture and gain a greater understanding of my own culture and beliefs. My experience with UP was phenomenal. I learned just how important it is to take the time to understand the perspectives and backgrounds of others…

Shannon wiith the other teachers at Putubiw JSS

United Planet placed me in the village of Putubiw in the Central Region of Ghana. In Putubiw, I lived with a host family. The family was wonderful at helping me adapt, making me feel welcome, and looking after all my needs. I had my own room, plenty of privacy, and all the basic comforts and amenities that I needed.

During my time in Putubiw, I worked at the Putubiw Junior Secondary School. I taught English and ICT (Information, Communication, and Technology) classes. I was responsible for preparing lesson plans for each day that I taught, and grading any exercieses or homework assignments. Each day I arrived at school around 8am and stayed until 1pm when I would go back home for lunch.

Scott Cramer spent three months in Ghana as a United Planet volunteer. He offers some touching insights about living and working in another country. Thanks, Scott!

My three months in Ghana were some of the happiest and most blessed days of my life.

"During my time in Ghana I helped run a day camp for school kids, taught English in a Junior Secondary School, helped rebuild a school library, and trained a soccer team. "

Tourists look but do not see, touch but do not feel, take, but rarely give in return, and pass through, but seldom stay:

Tourists see and observe a new environment and culture obviously on a basic sensory level, but fail to be seen on any other plane then that of “foreigner”. Volunteering in a foreign country gifts you the opportunity to truly and deeply witness a new and different culture, while simultaneously displaying yourself in a positive light... Sincerely see and be seen.

Tourists undeniably touch and feel their new environment and aspects of its culture to a basic sensory degree, but seldom authentically touch the lives of those around them, and in turn be touched as well. Volunteering in a foreign country can introduce you to people on a much grander personal level which will not only inspire you, but lead you to inspire others… Profoundly impact and be impacted.

Tourists take: Pictures, souvenirs, electricity, water, crafts, and so on. They of course do provide payment for most of these goods but this is not always a sustainable means to repay those who are your kind hosts. Volunteers take time out of their lives to teach, provide means to create electricity, dig wells, build schools, provide health care, and create other sustainable ways to repay their hosts for inviting them into their community. These acts of giving leave lasting positive impressions which establish life long connections… Compassionately give and receive in return.

Tourists can’t help but be seen as passerby’s because that is the reality of tourism. Tourists travel for a pre-determined time, see the sights, take a few pictures, and head back home. Volunteers have the unique opportunity to stay short and long term within their chosen destination. Regardless if it is a short stay (just a week) or a longer stay(months), the impact of devoting your time and resources to help others, and the willingness to participate in a pure cross-cultural exchange, will build a bridge between yourself and the lives you interact with forever… Stay and your efforts will be seen and appreciated.

Throughout my 23 years on this Earth I have been blessed to travel to a number of different countries. After undergoing a 3 month quest to Volunteer in Ghana, West Africa with United Planet, I can safely say I understand the value of traveling as a volunteer instead of as a tourist. During my time in Ghana I helped run a day camp for school kids, taught English in a Junior Secondary School, helped rebuild a school library, and trained a soccer team. My three months in Ghana were some of the happiest and most blessed days of my life.

The cross cultural experiences I had, and the friends I made will stay with me for the rest of my days. I can say with truth in my heart that I saw, and was seen, impacted others and was impacted, gave and received in return, and became an equal and accepted member of a foreign society.

Being a tourist is typically an easy and comfortable way to travel, while volunteering enables you to authentically see, feel, give, and stay in the minds and hearts of those who become your dear friends forever.

"I can say with truth in my heart that I saw, and was seen, impacted others and was impacted, gave and received in return, and became an equal and accepted member of a foreign society."

Everyone loves a top ten list (or loves to hate it). But most of them don’t apply to real life. Real life abroad. Real life for someone volunteering abroad. Real life for someone living in a home, volunteering, and coping abroad. Real life with bed bugs, among other things…

Here, then, is a list from Ben Rosen, who’s currently at The Aishworya Children’s Home in Baluwatar, Kathmandu. He’s got a lively and informative blog! We invite you to check it out. And then to apply to travel with UP for yourself!

Here, then, “Ben Rosen’s Top 10 Items to Have While Traveling Abroad!!”

10. DEODORANT: At the bottom of the heap is one gem that I have found to be essential — Deodorant! The reason it’s at the bottom is because I would hope this will be obvious to all.

Wake up in the morning and don’t have a shower or other means of bathing thyself? DEODORANT! Emerge from the jungle a sweaty mess, but want to grab a bite before hitting the showers? DEODORANT! Meet a pretty French girl? DEODORANT? Just don’t feel like showering for a week? You guessed it, DEODORANT, A traveler’s best friend.

9. Winding LED Flashlight: This device could save your life…or at least your feet. If you are traveling in third world countries, you will find that most places only have electricity for a certain amount per day (if at all).

This kind of flashlight may be a bit pricier than your standard torch, but you will be thanking yourself later when you aren’t spending a fortune on batteries and have the power to light up a room at any given moment!

8. Benadryl: Here is something I did not bring, but in retrospect definitely should have! One never knows what they will encounter while trotting the globe. Weird plants, animals and bugs (just to name a few). Benadryl is one of those “cure-all” kind of medicines. Whether it’s bedbug bites, outdoor allergies you never knew you had or a reaction to some food you probably shouldn’t have eaten, Benadryl will be like a good parent; pick you up off your face, give you a pat on the back and put you to sleep.

Benadryl, don’t leave home without it. (In the same vein, an antihistamine cream is also very helpful)

7. Earplugs: These sweet babies are an absolute godsend to the world of travel! You never know what your sleeping situation will be abroad. Will you be sharing a room with a snorer, snoozing in a city that never sleeps, or just have a stupid dog THAT WILL NOT SHUT UP?! One never knows. In any case, earplugs will be your best friend! They are also great to have when using noisy public transportation. (Plus, they are kind of fun to play with.)

6. Odor Resistant Socks: Let’s face it, if you are abroad for more than a month you WILL end up wearing the same pair of socks two, three and sometimes four days in a row. It’s just a fact of life out on the road. You simply cannot pack more than a couple weeks worth of socks and sometimes a place to do your laundry (either by hand or machine) is just plain not available.

If I had not bought a pack of odor-resistant socks (which I did completely by mistake), people would probably be dead right now. I have been around some people who just have normal socks and after a few days you want to run for the hills! So, do your friends and neighbors a favor. Get your self some O-R socks (I got mine at Target!).

5. Plastic Flip Flops/Sandals: Anyone who has gone to summer camp knows that touching a public shower’s floor with your bare feet is a baaad idea. Same goes for overseas, but even more so. There really isn’t much more to say on this topic, just be smart, use protection.

4. Swiss Army Knife: This is one of the big things that I constantly regret not bringing. I have found myself in many a situation where a knife/scissors/nail file/magnifying glass/screw driver, ect. would have been just the thing. OK, maybe not all of those are necessary, but you get the point. Oh, just don’t try and bring it through airport security. You will probably be detained…missing your flight might be the least of your worries then.

3. A Reliable Backpack: I’m not talking about the big ol’ trekker’s backpacks that one sees all over Nepal. I’m speaking of a reliable, sturdy school backpack (North Face is great for these). On the plane, or just traveling around, this bag will hold things that could save your life. (Ok, that’s being a bit dramatic, but still.) It’s nearly impossible to transport everything you might need with you on any given day solely in your pockets. Water bottle, sunblock, guidebook, camera, Excedrin, sunglasses, raincoat, ect. All will fit in a regular sized backpack and I promise you, you will not be sorry that you have these things with you!

On a side note, it’s also a good idea to always have all of these travel basics pre-packed. It will save you the stress of making sure you have everything while packing for a day trip.

2. Walking/Hiking Shoes: These will save your feet from utter obliteration. Most travelers will do a fair amount of walking during their time abroad. Hiking and sightseeing, unless you have feet of steel, will take a toll on your best mode of transportation. Do yourself a HUGE favor. Go out and spare no expense on a pair of shoes or boots. Unfortunately, unlike most apparel, higher price really does mean higher quality, so be prepared to shell out some dough.

A few brands that are good to look at are Merrell (the shoes I have), Timberland and Columbia. Side Note: If purchasing Hiking Boots you MUST wear them in before you leave. A pair of stiff Hiking Boots are worse for your feet than wearing a pair of All-Stars!

1. Pants: We here at www.insearchofwisemind.com did not have to think very hard about our number one pick. A good pair of pants (with lots ‘o pockets) is an absolute must have. The main thing with pants is versatility. Winter, spring, summer or fall, pants are a good choice. Not only will they keep you warmer than shorts (obviously), but they will also keep your legs rash, sunburn and bug bite free (for the most part).

I have yet to wear a pair of shorts since the first couple of days in Kathmandu. Now, those shorts that I thought would be so great are now taking up space in my bag. At least I got them on sale…

Another recommendation, as to leg apparel, is nylon pants. They are light weight, easy to clean and most importantly fast drying! Great for those surprise rain showers! These can be found at any store that has an outdoors section. (Eddie Bauer and Dick’s Sporting Goods to name a couple.)

So there you have it folks, my first and probably last VH1 style countdown. Hope the info was helpful or at the least, interesting. Til next time.

This post was written by Dave Santulli, United Planet’s Executive Director

I recently returned from Sarajevo.  During my stay, I had the privilege to visit the war museum and I found this poem which gives a glimpse into the realities of the war.  It also reminds us of how important the work is that we do at United Planet to encourage mutual understanding, lend support to one another, and preserve peace.

Listen
To the breathing of
Planet Sarajevo

Listen
to the Girl crying:
“Death, don’t take me along.”

How many times have we
Uttered
with tears
our ardent prayers for peace?

Death cares not for the girl’s tears,
Death cares not for human prayers

Listen
To the breathing
of Planet Sarajevo

See how full of bloom
Planet Sarajevo is!

Can’t you hear
the blood
pulsating through its veins?

People go-
to have their teeth filled

People go-
to take children for a haircut

People go-
to buy newspapers
the one over there
breeds pigeons.

This one, see,
cannot live
without crossword puzzles

See
how people go
carried away with work!

See how all of them
have aged overnight!
What has made them, all at once
so- beautiful?

On Planet Sarajevo
I saw a man-
he was smoking a pipe- and rushing
by!

On Planet Sarajevo
I saw a man-
eating- and weeping

I saw a little girl,
on Planet Sarajevo,
in the park which was not there
picking up flowers that were not
there!

Death is a thorough reaper,
in vain the girl’s tears,
in vain every prayer for peace!
In the universe-
its name is Bosnia-
a little girl,
with the hand which she has not,
picks up flowers which are not!

This is not war
-in war, there are flowers
everywhere-
this is the struggle from the
Beginning of Time!

In it two principles are fighting
-from the Beginning of Time
to the Day of Judgement-
the principle of Good
and the principle of Evil!

Let there never be an end
to the struggle between Good and
Evil!

Should Good
disappear from the World?

Should the Girl
kiss the hand
of Death the Reaper?
Don’t you hear her crying:
“Death, don’t take me along?”

Don’t cry, little girl
Don’t cry, daughter!

Never, never
will the end come

to the struggle between Good and Evil.

-Abdulah Sidran Sarajevo, February 1, 1994