Group Volunteer Stories

Country: Chile  |  Project: Construction 

Duration: 18 Days

Group: 13 Students & 2 Professors from the University of Idaho

 

"The amount of stuff we did, the relationships we developed, and the lives we changed are so much more than what I can write here. When I got back I was consistently asked what the trip did for me, how it changed me and what does the trip mean for my future. I really wish there were words that accurately do the trip justice, words to describe how amazing it was. The more I try to figure out those words the more I learn… that there are none. It was just that amazing."

---

Country: Ecuador  |   Project: Healthcare

Duration: 10 days

Group: Senior Nursing Students from Colorado Mesa State College

 

---

Country: Costa Rica   |  Project: Environmental

Duration: 2 weeks

Group:  13 Employees from Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings, S.A.

 

"Voluntourism isn’t for everyone. But embarking on such an initiative for the first time often requires a small push. Breaking out of your comfort zone is tough, but in this case, extremely rewarding. Ask someone who has done it . . . and get a friend, a colleague, or family member to join you . . . you’ll be glad you did!"

---

Country: Honduras   |  Project: Construction

Duration: 2 weeks

Group:  9 Students from University of Arizona

 

"The most rewarding part for me was interacting with the community. Waving and saying “hola” to everyone was the best part of my day, besides digging trenches. The local children of El Canton and El Jute were my favorite as they listened and answered questions about their lives, never feeling sorry for themselves. All they want is a real soccer ball and books to read. I will never forget those boys waiting around in the same clothes every day, with their bikes, and broken sandals. "

---

Country: China   |  Project: Teaching English

Duration: 4 weeks

Group: China Summer Program

 

“Just knowing that you have made a difference, no matter what size, in someone’s life is really an experience that everyone must have. Volunteering was great not only because of what I’ve accomplished, but also how the program changed me. The friendships made were also fantastic. Overall, this was possibly one of the best times I’ve had in my life and if I had to do it again, I would do it in a heartbeat.”

---

Country: Guatemala   |   Project: Construction & Education

Duration: 10 days

Group: Claremont McKenna College

 

"Guatemala seemed like a perfect place for us to conduct a meaningful project. There are 300 children in this little village, and their schoolhouse only has one room, so we helped to build a second room for them; [this trip was] largely about self-development. Seeing one culture mix with another culture, especially one that faces extreme hardship on a daily basis, is essential to understanding oneself."

---

Country: Ecuador   |  Project: Orphan Care and Environmental Work

Duration: 2 weeks

Group: Appleby College

 

"In the Cloud Forest in Santa Lucia we worked on carving out a walking path and did reforestation work. One day we went into the forest, found saplings and took them to the lodge to put them in bags with good soil.  On our last day in the Cloud Forest we collected sugar cane, squeezed the juice and actually made sugar—all by hand with no electronics involved...In Quito we worked with children in an orphanage. We played with the children and also visited the homes of parents who send their children to the orphanage for care."

---