UP Team

Why UP?  Besides my family, of course, there is no greater joy than meeting the people of this world, experiencing their fascinating cultures, and working together beyond borders, to make a positive difference.  Motto:  To lead is to serve.

Working at UP is a chance to learn, grow and explore!

“The world in which you were born is just one model of reality. Other cultures are not failed attempts at being you; they are unique manifestations of the human spirit.” - Wade Davis

United Planet gives people a wonderful opportunity to learn about new cultures and expand their knowledge of the world that we live in. I love working here, every day I learn something new!

“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.” - Albert Pine

UP provides me a great opportunity to see different cultures from different aspects. Not only to help me to learn work in American environment, but also to help me to achieve personal goals.

“Experience is never limited and it is never complete; it is an immense sensibility, a kind of huge spider-web of the finest silken threads suspended in the chamber of consciousness, and catching every air-bone particle in its issue.” - Henry James

UP is broadening people's horizons one individual at a time.

“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.” - Woodrow Wilson

“To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be the world.” - Unknown

I feel lucky to find UP, an organization truly dedicated to build bridges between different countries and cultures. I'm proud of being a part of the team.

“I inherited an important quality as a human being from my parents, which is, understanding each others beyond borders, beyond oceans and beyond races.” - Mariko Terasaki Miller

I would like to contribute to help people gain international perspective so that they can respect one another in a global community! 

Believe it can be done. - Motto 

It’s inspiring to belong to the United Planet’s  team because UP’s reach  is so extensive and its work is so meaningful. UP’s international  efforts at cross-cultural understanding come at a critical time.

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single minute before starting to improve the world.”  - Anne Frank

Developing friendships with enthusiastic people dedicated to making a positive change in the world never seems like hard work. Thanks to the United Planet's devoted staff the world is a better place; one relationship at a time.

“United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do--for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.” - John F. Kennedy

United Planet is intellectually stimulating and satisfying, being part of an incredible, hard working, dynamic, multi-cultural team.

“We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” - Winston Churchill

United Planet offers unique opportunities to learn, grow, and work closely with people from all walks of life. The positive nature of the UP team is contagious. Every day at UP is inspiring, exciting, and fun.

“Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present.” - Albert Camus

Working at UP feels like working for a mini United Nations. Every day I get to learn about new cultures from my diverse colleagues.

“Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us.” - Marianne Williams

United Planet helps me make more sense of my life by furthering peacefulness and the construction of a better future.

“The place to improve the world is first in one's own heart and head and hands, and then work outward from there.” - Robert M. Pirsig

United Planet is a great place to be; with a dynamic, multi-cultural team facing daily challenges! I am grateful for this opportunity.

“Those who can, do.  Those who can do more, volunteer.” - Unknown

At United Planet, working in a diverse international team is a real pleasure. I have the chance to contribute, enthusiastically, to the growth of this wonderful organization.

“There are times when the greatest change needed is a change of my viewpoint.” - Denis Diderot

Living, working, and laughing with diverse friends at United Planet reminds me every day that our dream of world-wide cultural acceptance is truly possible.

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” - Buddha

A new world really opens up at UP! Work has a new meaning when you work for a great cause.

“Apply yourself both now and in the next life. Without effort, you cannot be prosperous. Though the land be good, You cannot have an abundant crop without cultivation.” - Plato

At United Planet, the little things I do have a profound positive impact on the lives of others. Each day I wake up inspired to knit the web that will connect more people from different cultures.

“It's a world of laughter, a world of tears. It's a world of hopes, and a world of fears. There's so much that we share, that it's time we're aware, it's a small world after all.” - Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman

Thanks to United Planet for letting me help others connect the world!

“It is up to each of us to make the best use of our time to help create a happier world.” - Dalai Lama

I am glad to work with such a great team everyday and I am very thankful to United Planet for giving me the opportunity to make a difference in the world and change people’s lives.

“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” - E. B. White

It is such a pleasure volunteering with such friendly, energetic and positive people at UP.

“Everything is perfect in the universe - even your desire to improve it.” - Wayne Dyer

Working at UP has allowed me to gain new perspectives on other cultures, and the world has become much more fascinating place.

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” - Confucius

United Planet’s in country coordinator in Romania is Melanie Tanase. Her husband, Mihail also helps coordinate our volunteers and the two of them and their family manage the orphanage in Valea Plopului.

They have been accepting United Planet volunteers for their orphanage since 2005.  

Hi! I am Elif Tuay, United Planet Turkey country coordinator.  I was born in Istanbul, the gorgeous historical city of two continents. I have my undergraduate degree from the Middle East Technical University Sociology Department and I also have a minor in Psychology. I have my master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and now I am working as a junior human resources specialist in one of the biggest IT companies in Turkey called Garanti Technology. One of the remarkable parts of my life is that, I am almost always a part of voluntary activity within which I can reach out for people less fortunate than me. I love being a part of NGO’s because I believe in the power of volunteer work. Other than that, I really believe in cross-cultural exchange and how it can introduce a world of harmony which goes in line with the mission of UP “a community beyond borders.”

As the founder of our republic ATATÜRK said:

“Mankind is a single body and each nation a part of that body. We must never say 'What does it matter to me if some part of the world is ailing?' If there is such an illness, we must concern ourselves with it as though we were having that illness."

To this end, the mission of United Planet seems very attractive and challenging for me and I am so happy and proud to be a part of it. If you also believe in “making a life not just a living” you are always welcome to meet with me where the continents meet.

Marlo has been working with United Planet for the last two years and plans to continue working with the organization through projects such as the micro-enterprise Laundromat. She works at a local school and is working towards her Master’s degree in Education. In her spare time she works at the vegetarian restaurant connected to the school, she boasted at how this was the first vegetarian restaurant in “Xela!”

She says that people of Guatemala are very service-orientated since it is
taught that being active in your community is a moral obligation. She says that although United Planet helps her to coordinate volunteers at
the local women’s shelters and has provided funding for the laundromat, she has been involved in service since she can remember. She is clever, sweet, and accommodating and cannot wait to meet future volunteers!

!Hola! My name is Mauricio Luna R. My first experience abroad was after I finished my Bachelor’s degree in International Relations in 2003. I volunteered in Costa Rica and then Sweden for a total of 6 months. That experience really changed my perspective in live and since then I have been involved with volunteer programs and United Planet since 2008.

Besides helping the participants to have an unforgettable experience while volunteering in Costa Rica I am also finishing a Masters on Education. I would be glad to share with you a bit of my understanding about our diverse culture, friendly people, and natural beauty!

Paul Fischer is a high school teacher and university professor in Santiago, Chile. Mr. Fischer has operated his own trade-related business in Chile and worked for the U. S. Foreign & Commercial Service at the American Embassy in Santiago. Mr. Fischer has a B.A. Degree from Duke University and an M.A. Degree in History from the University of Denver. Mr. Fischer also spent several years in Africa with the Peace Corps. He currently lives in the Lo Barnechea sector of Santiago with his wife and their three children.

I am Pablo from Ecuador, I was born in 1976 in Quito, Ecuador.

I finished my studies in Ecotourism at the Universidad Catolica in Quito, Ecuador and also attended to Reed College in US where I studied photography and worked as a Spanish language scholar promoting studies abroad in South America. Actually I am working in my master degree in Direction y Consultoria Turistica.

 

During the last four years my position as UP Ecuador country coordinator has allowed me to broaden my understanding and knowledge of other cultures and reflect on my own. It has as well helped me strengthen my communication with national and international volunteers. Finally I have gained a great deal of experience organizing and promoting cultural activities and academic trips, and supporting volunteers in their adjusting processes to a new environment and with their Spanish learning skills.

My name is Stuart Robbens. My fiancé, Ying, and I are the In-Country Coordinators for Thailand. I have been living here for over 6 years now. I love it here because it is a place of natural beauty which has not been spoilt by mass tourism. I settled in Ranong after more than one year of travelling around the world and have been working, teaching English and Scuba Diving here ever since.Ying and I run a small private school teaching English to young children and adults.

After the 2001 Asia tsunami I worked for six months as a Volunteer Coordinator in Khao Lak, Thailand. During this time I worked with thousands of volunteers and so can appreciate people's desire to learn and help people from other cultures. I enjoy meeting new people and sharing the knowledge I have gained with them but realize that only by appreciating and respecting others can we better ourselves.

My name is Somusa Laksum (you can call me by my nickname "Ying"). I am from Surat Thanni province but have been living and working in Ranong for the last 9 years in hotel and restaurant management. I enjoy meeting and talking to people from other countries and look forward to helping United Planet volunteers settle into their home stays and projects. I teach Thai cooking and language lessons to volunteers coming here and also take them out too enjoy the wonders of Thailand's countryside and people.

Caiya (Tsaiyang) - My name is Tsaiyang and please call me Caiya! I the in county coordinator for Tibet Quest with my daughters, Deiji and Dechok. My daughters and myself were born and raised in Jyekundo (Yushu) where United Planet volunteers will be working! I love my hometown, full of history and culture. My brother was also the United Planet country coordinator here until he passed away. I would love to fulfill his dream and hope.

Judy (Deiji) - My name is Deiji and please call me Judy. I am in junior year at the North University for Ethnics, majoring in English. I am always so excited and proud to work with UP volunteers to contribute to my hometown and help people in the community. I look forward to meeting you in Yushu!

Olivia (Dechok)- My name is Dechok and please call me Olivia. I graduated from the University and Colledge of Radio and Television in Yushu Prefecture with English major, Now I am studying at the Qinghai Minority University, majoring English. You learn our culture and we learn your culture though Tibet Quest! Every time when I see smiles on children's' faces and volunteers feel a sense of achievement, I really want to encourage everybody to come here!

Nima is also in country coordinator in Nepal and he will be managing your excursion trips while our volunteers are in Nepal. Nima is a trained mountain leader and gifted in leading.

Karibu Tanzania! With so much to do, see, and learn as well as a fascinating mix of Zanzibari, Swahili, Arab, Indian, Western, and European cultures, Tanzania is a terrific destination for any traveler. A peaceful African country where a variety of political and religious beliefs co-exist in harmony is a wonderful representation of the UP vision - A community beyond borders!  

"Let the future say of our generation that we sent forth mighty currents of hope, and that we worked together to heal the world". - Jeffrey D. Sachs

Patience, native Tanzanian, is the In-Country Coordinator for United Planet Tanzania. She works together with the Country Manager, Tori Taugner, in handling all volunteer logistics, as well as identifying new projects and host families. Mrs. Mitimingi is one of the founding members of the Board of Directors of the newly-registered UP Tanzania, a local NGO in Tanzania. She is a great asset to the program and loves interacting with all volunteers to ensure they have the best Quest possible. Mrs. Mitimingi lives in Dar es Salaam with her husband (a minister) and their two children.

 

Mekyia mo!

Born in 1972, I am originally from the farmlands of Lincolnshire in England (similar to rural Idaho), where I played a lot of rugby and trained as an elementary school teacher. I have one brother and two nieces in New York, and 22 million brothers and sisters in Ghana.

I have been in love with Ghana since 1998, when I worked as a teacher trainer with the charity Voluntary Service Overseas. I am fluent in the country’s main language, Twi, and occasionally entertain Ghanaians by appearing in Twi language TV and radio shows. I am also the author of Culture Smart! Ghana- The Essential Guide to Customs and Culture.

I left the classroom in 2007 to concentrate on travel writing, language teaching and ecotourism in Ghana. Working with United Planet is a natural extension of this, and I look forward to welcoming many UPVs to this wonderful country.

I like to relax with scrabble, walking in the rainforest and reggae music, and I make awesome joll of rice.

“There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth, only crew.”
“Ghana is cool. And hot.”