Volunteering Worldwide with Volunteers for Peace.

For anyone interested in doing short term voluntary work worldwide, the following Volunteer Statements and photographs, give some idea of the fantastic opportunities available. Some of the Volunteers also relate their feelings, which give you some idea of the wonderful benefits to be gained from having a go.

"Let us hope that many more people will be inspired to roll up their sleeves and join the worldwide movement of volunteers. Each and every one of us, wherever we live or work, has something to share." Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General, December 5, 2001

Australia - Working with Aboriginal Children from Disadvantaged Families.

"I attended the work camp in Sydney, Australia from December 10 - 23 of 2000 and it was a great experience. I was the only American - there was a person from Canada, Belgium, France, South Korea, the UK, and two persons from Australia. The main thrust of this work camp was working with Aboriginal kids from disadvantaged families. Most of the kids had only one parent and in most cases the parent was heavily dependent on drugs (the drug of choice seemed to be heroin). The kids ranged in age from six to thirteen and they were wonderful. One of the most difficult things I've ever had to do was leave this workcamp - I enjoyed the company of fellow volunteers as well as playing and working with the kids."
Paul Samela -2000

Azerbaijan - Working with Children.

"I would definitely recommend working in Azerbaijan for anybody who's interested. The work you do will make a tremendous difference for the people over there -- particularly the children. A few warnings, though: the workcamps come with tremendous physical and emotional hardships. You will have to be willing to do without hot water and electricity for most of the time, and of course without toilets. Bottled water is scarce and usually comes in carbonated form; you will mainly be drinking tea with small amounts of soda and fruit juice. If the gas didn't work, we would sometimes have to go for hours without drinking anything (this didn't happen often though). There are bugs everywhere, especially mosquitoes, and quite a bit of disease, so hypochondriacs should stay away. You will also get quite dirty. Working with the children can be difficult in the sense that you begin to develop close relationships with them, and then you go and visit them at home and see the abject poverty that they live in and begin to feel very upset to say the least. The seeming hopelessness of the situation can also be very demanding. That being said, let me also say that after a few days you don't even really notice the physical difficulties, and even a city boy like me managed to adapt in no time. And just the opportunity to meet such wonderful people like the children in our classes and their families was worth all of the heartache. The volunteer's life will never be the same after you work in Azerbaijan, and hopefully neither will the children's." Simon Russell - 2001

Bangladesh - Volunteers Help out at a Health Care Clinic. "When I graduate, I want a job that will give me the flexibility to do this type of work around the world. I want a type of job that will give me the satisfaction that I had returning home from the clinic each day. I'm not too much closer to knowing what that career will be, but at the very least my priorities have solidified." Laura Graff 2001

Volunteers help out at a health care clinic in Bangladesh. Photo Credit: Laura Graff

Bulgaria - Costume Making in an Orphanage. "By the way, we had 10 girls and 23 boys. The older ones did a good job of taking care of the little ones. Overall, the kids were quite responsible and creative. Some of them had been victims of physical and sexual abuse but were surprisingly resilient, friendly, and outgoing." Bob Melaragno -2000

Costume making in an orphanage. Photo Credit: Bob Melaragno

Cambodia- Helping Orphans. "They were now teaching me, not about development, education, politics, but about life- how to live it, how to find the beauty in each piece of the canvas...I had such admiration for these young souls..." Jessica Lenz -1999

Photo Credit: Jessica Lenz

Chile - Building Bridges in the Countryside.

"The experience in Chile was unforgettable. I met people from around the world, and despite our language differences, we all were able to communicate and become good friends. I feel good knowing that my name is inscribed in the cement foundation of a bridge I built in the Chilean countryside. How many young Americans can say that?" Kevin Maillard - 1995

Costa Rica

"Volunteering was a great way to learn more about the ecology and culture of Costa Rica, meet interesting people and make great friends." Amy Kroloff - 1995

Czech Republic - Restoration Work and Making Do-it-yourself Solar Panels. "I not only feel good about contributing my time and effort to the countries I visited but my visits themselves were infinitely more interesting than quick glimpses of the tourist areas would have been". Marissa Jones - 1998 Back to the top

Volunteers in the Czech Republic do restoration work and make do-it-yourself solar panels. Photo credit: Marissa Jones

Ecuador - Socio-Ecological Project.

"I flew to Ecuador to work on a developing socio-ecological project in a tiny town, wealthy only in the sense of its immense beauty. Chiriboga is located in subtropical forests of Ecuador , has no electricity or phonelines..it was a beautiful experience that gave me a perspective of Ecuador, its people and its culture that I never would have had otherwise." Kimberly Colleran - 1999

England - Working with Disabled Children.

"I participated in a summer scheme for disabled kids in Bradford, England, and it was singularly the most rewarding and difficult work I have yet to have done in my life. I could not possibly enumerate for you just how much this camp taught me, and just how much richer I feel from having participated."
Anna Sheftel - 1999

France - Helping to Renovate a Church on Oleron Island.

"The workcamp I participated in was at Le Grand Village Plage on the island of Oleron. This was my first experience with VFP and my first workcamp. It was a wonderful experience. At first I was a little hesitant about working on a church, I wanted to do something that had a bigger impact on the environment and community. This work we proved to be one of the most important things we could have done for the community. Everyday a new local person dropped by to tell us how happy they were to us working on the petite chapel." Monica Walls - 1999

Germany

"To say that it was a positive experience would be more than an understatement; it was truly life changing. I'm really considering a life of such service. Thank you a million times." Patrick Jackson - 2000

Ghana - Tree Planting. "In Ghana, $6 a year will send a child to senior school. Many families cannot afford this, so a large number of children are unable to continue their schooling. It really makes you appreciate all that we have in North America and teaches you to not take anything for granted." Laura Fuller - 2000

Volunteer Miyuki with children from the village. Photo Credit: Miyuki Koga

Guatemala

"Our experience was really unique in the fact that we (the volunteers) worked side by side with the Guatemalans. I never expected to learn so much about the Guatemalan culture and become so attached to the Mayan workers and other volunteers in two weeks." Andrea Froehlich - 1997

Hungary

"My work camp experience taught me to slow down and listen to the strongest voice inside of myself. I also experienced being a part of a group in a whole new way. All of the trials that we went through in our work camp group brought us so close together. It was a unique bonding experience. The workcamp was challenging in the highest way. I really found myself aware of the path I want to choose in life. I felt like I had been sleeping for years and I had just become awake. It was truly life altering." Mary Elizabeth Schuring- 1998

India - Community Development for Underprivileged Children. "After two weeks of work, we completed our tasks and showed the children the place. They were all very excited and happy. Seeing their expressions made everything worthwhile. I am very happy that I had the opportunity to do something useful for a community that needs the most help." Mark Poh Leng - 2001

A Volunteer paints murals at a playground for underprivileged children in India. Photo Credit: Mark Poh Leng

Ireland - Running a Day Camp for Autistic Children.

"We ran a day camp for autistic children. Those children and our common experiences working with them bonded us. Despite different cultures, backgrounds, or languages, we were united as one. The talks we had together - about love, school, politics, careers, family, and life in general were amazing. We laughed together and I saw first hand that laughter truly does cross any language or culture barrier. We learned to live together, cooperate, and work as a team." Emily Barlett - 2000

Italy - Restoring a Social Center for Young People.

"..the experience working with the children in the village and helping to reconstruct their social center was fantastic, it was all I could have hoped for, I look forward to doing another workcamp very soon!" Sarah Yarian -1998

Japan - Working with Mentally Handicapped People and Performing a Play for Local School Children.

"The workcamp in Japan JAPNICE43 was extremely well organized and the leaders of Taiyo No Ie, the facility where we worked, went out of their way to make sure we were having fun. The great aspect of this camp was that every day entailed a different activity. It was about 50-50 cultural exchange (such as performing a play for local elementary school kids) and assisting the staff at the facility for the mentally handicapped, which was always a rewarding experience." Eric Bendix - 2001

Latvia

"The children are etched in my heart and will be in my memory the rest of my living days. Three weeks of living with so many other nationalities gave me information and insight that could never have been taught to me in a book! I truly enjoyed it even though it was challenging at times! I had a remarkable experience and appreciate VFP and what it stands for." Mary Kay Fallbeck - 2001

Mexico - Educating Local Children about the Importance of Environmental Conservation.

"Little did I realize the impact that this volunteer trip would have on me. My time volunteering this summer made a difference to the seventy children who came to our camp every day and it made a difference to me." Megan Beck-2001

Mongolia - Constructing Houses for Orphans and Street Children. "Volunteers in Mongolia constructed houses for orphans and street children. Photo Credit: Valerie Yerger "I actually find myself cherishing the memories (good and bad) from the experience. I'm proud of what I did." Valerie Yerger 2001 Back to the top

Volunteers in Mongolia constructed houses for orphans and street children. Photo Credit: Valerie Yerger

Morocco - Teaching English. "The work was challenging, but very fulfilling and fun. The students were eager and kind. All the volunteers got along and were like a family." Sarah Baden 2000 ".it was a pure joy for all of us to go to the youth center to teach every morning. We could read so much enthusiasm and curiosity in the eyes of our students. For most of them, it was their first encounter with a person living abroad and they absolutely loved it." Sylvia Biss - 2000

Teaching English Photo Credit: Sarah Baden

Namibia - Working on a Cheetah Conservation Project. "Well, my favorite thing about the trip was the people I got to meet and work with. These included the volunteers from abroad, but especially the local volunteers. They were such an important part of the learning experience as well as the overall success of the program. They taught me almost everything that had to do with the culture (history and modern) of the Namibian people. I was so amazed and impressed with the local youth. They may not have the post-secondary education that most Westerners have, but they really got it together in matters of the heart, body and soul. I think in a lot of ways they are well advanced in these matters than we are. Their views on politics and community and people in general were so great. They also love the country they live in and love who they are and where they come from". Kym Cosak 2001

Volunteers at the Cheetah Conservation Project in Namibia. Photo Credit: Kym Cosak

"We all saw the change in the young refugees in the time we were there. While they were apathetic and isolated at first, by the end there were many new friends and groups among the refugees and they were much more active. Of course, they were very sorry to see us leave but I think we did them much good and I hope much of that will stay with them. The chance to learn from them and hear what their life is like was amazing. We ended up spending almost the entire waking day with them -- way beyond the official working hours. While this meant that our volunteer group didn't have much time to ourselves, we felt that our work was more important." Jared Younger -2001

"The children have been through so much from such an early age, yet remain so strong. It made me realize how truly blessed I am .It is an experience that I shall never forget." Julie Bilyeu -1998 "The kids are like so many others around the world when it came to playing games and wanting attention. But what they have been through and the uncertainty they face in the future, in my eyes makes them exceptional." Sarah Leonard-Mayer 2000

Young refugees who came to the Schalkhaar Center without their parents. Photo credit: Julie Bilyeu

Northern Ireland - Working with Children to Help Teach Peace. "This year I came away from the camp with a renewed sense of purpose in my life unlike any other." Matthew Ascah - 2000 "Northern Ireland I cannot recall having any experience as transcending as the workcamp I attended in Northern Ireland. It literally blew my mind. I enjoyed every aspect of the camp, I worked my rear-end off, I made new lifelong friends and I had an incredible amount of fun!!" Jonathan Lopez -1998

Volunteer Matthew with a group of children from the Ballynafeigh neighborhood of Belfast. Photo Credit: Matthew Ascah

"In Belfast, I worked in the community house of Ballynafeigh Community Development Association. The volunteers worked with Catholic and Protestant children together in their summer play scheme - the scenario being a lesson in the possibility of peace in the region. I was constantly learning of the cultural richness of Belfast and the surrounding counties of Northern Ireland. One of the most memorable experiences of my whole summer was the visit to my Irish family that had not been in contact with my family in the US for over 20 years." Christopher Reeve- 2001


Norway - Working with Refugees.

"My work with the refugees was immensely important to me, but I will say that it was not the most important part of my Norwegian experience. I am a stronger person because I know that there are other people who think as I do about helping people, loving humanity and working for peace. I am a better and more complete person than I was several months ago and am excited to begin the rest of my life."
Matthew Ascah - 2001

Palestinian Occupied Territories - Working at a Refugee Children's Center

"Nine days after we left Aida Refugee Camp, Beit Jala was occupied, tanks entered Bethlehem and surrounded the Camp. There was heavy fighting. International pressure secured the withdrawal from the area after 50 hours, but two people in the camp were killed and several injured, including two whom I knew, who are now in hospital. Many people in the Camp do not have water, for their water tanks were destroyed by the firing. I was able to contact the Director of the Children's Center - they do not sleep at night now, he said, for they are too frightened. ...in those two weeks I lived with, worked with, and talked with, some of the most wonderful, dedicated and inspiring people I have ever encountered."
Helen Pope - 2001

Poland

"The workcamps allowed me to be in touch with the local cultures and even to have intellectual conversations with the local volunteers. I personally don't think I'll be able to do anymore solo travelling, just because workcamps are so fun." Seung Bok Lee - 1998

"...a lot of what you said in your literature turned out to be true. The friendships (though short) are very strong, the work was rewarding, and the cultural experience was incredible; leaving the children was the hardest part. They walked us to the train, crying, and you couldn't stop thinking about what was going to happen to them." Darlene Huso - 1998

Romania

"The people of Romania are wonderful and happy, not depressed gypsies to rob you blind! I have never received such open hospitality, with no thought of reward; by learning about their cultures and teaching them about ours, we have made our world better. With every lie we undid and every preconceived notion about our countries we dispelled, we made our world less mysterious and safer. People are less likely to start wars with people they know and like!" Jada Tullos - 1999

Russia

"This project was the best example I have seen of how workcamps can change lives, bring out the best in people, and do real good in the world. Although I have enjoyed the workcamps I have been on, this was a lifetime experience, and the best of the best. It made me want very much to go back to Russia, and I am sure I will do so. I want to thank you for making this opportunity available." Percy Toop - 2001

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Scotland - Working with Children to Improve Cultural Relations. "I have learned more about responsibility and friendship than at any other point in my life." Jaykumar Mehta - 2000 Scotland - Restoring a Historical House. "What a life-altering experience! I spent three weeks in Gowanbank, and had the time of my life. I met wonderful people from different backgrounds, at interesting new foods, and learned some new things about myself." Tobi Mepham - 2001

Children participate in play schemes designed to improve race relations and understanding. Photo Credit: Jaykumar Mehta

Scotland - Working with Socially Disadvantaged, Mentally and Physically Disabled Children.

"In Glasgow, I worked with the staff of the Forth and Clyde Canal Community Project. We worked with socially disadvantaged children as well as mentally and physically disabled children. The volunteers' job was to take the children out into the canal in kayaks and canoes, teaching them about the canal's animal life, and participating in arts and crafts. We were in part responsible for the safety of the children but our main objective was to have fun with them. As much as they learned from us, we learned from them." Christopher Reeve - 2001

Slovakia - Agricultural Work and Outdoor Activities.

"For the next two weeks we did different kinds of work like digging, cutting wood, finding stones, leveling the ground, water pumping, going to hay farms and loading hay trucks then unloading them at our farm, lifting grains in to the storage area. Some other fun things we did were milking goats, food preparations, shopping for supplies, playing games and learning new ones, camp fire preparation, swimming, riding horses, hiking in beautiful forests to other villages with other work camps going on there so we had the chance to meet with other local volunteers and see what other kind of life and work they were doing, going on trips to towns to see castles, museums and lots of other exciting things." Waleed Shoaib - 2001

South Africa - Renovating an Old Church.

"I really enjoyed living and working with people from all over the world, France, Netherlands, USA, Japan, Germany and South Africa for 3 weeks in South Africa. Our job is to renovate an old church that was built by German settlers. We started from scrapping old paint, sanding and painting. Not only international volunteers, but also volunteer from the township helped renovating it together. I would have never had such an experience if I just traveled around the country, because I had an opportunity to talk and play with local people through out the camp. I would like to go back there again in the future." Yukiko Shishikura - 2001

South Korea - Volunteering at Festivals.

"We volunteered at two festivals, one at Haeundae beach and the other at Dalmaji Hill Culture Festival. Working at these festivals really allowed me to learn about many different aspects of Korean culture. I was able to interact with the people, which I loved. I got a chance to observe a parade, a play, and a tea ceremony where people were dressed in traditional Korean costume. I got to watch live performances of Korean musicians and dancers." Khalisa Bolling - 2000

Spain - Volunteering on Archeological Excavations.

My workcamp was an archeological dig in Cambrils, Spain, a humble tourist town on the Mediterranean Sea, located 100 km south of Barcelona. Before I arrived, I knew I was going to do some archeological excavations along with 35 other people. What I did not know was that this would be the highlight of my summer. Michael Mandeki - 2001

Sweden

".. nowhere else have I met such motivated, cooperative, open-minded folks. I learned more in two weeks of living and working with this diverse group than in months spent in classrooms. I am a very lucky person." Mollie Zanoni - 1999

"A single individual can change the political fabric of a country but only from an undying dedication and persistence to the cause that is driven by conviction and passion. In short, have a good time, relish the international spirit of the work camp, and work with the locals with the arm of friendship." Sol Haroon 1998

Tanzania

"...the best month of my entire life. Our group was well organized and our excursions were intense and amazing beyond my wildest dreams. Not only did the camp surpass all of my expectations, but it has encouraged new dreams and higher expectations for myself as a traveler as well as personally."
Amelia Barbadora - 2000

Thailand - Working with Underprivileged Children. "Among other friends of mine who have volunteered, many have said to me it was the single most rewarding thing they have ever done, and for myself, this program was no exception." Charles Johnson -2001 Thailand "Combining service, friendship and hard work made for a profound experience that will stay with me forever. There are not enough words to tell you how much I learned about myself and my world." Rachel Reiser - 2001

Volunteers worked with underprivileged children at a monastery. Photo Credit: Charles Johnson

Thailand - Working with Socially Disadvantaged People

"As I rode the taxi to Wat Suang Kaew, just outside of Bangkok, I was expecting to arrive at one of the large, ornate temples that draw hordes of tourists across Thailand. However, when I got out of the cab, I found myself at a sprawling complex that hardly matched my image of a temple. Here, poor students from the countryside, mentally and physically disabled persons, abandoned elderly, other impoverished people, and ex-convicts worked side-by-side at a foundation conceived of and run by the monk Phra Payom." Eric Herrmann-2000

Thailand

"As a college student trying to pay my own way for school, I didn't think that I would ever be able to afford something like this. Now I know that my experience was priceless. It was worth the saving and sacrifices. I learned so much about the world...I have never had so much fun in my life. I am already counting the pennies and the months until I can do another camp." Daniel Gregson - 2001

Togo - Agricultural Work. "The Togolese taught me more about life in a few weeks than four years of college. I only hope that in some small way, I can continue to repay my debt to them for teaching me a valuable lesson that the human soul needs very little to be happy." Shaghne Manning - Togo 2000 Back to the top

Planting crops. Photo Credit: Shagne Manning

Togo - Teaching AIDS Awareness.

"The villagers were very welcoming and receptive to our group; in fact, it would have been interesting to be there without doing any type of organized activity, but the AIDS awareness work was great. After we arrived we were trained for two days by a Togolese professional from the capital city of Lomé on how to talk to people about the basics of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention. Then we went to a village meeting to present ourselves officially, and the next day we began door-to-door awareness work."
Monica Kearns - 2000

Tunisia

"International workcamps benefit the volunteers through cultural exchange and travel, but also provide a visible example of what can happen when young people from many cultures come together to learn and work, a situation that rarely occurs in ordinary life." Carolyn Hall - 1997

Turkey - Working at an Orphanage.

"Young boys and girls would fill the orphanage with shouts and laughter, sounds that belied the building's ravaged surroundings. The orphans, from an impoverished earthquake camp located further up the hill, came to learn about us and share their talents." Mindy Blakney - 2000

Turkey

"I have never had an experience like the one I had in Turkey nor have I met people before that are so rich because of what is in their hearts. My only regret is that it had to end knowing that there was so much more I could have seen and done. I felt that I only scraped the surface in a diverse group of cultures so full of history, beauty, and friendship that it might take a lifetime to fully experience and appreciate."
Turki Shoaib -2000

Uganda

"I went to Uganda for one month in the month of August. It was an experience that will linger a longtime in my memory. The people I met, the children I played with, the place I saw. One could not believe it even from pictures. I would recommend this type of camp to anyone who wants an eye opening experience. You get a view of the country that regular tourists don't get. You see everything. Wow it was a great trip." Philip O'Sullivan -1999

Ukraine

"I expected things to be somewhat rough in Ukraine, and was prepared to deal with corrupt border officials, desperate conditions, anxious nights awake in the trains surrounded by thieves... well, you can't believe what you read, even in the New York Times! Instead, I found a country that had seen some very hard times, continuing into the present time in some areas, but people everywhere seemed to shrug it off, content to get on with today and now. People were always talkative, curious and friendly. Even the border guards were polite, apologizing for keeping my passport so long... all told it was a great time, I look forward to returning." Charles Dalterio -1997

U.S.A.

"I read all the wonderful reviews written by previous volunteers on the VFP web site. I was amazed at how many lives were changed by the workcamp experience. Little did I realize that all of those reviews were vast understatements. I will never be the same since participating in my first workcamp, it was definitely the best few weeks of my life." Jason Howard - USA

USA - Helping Wheel Chair Athletes Compete in Alaska.

"I haven't laughed as hard nor learned as much in such a short period of time as I did during my volunteer experience. I went to Alaska this summer to volunteer with Challenge Alaska's Midnight Sun Ultra Challenge Wheel Chair Race. Not only did I meet some of the most adventuresome, brave, loving and generous people...I have also made life-long friends." Jennifer Lyons - 1999

Wales - Helping out at a Special Olympics.

I had a great and wonderful time with the people in our group and with the interaction of the athletes and families. It was truly rewarding to see the motivation the athletes put into every event (Special Olympics). I am now hooked/addicted to doing projects...sign me up for a lifetime supply...heehee!!!!!
Christina Scafuri - 2001

Zambia

"I definitely had the most wonderful experience of my whole life. People from Zambia as well as the other volunteers were the nicest people I had ever met before. I truly encourage all my fellow volunteers from all parts of the earth to go share their experiences with the people of Zambia who will be delighted to welcome them." Samuel Vessiere -1997

More Volunteer statements and photographs from Volunteers for Peace can be found at: http://www.vfp.org/photoscomments.htm

Volunteers for Peace currently have short-term international voluntary service programs in 80 countries.
For more information please visit them at: http://www.vfp.org

Source: Volunteers For Peace

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