After the project, we get emails and calls – and on the rare occasion, a visit to the office – from returned volunteers. There’s always an air of confidence that wasn’t there before, a sense of horizons broadened and lessons learned – not only about themselves but about the world we live in…
I’m the newest addition to the VFP team here in Burlington. My name is Dillon, and as an intern I am excited to be working on an historical research project with VFP for our 30th anniversary. Over the next few months I will be posting in this new section of the Peace Blog some of the incredible moments from the past thirty years, as well as
videos, interviews, and audio from VFP members past and present. This is a project that will be looking backwards, but with an eye on the future…after all of this, what might happen in the next thirty years of VFP?
“… I have realized that in this life there are too many misunderstandings, straying intents, and old wounds around the world to see a lasting peace among nations in our lifetime. Just as clear, however, is the far-reaching and truly lasting value in working for this ideal. May peace prevail.”
” I threw my head back to let out another shrill cry as I madly stamped my feet on the ground. We doubled over, our throats unleashing ungodly sounds, and we spend the hours of the night unsuccessfully gasping for more air. I saw the sting of breathlessness come over everyone, and our cheeks kept rising to scrunch our glossy eyes into crescent moons. My core burned, and my eyes filled up with tears, which involuntarily leaked down the side of my face in moments of unadulterated delight.”
“I see a lot of NGO organizations who use logo to show their spirit. What I think about International WorkCamp is a universal family – the people – who are willing to change themselves, consider deeply about the future of human society, and embrace the world kindly….”
By Chelsea Frisbee, VFP International Placement Coordinator
Happy February! VFP is proud to announce that today, February 1st, we will begin accepting scholarship applications. The deadline for submission is March 19th at 9 AM and winners will be announced March 30th.
Photo Credit: L. Smolic, 2011 Scholarship Recipient, Kenya
I’ve always loved France. I have been there a number of times, and even lived in Paris for two years while in college. I’ve been to many different corners of the country, and last summer I wanted to do something different. I started looking into volunteer programs so I could spent time in France while giving something back to the country I loved. I investigated several different organizations and settled on VFP for several reasons. I liked their mission and the variety of projects and locations available. As a nonprofit, VFP’s fees were very reasonable and their staff was very helpful in answering all of my (many) questions.
“You don’t have to be in your twenties to volunteer in the Galapagos! In October 2011, I took a three-week break from my job as a senior attorney in the Vermont Attorney General’s Office and arranged, through Volunteers for Peace, to do giant land tortoise habitat restoration on San Cristobal Island. “
For those of you looking for assistance finding the perfect volunteer opportunity, please feel free to call us at 802-540-3060 (check out our extended office hours) to email us! You can also take a look at our “Top Picks” for VFP projects this week:
Jamaica in May: VFP JA01-12
Turkey in May/June: (no extra fee! Only pay $380 total for these projects)
GEN-03: Gapgenc Festival
GEN-04: Math Village
GEN-05: Circus & Street Arts Festival
Last winter, I began an internship with VFP that evolved into the challenging, yet extremely rewarding task of planning and implementing an international workcamp in Burlington. Just a week after the camp ended, I left the States for my second workcamp in France…
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Telephone: 802-540-3060 | Email: infoREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vfp.org
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