Czech Republic

Volunteerss in Czech Republic do restoration work and make 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 / Czech Republic - 1998. Photo credit: Marissa Jones.

Estonia

Volunteers from Japan, Belgium & Lithuania work on a renovation project in Kutiorg. "My personal experience at the Kutiorg workcamp was unforgettable and sensational."

Mary Ann Priester / Estonia - 1998. Photo credit: Mary Ann Priester.

France

Volunteers from Romania, the Netherlands, Mexico, USA and France relax from their work renovating an oyster fishing hut in St Trojan le Bains."It was such a great feeling to work along with people from so many different cultures and learn about their way of life".

Vanessa Lawson / France - 1998. Photo credit: Vanessa Lawson.

Italy

Restoring Atzara Social Center for use by young people of the village. "..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 / Italy - 1998. Photo credit: Sarah Yarian.

Japan

Volunteers take a break, sitting in parts of barrels which were used for making charcoal out of dead wood. They then used the charcoal to fertilize saplings they planted on the mountain side at Ooe.

Photo credit: Sarah Thorpe.

Mexico

Holding a baby crocodile in front of the Environmental Education Center in Campeche.

Photo credit: Stefanie Laaser.

Netherlands

Young refugees who came to the Schalkhaar Center without their parents. "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 / Netherlands - 1998. Photo credit: Julie Bilyeu.

Poland

Volunteers from the USA, France, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Japan and Poland on an outing in Wroclaw, Poland.

Photo credit: Cindy Celler.

Slovakia

Volunteers clean up debris around a reservoir during their workcamp in Dedinky, Slovakia.

Photo credit: Suzi Asmus.

Spain

Preparing for another international dinner in Cambrils, Spain. "I gained exposure to more than just Spanish culture, I gained a valuable outlook on the world".

Bridget Kulla / Spain - 1998. Photo credit: Bridget Kulla.

Turkey

A view of Ephesus, Turkish Ruins.

Sarah Baden / Turkey - 1997. Photo credit: Sarah Baden.

Uganda

Ugandan children with the every-purpose jerry can. "What a fantastic trip to Uganda! The people were incredible...It's unfortunate that Uganda is remembered by "AIDS" and "Edi Amin", it is a beautiful, safe country with adventures for every type of traveler... Thanks again for the unforgettable adventure."

Deborah Lee / Uganda - 1998.Photo credit: Deborah Lee.

UK

Cleaning the steam engine "Stepney" on the Bluebell Railway, UK.

Photo credit: Heidi Busse.

Vietnam

VFP Board Member Judy Cohen with orphans in Vietnam in 1997.

Zimbabwe

Music making at Magaya Primary School.

Photo Credit: Allison Arthur.

Zimbabwe

School construction in the Guruve District in 1997.

photo: Susannah Brumwell

USA Camps

Alaska

Volunteers from 8 countries provided support for the longest, toughest wheelchair race in the world; the annual 367 mile Sadler's Midnite Sun Ultra Challenge from Fairbanks to Anchorage, Alaska.

Photo credit:Kate Stephens.

Hawaii

Volunteers hiking along the rim of the Waimea Canyon, in Koke's State Park. Special thanks to Curtis Washburn, who organized two camps in Hawaii in 1997.

Newport, New Hapshire

Workcampers from Spain, France, Korea, Catalonya, USA and Germany fill the sofa at the 11th Newport camp in 1997. Special thanks to Paul & Catherine Baird and Riki & Ted LeClair and Marilyn & Tom Sherman.

New York

Soil erosion conservation work on Lake Champlain in Elizabethtown in 1997. Special thanks to Robin Ulmer and the Boquet River Association.

photo: Sari Janclik.

Rutland, Vermont

Workcampers from Germany, Japan, USA, Belgium, France, Spain and Italy helped Habitat for Humanity renovate a home in 1997. Special thanks to Curt and Virginia McCormack who has organized three camps in Rutland.

VFP REceives Peace Cereal Grant

JAKA performs some high energy music from Zimbabwe…… VFP received a $5,000 "Peace Cereal" Grant on June 20th at the 13th International Peace Prayer Day celebration outside of Sante Fe, New Mexico. Grants were awarded from the profits of sales of Golden Temple's Peace Cereal available at health food stores around the country. VFP was in the good company of other recipients: Grandmothers for Peace, Conflict Resolution Center, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, Peace Brigades International, Family Violence Prevention Fund & the Fellowship of Reconciliation. For further information about International Peace Prayer Day call 888/ 346-2420, and for information about Golden Temple's Peace Cereal www.peacecereal.com.

Photo credit: Peter Coldwell