Bulgaria

Helping at an orphanage in Bulgaria. "The staff and volunteers worked hard to give the kids a variety of activities with limited monetary resources. We went on hikes (including an overnight hike with the older kids), did a variety of arts and crafts, played games, did sports, and even went swimming at the local pool at the base of the mountain (although we had to walk the 6 kilometers up the mountain to get back to camp)".

Bob Melaragno - 2001. Photo Credit: Bob Melaragno.

Bangladesh

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

France

Restoration of a medieval tower in southwest France. "In July 2001, I spent three weeks on a workcamp in Bourg-sur-Gironde, a medieval village by the Dordogne river in southwest France. My stay was filled with activities. In Bourg, an ancient wall separates the lower part of the village closest to the river from the upper part. Our work consisted of repairing an old tower that was part of this wall. Much of the mortar on the tower had frittered away, and some of the uppermost stones were leaning out. There was a schoolyard beneath the tower that the children could not use because of the threat of falling stones. During our stay, we straightened out the topmost stones and put fresh mortar between all the stones on the tower. By the end of our camp, the playground was once again safe to use."

Eric Spaulding - 2001. Photo Credit: Eric Spaulding.

Greece

Volunteers assisted with an archaeological dig at an ancient temple. Volunteers participated from all over the world.

Photo Credit: Shyno Chacko - 2001.

Germany

Cory and Sophie from Australia dug through thick concrete while digging trenches for utility lines. "At 59, the other volunteers treated me like one of them and more—they respected and thanked me for giving them a better outlook on getting old! I was with 11 other 'youngsters' with ages ranging from 18 to 24 with one 29 year old. They were amazed that a 59-year-old woman was doing the same things they were doing. Digging".

Socorro ("Cory") Gozar - 2001. Photo Credit: Socorro Gozar

Ghana

Paula Cantor - 2001. Photo Credit: Paula Cantor.

Honduras

Conservation Corps of Honduras volunteers dig an erosion control ditch on the hillside. Deforestation in Latin America has caused massive soil erosion problems.

Photo Credit: Peter Coldwell - 2000.

Honduras

Conservation Corps of Honduras volunteers exercise team-building at their camp orientation.

Photo Credit: John Chater - 2000.

Honduras

Conservation Corps of Honduras volunteers painting signs for the local trails. "The camp taught me a lot about myself and about Honduras. The work was physically demanding, which was nice, and everyone worked well together. I made a lot of friends, and everyone did what they could to make the stay comfortable for me and the other foreigners."

Margaret Trombley - 2001. Photo Credit: Margaret Trombley.

India

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

Italy

Restoring ancient stairs in the Cinque-Terre. "The magic of this space is difficult to transmit: view of the Mediterranean stretching more than 210 degrees, the scent of the "macchia" (coastal brush), the utter calm and quiet under the sun."

Marya Dumont - 2001. Photo Credit: Marya Dumont.

France

More than 100 representatives of VFP's partner organizations from 30 countries met from Nov.24-Dec.1 at the 28th General Assembly (GA) of CCIVS (The Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service at UNESCO) held near Nimes, France. Since 1948, the GA has been held every three years where a plan of action is adopted for the exchange of over 100,000 volunteers for the following years. VFP was elected onto the Executive Committee as Vice President of CCIVS responsible for development and coordination of voluntary service in the Americas. The event was originally planned to be held in New York, but was relocated to France for financial and logistical reasons. In this photo, some CCIVS GA participants from Armenia, Mexico, France, Singapore, Togo, Mozambique and Japan enjoy an excursion to a local wetlands preservation center.

Photo Credit: Peter Coldwell - 2001.

Mexico

Volunteers educated 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. Photo Credit: Megan Beck.

Mongolia

Volunteers in Mongolia constructed houses for orphans and street children. "I actually find myself cherishing the memories (good and bad) from the experience. I'm proud of what I did."

Valerie Yerger - 2001. Photo Credit: Valerie Yerger.

Morocco

A typical desert scene in Morocco. "The beauty of an exchange program lies in both sides making an effort and showing flexibility; the host and the guest. And while my family worked hard to host me, I made an effort as well to learn their culture and societal standards.

Michelle Lee - 2001. Photo Credit: Julia De La Torre.

Namibia

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

Nepal

Working on a tea plantation. "Worked in the Rijal family tea garden. In the morning, I cut weeds with a sickle. In the afternoon, I picked tea leaves with the locals. The tea farm on the hills was very high and steep. The view was spectacular, especially when the fog was rolling in below me. The physical work was challenging. This experience has deepened my respect for laborers who work hard to make a living. A hired laborer makes 40 rupees per day (67 rupees = $1)."

Louisa Lin - 2000. Photo Credit : Louisa Lin.

Netherlands

Children in a refugee center. "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. Photo Credit: Sarah Leonard-Meyer.

Palestine

Bullet-ridden facade of the UN girl's school in the AIDA refugee camp. "They were the most extraordinary, intense, depressing, yet wonderful two weeks of my life. Extraordinary because I saw so many things which amazed me, intense because we were under fire twice, surrounded by tanks once, confined to our United Nations School building for several days, depressing because of the harsh reality of Refugee Camp life that I experienced at first hand, and wonderful because 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. Photo Credit: Helen Pope.

Scotland

Volunteers worked to restore a historical house in Scotland. "What a life-altering experience! I spent 3 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. Photo Credit: Tobi Mepham.

Mexico

Lia and the volunteers processing coffee beans. "…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."

Photo Credit: Linda Kramer - 2000.

Thailand

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

Thailand

Volunteers worked with the local population to learn and promote traditional crafts. "When I look at the kids in the village, they all have glows in their eyes whenever they smile. They came to learn English every evening before dinner time because they truly wanted to learn."

Agnes P.K. Chong - 2001. Photo Credit: Agnes P.K. Chong.

Togo

Volunteers taught English to local children and learned the native language in return. "ASTOVOCT was a well-organized camp in Togo. Our camp had 25 volunteers in total, 14 Togolese, 8 French, 1 Dutch, 1 Belgian and 1 North American (myself). The only language spoken at the camp is French (and Ewe, the local tribal language). English is NOT spoken there, even if the camp advertises itself otherwise. I taught English to schoolchildren for 3 weeks. Our village had no running water or electricity, but one got used to that very soon. Food was mostly yam (igname) and cassava (manioc), the local staples, with various hot sauces…Overall, it was an incredible experience, the best trip of my life. Other volunteers and I concurred that this was the best way to get to know Africa, in a way that no tourist can. We talked Togolese constantly, and we got to live life through their perspective for 3 weeks, 24 hours a day."

Sam Sia - 2001. Photo Credit: Sam Sia.

Turkey

Volunteers at the opening of a park they renovated. Photo of volunteers pointing to flags on a sign.

Photo Credit: Linda Nunez - 2000.

USA Camps

Alaska

Volunteers congratulate Alejandro Albor, the winner of the Sadler's Midnite Sun Ultra Challenge Wheelchair Race.

Photo Credit: Karen Hulme - Challenge Alaska - 2001.

South Carolina

Caption: Volunteers rebuild a burnt church in South Carolina.

Photo Credit: Harold Confer - 2001.

Middlebury, Vermont

Volunteers come together for a group photo.

Photo Credit: Addison County Independent - 2001.