Azerbijan

"My experience was a very positive one. I had many opportunities to see just how welcoming people of this host country can be to strangers and to those of a different culture. Highlights from the experience included being invited to the homes of national volunteers, even attending a village wedding! Possibly we were fortunate in having very active and keen local volunteers from the host organization…We learned much about Azeri culture and found them interested in our countries and us."

Photo Credit: Carol Crabtree

Brazil

"Taking a water break: with end in sight, the volunteers gather in the built-up water reservoir that will serve the laundromat in the rural community of Itaperucu."

Photo Credit: Sol Haroon

Bulgaria

Bob has volunteered at the same orphanage in Bulgaria for the past several summers. Here, volunteers enjoy a mealtime together.

Photo Credit: Bob Melaragno

Bulgaria

At an orphanage for high school-age children, the residents and volunteers worked together to improve their lives and have fun.

Photo Credit: Timothy McEnaney

China

Morning exercises for students at Wenxuan Middle School.

Photo Credit: Sam Kahng

China

"I thought teaching at Wenxuan was a great experience and I would highly recommend it."

Photo Credit: Sam Kahng

China

"One of the best parts of the experience was getting to know the Chinese teachers who were teaching English alongside us. They were friendly, glad to have the chance to speak English and learn more about life in the West,exchange ideas and were just plain wonderful people."

Photo Credit: Kathleen Ruff

Croatia

"The children were all so excited to have people from all over the world (US, Australia, France, Korea, Sweden, Ireland, and Denmark) come to their town and teach them new things."

Photo Credit: Lien Tran

Czech Republic

"We played hard and we worked hard. There was amazing camaraderie and wonderful singing and laughter as we worked. I particularly enjoyed the experience of learning about each other's cultures and learning some of all the languages…I would return to this camp in a flash."

Photo Credit: Nell Rodgers

France

Volunteers helped clear the site of a 12th century priory and the ruins of a feudal castle.

Photo Credit: Eric Cholette

France

The Parc Natural Régional du Narbonnais and the village council of Sigean decided to restore the callade (old pavement) of a street of the village. Here we see Ezgi (from Turkey), Silvia (from Italy), Ferda (from Turkey) and Catarina (from Italy) finishing the middle path.

Photo Credit: Hillary Cote

Germany

"The leaders were fun, and yet managed to get everything done in a very professional way."

Photo Credit: Barrett Mitchell

Greece

"My heart sings at the memory of my group, the Kelesidis family and my rich experience in Giannakahori. I believe that for everyone involved in the work camp it was a profound experience. We learned about ourselves, about the group, the Greek culture and agriculture. Thank you for providing the opportunity to take part in such an incredible experience." Photo shows volunteers helping to sort the cherry harvest.

Photo Credit: Effie Elfer

Haiti

Construction of a community center in a remote Haitian village was the work program for this camp. Enrico, an economist from Italy and Angela, a graduate architecture student from Louisiana, are looking on. Tima is supervising. Tima is the leader of "CODEHA," a youth organization in La Vallee de Jacmel. CODEHA is a French/Creole acronym meaning, "Rope of Haitian Children" suggesting that alone we are weak, but united like strands of a rope, we are very strong indeed.

Photo Credit: Bob Belenky

Honduras

"It was an experience of a lifetime and something I recommend for everyone who is up for adventure and has an interest in helping others.".

Photo Credit: Alicia Sussman

Israel / Palestine

"I do feel that the people there will accomplish something for the next generation of Palestinians. Whether it is simply an awareness of their civil and legal rights, the importance of school or the dangers of drugs, in very small but significant ways the environment there is changing. And it has given me some sense of hope to witness this process."

Photo Credit: Sarah Schilling

Italy

"We enjoyed getting to know the local people as we worked with them each day at the vegetarian food booth at the anti-racist festival. Developing those friendships that overcome language and cultural barriers is an experience not soon forgotten."

Photo Credit: Jill Greene

Kenya

Caption: Volunteers and the community of Kongolai work together to make the bricks to construct a classroom.

Photo Credit: Cara Connors

Mexico

Maintenance work in the plant nursery of Parque Nacional Lagunas de Montebello, Chiapas.

Photo Credit : Darlene and Samuel Chirman

Mexico

Volunteers traveled in and around the city of Morelia to promote inter-community sporting events.

Photo Credit: Jody Kent

Mexico

"Being able to live with local people gave me the opportunity not only to look at things from their own perspective, but also to have access to places and situations that as a tourist I would have not had."

Photo Credit: Maria Pinto

Mongolia

At an orphanage farm in Mongolia, volunteers worked alongside children tending the crops. "We were completely cut off from the modern world during those two weeks but in between the beautiful green mountains of Khandgait and the kids we found happiness in abundance!" Li Lian Lau / Mongolia - 2002

Photo Credit: Mary Low

Morocco

In a Moroccan pottery studio, volunteers learned traditional design and methods.

Photo Credit: Claudia Kiburz

Nepal

"Farewell party including the ceremony where everyone drew a red dot on our forehead that means 'best wishes'."

Photo Credit: Yuen Oi Chi

Peru

A program in Peru included environmental and construction work, along with many cultural activities, including this visit by local musicians and singers.

Photo Credit: Specialized Sustainable Development Association/Peru

Romania

Volunteers gather for a relaxing meal after working all day in the Carpathian mountains. "Our work wasn't brain surgery and we didn't stay at the Four Seasons, but the intercultural experiences were amazing. To put it in more plain terms, as young Andreea (with 2 e's) put it- "the best thing about this workcamp was the friendships."

Photo Credit: Robert Kramer

Slovenia

In Robidisce, volunteers worked with community members to restore an ancient fountain in the village. "We were cleaning the area around the well of garbage and rocks, so that we could plant grass. By digging and touching the ground, I felt connected to the civilizations before me. The well was a landfill."

Photo Credit: Tova Boehm

Tanzania

Local and international volunteers participated in a community outreach program to provide AIDS education and create public awareness in public schools.

Photo Credit: Julie Becker

Thailand

Tak Bai is in southern Thailand, close to the Malaysian border. Here, a volunteer and a local lady work on a construction project together.

Photo Credit: Charity O'Neill-O'Kane

Thailand

"The intimate collaboration at work or at play was instrumental in bringing us close to the Thais and from it was born the universal feeling of camaraderie that no language barrier could hinder."

Photo Credit: Jer Kwang Song

Togo

"I learned a lot about African life, met many fascinating people and saw many beautiful sights…and learned patience and acceptance of unfulfilled expectations."

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Peake

UK - England

In a peace community in England, volunteers lived as part of the larger group, helping with construction and renovation projects.

Photo Credit: Vivek Sharma

UK - Wales

Repair work on the ponds of Glycorrwg. "The other volunteers were super people. When they saw something to be done they went and did it. All the tasks were shared."

Photo Credit: Tom Searl

USA Camps

Vermont

Painting the DISMAS HOUSE ( a half-way house for former prisoners) in Burlington.

Photo Credit: Jim Olinger

Vermont

Megan Brook promotes VFP on Stratton Mountain

Photo Credit: Jim Olinger

Vermont

Volunteers For Peace celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a party, including live music and a camp fire at the VFP headquarters in Vermont.

Photo Credit: Scott Simpson

Vermont

Many volunteers from nearby workcamps attended the Volunteers For Peace 20th Anniversary party in the summer of 2002.

Photo Credit: Scott Simpson