Argentina

"...on the last day I learned that our work in the community has inspired some of the young teenage guys to write a play about the problems in their barrio - drugs, alcohol, stealing and discuss solutions to these problems. We inspired them to make changes with in their own lives and neighborhood. It was so exciting to hear and see."

Kate Balzer / Argentina - 2005

Brazil

Teaching dental hygiene

Robert Biggs / Brazil - 2005

Brazil

Volunteers assist in dental clinic.

"Overall it was only my first workcamp and I had a wonderful time. I will definitely do more volunteering in the future. Thank you VFP for giving me such a unique experience!"

Theresa Doan / Brazil - 2005

Canada

"We did such jobs as repairing floors, plastering walls, fixing holes in the greehouse roof, putting up a bastketball hoop, and we helped prepare the food and the community center for the big celebration of life. The community had invited neighboring communities and expected at least 1000 people to attend. We spent some time working alongside Ahousaht residents sewing regaliz for the dancers, making cedar headbands, cooking and setting up for the all day affair. We were fortunate to be able to participate because it was a potlatch as well as a testimonial of youth to fact their difficulties with drink, drugs and suicide. The community appreciated our efforts, and we were invited to one family's home for an evening gathering. We also hosted a thank you dinner for the families the night before we left the island."

Carolyn Shapiro / Canada - 2005

China

This experience was absolutely amazing. I cannot express to you the level of satisfaction, happiness I received from volunteering at the workcamp. It was more spectacular than anything I could have ever imagined or hoped for. Our group of volunteers had become so close. We had bonded immediately, and I had such fun with them. I miss them dearly, especially for those precious late-night conversations that we had. I miss the village too. They welcomed us so warmly, and I became accustomed to the lifestyle and the daily routine there. It became my whole world for those two weeks. I hope very much that someday, I will go back to visit Xinjing Village, and that someday, we volunteers will meet again.

Xue-Wei (Mimi) Cheng - 2005

China

Mealtime in China.

Xue-Wei (Mimi) Cheng - 2005

Ecuador

Teaching at an elementary school.

Maria Barraagan / Ecuador - 2005

Estonia

"When Maria smiled and held me after I finished my last work at the same time as usual, I was satisfied yet thought I did not want to leave my children there. I wish there would be more work camps for disabled children, so that I could have more children for me and come back to them someday."

Megumi Iijima / Estonia - 2005

Germany

"I think back on my trip with a smile in my heart and a feeling of pride and joy and gratitude. What I gained is immeasurable, from the friendships to the experiences to the lessons learned. I am so grateful to have gotten this chance."

Susan Steinman / Germany - 2005

Greece

Renovating an ancient footpath

"I am pleased to say that my favorite part of the experience was the people I met and the friends I was lucky enough to make. I have never before experienced anything quite like being around ten people whose first language was not English. It was amazing the things we learned about each other and how quickly our preconceived notions were completely erased. We all formed a bond that I know will stand the test of time and distance. All of the volunteers were there to make a difference and I feel very fortunate to have shared this experience with such a kind, caring group of individuals."

Erin Walley / Greece - 2005

Guatemala

Assisting with agricultural work at the Cedescri Organization

Iceland

Work at the Sólheimar Eco-village.

Katie Booth / Iceland - 2005

India

Dance to educate about protecting the Ganges River environment.

This road trip was an incredible learning experience, where I not only gained knowledge about the environmental state of India and the Ganges River, but had the opportunity to talk to people I would never have otherwise have had a chance to talk to. I made connections with people from all over the world, gained experience in public speaking, practiced my French, and explored a country that is deeply a part of me. Gaining the opportunity to explore a country and her people without feeling too much of an outsider was great. I felt as though this trip has transformed me as an individual, but ultimately it was the change that we did (even though perhaps only a small change) has made me whole and feel confident that anything, really, is truly possible."

Coleen MacPherson / India - 2005

India

Volunteers help with the "Cash for Work" program.

India - 2005

Italy

A construction project.

Stephanie Matt / Italy - 2005

Italy

Volunteers from Denmark, Slovakia, France, Germany, Belgium, Serbia, Spain and United States helped at a children's camp.

Nicole Patno / Italy - 2005

Jordan

Painting a Mural.

Cindy Vlasic / Jordan - 2005

Kenya

Volunteers in a Teaching Project.

Azusa Miyazaki / Kenya - 2005

Kenya

Making bricks to build a classroom.

Azusa Miyazaki / Kenya - 2005

Kenya

Making bricks the old fashioned way.

"We would usually be working up until 1:00 or 2:00pm when lunch was served. I was quite impressed with the meals consisting of meat, steamed vegetables, bread, and tea or coffee. Some people had a hard time adjusting to the meals, but I think that happens in any country. I didn't understand how some could travel if they were lactose intolerant, wheat intolerant, and never ate vegetables or meat when they traveled. I suddenly was reminded of the saying, "When in Rome, do what the Romans do."

Sonia Nasta / Kenya - 2005

Mexico

Construction project at sea turtle rescue camp.

Connie Bock / Mexico - 2005

Mexico

Work to protect sea turtles.

"For the February 2005 Turtle Camp, volunteers from Finland, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Holland, England, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and the United States, united with teams of local volunteers from the nearby village of Colola, to promote the survival of sea turtles. ...the Turtle Camp was a small action to increase the chances of survival of animals that are under threat of extinction. It also was a help to the economy of the village of Colola, and a boon to renew their enthusiasm for their rare natural treasure. It also provided an opportunity for volunteers from many nations to gain knowledge of and respect for turtles, Mexico, and the other nations from which the other volunteers came."

Ross Studler / Mexico - 2005

Mongolia

"My favorite memories of the work camp involve spending time with the children in the field, singing traditional songs every evening, having dinner with the other volunteers, and taking part in activities such as birthday parties and sporting events. After the work camp was finished and the volunteers returned to the city, a small group of us visited the actual orphanage to say a final goodbye to the children we had shared the past two weeks of our lives with. While there, we were greeted warmly by dozens of children who benefited from our hard work and my eyes were opened to the difference we had made while on the farm. I am very proud of my efforts, and I look forward to having more opportunities like this in the future."

Tony Roth / Mongolia - 2005

Mongolia

Volunteers working with kids in the fields at a camp near Buhug river.

Qian Situ / Mongolia - 2005

Morocco

Volunteers become part of the community.

Amelia Wilbur / Morocco - 2005

Nepal

Massage lesson during the Yoga camp.

Gyanendra Hjahkhf

Netherlands

Relaxing after a day of maintenance work on a peace center.

Johanna Tanger / Netherlands - 2005

Palestine

On the bus to work for peace.

"The work was hard. Mostly helping reclaim terraced farm fields by digging heavy stones out of the dirt, both by hand and helping tractors do it. Very sweaty and dirty, but it was satisfying and even fun when I was working next to friends. I still write back and forth with these people, and have mutual invitations with several to crash for a night or a week if we're ever in one another's home cities. I forged several relationships in those two weeks that were stronger than any I built during my first semester of college, with Palestinians and Europeans both."

Chris Brink / Palestine - 2005

Palestine

Accommodations might be quite simple.

Lix Munson / Palestine - 2005

Romania

I volunteered in Cluj Napoca, Romania with YAP, at a youth daycare center for disadvataged children 7-17. I/we (the volunteers) had a great time playing games with the kids at the center every day. We played ping pong, volleyball, knots; the kids sang some Romanian songs, I taught them some English songs; we went to a park and played football (soccer). We divided the kids into four groups, they performed some plays and songs on the last day of the camp, they were wonderful!"

William Macklin / Romania - 2005

Sri Lanka

"The people of Sri Lanka overcome their fear and returned to the shore to honor and remember those lost to the sea."

Michelle Green / Sri Lanka - 2005

Tanzania

Education initiative at an elementary school.

"The students had no textbooks. (In fact I saw very few books in all of Tanzania) The teachers have well worn, soft cover textbooks, which they would copy on the blackboard, actually a wall painted black. The students would then copy that into a notebook, which they would study for their exams. Textbooks were one of the many things of which they were severely lacking. There was one very poor quality copy machine for all the school and only one computer that was donated by a Korean group. My "handler" for the time I was at the school taught geography. The problem was the only map he had was a beat up world map. Imagine teaching geography without a map! Remember, the students have no textbooks. Before I left I gave him my map of Tanzania, my pocket world atlas and my compass. In spite of this the teachers and students do very well. I looked at some of the economics and calculus work done by the upper level students. They could hold their own with college bound American high school graduates. It would be interesting to have them take the American SAT exams. It was a real testament to the quality of the teachers and dedication of the students."

Larry Jensen / Tanzania - 2005

Tanzania

Mwanga kids

Gabriel Rincon-Mora / Tanzania - 2005

Thailand

Becoming part of the family.

Carolyn Verst / Thailand - 2005

USA

Concord New Hampshire volunteers.

Hillary Spurr / USA - 2005

USA

Jefferson Oregon volunteers.

Maike Will / USA - 2005

USA

Matt Messier receives the VINN citizen diplomat award as presented by former Vermont Governor Kunin.

USA - 2005

Venezuela

Volunteers share responsibility for cooking.

Rana Parker / Venezuela - 2005

Vietnam

Sharing stories at lunch with coworkers.

Michael Muse / Vietnam - 2005

Zambia

I embarked on my journey to Africa with an open mind and an open heart. I returned with a treasure chest filled with love, respect, honesty, passion, care and consideration woven into a quilt of a million memories...all as precious as the next. My life has been tremendously enriched and "Papa" credits it all to the wonderful people of Zambia!"

Cliff Beyer / Zambia - 2005