Volunteer Voices

As a volunteer, I have been lucky enough to be involved among other things in: a wedding, a plant sale, fund-raisers, a wedding shower, picnics & cook-outs and numerous birthday celebrations....

B. Louwers~United States 2011

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Being at camp was one of the most fun and rewarding experiences of my life. I felt like a kid again myself. It was a nice change of pace from my everyday life....

K. DeCola~ Scotland 2011

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While we were there we had an organized and solid work schedule which involved a kitchen team for all meals, a cleaning team, 8 am wake up, breakfast, work at nine, paint, lunch at one, rest until three, paint until six, shower and free time, dinner...

Ruth Sigalus ~ Argentina 2008

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...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...

Kate Balzer ~ Argentina 2005

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My trip to Armenia was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. When I returned from Estonia in 2008 the first thing I thought of when I got off the plane was how excited I was to travel with VFP again. I highly suggest VFP to everyone I meet...

Julienne Vergura ~ Armenia 2010

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We returned from Townsville in February and had an interesting experience to say the least- that's a good thing! Overall, the camp was safe, had excellent accommodations as workcamps go...

Amy Timm / Lysa Twardosz ~ Australia 2002

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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...

Carol Crabtree ~ Azerbaijan 2002

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And just the opportunity to meet such wonderful people like the children in our classes and their families was worth all of the heartache.The volunteer'slife will never be the same after you work in Azerbaijan, and hopefully neither will the children's...

Simon Russell ~ Azerbaijan 2001

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The infrastructure improvements to the village, though not glamorous, were tangible and immediately usable. And the 53 people with restored vision in one eye will lead fuller and more productive lives as a result of the eye camp...

Matthew Butler ~ Bangladesh 2001

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I was unprepared for the extreme poverty that we saw. The children had large bellies from starvation. Their teeth were a dentist's nightmare. They laughed lots, despite their obvious pain...

Victoria Westcott ~ Bangladesh 2004

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Participating in Child Sight Foundation’s (CSF) First International Volunteer Camp on childhood disability in Bangladesh has been one of the most satisfying experiences...

F. Yeasmin ~ Bangladesh 2009

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The smiles I got from these kids in Belarus were genuine, powerful, full of positive energy that made my life better, even though I was the one who was supposed to be making their lives better...

Andrea Gregovich ~ Belarus 2004

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I would like to return to Belarus at some point, and have heartily recommended (almost to the point of browbeating) both VFP and the Belarus experience to all my friends and acquaintances...

Percy Toop ~ Belarus 2001

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I have so many stories to share with family and friends. Not many American teenagers can say they have been to Belgium, but now I can. I will never forget the experiences I had. They are etched in my memory like stone.

Matthew Strader ~ Belgium 2010

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This connection that we shared, a passion for work and helping out a community and just being kids and having fun, made it easy to work with one another…

Julia Burmistrova ~ Belgium 2009

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And of course the work itseslf was very meaningful, for everyone concerned. There were lots of tears upon leaving...Just thought you'd like to hear about a great success...

Suzanne Schultz ~ Belgium 2003

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This was the 1st workcamp I had ever been to and was one of the best experiences of my life. All the people in the workcamp who had attended other camps said it was the best one they had ever been to...

Mark Fridman ~ Belgium 2004

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We would eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner with the residents and during our time off in the evenings we would play cards, billiard, or foosball together, and almost always the residents would join us...

S. Modir~ Belgium 2011

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It was really a remarkable experience going to this area and learning about different people and trying to understand how they are living and embracing the world...

Adam Chilton ~ Botswana 2009

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The sanctuary was the most welcoming hosts one could imagine. On the first day of work, the sanctuary director came to our camp and told us about the organization. Sanctuary staff went out of their way to get to know us and make sure we had everything...

Roberta Talmage ~ Botswana 2009

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I also wanted to say that I had a great time in Codo, and had always planned to do some sort of volunteer service when I become a dentist. Codo, was the perfect place and I don't think they can ever have enough help...

Daniel Deheshi ~ Brazil 2005

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It was really a remarkable experience going to this area and learning about different people and trying to understand how they are living and embracing the world...

Anna Sapozhnikova ~ Brazil

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On a trip to Sozopol we met a gentleman who inquired who we were and upon explaining we were a group from a Sophia orphanage he insisted on paying our way (30 of us) on a boat tour of the coastal harbor. We met people like that...

Bob Melaragno ~ Bulgaria 2003

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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...

Bob Melaragno ~ Bulgaria 2001

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The group living experience is probably one of the best aspects of this whole project. It allows you to meet people from everywhere, and learn many different languages and cultures...

P. Witzaney~ Canada, 2011

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We did such jobs as repairing floors, plastering walls, fixing holes in the greenhouse roof, putting up a bastketball hoop, and we helped prepare the food...

Carolyn Shapiro ~ Canada 2005

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Despite all our differences in culture, language, traditions, and tastes, the villagers were people just like I am, with feelings, compassion, and a sense of humor...

Katharine Peters ~ China 2006

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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...

Xue-Wei (Mimi) Cheng ~ China 2005

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also really enjoyed the work once we made it clear that we were willing and able to help. We picked coffee, planted a school garden, made stairs, painted signs and planted trees. It was so rewarding and I loved every minute of that...

Erin DiAngelis ~ Costa Rica 2009

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Its really nice to know that we took the first steps toward a future for the ecological center, where all peoples can one day appreciate the natural world and learn from it as we did...

Mary Lee ~ Costa Rica 2004

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Volunteering at the lodge was a great way to get involved with the families that run the lodge...

A. Tomovich~Costa Rica 2011

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From my perspective, though, this work camp was a smashing success and learning experience for both Ozalj and the volunteers, even if we didn't pick up as much garbage as we had hoped we would...

Andrea Gregovich ~ Croatia 2002

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The most memorable times during the two weeks were the conversations with the volunteers, usually in the evenings as we were relaxing, discovering details of each others' lives...

Judith Hunt ~ Croatia 2006

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I had an amazingly wonderful time there. Really, it was the most fun I have ever had. I would actually really like to fill out one of those reports and send you guys pictures for the people who go there in the future. My experience in Prague really...

Miranda Gerzon ~ Czech Republic 2004

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As a volunteer I was consumed by a sense of purpose.As I walked down the street I felt as though, for two short weeks, I was a real member of the community. This sense of belonging was unlike any I have felt...

David DeFranza ~ Czech Republic 2001

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When I signed up for this, my friends looked at me weird and laughed because they said I'm wasting my vacation away. It turns out, this volunteer workcamp was the most memorable part of my trip to Europe.

D. Le ~ Czech Republic 2012

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Our function was to help in some of the labor intensive and unskilled aspects of the construction. Most importantly the laying of the sod roof. Let me tell you, it was labor intensive. We had to lift heavy rolls of sod up on the roof...

David McCarthy ~ Denmark 2000

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When we started volunteering, we had so much to do! The first Monday we spent hours clearing grass and weeds from the Lumbisí vegetable garden. The vegetables grown in the garden are used in the comedor de ancianos...

Jody Bonhard ~ Ecuador 2009

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I would strongly encourage anyone to volunteer in Lumbisi who would approach the experience with and open mind and wants to share in the Indigenous culture. I found it a very rewarding experience and became fast friends with the other volunteers...

Tara MacKinnon ~ Ecuador 2010

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My experience in Ecuador was better than I expected. Not only is the country filled with beautiful surroundings, the people of Ecuador are equally amazing. They were incredibly welcoming and so appreciative of my help...

Macy Pollock ~ Ecuador 2010

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The language barrier of communication at camps like this is up to the volunteer to work at. Trying to communicate in Arabic showed the children that I cared to communicate thus sparking their curiosity in my language of English...

Kirk Chauncey ~ Egypt 2005

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This is my first time ever volunteering abroad, and to be coordinating not one, but four projects over the next 5 months seems quite a daunting task. But, for my first project at the YMCA Fairthorne Manor, I am so happy to have had the opportunity...

Monica Burns ~ England Medium Term Volunteer 2008

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Being born and raised in a city, I suddenly found myself in a small village of 70 people, living almost completely off the land, and loving every moment of it.

Aalia Udawala ~ Estonia 2011

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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...

Megumi Iijima ~ Estonia 2005

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“The people I met, the places I saw, and the difference I truly felt I made, all contributed to the best summer of my life and the shaping of my current view of the world.”

A. Greenhalgh ~ 2012

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My experience there was—and pardon my sounding like a Hallmark card—absolutely life changing. I have worked at addressing the issue of world peace and world hunger since I was in middle school. It has always been in the back of my mind...

Julianne Appleton ~ Finland 2007

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This was my first workcamp, but many of the people there had done them before. It was definitely a great experience and I can\\\'t wait for next summer to do another!

Elissa Goldberg ~ France 2010

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We all had more in common than one might have guessed; our common commitment to peace and pluralism opened the door for a common ground that made our differences important, but surmountable...

Tim McKernan ~ France 2007

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I now have friends in Belgrade, Serbia, Istanbul, Turkey, Seoul, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Amsterdam, Netherlands, just to name a few. I also befriended our Indian cook, and we had counselors from Czech Republic, Japan, Belgium, France and Turkey...

Gabriel Sehringer ~ France 2010

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Personally, I had an amazing time at this workcamp and it has really motivated to repeat again next year. While at the workcamp I was exposed to many different experiences where I had to collaborate with people of a different...

Rodrigo Riaza ~ France 2010

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Our own group was quite international in itself - two from France, two from French speaking Belgium, two Spaniards, two Czechs, one German, one Moroccan, one from Turkey, and myself. This is typical for ...

Joanna Liss ~ France 2010

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We shared experiences,values and beliefs.I returned with an incredible sense of respect and admiration to the different cultures and...

Nelly Diaz ~ France 2010

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The work camp leader and other people at the organization always had our best interests in mind and made sure the volunteers were as comfortable as possible...

I. Malone~ France 2011

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This was undoubtedly the best thing I’ve ever done. The people I met in Leucate were not only excellent and friendly and open, but they were people who truly appreciated one another. I felt more appreciated there than I ever have.

M. Lamberts ~ France 2012

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What we found on our arrival was that Georgians are among the friendliest and most welcoming people we have ever encountered. They were happy to help us in any way they could. They would try to talk to us even though we did not speak the language...

Karen Burke ~ Georgia 2009

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I initially wanted this experience to meet international people, to explore a region of the world, to practice my German, to have fun and to volunteer. I came away with a better understanding of myself and of others, of current situations in the world...

Tanya Bindra ~ Germany 2006

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I took part in a cultural and arts project that took place in Lohmen, Germany. We were required to come up with a play and then perform for the community of Lohmen. The accommodations were ...

Jonathan Luu ~ Germany 2010

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...I think that this allowed me to grow as a person and also understand that everyone is different and has different ideas.

Rachel Swanson ~ Germay 2010

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We were all very close, with no cliques forming within our group. Everyone was very friendly and open to forming new friendships. We worked together to help each other with the German language aspect – which made it both fun and sometimes difficult to get

Laura Pompano ~ Germany 2011

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...The volunteers and camp leaders were unbelievably great people and I hope I get the chance to do one of these camps again.

L. Miller~ Germany 2011

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I just returned home from my work camp in Bärnau, Germany. It was an amazing three weeks...

H. Fimple~ Germany 2011

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I participated in “Marburg” – a workcamp with a German language focus.The camp is located in a beautiful area of woods in Marburg, Germany. The work involved was fun and not at all strenuous...

L. Pompano~Germany 2011

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I had one of the most wonderful experience helping with the landscaping and gardening in the open areas of the former POW camp site of Zeithain in Germany.

N. Diaz ~ Germany 2012

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The experience was amazing. Although at times the work could get a little bit mentally and physically demanding, the people working with you made it absolutely worthwhile.

S. Raingarden ~ Germany 2012

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I’m incredibly fortunate to have had this experience. I’ve returned to Toronto with well over a thousand photographs, a number of genuine friends around the globe, and a whole new outlook on life and how I want to live mine. I now have the motivation to travel more frequently, learn new languages, and continue connecting with people worldwide.

L. Gladwell~Germany 2012

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Words can’t really describe this experience and words could never do it justice. It’s just too phenomenal. It really does change your life...

Anna Fairbairn ~ Ghana 2007

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I volunteered in Nea Makri, Greece from August 3 – 17, 2011...

C. Leos~ Greece 2011

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Volunteering in Greece was life changing. Being immersed in a new environment helped me develop further as am individual....

S. King ~ Greece 2011

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I was incredibly impressed by the people who came to the work camp. I didn’t know that it was a family camp, and it turned out to be wonderful. We all got along right from the beginning – I just wish ...

Laura Levaas ~ Greece 2010

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I greatly enjoyed this experience, I made lifelong friends and learned a lot during the camp. During the camp we cleaned the beaches, all the beach goers where very friendly to us and ...

Sophia Hatchitt ~ Greece 2010

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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...

Effie Elfer ~ Greece 2002

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Overall, this turned out to be a wonderful and educational experience. Perhaps the best part was the education of being "thrown together" with eight other people that, on the surface, I had nothing in common with, and getting to know them...

Sydney Long ~ Guatemala 2002

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My time in Haiti with VFP and codeha was an amazing experience. One that is hard to put in words and can only truely be understood by the people the journey along with me...

M. McGrath ~ Haiti 2011

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VFP is a program I will constantly advise people to go with and I hope I will be able to do another project soon. It has created a new part of me and I wish to share that with everyone...

J. Tostensen ~ Haiti 2011

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I must say that my trip to Haiti with VFP/CODEHA was the most amazing experience of my life and I hope it will influence me in the way I live in the same way that it has inspired me to come back...

A. Duferrena ~ Haiti 2011

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Before I went to Haiti, I’ve thought that I gave my good things such as happiness, knowledge, and materials to poor people. However, I realized that volunteer work is not only giving...

Hye-ryon Bye ~ Haiti 2010

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Though we all came from different backgrounds, everyone seemed to be on the same page at all times and each individual seemed to share the same desire to help and benefit those around us which only increased our productivity. There is so much that...

Daniel Henry ~ Haiti 2010

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The emotional impact of our presence, and the hope it expressed, was also palpably felt. I hope I have conveyed some of the intensity and depth of my volunteer experience in Haiti. I have not dwelled on the beauty...

David Casey ~ Haiti 2010

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lthough not a typical “work camp”, I believe the project succeeded in raising awareness for the participants while, hopefully, enriching the lives of the children that we met..

Nathalie Gooding ~ Haiti 2008

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Our work in La Vallée primarily involved working on an international project involving the expansion of a bamboo planting project initiated by a Canadian university. We traveled throughout the region planting bamboo, constructing fences and gardens...

Adrian Swietlicki ~ Haiti 2010

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“Volunteering in Haiti with VFP was such an amazing experience that taught me a lot and changed my perspective a great deal. I got to see the side of Haiti that you do not see on television...

A. Jurgens ~ Haiti 2012

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There were 17 of us from Germany, Austria, England, Scotland, France, Spain, Czech Republic, Hungary, The Netherlands, and the U.S...

Craig Urwin ~ Hungary 2007

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I had the best time in Holloko, by the end I felt like we were a family. Everyone was very close...

V. Borsai ~ Hungary 2011

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Once I arrived there it was so peaceful and beautiful that I did not have an urge to go anywhere else. Everybody else must have felt the same way because nobody left for two weeks...

James J Minot ~ Iceland 2009

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The farm manager was extremely nice and his mother often brought in food for our breaks. The director of the health clinic even stopped by during one of our first lunches to welcome us ...

Sandra Lundquist ~ Iceland 2010

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This volunteer work camp really was the opportunity of a lifetime and I enjoyed every second of it. The work itself involved building a stone wall around a valley in preparation for the nation\'s biggest festival. Though the work...

Matthew Sullivan ~ Iceland 2010

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All the participants learned a lot about each others cultures through writing and performing the play. The accommodation was very comfortable, the host was warm and welcoming, and the country was absolutely beautiful. I actually...

Gina Butrico ~ Iceland 2010

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I was the only American in the house and it was so interesting to be surrounded by so many different cultures...

Hilary Butler ~ Iceland 2010

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I was in Reykjavik, Iceland in July for the \\\\\\\"African Days\\\\\\\" workcamp. We organized an African Day festival with music, face painting, mask making, food and other activities...

L. Bank~ Iceland 2011

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This experience educated me about Iceland and other cultures. It was an enlightening on the community living dynamic and living with other cultures. You were challenged daily while living with a lot of people in a small area. It was cool because our group

Jeffrey Shelter~ Iceland 2011

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My choice of joining Volunteers for Peace and taking a project in Iceland is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

D. Reecer~Iceland 2012

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It was a great experience of connecting with the local people and working together with people from all over the world- I hope to partake in other workcamps in the future

H. Shin~Iceland 2012

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Iceland is a beautiful country, and one I wish more Americans considered visiting for vacation. Doing a work camp in this country is definitely a great way to see it as it is INCREDIBLY expensive as far as food and lodging.

E. Quinley ~ Iceland 2012

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I travelled around India for several months before and after this camp, and i believe that I learned more about India in the 3 weeks that i spent with FSL India than anywhere else in India on my own

Stephanie Loria ~ India 2010

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If I can go to one of the most underdeveloped places in the world, filled with children who have had some of the worst upbringings-if I can go there and find hope...

Matthew Presto ~ India 2007

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We had lots of laughs, adventure and gained so much insight into ourselves and how vital it is to improve understanding of our differing belief systems. I left with sadness and a resolve to return...

Linda Duthie ~ India 2010

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More importantly, I felt honored to leave an impact on the children of Kolkata. I came across half of the world to India, hoping to tell the children that there is more than Kolkata and India in the world. I wanted to let them know that by studying...

Haiya Zhang ~ India 2010

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Overall, the program gave me all the tools I needed to experience this trip to the fullest. Despite the few times of challenge, it was an amazing and rewarding learning experience.

Amy Smalley ~ India 2010

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My experience with SCI India in Tamil Nadu was unforgettable. The SCI staff were hospitable, helpful, warm, and taught me so much about Indian culture, and in particular, South Indian culture. The staff wanted the volunteers to get the most out of...

Diana Hall ~ India 2010

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I think these programs are a good way to have a safe adventure. They\'re also a good way to learn about the host country, especially if several of the volunteers are from the host country. You get to learn how the locals live ...

David Roycroft ~ India 2010

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India is truly incredible and there is so much to explore there!

D. Kapengut ~ India 2012

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India was my home for 22 days, which were the most influential days of my life. Journeying to India made me feel ALIVE.

B. Lowe~India 2012

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The mission of the workcamp was to participate in restoration of the Prambanan Temple, which was designated as the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and educate and increase awareness in preservation of cultural heritages.

Cindy Moon ~ Indonesia 2010

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What really impressed me was how well organized and put-together the entire experience was. The schedule was filled with well thought-out activities including implementing garbage cans, planting trees, restocking the fish population, painting...

Jeffery Ho ~ Indoneisa 2010

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One where people have taken the afternoon off to pray..so It looks as though I have been left alone here for the moment. I can hear a rooster crow, geckos climb the walls and goats are eating up the soccer field across the street...

Melissa Burns ~ Indonesia 2009

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I was placed with 4 other volunteers from France, Taiwan and Japan all of whom were amazing individuals whom I hope to stay in contact with for the rest of my life...

Ryan Robson ~ Indonesia 2011

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If you want to experience the most true and native Indonesia experience, this is the best work camp...

B. Hsiao~ Indonesia 2011

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It was a completely great time. "Brilliant" as the Irish say. There were just five of us volunteers: myself and another vol from the US, one from Slovakia, one from Slovenia and one from Japan by way of Limerick University...

Marcy Edwards ~ Ireland 2009

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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...

Sarah Schilling ~ Israel 2002

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Our accommodations were much better than I imagined. We were in a little house, and there were two bedrooms with bunk beds- one room for the girls, and one room for the boys. We had a big bathroom, kitchen, and a beautiful porch which overlooked...

Christina De Simone ~ Italy 2009

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The best part of the trip was meeting all of the other volunteers from around the world. Having a chance to meet people from different parts of the globe is something that is invaluable. I have maintained contact with...

Michael Yacovelli ~ Italy 2010

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...Not only did I make amazing friends, but I made incredible contacts who live all over the world.

J. Lisa~ Italy 2011

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...Exploring the local area and experiencing the culture of Italy was a great experience.

J. Collison~ Italy 2011

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My experience at the workcamp in Viterbo, Italy was life changing. I learned so much about other culture and traditions. I now feel informed about current world events. Not only did I make amazing friends, but I made incredible contacts who live all over

Julia Lisa ~ Italy 2011

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When cleaning beaches, people were amazed we did it for free and started helping us. I remember how the wind was blowing away the hard times of the day..."

S. Noort ~ Jamaica 2011

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Jamaica was an incredible experience; I was amazed with the people I met there. I was really exited with Jamaican culture, the music, the food the incredible beaches and the mood everybody has during the day..."

M. Achirick ~ Jamaica 2011

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NICE is my first disaster relief/workcamp experience. I arrived on Monday afternoon and every morning since I\'ve woken up in a room full of dedicated, brave and kind-hearted people from all across Japan + a very passionate volunteer from Hong Kong and ano

Carissa Welton ~ Japan 2011

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The culture of Showa-mura in Fukushima was traditional and small. Due to the depopulation of both the youth and middle-age adults, I was able to understand the underlying struggles of the elderly and how their farms are part of their lives...

M. Wasson~ Japan 2011

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Every day was filled with opportunities to learn, converse, laugh, and have fun. I was in such a positive atmosphere and was working with a fantastic staff, so I was constantly motivated to work.I have also realized that volunteering is not just about ...

Erica Roos ~ Japan 2010

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I'm so thankful that programs such as VFP exist. It is such an affordable program with so many camps to choose from. I recommend it to everyone i know who has an interest in traveling. Thank you so much. It was unbelievably fantastic...

Andrew Weiss ~ Japan 2009

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The work camp in Jordan in June was an incredible experience. There were 4 of us including the work camp leader Amir and we were at the orphanage helping in painting the railings to the stairs and playing with the orphan children about 5 days a week...

Janice Njoo ~ Jordan 2005

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Volunteers For Peace has given me the opportunity to give other ways of life an understanding that I never thought possible...

L. Smolic~ Kenya 2011

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I\'m not sure one can really prepare for the culture shock of living in the USA (Colorado), and suddenly being immersed in a small village in Kenya, Africa...

B. Fox~ Kenya 2011

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It's hard to have any real or meaningful discussion of world poverty without making some sacrifices ourselves, without witnessing that suffering with our own eyes. Will I go back? In a heartbeat. In fact, I am already planning another trip to Kenya...

Hannah Jones ~ Kenya 2009

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The children are etched in my heart and will be in my memory the rest of my living days. Three weeks of living with so many other nationalities gave me information and insight that could never have been taught to me in a book...

Mary Kay Fallbeck ~ Latvia 2001

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At the work site, I enjoyed digging and helping to create a concrete slab for the foundation. I loved the entire experience. I truly feel as if I did not just learn about Basotho culture- I participated...

Samantha Thomas ~ Lesotho 2009

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By living and working in Kaunas I was able to eat the local foods, some even grown in our garden, live the daily lifestyle of hand-washing clothes, cooking local foods (without a microwave!) and working in the church and garden using simple tools...

Ruth Anderson ~ Lithuania 2004

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I had a great time and I was thrilled to be where I was and interacting with the people I met...

Annie Jarvis ~ Madagascar 2005

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The teacher had difficulty speaking and understanding English herself, and some of the teaching strategies were a bit poor...

Edward Mack ~ Mexico 2009

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As long as volunteers are open to different cultures and people then no one even needs to worry about the quality of relationships built at camp; and it was my experience that anyone willing enough to travel ...

Nina Randorf ~ Mexico 2010

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Being actively engaged in the preservation of an endangered species; being fully immersed in an indigenous community in beautiful rural Mexico; meeting, working, living, traveling, and creating lasting relationships with...

Joe Beeton ~ Mexico 2010

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Global awareness in the first step to global change and with the awareness that I have obtained, and what I will experience in the future, I hope to bring about positive environmental and socio-economic change to the world around me. In turn, the most...

Emily Bridgewater ~ Mexico 2010

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It was amazing to be living with so many different people from different countries because we learned about everybody\\\'s cultural differences and world experiences. But we also found similarity in...

Trinh Nguyen ~ Mexico 2010

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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...

Tony Roth ~ Mongolia 2005

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Before leaving for work camp, I wondered if my volunteering trip would contribute for a big difference in the world. However, I have gained confidence in my belief that work camps like this could help change the world after meeting with people who deeply care about the same thing as I do.

M. Lee~Mongolia 2012

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My volunteer experience in Luwero, Uganda was eye-opening and timeless.

S. Tamburro~Uganda 2012

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As society progresses forward we often forget our past, not only our individual past but our shared collective past—that is, we are all humans and somewhere along the line we all came from the same place.

T. Swaney~Ukraine 2012

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My lesson, in a nutshell: the power of attitude, of openness in the face of an unfamiliar, and sometimes even scary reality. Despite logistical problems, my camp experience was highlighted like the beautiful Montenegrin countryside...

Diana Prelevic ~ Montenegro 2003

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Being in Morocco was not what I had expected, but definitely a worthy experience. Moroccans are the most welcoming people I have ever met. I can\'t tell you how many people insisted that I come back and stay with them ...

Mary Grandy ~ Morocco 2010

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There is a lot more to volunteer work than just the working component, its so much more. The people I met, the places I saw, just everything I learned, are memories I’ll take with me for the rest of my life...

Meghan Powers ~ Netherlands 2009

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During my time volunteering I had the opportunity to meet great people who I plan on visiting soon (both volunteers and locals), teach various subjects to primary five students, contribute to a magazine with the mission of raising awareness...

Krystle Epum ~ Nigeria 2009

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One of the most memorable experiences of my whole summer was the visit to my Irish family that had not been in contact with my family in the US for over 20 years...

Christopher Reeve ~ Northern Ireland 2001

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The workcamp in Nablus was one of the best I have been on. All of the international volunteers were able to learn about the situation in Palestine first-hand. Volunteers spent ten days total going to a refugee camp to interact with young children...

David Schwartz ~ Palestine 2008

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Overall, this was perhaps one of the best workcamps I\\\'ve EVER been on, among the 9 I\\\'ve participated in around the world. I would highly recommend it and would love to speak with any American volunteer (American in particular, since I think...

Joseph Terry ~ Palestine 2010

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My experience with VFP in Palestine changed my life. It\'s not enough for me to say I accomplished a life dream by working in Palestine but also that I\'ve acquired a renewed world perspective.

Brandy Hofstetter ~ Palestine 2010

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I don’t think the warmth and hospitality of the Palestinian people can be matched anywhere else in the world. It is difficult even to walk down the street without being invited in for coffee or tea...

B. White-Gaynor~ Palestine 2011

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We were working at an orphanage and hanging out with the kids there. We had the opportunity to introduce lessons there and did. Sometimes the kids were interested and sometimes they wanted to play soccer. I felt our presence was helpful to the kids...

Philip McKnight ~ Peru 2009

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I had a wonderful experience volunteering over all, it was challenging in some ways but that was partly why it was so rewarding....

N. Galas~ Peru 2011

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I recently volunteered in Poznan, Poland where we organized a summer camp for kids ages 9 to 12....

D. Lichliter~ Poland 2011

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The other student volunteers and I woke up every morning to paint and do work on the community center of the village, along with the help of the Portuguese children. Together our small group represented five countries, and we spent our time...

Elizabeth Nistico ~ Portugal 2008

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Things always work out so its all good, one needs to just go with the flow… The international volunteers represented 6 countries including Germany, France, Russia, Greece, South Korea, and me from America...

Wendy Grab ~ Romania 2009

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I went to Valaam Island in Lake Ladoga, north of St. Petersburg, Russia, from August 14 to September 4. This is a monastery island, having one large monastery and 10 sketes. Ten of us had volunteered to help with whatever was needed....

P. Thomas~ Russia 2011

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We all came together on a remote camp site along the Volga River to learn about each other, each one of us so different, but also very much the same. I made lifelong friends...

Sonja Mackenzie ~ Russia 2010

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It was an eye-opening experience for me, and truly memorable and wonderful . I would highly recommend volunteering through VFP. I would do it over again in a heartbeat...

Terence Gardner ~ Scotland 2009

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The experience was different on Eigg Island to say the least. The island was gorgeous, but there were definitely some things that could be improved on. The work for the camp was very good I thought...

Andrew Clark ~ Scotland 2010

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However, by the end of the camp, the volunteers were able to take with them only the most positive impressions of this proud and hospitable country. It was a true pleasure to participate in this workcamp and I would gladly do so again...

Matthew Blong ~ Serbia 2009

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I had had expected the agricultural work to be monotonous and laborious, but to my surprise, the field work that the volunteers participated in was not very strenuous at all. Our camp definitely had a laid-back atmosphere, with plenty of laughing and...

Krystie Lee ~ South Korea 2010

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I had the most incredible experience ever. I did not expect it to be this great at all. I talked to others that had done work camps before and they said this was by far the best one they\\\'ve done. The organization was so welcoming and friendly to us and...

Clara Van Horn ~ Spain 2010

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It was productive, fun work and they really cared about us volunteers and worked hard to make sure we were well taken care of and that we had a great time."

B. Sanford ~ Spain 2012

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Volunteering on the Spanish island Menorca was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. This was my first work camp, so the entire thing was a new and great experience for me...

K. Rempen~ Spain 2011

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The art festival included local city officials. The non-profit organizers and volunteers believed the work and festival would raise awareness about the refugee population and non-profit organizations in the area...

Melissa Schultz ~ Spain 2009

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I have come back from this trip a different person. I am more independent, conscious of the food I buy and eat, and conscious of the actions I take towards the environment...

Kristen Gianaris ~ Switzerland 2010

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Everyone was great; participants and workcamp leaders. Everyone had a good sense of humor, which is definitely necessary when in an international setting. There is no language barrier to laughing.

Louise To ~ Taiwan 2010

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After a year long search for a non-profit volunteer organization that I felt that was not in it for the business, but, actually there for the cause I came across VFP..

Logan~Tanzania 2011

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There were about 40 volunteers total and I was the only person from the United States, which was a great experience in itself. Not only was I experiencing Africa for the first time, but I got to experience it with people from many...

Amanda Snell ~ Tanzania 2010

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Having volunteered for the past few years in areas such as New York, New Orleans, Istanbul and Cairo, I have experienced working with people from many different backgrounds. However, my experience in Tanzania was very unique. The people I met...

Colette Smith ~ Tanzania 2010

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During our two weeks together we learned a lot about each other, ourselves, different cultures and that how in spite of our differences we can work together in peace and harmony towards a mutual goal. The activities that we were involved in included ...

Eva Kobli Walter ~ Tanzania 2010

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The trip was amazing I was placed with three other volunteers two from South Korea and one from Tanzania. I already miss the kids we worked with and taught English to. I laughed every day with my new volunteer friends and I will never forget them...

Andrea Hidalgo ~ Tanzania 2009

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I will never forget the experience of the Akha village--it was a completely different perspective than MOST travelers ever get to see, and I am so grateful to have seen ...

Emily Marantz ~ Thailand 2009-2010

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We had a fabulous experience with this project. We stayed at the home of our hosts who run a pottery studio in Bangklam. They were wonderful and gracious. We helped to build a house that will become a youth center to promote using local materials...

Randi Teplow-Phipps ~ Thailand 2011

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After two weeks of teaching the tiny village’s children and cleaning the beach, planting trees and staying at their homes, we really got to know the locals. For this party, they cooked for us, gave us gifts and speeches...

Florencia Renedo ~ Thailand 2009

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Not only was it a beneficial experience for the kids (and staff) to travel to Turkey and volunteer at the camp, but by meeting new people from different backgrounds with different visions really helped shaped the camp...

Colette Smith ~ Turkey 2009

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Most teachers were helpful about giving you ideas, but you were free to teach whatever you would like. The kids seemed to generally be eager about whatever you taught...

Gena Gohr ~ Ukraine 2010

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I love this camp. In this camp I made a lot of fun and painted the wall and some furniture that was the first time in my life. It’s funny, I really love make international friends...

Youngok Bae from South Korea ~ USA 2009

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I found out that there are so many different characters and personalities to discover...

Roman, Oscar's Farm 2012

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...different people with different cultures learning more about each other and living peacefully as a community.

Maite Jurado (Spain)~Oscar’s Farm 2012

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Over the past three weeks, we’ve drawn each other out like thread, broken each other’s expectations...

Oscar's Farm 2012

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I learned people are the same; it doesn’t matter where they come from...

Maine 2012

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I am very happy and satisfied with my volunteer experience at the work camp through Volunteers for Peace Vietnam (VPV). I sought the volunteer experience to dive more deeply into Vietnamese culture, to meet new friends...

Allison Keller ~ Vietnam 2009

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I think in reality we worked in the garden 25% and played with the children 75% due to weather conditions...

Angela Bergen ~ Vietnam 2011

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Working with Volunteers for Peace has been one of the most rewarding and educational experiences of my life. While I can’t expect to see dramatic change in just 2 weeks, I hope...

Aimee Crittendon ~ Vietnam 2010

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This experience was incredibly rewarding and I will treasure the relationships that were forged during my short stay in Vietnam. The staff, the volunteers, and the ...

Darlene Battaile ~ Vietnam 2010

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I participated in a VFP workcamp in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and it was definitely a very worthwhile experience. When I first arrived in HCMC, I was very...

Holly Diegel ~ Vietnam 2010

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Thank you for providing such an amazing experience, I really learned a lot from the experience and enjoyed myself throughout!

Sara Coles ~ Vietnam 2010

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Overall, I had a great experience with Volunteers for Peace. I really liked working with the children at SOS Children\'s Village, and it was very interesting to see how the Children\'s Village was run.

Sue Bedford ~ Vietnam 2010

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I have found that volunteering gave me a real insider’s look into the Vietamese culture, one that I would not have seen if I had not volunteered. All in all, volunteering was an amazing experience, I am so grateful that I got to partake in it and...

Ann Gariano ~ Vietnam 2010

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Yesterday, we went to a local beach to have a picnic dinner, watch the sunset and then built a bonfire. We stayed at the beach for several hours. singing, telling stories, and relaxing...

Becky Slatkin ~ Wales 2004

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