Today started with another incredible breakfast of bacon, eggs, and coffee here in Costa Rica. We were a couple minutes late leaving for Canitas, but soon got underway with sunny skies ahead and great hopes that we would arrive and see a truck filled with tile sitting there waiting for us so we could begin the community center tiling project. We had no such luck so me, CK, and Roberto cleared out the drainage ditches up near the health office and lumber yards, while Cathy, and "Captain Kirk" put the finishing touches on the bare floors for the tile.
They joined us soon after our lightning coffee break to rake up the grass in the front yard of the health office, while me, CK, and Roberto explored the area a little and took some pictures. Lunch was bomb, we had steak and more beans. I love beans! About ten minutes before lunch was over the rain came and washed our morning work down the drain, literally.
Hanging out with Don Nicco's family was a humbling experience, seeing them so happy, just in each other's company, made me want to toss away all my televisions as soon as I get home.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Always Remain Flexible!
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Planning for a Summer in Poland
Zakopane Summer English Language Camp in the Tatra MountainsThe months of June and July will bring the beginning of the summer camp sessions in Poland. The volunteers who will help us in the summer will work with the elementary school students at the Reymontowka Camp, as well as middle and high school students in Zakopane area and they will play a very crucial role in educating the future leaders of Poland.
In Zakopane summer camps, we will work with the bright high and middle school students who need their English to make their future professional lives successful in a very competitive job market in Poland. For a lot of them studying the English language, as well as the American history, geography and culture is a real passion. The volunteers give them such an excellent opportunity to learn so many interesting facts about the country and language of their interest.So, please join either our June 25th or July 2nd Zakopane teams today so we can continue to serve our Polish students in 2011.
Because it is a camp, the students and volunteers can participate in a lot of fun activities in the afternoons (while practicing English together at the same time) so this program is ideal if you would like to bring your child or grandchild to serve with you. These activities include hiking in the mountains, visiting museums, playing sports, going swimming, shopping and exploring the town of Zakopane. In the evenings, the students often put on skits and musical plays. During the free weekend you can visit Krakow, Auschwitz- Birkenau Concentration Camp and the Wieliczka Salt mine (started in the early Middle Ages and listed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites).
Thank you so much for your considering the idea of assisting us this summer! It would be wonderful to work with you again in my home country! Also, please tell others about our service opportunity.
Dorota Wierzbicka, Poland Country Manager
Friday, November 19, 2010
Please Come and Work With Us in Tanzania!
To all my beloved volunteers who have come on the Tanzania program, I take this opportunity to thank you and wish you my best and would also like to invite you again to help us by serving on another program. And we also ask you to encourage your friends and family to also come to our community as a volunteer.
In the past 6 months, 30 Global Volunteers came to Pomerini and Ipalamwa. Whole heartedly, they contributed their time and talents in the two communities through serving, teaching, and learning with us. There were plenty of opportunities for the volunteers to help us in various projects teaching students, construction, attending patients, equipping the community with primary health supplies, painting, and coaching in sports.
As always, the people of Pomerini and Ipalamwa extended a warm welcome to the Global Volunteers. The local people took time off from their busy lives and freely mingled with the volunteers to know more about the volunteers and also to share information about their lives and the needs and goals of the community.
Computer education was a welcome subject for our students which is presently taught in Pomerini only. Both students and teachers now have a better understanding of Power Point, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, etc.
The local people learned how to construct an environmentally friendly stove through Global Volunteers. Sixty local people attended the stove construction demonstration which went hand in hand with the teaching of primary health and hygiene to sixteen primary health service providers from eight villages in Pomerini.
Volunteer donations also provided medications and supplies to Pomerini and Ipalamwa Clinics. The schools received supplies like wall maps, erasers, chalk, globes, books, pens and pencils. This has greatly helped our schools in meeting the shortage of supplies.
Thank you for your contribution of your precious time with us, and also your skills, materials, and the good spirit you bring to our community. I want to remind you that our fight to improve our community is still on and with your help we will definitely win. So I kindly req
uest you to come back again.
We love you all,
Edward Mgeni, Tanzania Country Manager
Monday, November 15, 2010
Xin Chao from Hanoi!
Thank you to all the volunteers who have participated in our Global Volunteers Vietnam Program. From September 2009 through September 2010, a total of 47 volunteers served on five teams. For each one, this was a most memorable service experience.
Hanoi is a vibrant city, full of history and contrasts, where the ancient and the modern co-exist side by side. The September team had the great privilege of partaking in the city’s 1000th anniversary celebrations! For ten days, the city “exploded” with a multitude of historic and cultural events, parades, performances , laser shows and fireworks while dedicating new bridges, theaters, and museums… For the volunteers who joined the proud Vietnamese people in celebrating this momentous event, it was a unique experience!
We have consolidated our relationships with our hosts in Hanoi:
Nguyen Binh Kheim High School (NBK) in a residential district where Mr. Hoa, the Principal of the School, and Mr. Hoa, the Head of the English Department, continue to look forward to welcoming our volunteers. Many of the English teachers – at first somewhat shy about working with our volunteers - have now become enthusiastic partners as they realize that they are learning a lot from the volunteers. The children enjoy showing their appreciation to their “teachers” and everyone is always sad on the last day of the service program! The evening “cross-cultural exchange” when older students come to the hotel to take the volunteers on a walk around the historic neighborhood continues to be a success. 
Foreign Trade University (FTU) has the reputation of being the best University in Hanoi, and is growing very fast. As more volunteers have been lecturing there, the English teachers have learned how to better integrate them into their programs. The students are respectful and appreciative of the opportunity to improve their conversation skills and have been engaging the volunteer teachers in meaningful exchanges. The volunteers on the last team there were invited by some of the students to tour some of the cultural sites around the city.
During the past year on the Vietnam Program, Global Volunteer’s contribution towards the United Nations Millennium Development Goals are as follows: On Target 3 – To ensure education for both boys and girls to complete a full course of primary education, we contributed 1148 hours of conversational English and taught other subjects to over 2200 students.
Francoise Yohalem – a Volunteer Team Leader who had lead twice to Hanoi – looks forward to her next assignment there. She advises: “Hanoi is moving fast… unfortunately trying to catch up with Saigon. Go there before it changes too much! You will enjoy the charm, the quaintness, the historical and cultural sites, but, most of all, you will be touched by the kindness, sincerity, and generosity of the Vietnamese people.
Our hosts, community partners, teachers, children, and other Vietnamese whom you have taught or helped while there want to thank you for the help they have received and hope you will visit again. For those of you who cannot do another service program soon, please do continue your service as a sponsor through the Global Volunteers Child Sponsorship program or by telling others about your Vietnam experience as an Encore Team member. We welcome your support in any way. We need your help in our ongoing work in Vietnam.
- Stephen Raja Chinnappan,
Regional Manager – Oceanic Pacific, Asia and Africa
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The Happiest Place on Earth
Saludos desde el lugar más feliz del mundo!
Greetings from the happiest place on earth! And the one of the most productive!
In the past 6 months, volunteers contributed 720 hours to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women, Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality, Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health and Goal 6: Combat Diseases. In addition, the volunteers provided a total of 936 hours of labor, working hand-in-hand with our dedicated community partners on achieving their own locally defined development goals.
Cañitas: This lovely tiny town hosted a strong and dedicated team of volunteers. Upon arrival, they witnessed firsthand the consequences of flooding, as the village health clinic was submerged in mud. Patiently, work was initiated by cleaning and scrubbing the inside of the structure while on the outside the garden also needed maintenance. This crew also dug enthusiastically a large dry well next to building, and cleaned the surrounding drainage and property to ensure the effectiveness of the structure during the rainy season year. A walkway was built to enter the building securely and a wall was built inside to separate the infirmary from the doctor’s office. The fence was welded and got lots of green paint! The outside of the building was painted cream and the window frames got chocolate color enamel. And in between all the hard work, a few soccer pick-up games, Costa Rica vs. USA, friendship scored!
CASEM: We supported our dear CASEM this past summer by helping them build a new diner! Faced with difficult economic times, it is their goal to increase income by serving wonderful local cuisine. At the beginning of the year the wood for the diner’s furniture was scraped, sanded and perfected. The first chair rolled out of Faustino´s hands and the others came quickly! Another team built and painted additional storage space at the back of the building to provide room for the new traditional kitchen stove. The tabletops were also sanded and prepared. We celebrated the 200th Team to serve in Costa Rica after 18 years of service in the Monteverde area. This team moved and stored the materials into the newly built storage and prepared the back room for the new chairs and tables.
Join us again: I would like to share what some of our volunteers said after experiencing the service program: “If we get to know people from other countries we will lose distrust” – Pat. “I learned the way the women never gave up during our work and kept trying until everything was done” - Zack, “Speechless at the sincerity of the of the local peoples’ gratitude” - Donna. +Global+Volunteers+-+Hunter+Nadler+in+Costa+Rica.jpg)
Come and work hand-in-hand with people you get to know and support. Let your friends and family know about your experience and encourage them to do the same, or send someone you love to perpetuate this chain of goodwill and peace. Entertaining rides guaranteed! The only line you will have to stand in is to get a shovel or a brush! Adventure in Service, smiles waiting to greet you!
You may also contribute to the priorities of all of our host communities in Costa Rica by clicking here to make a donation to the general Costa Rica fund.
Mil Gracias to all the dedicated volunteers’ families, mother and daughters, college and high school students, friends and colleagues, retirees that refuse to give up work that brings joy, enthusiasm, and knowledge to this happy place. You have made it even happier! So, in the words of Ben Franklin: “Well done is better than well said!"
Tropically yours, Costa Rica Country Manager Nia Salas
Friday, September 24, 2010
Report From Romania
I've started writing in the childrens' journals that we leave for the upcoming volunteers. It is always fun to read back, especially to entries I wrote when I was last here in February. Some children have made good progress and for others it is very slow. I was pleased to see Cristi Daniel who has Down's syndrome becoming more active and then I realized he is 4 years old and probably not even at 1 year developmentally. Still, as long as they are doing better that is the most important thing.
Read more about Volunteer Evan on her blog!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Our Week on the "Rez"
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Thought for the day: Blessed are the cracked; for they shall let in the light.
The day started as usual…but warmer inside and outside. With the boiler was turned on due to the unseasonably cold weather, we all woke up toasty in our bedrooms. Rested and optimistic, we read Wednesday’s journal over breakfast and discussed the day’s work plans. Our first stop was at the Tribal Offices to talk with Sweets Kaline, who had made contact with Alvin Racine, a local elder who is deeply grieving the loss of his wife to cancer. Through the new tribal Elder Assistance Program, we’ve been asked to work with his adult children at his house to help fill in the low areas of his front and back yards, and maybe help him clean up his shed.
While at the Tribal offices, we made a brief, unplanned presentation to a gathering of tribal council and committee members, thanking them for their invitation to work with the Blackfeet people, and explaining a bit about Global Volunteers’ work worldwide. Sweets filled us in on a few aspects of the upcoming tribal general election, and described the many initiatives she’s undertaken to help motivate local residents to become more involved in community projects.
After leaving the tribal offices, Steve walked across the street to the Care Center while Michele and Don dropped off Rosa and Kevin at Cleo’s apartment. Don and Michele followed Sweets to meet Alvin at his house to see what volunteer help he needs next week. Afterwards, Don returned to the Care Center to assist Steve with the lawn trimming and raking. What an amazing difference two days has made! They’ve uncovered the overgrown garden areas and cleared the way for mowing. The rains returned around 4:00 – just as the dynamic duo was winding down, so they joined the elders gathered around the TV in the activity room to watch “Dream Keeper,” the movie we watched in our meeting room last night, and shared with the Care Center today. 
Meanwhile, Kevin and Rosa made immense progress at Cleo’s apartment. They primed all the rooms they taped off yesterday…the kitchen, living room, and bedroom. Perhaps they’ll be able to finish the final coat on Friday. They’ve enjoyed learning a bit about Cleo’s family and background, and recalled the interesting stories she’s shared as she’s carved up the elk roast to dry in strips while they work in her small apartment.
During the afternoon, Michele met with Connie at Eagle Shield, Denise at Head Start, Angela at the Community College and Joyce at the Tribal office to schedule work projects for the upcoming teams. All reiterated their gratitude for Global Volunteers’ efforts and look forward to the next team of 10 volunteers arriving on Saturday.
The team enjoyed a tasty meal of salad, French dip sandwiches and fries at the Care Center before returning to the Boarding Dorm. After dropping off our backpacks, we all piled in Kevin’s rental car and headed out to locate the elk preserve south of town on the cut across road. Halfway to Heart Butte, we turned west on a narrow road Michele remembered from previous years. Expectantly, and armed with Kevin’s GPS, we peered out all windows hoping to see the elk Marvin Weatherwax described to us earlier in the day. While visually scanning the trees and hills, we reveled in the gorgeous landscape – creeks, cliffs, peaks and wildflowers which we stopped frequently to photograph. Over the rocks and muddy potholes, we emerged in East Glacier an hour later, telling jokes and laughing as if we had known each other much longer than the five days when we became a team. Somehow, the hard work has created a lightness in our effort, which we enjoy together while working toward the common goal of service to the community we’ve grown to truly respect.
Michele
Friday, June 11, 2010
Thought for the day: The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” - St. Augestine
Final impressions of one week in Browning, Montana on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation:
The opportunity to be introduced and immersed in the Blackeet culture could not have been more complete without our team leader. She arranged meetings with individual tribal leaders and other Blackfeet who told not only the stories of the reservation, but also their personal stories.
Individual contact with the local people as the team went about their daily service projects and free time also gave us the chance to become a very close-knit team and to enjoy work projects and free time together.
From the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains to the West and the rolling wind-swept plains to the East, a week in Browning, Montana was well-spent.
Steve
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Working on the Reservation
Tuesday, June 8, 2010During the morning drive to town, the team admired unusually clear views wispy clouds shrouding majestic mountains partially covered with snow. After our orientation tours the previous day, the team members seemed eager to start working hard. Showcasing our flexibility, the team changed their plans when we discovered that the Tribal Center was closed due to the Flood Memorial and the nursing home staff was busy with administrative meetings. Team leader Michele dropped off the team at the Blackfeet Community College while she figured out how we could help with the Flood Memorial effort.
Initially, Don, Steve, Kevin and Rosa worked clearing a rock garden overrun with weeds. The small rocks and weeds needed to be removed before a lining could be put on to keep out future weeds. Larger rocks would then be added to form a rock garden to greet students and faculty as they drove into the campus parking lot.
Using shovels and rakes, the team exercised their muscles in the surprisingly sunny and calm weather. A maintenance worker named Bony told interesting stories such as his month long trip to Hawaii and his four children. He informed us about a Kids’ Rodeo that his son was participating that night.
Rosa was called up to work at the Head Start Center where a worker and her extended family were helping to prepare a meal for hundreds of attendees at the Flood Memorial. She found the workers very warm and friendly. Rosa said that she could not believe how many baked potatoes that she put aluminum foil around!
Kevin was called up to work at the care center. After visiting with several residents, he played checkers with Lester, who proved to be a formidable opponent. Lester could move any red or black checker in any direction. Whenever he captured a checker, he always had a friendly smile. Kevin talked with Joan, a former elementary school teacher and principal, who is a resident at the care center. She told many stories including how a relative was able to lasso a baby out of the water during the flood of June 8, 1946.
Meanwhile, Don and Steve were slaving away at the BCC. They had suggested to Bony to use the backhoe to break up the soil and shovel rocks into a mini-car that could dump its cargo. Bony decided to use the backhoe, but also enjoyed the more strenuous approach of shoveling by hand. He had many entertaining stories.
“Mama Bear,” aka Michele, gathered her “cubs” and took them to the Flood Memorial site, which was a field near the Indian Museum with a circular arena. The team cut watermelon, set up tables and trays of food, and assembled plates for 75 elders who were not able to attend. After a few speeches, a flag ceremony, a drum ceremony, a few speeches by flood survivors, and a few more speeches for good measure, the ceremony was over and about 400 people descended on the food tables. The Global Volunteers team worked frantically to keep up serving food while the line progressed. Afterwards, the team had a chance to eat some of the leftovers.
The team had a chance for a bonus volunteer activity to clean up the pots, pans and serving utensils and tour the Head Start Building.
Finally, the team members decided to go to the kids’ rodeo in the rodeo grounds next to the Indian Museum. A few children rode horses bareback during the warm-ups. Young equestrians guided their horses to gallop down, steer through a set of poles twice, and gallop back. Very young children competed as “sheep riders”: trying to stay on a sheep, often with the assistant of a father running along for support. Most riders only stayed on for a few feet, but one rider nearly followed the sheep out of the ring. In all cases, the audience cheered on the young cowboy-Indians.
The team returned to the boarding dorm after a hard day’s work. It was a great day and we expect the week to continue to be great.
Kevin
Monday, June 07, 2010
Our Montana Journey
Monday, June 7
Thought for the Day: From Tom Crawford, local elder: “Think of others before you think of yourself.”
Monday…our team’s first official work day after a weekend of orientation and settling into our comfortable lodging was both busy and exciting. We got an early start and after eating breakfast, we headed into Browning while threatening storm clouds gathered in the distance.
At the Blackfeet Community College (BCC), we were greeted by Connie Bremner, Eagle Shield Center Director, who described their services and residents. Eagle Sheield is one of the main wor projects sites for Global Volunteers teams.
Angela Johnson, BCC director of student services, and Jolene Kennedy, dean of Academic Affairs, told us about the BCC mission and courses. Smokey, the plant manager, discussed some of the maintenance work we’ll be doing this week on site.
Angela led us on a tour of the campus. Personally, as a college student myself, it was interesting to see the similarities between the BCC and my own campus.
We met with Nikki, director of the Blackfeet Academy, an alternative high school program on the BCC campus. She was eager to tell us about her students, especially about those involved in a service club that traveled to the Dominican Republic to assist with earthquake clean up. We met one of these students, Ronnie, a recent graduate, whose optimism and determination were quite inspiring. Some of the students will be assigned to work with Global Volunteers throughout the summer to earn community service credit.
After lunch, Michele and Steve finally had time to go to the “infamous shed” to find additional team supplies while Don, Kevin and I helped Smokey pick up trash in a section of the campus behind the Exxon Station. Despite the relentless wind, we picked up as many plastic bags, wood planks and soda cans as our garbage bags could hold. This appears to be a covert dumping ground for cast-off rfefuse, and Smokey works hard to keep the area cleaned up.
As we worked, Smokey told us stories about hunting moose and living at the Boarding Dorm. Ronnie arrived to work with us, and talked about his plans to attend BCC in the fall and to eventually become a lawyer.
Although the dark clouds overhead seemed ready to burst, it didn’t rain. When Michele and Steve returned in the Global Volunteers van, we drove back to the dorm for dinner.
We were invited to a traditional Indian “sweat” that evening in Heart Butte, so, towels in hand, we departed in Steve’s car and drove on a scenic route through the plains, with snowy mountains always in the distance.
As non-Indians, it was a privilege for us to attend the sweat, which is a kind of weekly “church” for local residents. While the plastic-covered dome seemed small on the outside, it fit many inside. Steve, Kevin, Michele and I braved the heat to attend the fascinating ceremony of prayer and song. We were so lucky to have experienced such an important tradition in Blackfeet culture, and it’s something I’ll never forget. However, one round of sweating was enough for us, so we thanked our hosts and returned “home.” It’s amazing how much was packed into one day, and I can only guess what’s in store for our team in the next four days!
Rosa
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Poland Sponsors Invest in Learning
Through the generosity of Global Volunteers' Poland classroom sponsors, the students of a small village elementary school are enjoying field trips, new teaching materials, school supplies and books to learn English this school year. We're so grateful for sponsors' commitment to ensure that the students have resources for their intellectual and social development, and that their most important growth years are successful!
The first semester has just ended, and the students are beginning the second one. The eight students of Grade 1 will continue to learn the letters of the alphabet and numbers up to 100 (in English, of course!). They will also practice their penmanship, reading, adding and subtracting. The 19 second grade students are "branching out" with their English lessons; telling time, days of the week, months of the year and seasons. Grade 3 has 12 students, and they're finishing the first level of their education while becoming very involved in school life -- with dance, music and special celebrations. The five girls and five boys in Grade 4 are developing nature interests, and greatly enjoy field trips to the forest. Meanwhile, the 17 fifth grade students had the highest average grade in the first semester in the entire Cisie school! They're really looking forward to working with the next team of Global Volunteers! They are planning to prepare a play for their colleagues from Grades 1-3 soon.
The students of Grade 6 are preoccupied with preparations for the National Examination Board competence exam which will enable them to graduate and move on to secondary school. They understand how important English is for their futures, and truly value the times they have to learn from Global Volunteers' native speakers.
We have exciting upcoming plans for the classrooms as well: In March, we'll begin to set up a brand new English language lab with audio equipment, desks, chairs, white board, bookcases and bookshelves purchased with sponsors' funds.
All of this is made possible with assistance from Global Volunteers, and the students and teachers are very grateful. We look forward to many more volunteers to work with us in 2010 and beyond. Please learn more about our programs here: http://www.globalvolunteers.org/poland/default.asp
Sincerely,
Dorota Wierzbicka,
Poland Country Manager
Monday, February 15, 2010
Thank you so much for all the work that you do!
What an exciting adventure my husband, Tim, and I had as members of the 92nd Global Volunteers team to Lima, Peru! We worked at the orphanage - PPA (Puericultorio Perez Aranibar)! It is a life-changing experience to leave the comfort of one's home in SE Minnesota and travel to another continent and experience a life so different from our own. Yet, even with all the cultural differences and the poverty, the same wonderful human spirit shines through.
Working with a Global Volunteers' team is so unique because the volunteers come from around the States (and with this team - even Canada!) to volunteer together to wage peace. We first get to know one another through a series of questions about team work and goal setting so that when we begin our work, we know one another better.
The work in Lima at PPA is so worthwhile because at the orphanage the children need the love that the Global Volunteers bring and the staff appreciates the help. Each team builds on what the former teams have done and sets the stage for the next team coming in.
Gratefully, Bonnie Rietz, Peru volunteer
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Our first week in Ghana!
Who knew the welcome we were about to receive in Sench Ferry? Walking through the village, there suddenly were kids everywhere greeting us with hugs and handshakes. We all agreed that we had an overwhelming feeling of warmth and genuine happiness. This could easily be described as a Human Blanket of Friendship!!
The village had arranged a welcome ceremony. There were chairs set up around a clearing under some trees. They even hired a DJ for music and entertainment. Several welcome speeches were given. We shook hands with the chiefs and introduced ourselves to the village. A highlight for me was the “drama” put on by the kids, called The Life of a Child. All were proud of the children to perform for the audience.
And then there was dancing! Mystery Jane got us started when a local gentleman asked her to dance. Kathleen and Bonnie jumped right in and almost instantly had many kids to dance with. It was grad a kid or two and dance. FUN!
We said farewell after final set of meetings and a tour of the soon-to-be Senchi Ferry Library. Yeah Deb for all your hard work raising this money!
I would like to bottle up all the warmth and energy from this first introduction to the community and share it with the world.
Update by John
Since arriving in Senchie Ferry with the rest of the Global Volunteers team three days ago we have seen day by day just how deeply this sense of devotion to children reaches into the entire community. It is a devotion enthusiastically inspired by Global Volunteers, which has invited us each here to participate in helping the Senchie community grow stronger in its self reliance and confidence in pursuit of the priorities it has set.
The priorities set by the community and adopted by Global Volunteers largely revolve around the children, from the current library project to the assistant school teaching we will do here.
Day Three Report by Sandy
Another hot, humid, sunny day. A walk through the village brought children out greet the “Ebronies” (white man or woman). Stopped at the clinic to drop off Sarah and Bobbi Jo for their assignments. Two new newborns and a waiting room full of patients awaited them.
The rest of the gang headed to the library worksite. John, Haley and Sandy mixed mud and packed it around the conduit tubes. Jane showed her stuff carrying blocks. Ed masterminded the conduit cutting and placement into the electrical boxes. Pam, Ellie, Bonnie, Kathleen and Deb sang songs and played games with the children. At 12:30 we began our walk back to the Guest House. We had lunch, another great meal, and were off to the bead factory and market. 
From John:
The importance of children to our collective reason for being here emerged, as the children of the village dressed in their cleaned and pressed uniforms returned to the village’s schools for the first time since their Christmas break began and the members of our group who volunteered as teachers – Ellie, Jane and Kathleen -- joined in classroom activities.
The schools are simple concrete block affairs with shutters and doors that open to allow the air to cool their poorly lit classrooms. But the children are incredibly happy and well looked after. They go to school only through the sixth grade in the three schools Global Volunteers is sponsoring.
The rest of us – Haley, Sandy, Pam, her irrepressible husband Ed and I – joined the workers for day two of construction work on the library Global Volunteers is building. The library will be a first for the entire region and serve communities for miles around when complete. When we arrive there is already a shell and a roof. Our morning was spent moving more than a hundred cinder blocks, wheeling barrows of mud to mix with sand, arranging scaffolding, mixing cement by hand, passing blocks to the masons up on the scaffold, offloading a truckload of wood for the framing and continuing to ready conduit for the electrical work. We also completed the upper courses of stone work at he east and west ends of the hallway. This work was all completed by noon, Ghanians and Obronies (whites) working side by side, but the Ghanians directing and guiding the Obronies every step of the way.
My daughter Haley learned how to use a trowel to throw “mud” into the channels carved into the cinder stone for the electrical conduits and then to pack it in and smooth it over, She also helped pitch sand into the wheelbarrow and mixed cement. Needless to say, I am very proud of her.
By 12:30 we were tiredly picking our way back along the network of red dirt roads and paths that thread through schoolyards, backyards and front yards to the St, James House hotel where we are all staying and where lunch would be waiting. Earlier in the day, as we walked to the schools and the library we saw the scores of village children in their fresh uniforms assembling outdoors near their schools and heard them sing their national anthem.
Many of the children we saw in the morning now roamed the pathways or milled about near the schools. I noticed that the village women set up tables near the schools and handed the children fruit freshly peeled with a machete, and such things as bags of nuts and also bags of water. Children of all ages approached us as always with open faces, hands out, touching us, holding us, hugging us, sometimes begging for soccer balls for their pictures to be taken.
Often it seems to me many of the children are simply using these encounters to practice their English and I have begin to notice for fewer requests for soccer balls, at least today. They seem to want merely to practice saying, “Hello!” and “How are you?” and “Good afternoon, sir.”
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
New Bunk Beds at Seam's Children's Home in India
I personally thank all the Global Volunteers on behalf of all the children and staff at Seam's Children's Home for providing Bunk Beds for the children to have a comfortable and safe environment to sleep in.It has been a welcome addition to their home and all the little children love their new beds. The older ones need to wait another year for the Stage 2 of the Dormitories to be completed to accommodate additional Bunk Beds for them.This wonderful addition for the children has been possible only by your generous contribution through the Child Sponsorship Fund which helped us meet the basic needs of the children. And i believe your continuous support and help would enable us to carry on this good work to benefit more and more deprived children in our community.
Stephen Raja, Country Manager
Global Volunteers India Service Program
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Sincere Thanks to our Blackfeet Friends
U.N. Millennium Service Goals Contributions by this team: 120 hours elder care; 216 hours labor toward improvements to alleviate poverty; 20 hours outreach for nutrition and health. In addition, we provided 63 hours direct administrative and clerical support of cultural education.
Sierra, Sherry and David to Eagle Shield – Sierra to ride the meal van, Sherry to serve dinner, and David to work and converse with Frank, who discussed his recycling program for Browning and to take David to visit a Buffalo jump.
Peg- to drive and assist Françoise in meeting our host leaders and to familiarize herself with Browning. Maureen and Anita at the Head Start complex – to clean up and later to tour the hospital, along with Justin.
We gathered for supper at the Care Center and ate heartily the Indian Tacos. Carol was wonderful in explaining the ancestral ratios needed for the Blackfeet Indians to gain some Reservation revenue and why they are poverty-stricken. After eating, the 56th Global Volunteers team to Browning, MT presented a talent show to the Care Center residents during their supper. Here is the order of talent; by Jeni, Master of Ceremonies:
1) Tim – juggling three pins, three balls
2) Jeni – yoga poses x 3
3) Erica – piano solo x 2 songs
4) Jamie – song solo – “On Top of Spaghetti”
5) Francoise – song solo – “Dans le jardin de mon pere / in my father’s garden.”
6) David – recital of a poem he composed during this week – Montana Time Line
7) Justin,Jamie, Peg Maureen – a song with revised words to, “It’s a Small World After All.” And joined by other team members in the chorus lines.
After goodbyes were shared with the residents, the team said farewell to David, Sherry, Tim and Erica Staub and wished them well on their trip back to Great Falls, MT and on to Davenport, IA. The rest of the team returned to Head Start and prepared ourselves for the next morning departure. We were surprised and pleased with Sam and his wife, Lisa and smallest child, Brennan, when they visited us at 10:30PM and wished us goodbye. We all appreciated Sam in being our driver and introducing us to Blackfeet traditions.
Sat., June 20, 2009
Return to our lives, with our familiar family and friends and places we live and work and play….many of us experienced a bit of a “culture shock.” Thank you, Global Volunteers, for the opportunity to be a Service Learner.
This experience met my goals and each of you contributed wonderfully to this first, and I hope future, volunteer trip. I am entering the decade of my 60’s and I want to become a worthy elder. My 60th birthday was June 14 and I was happy to share it with you.
“OKI”….I never learned the Blackfeet word for goodbye…..
Friday, June 12, 2009
A Week On The Rez
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Saying Goodbye to Browning
with Darryl Bird. Added to the trash picked up in the afternoon, it was a ton for sure!
At the care center, the "patio girls” moved another ton of dirt and I know Forrest and Noa would have moved a ton had they had a wheelbarrow. And what did we get? Talking only for myself --a little sore, a little satisfaction, a little frustration. Forrest had the idea that we should suggest
that the Head Start Center turn the lot into a vegetable garden. Great idea, but you never want to step on toes, and who should spear-head such an ambitious project? I just hope they don’t “pave paradise, put up a parking lot” or my worst fear -- the return of a junk pile.
Feedings continued at Eagle Shield where the crew is now so effcient they set new clean-up records and in the afternoon some residents in the Care Center made beaded key chains.
The surprise at the evening meeting was a visit from Barbara and Leona. These two Elders graced us with stories of their childhood growing up on the “Rez” and tried to teach us a few words in Blackfeet. Hopefully, at Friday’s “talent” show we will do them proud when we sing
“Git see"kawko"min” --I love you -- to the residents. Many of us were moved when Barbara thanked us for having her in our circle. She then told us she was feeling down today after receiving news of the death of two people close to her. Little did we realize that while she was
giving so much herself, we were also there giving to her. It’s the timeless truth of giving--you get what you give. I hope today we all gave a little and got a little.
*********************************
At the end of a long day, we all gathered together and were privileged to hear Leona speak
to us about the Blackfeet language. She shared personal stories of her childhood, and tradition taught to her by her grandparents and elders. She learned nuances and complexities of Blackfeet
syntax and her unique style as an educator to the young to preserve the past. We learned to say “I love you” and count to the more contemporary Macarena. As if that were not special in itself, her sister -in -law Barbara came along to expand on their ancient tales and unwritten practices. Were told of the “correct” way to do things that you will not find in the current literature. At the
end of the day, she shared a special story with us which memorialized a perfect lesson of Blackfeet experience.
-Lorraine
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Volunteering on the "Rez"
Oki’ !Today our mighty group arrived bright and early at the community college to hear from a number of interesting guests about the type of work we wouldbe doing. Leona, also known as “woman of many songs,” spoke movingly of the flood memorial and explained about what a senseless tragedy that dambreaking had been. It’s being memorialized today with a “feed” across town. She then led the group in a Blackfeet prayer; we all bowed our heads and though we couldn’t understand the language, we understood the intentions behind the words.There is something very peaceful and serene about many of the Blackfeet and Leona is no exception. After explaining some miraculous and “blush-inducing” remedies for everything ranging from acne to athlete’s foot, our next guest, Wilbur Fish spoke about his in-depth knowledge of herbs, plants and western medicine. He was eloquent and passionate, and his gardening work detail was a popular choice. We then broke out into a number of groups, and helped at the Care Center, the feed, and gardening with Wilbur. Those of us at the feed had the honor of meeting the chairman of the reservation and his family later in the day, in the casino which Noa seemed to secretly enjoy. He was honest about the challenges that face the Blackfeet -- issues like unemployment and alcoholism -- but he is very committed to change and all had an intense hour-long discussion with him, his wife, and his son who wore a “B” cap, not for Boston, but for Browning, of ourse!.Following dinner, we discussed the group’s goals for the trip and Forrest got especially impassioned about all the different categories and we had a lively debate before retiring. I felt privileged to share this experience with such a kind and enthusiastic group.
-Kyra
Today we began work day #2 with our usual meeting. For a few minutes it, appeared iffy whether Michele would be able to participate because of a phone call to Bermuda. But, the folks in Bermuda said that they would be happy starting the call late. I suspect that Bermuda runs on Blackfeet time!
Upon the completion of our morning meeting, we split up to work on different projects. One group worked at the Care Center on either staining the shed or visiting with the residents. Another group was supposed to clean out another shed. I got the feeling that today was shed day. The second shed group ended up shredding paper. Although this is technically not a shed, it did involve a word using the same letters. A third group went to Eagle Shield to prepare and serve meals. Another group went to prepare house gardens. Finally, the last group had the joy of driving vehicles with the steering wheel on the wrong side and moving a lot of rocks at the Community College! After work, some went hiking while other went to the museum. All of us enjoyed another dinner courtesy of the Care Center. ! In general, there is a feeling that we all saw lots of things and helped others out. I feel that today was the day for seeing and trying new
things. I learned that people really appreciate all the work we did and they were really happy when Kyra and I brought them their meals.
- Noa
This morning we dragged ourselves out of bed at 6:15 to have a nice private shower. After
breakfast, we went to the meeting where Michele explained our duties for the day. Our jobs
included shoveling at the Care Center, picking rocks, delivering meals, and gardening. We,
meaning Sierra, Erica, Erika, Ellisha, and Anna choose shoveling at the care center. When we got there, we ran into our friend Barbara, a patient at the Center, whom we talked and joked with. After chatting, we began digging, which proved a long day. Sierra gave the suggestion that we dig the letters GV into the ground for Global Volunteers. After pictures were taken of us and the GV in the ground, it was time to leave and go horseback riding, which we were so excited for. After what seemed like a 10 hour drive up their winding driveway, we finally got sight of the Deboos’ home. The eight that decided to go horseback riding had a wonderful time. We saw a group of horses galloping up a hill and a rock formation Chuck said was formed by water. On our way back from our ride, our tummies rumbled, awaiting our home cooked meals. It was of course as good as expected, leaving our bellies full. We left shortly after super with sleepy eyes and
happy hearts.
Thought For the Day #4
Selected by: Seymour High School Students
Just Do It!
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Volunteering on the Blackfeet Reservation - Day 1
The rest of the day was a sensory gallery of experiences as we drove around a portion of what we now know as ‘the rez.‘ Geography and the history of the area was brought to life. Much of the secret and unwritten past and culture of the Blackfeet was shared with us by our ever and willing and impressively knowledgeable driver Sam. We visited Many Glacier and saw elk on the loose, sheep, cattle, and ponies at every turn. The massive St. Marys fire remains and flood history are large visual lessons. At the end of the day, we are so anxious to start working, and realize that we too are the recipients of good fortune.
Friday, November 28, 2008
The View From Vietnam
Hanoi, Vietnam.
As our first week of teaching came to an end, we enjoyed another beautiful, sunny day.
14 volunteers, 490 hours instruction; 4,100 students impacted
Tim, Jim and I had a brief 35-minute lunch of noodles and beef from styrofoam takeout boxes, while Mr. Tri, our Director at FTU, solicited our advice on the English language greeting to be included in the University's annual Lunar New Year greeting card. The pressure was on.I spent my afternoon in Ms. Hue Chi's 2.25-hour marketing class for first-year international business students. I taught alone straight through the period. We asked each other many questions and discussed various topics. They taught me Vietnamese history and culture and are fans of Michael Phelps, Britney Spears, "High School Musical," and most things American or British. I told them about American education, politics, driving and traffic, geography and Vietnamese-Americans. One student asked how she could learn to think in English. Another wondered if everyone's vote was worth the same in the U.S.
Before returning to the hotel after our afternoon classes, Mr. Tri wished to further discuss the greeting card. I'm sure we will continue working on this Hallmark moment next week before it will be presented to the President of the University for final approval.
When I return home, I look forward to standing at the end of a crosswalk as six lanes of traffic part and I safely walk across the street to enjoy a big bowl of pho. I believe I can now join my fellow fun-loving team members as a veteran Global Volunteer.
- Donna Young
- Jim Wilson
Day Two with our service at Mguyen Bing Khiem High School, Hanoi University, and Foreign Trade University. After a full, confused somewhat stressful day of adjustment on Monday, we felt more confident in our teaching skills when we arrived at our mission on Tuesday eager to give of our time and talent.
The van was a bit late due to traffic congestion. We have to be on time because of the van blocks the flow of traffic on an extremely Narrow congested street. Horns blast continuously as motor bikes, cars, pedestrians slip thru dangerously narrow spaces. There are no rules to the road except to keep moving slowly and steadily without stopping.
We arrived at the school having enjoyed a 20 minute ride thru interesting Hanoi. The Van passed thru iron forged gates into a court yard where the kids were playing badminton but mostly fooling around. They were waiting to learn how to play baseball with Leo and Dick
School has five floors, no elevators and it is a challenge not to forget any teaching items.
The team congregated in the teacher’s room where we pooled our materials and resources.
A computer sits on the table next to the printer waiting for a cable and connection to the internet. A huge flat screen TV hangs on the wall playing some “action movie.” Mr Quy, our director, is most helpful and grateful for the team’s flexibility with the programs and assignments. Figuring how works is is another challenge but going with the flow seems to work
The students welcome us enthusiastically. They are eager to have us entertain them with our English and humor. I wonder how much they really understand. We try to be simple and make it fun..
Lunch is served at 11:15 in the basement of the school. We join the students at the tables after we are served rice, soup, fish fry, chicken, noodles, stir fry veggies and ice cream. After clean up, we return to our conference room for a nap. The entire school takes a nap until the gong is bonged..A cacophony of sound occurs, chatter, yelling horsing around, pushing shoving, talking, yelling as this massive student body of 2400 kids move to their assigned classes.
We do our thing….we try to represent a positive image from our country as ambassadors of good will to the Vietnam people..
At the end of the day we all exhausted and spent for putting forth 100% effort. Our desire to bring awareness and understanding between the two different cultures.. to build a positive relationship as we bring good will, friendship to our good neighbors. At three we pile into our van, quietly going over the day, sharing little vignettes of the day.
Everyone felt this day was a good one and how special to share our time and talent. Each day bringing about a closer bond with the Vietnamese people and team members.
-Amelia McKenney
Our first day of real work. The pink-hued clouds and clear blue accents signalled a change -- not only in the weather but in our lives as volunteers and with hope, those of our students -- as we start our service in Hanoi.
Ruth Ann inspired the team with a quote: "To the Man of Goodwill, All the World is Home", Socrates.
And off we went to universities and high school waging peace and encouraging conversations.
Donna, Jim, and I headed to Hanoi's Foreign Trade University to support the faculty of the "English for Special Purposes" department. Our first large class of at least sixty represented the highest achievers in the English entrance exam process. They are 18 adn 19 year olds beginning their four-year journey towards specialization in Business Administration, Finance, or Economics.
A lively group of articulate students, eager to ask questions (with some prodding) and offer insight into their view of life in Vietnam and Hanoi. We encourage questions about our lives in the states as a springboard to questions specific to Vietnamese life. The students explained that most families consist of parents and two children. We also learned that time abroad is a common expectation in completing their BA education. Australia and the UK are the most common destinations.
Of course American movies and television have colored the student's conception of our reality and Donna and I attempted to ensure them that Los Angeles is not the violent world of Hollywood blockbusters!
I believe our time while short, can be a catalyst to encourage greater understanding and a willingness to explore the English language.
It is almost unworthy to mention that Global Volunteers has again maintained the alias "Teach 'n Eat" with the great food consumed overt times of fun and laughter. A noble start to our Adventures in Service. - Tim Cunniff
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
As We Say "Good Bye"
Friday, July 25:
Final Day in
Malungeni
As if we aren’t already on “emotional overload” as the service program winds down, we all attended a “farewell” celebration at the primary school this morning. The children sat by grade outside and were already in a chorus of song as Nkuli, Danice, Michael, Erin and I joined the rest of the team in front of the assembly.
Solomsi announced the agenda and led the prayer. Each class then presented hand-made cards to the team – many with personal notes to “their” teachers. Mr. Qwaka spoke of the numerous contributions the team made, and how he hoped many (if not all) of us would return on future teams. I heard a few sniffles….and not just from among the volunteers.
But, most of us were brought to tears as each team member reflected on the many ways the students and teachers touched their hearts…and souls. I wasn’t certain either Ryan or Molly would be able to complete their remarks. We all recognized how fast the time had gone, and how deeply we were affected by the children’s accomplishments…and needs.
After a birthday song to Linda, we moved on to the “picnic” portion of the event: Steak, sausage, bread and coke for the adults, and oranges for the children. The food was so good, we hardly realized how hot the sun was!
The 1:30 “talent” show was delayed as students gathered slowly at the community center. But, as none of us were anxious to end this final day, we waited patiently, chatting with parents and playing with the children. When the cast arrived, Chan announced the acts, and we were treated to a lively play about HIV/AIDS in Xhosa introduced by a number of songs, and followed by a short scene written by Olga and acted out by Chan, Erin and Ryan. What fun!
We reflected on the significant contribution we worked together on with our local friends....solidly in five areas of the U.N. Millennium Development Goals:
Eradicate extreme hunger and poverty: 29 volunteer hours in capacity-building
Achieve universal primary education: 416 volunteer hours teaching in the primary school
Promote gender equality and empower woman: 204 hours assisting women with sewing and crafts projects
Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases: 12 hours helping to restore HIV/AIDs library
Develop a global partnership for development: 792 hours working hand-in-hand on critical community development projects
We packed and planned our early departure tomorrow morning. All evaluations were completed! The roundevalles were buzzing as suitcases were stuffed with memories…and souvenirs…and return flights were compared. The atmosphere was more of a large, happy family than 12 individuals from cities spread across North America. Yes, we’ve formed a very special team!
Thank you all for your extraordinary patience, compassion and dedication on this very important pioneer team. You have been as much a support to me as to the people of Malungeni. Your indefatigable spirit remains as an inspiration to those who’ll follow us in many years to come. Never, ever doubt how important you have been in the history of this resilient, resourceful rural village. I hope to see you all again, and I wish you all the very best in life. Continue to challenge the status quo and to reach beyond your grasp. Together, we can indeed build a world of peace and justice one day at a time.
-Michele Gran (“Mama Mlbuwana”)
