Indeed,disability is not inability.

February 03, 2012

Last year i had an opportunity to work as a volunteer in Emmanuel Centrum;a home for the physically and mentally challenged in Steinkopf, a small town in the northern part of South Africa. My experience in this center was an eye opener for me to see for myself what these our challenged brothers and sisters can do in contributing to their well being despite the fact that they are challenged. It also turned out to be an eye opener to the word of opportunities to serve those who are not as privileged as some of us.It is at this center that i realized that,with proper attention,care and guidance,the p physically and mentally challenged can also support themselves and even support the society at large. If we take time to learn...

Read More

Fuel and Money Saving Wonderbags!!! Keep cooking after you turn off the stove!

February 02, 2012

Omprakash, United States
Vance Walstra

Hello all volunteers and partners! A volunteer with Alimentar Enseniando just shared this with me and I thought I should share it with you all. These bags save money, fuel and time! They are recyclable too! Check it out:http://inhabitat.com/amazing-fuel-saving-wonderbags-keep-cooking-food-long-after-you-turn-off-the-heat/

view story gallery

Comment on this story

February 01, 2012

Hello,My name is White Kelvin from USA but currently in Italy.Working there.Ivolunteered at Havilla Children Centre in Kenya Africa.It was my first time to be in Africa.I was helping in sports,cooking and teaching.I enjoyed being there.I hope to return there very soon.Children there come from very poor backgounds[kibera slums][www.havillacc.com].Some end up missing food from there homes .i was working with other teachers at school and we could do alot.The community members are very good people and co oparative indeed.Security is perfect and food from the host families is also good.People cultures are excellent.Kenya is full of fun.i had a safari during my free time[weekend]to see wildlife etc.and know kenya.I used to go to the centre by foot at 8 am-330pm.from monday to friday.If you are interested to volunteer in Havilla...

Read More

One Week Down

February 01, 2012

Amy Biehl Foundation, South Africa
Michael Perugini

     It’s been about a week since I touched down in Cape Town, and I have been having an incredible time so far.       South Africa is a truly amazing place – very different from the States, but in good way. The people here—both the locals and other international travelers – are incredibly friendly and accommodating. I am very fortunate to be staying in a lodge in Observatory (a suburb of Cape Town) with plenty of other students and interns from around the world. They have all made me feel quite welcome. My first night here, a number of us had a braai (Afrikaans for barbecue), and since then we have gone surfing in Muizenberg, clubbing in City Center, and wine/cheese tasting in Franschhoek. There’s so much to do here! It’s...

Read More

CREAR knows how to love

January 19, 2012

Asociacion CREAR, Costa Rica
Katie McDonald

My experience with CREAR leaves me with nothing but happy memories and an admiration for those who run this incredible organization. The passion and drive behind CREAR leave the kids of Playa Samara truly believing that they are creative and important little people that have the potential to do great things. One of my favorite fundraisers for CREAR are the surf tournements through C & C Surf School. The whole pueblo gathers for local food and modest waves to compete for the prize money...the winner always ends up giving most of it to CREAR! Samara has a such a strong sense of community and I feel that CREAR has a very unique place in it...they represent an advocate for the youth of Samara and constantly remind...

Read More

Acosiacion Crear, Samara, Costa Rica

January 19, 2012

Asociacion CREAR, Costa Rica
Fabiana Giger

My name is fabiana giger, i lived in samara costa rica for about 7 months and i worked most of my time there with the acosiacion crear. Most of the time i helped andrea and johannah preparing and giving classes to the kids and get new ideas of what we can do with the kids and organize everything to do it. Crear is a great Organisation and everyone, most the mothers and in general the ticos are so thankful for what crear does with the children. I come from switzerland, here it is just normal to paint whenever we want to do that, to use computers, to play games and just to be a kid but in costa rica it is really different. For these kids every crear class is...

Read More

There's only 1 women's recovery center in Tanzania and this is it!

January 13, 2012

Women's HOPE Recovery Center, Tanzania
Christine Mathwes

I recently became a volunteer with the Hope Center due to the opportunity to really make a difference with an organization and project that was in its infant stages. I provide consulting services for the center while the center continues to build its infrastructure. I also help serve as a communication channel, informing on world wide organizations that are dedicated to improving the quality of life of individuals in disadvantaged countries. When I was made aware of Omprakash it seemed like the perfect fit and it is also giving me the ability to see how I can serve other organizations while I help the Hope Center. The Hope Center is truly unique in that it is the only one of its kind in the country of Zanzibar. The determination of...

Read More

Helping Women in Tanzania.

January 13, 2012

Women's HOPE Recovery Center, Tanzania
Fatma Mausa

I have been a volunteer for the HOPE Center for a little over a year now and I am very pleased with the progress of the organization. What I really like about the founders is that they saw a need in the community and they addressed it. Sober homes have been established all over the city for several years now but they all focused on men. This organization serves women only and is the only one of its kind in the region. This project is still in the beginning stages. Because I came on as a volunteer in the beginning I have been able to help establish a great foundation for women to truly recover in a safe setting. However, we are in need of more dedicated people with...

Read More

Engage Brain, Body and Soul volunteering at Alterna

January 11, 2012

Alterna, Guatemala
Reid Lustig

About a year ago I set off on my bicycle from my home in Colorado in search of an opportunity to establish myself in a community, work for its betterment and learn by doing. I was incredibly fortunate to discover an organization which satisfied my desires. Located in the lively city of Xela, nestled 7000 feet high in the Guatemalan Highlands, is an organization which strives to create a positive change in this world. Alterna is a small international collective of volunteers working hard to develop and disseminate appropriate technologies aimed at conserving resources, saving money and simply making life a bit sweeter. When I arrived as a hairy ragged traveler, I was welcomed with open arms and immediately began to take on essential rolls within the organization. I quickly...

Read More

Volunteering at Alterna

January 10, 2012

Alterna, Guatemala
Rebecca Martin

I thoroughly enjoyed my internship at Alterna in the summer of 2011. I am a graduate student at the University of Michigan, pursuing a career in International Development. My internship with Alterna provided me with great hands on experience working at a clean technology startup in Guatemala. I was able to travel to pilot sites in rural areas where Alterna's technologies are being tested and ask people about their experiences using the products. My manager assigned me interesting projects where I was able to learn how Alterna's products work and apply skills I learned in school to analyze the market potential for them in Guatemala. Specifically, I developed financial statements for their efficient cookstoves and wrote a section of the business plan for their biodigesters. The staff at Alterna is...

Read More