Wilderness Therapy Pilot Project

January 17, 2012

Teach Huaraz Peru, Peru
Benjamin Richmond

Currently I am working with Teach Huaraz Peru, one of Omprakash’s partner organizations in the town of Huaraz, Peru. As a volunteer I have been able to both teach English at a university language center and help set up a wilderness therapy program for at-risk youth. Teach Huaraz Peru is an organization set up by Luis Delgado, an English teacher here in Huaraz. For a small room and board fee, volunteers live in the Delgado’s house and eat three meals a day with the family. I can’t thank the Delgados enough for warmly opening up their home to countless volunteers. During the stay in Huaraz, Luis helps place volunteers in English classes in schools around the city. Teach Huaraz, however, is not just about teaching English. Luis is involved in many...

Read More

A Market Worthy of Growth

January 12, 2012 | 2 comments

Amy Biehl Foundation, South Africa
Michael Perugini

     At one point or another, everyone has thought to himself (or herself), “I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing.” For me, this unfortunate realization came several months ago, shortly after I decided to volunteer internationally. I knew that I wanted to serve, and I knew that there were plenty of opportunities to do so around the world, but I had utterly no clue where to begin. I was daunted, to say the least.      For several weeks I browsed gap year websites, read “voluntourism” blogs, and emailed trip coordinators, but I couldn’t seem to find what I was looking for. Finally, I decided to grab coffee with a former teacher in hopes that he might have some suggestions. Serendipitously, he had just been discussing Omprakash with another student,...

Read More

First earthbag structure in Pisco

January 10, 2012

Pisco Sin Fronteras, Peru
Christelle Bertrais

Between september 2010 and february 2011, I worked on a very interesting project : building the first earthquake resistant structure in Pisco, Peru.I was project manager in charge of convincing the publics institutions and the people of Pisco of the advantages of developping  the earthbag construction in the area. Pisco is often subject to tremors and this type of contruction would be more adapted and secure for the people of Pisco. A hard challenge but completed ! In february 2010, myself and my team of Pisco Sin Fronteras we inaugurated the first earthbag structure of Pisco!One year later, the organization built few more building of this type in the area of Pisco.https://www.omprakash.org/partnerstories/Story/Peru-NGO-inaugurates-earthbag-building-in-Pisco-article-from-ezine-Living-in-Peru...

Read More

Start Small, Big Things Will Happen

January 10, 2012

 Being back at school, it is time to start my Omprakash outreach. I have already sent the information to a friend in Malawi who started an NGO there, so hopefully she will join as a Partner! But here at school, I plan on trying to contact as many of the student groups that focus on social, political or economic development and giving them information on Omprakash. My pirmary goal this semester in relation to Omprakash is to get the name and information out there. More students need to know about it!!!! Initially I intended on starting an Omprakash student group with my friend, but last semester while I was gone McGill was on strike, which obviously made things a bit disorganized! It however gave us the opportunity to realize that working...

Read More

AIM Abroad Reflection

January 10, 2012

AIM Abroad, India
Radha Patel

Every day, I have at least one flashback of my time in India. I did not realize how much that trip would stay with me, and I'm currently trying to figure out who I was before I left, who I was while there, and who I want to become now. The only way I can figure out who I want to be is if I reflect on everything I've experienced (which is a lot!) At times it seems intimidating, but being back on a University campus, I feel the drive and energy coming from all corners, and I know I will be able to keep this inspired feeling in tact!When I was in India, I ended up travelling for a month and a half, and working only for one month....

Learning outdoors

Read More

Omprakash Benefit Party

January 09, 2012 | 1 comment

 On November 11, 2011, Omprakash had a friend and fundraising event to celebrate the ending of fellow volunteer Vance Walstra's University Bike Outreach tour. The event took place at a San Francisco bar called Amnesia. Guest speakers from the Omprakash team, live music by Cello Joe and an raffle were just a few of the highlights.How did we plan this? Here are few suggestions for throwing your own party.*Locate a venue that is willing to donate stage time or a space for your party. This means visiting cafes, restaurants, bars or campuses in person and/or sending out emails explaining who you are and what Omprakash is about. You can use existing outreach materials under the Support tab on the website: omprakash.org/network*Create your guest list. Is...

The Audience!

Raffle Girl

Having Fun!

Vance Walstra

T Shirt Sales

Cello Joe and The Show

Pulling Winning Tickets

Elliot Wright

View From the Back

Read More

Results

January 09, 2012

We recently sent some money over to the Mandal Parishat PrimarySchool. With this money, the principal of the school was able topurchase an Audio/Visual System for the students to learn better,along with some basic school supplies.However, this isn't the best part. Because CHANCE, an outsideorganization, is helping out the school, the newspaper got interested,and published a report on the school, describing how we are helpingthem, as well as their needs. Due to the increased publicity, peoplefrom the community around the school pitched in and contributedanother $1000 to the school! Now, many more of their needs are met!CHANCE has met with enormous success with the Mandal Parishat PrimarySchool. Our small contribution to their cause has led to the communitygetting involved, and the school receiving much more money and helpthan they originally...

Read More

Mandal Parishat Primary School

January 09, 2012

The first project Chance took on was helping out the Mandal ParishatPrimary School.It is located in Andrapradesh, in the Karnoor district,in a village called Banganapalle. Out of the 14 rooms in the school, 8are damaged, and water leaks in whenever it rains. They have asked thegovernment for help in repairs, but the process is very slow, and noaid has come yet.The school has 248 students, 80 boys and 168 girls. Although theschool is public, the students are required by the government topurchase uniforms that most cannot afford. On top of that, studentsneed pencils and notebooks. Because their families cannot afford tobuy them these necessities, the students end up dropping out ofschool. The yearly dropout rate of the school is 40%!The school has many needs that the government will not cover....

Read More

Volunteering with Changes For New Hope

January 06, 2012

Changes for New Hope, Peru
Katherine Liakos

 Upon finishing my Masters in International Development I soon realised I needed volunteering experience in a developing country to begin my career in this field. My requirements were only that it be a country where I could afford to stay for 4 months with my budget, and that the NGO did not charge a ridiculous joining fee. Having just finished the MA I was really keen to put into practice what I’d learnt, so I was looking for an NGO where I could take on some real responsibility and put my ideas forward. After narrowing down a few options I finally decided on Changes for New Hope, because Jim was very proactive about answering my queries and seemed keen to take on someone with new...

Read More

The children of Chiguata.

January 04, 2012

Put Them First, Peru
Christie Sessler

 I had initially traveled to Peru to teach English. After a couple months, I had the urge to expand my experiences abroad and I started thinking about volunteering at a non-profit organization or NGO. I met Emma of Put Them First while I was working at an English language institute in Arequipa. She described her organization to me and it was exactly what I had in mind. I am a teacher in the States and I was looking forward to working with elementary/secondary students. Emma and Ben (founders) are incredibly dedicated to the mission of Put Them First, which includes helping "underprivileged children, [and] promoting the Educational Advancement and well-being of children living in impoverished areas of the world". I felt my presense and efforts at the school matched the mission...

Read More