Be The Change

Global Volunteers

The Power of Volunteers Changes Everything

  1. 02/15/2018

    Be The Change - Volunteering in Greece

    Be The Change – Episode #33 This episode is a glimpse into a “day in the life” of a Global Volunteer in Crete – from the perspective of a volunteer teacher and the Greek team leader who guides her team. Greece Country Manager Sam Pinakoulaki first describes the team’s daily schedule at a typical Greek English language “camp.”  After a hearty breakfast together, we have a short team meeting and we walk through the vineyard to school, says Sam.  After three hours of teaching conversational English, the volunteers join an hour of independent sports together with the students. The team returns to the hotel for an afternoon lunch, and to prepare for the next day’s classes (and to keep the lessons fresh for challenging young students). The volunteers are integrated into every part of daily life, says Peggy. That means sharing meals and conversation with their students day and night.  “Family and food, and sitting down and breaking bread is a really important part of their life.”  For the two weeks of camp, she says, the students and volunteers are a special family. The relationships cultivated over two intense weeks keeps volunteers returning year after year.  Julia points to another volunteer who’s served seven consecutive years.  The care and precision in preparing her lessons illuminates the love and kindness she feels toward the students she’s come to know.  “It was incredible.  She took a taxi, came back with bags and bags of supplies to make bird feeders with her students.  I was amazed at her level of commitment.”   Episode storytellers: Samantha, Peggy & Julia

    11 min
  2. 11/06/2017

    Be The Change - Unexpected Transformations

    Unexpected Transformations – Episode #30 This week’s podcast is highly personal and reflective – as our storytellers share how they’ve been changed since re-entering their daily lives after their volunteering experience. Julia says she was transformed on the Blackfeet Reservation at a Sweat Lodge ceremony. “I almost see myself as who I was before the Sweat and who I am after.  I felt such a profound sense of connection to not only the locals, but to all of humanity.  It was powerful, really powerful.” Kate was “ready to pack up and join the Peace Corps,”after serving in Mexico and Ecuador, saying she struggled with how to employ her insights from volunteering. “How was I going to continue this shift in my life, knowing that leaving for two-and-a-half years wasn’t an option?” So, she made a shift in her career to satisfy her craving for more meaning. Volunteering with his sons in Tanzania was transformational, Tom said, because “seeing (them) grow and display their values, working in the orphanage in a philanthropic way” was one of his singular, proudest moments outside of daily life. Gabe said months later now after his program, he has a profound sense of “needing to make the world better.” In his busy life, he misses opportunities to help people.  “I think, holy smokes, I’m so lucky. Through volunteering, you kinda get disrupted (in a good way).” Marek offers a very long view – that of a host for volunteers who sees their impact on Polish students over more than 20 years. “These young people are the leaders; the future of our country.  They are the second or third generation of people who learned English from Global Volunteers.” Year after year, he says, volunteers transform his community in unmeasurable ways. Everyone has a moment of transformation when serving others whole-heartedly.  It takes risk, and it might not be evident immediately, but this shift is surely to catch up with you during moments of deep reflection.  It’s healing, and it’s lasting. Episode storytellers: Julia, Kate, Tom, Gabe, and Marek

    13 min
  3. 10/14/2017

    Be The Change - Leave Your Mark on the World

    Leave Your Mark on the World – Episode #27 One person’s volunteer service has the potential for touching hundreds of lives. Every day, we impact others in ways we may not even be aware of.  The storytellers in this episode describe the joy of expanding their reach into new dimensions of service. Each of these unique experiences are also shared experiences that reveal how humanity is connected through acts of care and respect. As a college instructor, Mindy takes seriously the expansive perspective that shapes her students’ career and life choices.  For them, traveling outside of their region of the country – let alone internationally – is a completely new experience.  In refining their global concept, Mindy says, they learn that “the world isn’t just us and them.” Joan says: “I’ve done volunteer work before, but this was special in…getting to know people’s lives, because it was much more focused on projects.” Chemida, Global Volunteers Country Manager in St. Lucia, describes local people’s lives are enriched through meaningful contact with volunteers from other countries and different cultures. She believes the “human connection” is the most long-lasting mark that volunteers can leave on the world. Lynn talks about how serving with Global Volunteers has led her to additional service opportunities in her hometown…and how that has enabled her to influence her own community. Winnie is one of four Reaching Children’s Potential Program caregivers in Tanzania.  She offers the perspective of villagers in rural Africa whom she meets in her outreach work to mothers and children.  Transformation occurs, she says, through one-to-one contact, and by offering assistance in practical, respectful ways. Episode storytellers: Mindy, Joan, Chemida, Lynn, and Winnie

    13 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Power of Volunteers Changes Everything