The defining moment in my life that shifted the way I was thinking...and brought me to ubuntu.
Great question. Tough to answer.
In the sense of living and breathing and working and playing.
Global Volunteer Network - Newsletter - June 2011
By becoming a member of the Global Volunteer Network, you will be joining an organisation that has already achieved a lot but knows that there is still much more to be done. Some of our achievements include:
Volunteers and children celebrate Africa Day!
This month, in recognition of the 'International Day of the African Child', several volunteers in the Kenya childcare program collaborated to help organise 'Africa day'. The event allowed children from various orphanages and schools across Nairobi to come together and display their talents in front of their peers, including yoga demonstrations, puppet shows and a moving poem on the impacts of HIV. Initiated by local staff, several organizations and NGOs collaborated to make the day a huge success, and motivational speakers were also invited to address those children leaving school shortly, to help them consider their futures.
Of course, there was a lot of fun had as well! Several volunteers and teachers were entered unwillingly into the dance contests with the children, and the President of one of Kenya's leading multinational companies was also entered into the sack race! The day culminated with the breaking of the piñata, in what was a thoroughly enjoyable day for volunteers, local staff and the children. Brooke Nowak, who is volunteering on the childcare program for 3 months, played a leading role in organising the event, and was "so thrilled to celebrate with the children and dedicate a day which is just for them".
Volunteers work with some of the most impoverished children in Nairobi on the Kenya program, who have been either subject to domestic abuse, abandoned or are orphaned. Living in under-resourced and inadequate conditions, this was not just a fun day out for these children, but a real highlight in their short and troubled lives so far.
The event was a huge success, and GVN and our Kenyan partner would like to really thank the volunteers who organised and took part in the event for the children. Hopefully this will become an annual event, and just one example of what a bit of initiative and elbow grease can achieve!
Asante!
Feature Volunteer: Gillian Burt & Uganda's Organic Farming Program
Gillian Burt, a 21-year-old from Toronto, Canada, has the volunteering bug! Gillian has participated in 3 different GVN volunteer programs, starting with Haiti. She was also one of 5 winners of the 2010 GVN 'Be The Change' Scholarships where she was given the opportunity to volunteer in Uganda and participate in Italy's Be The Change Program.
Read on below to hear about Gillian's experience in Uganda where she volunteered with her two friends Elizabeth Cadieux and Kelsey Street in May.
"Uganda is a beautiful country in all aspects – the people, the landscape, and the rich culture all made our month there the most amazing experience. There are many diverse volunteer projects with GVN and their partner in Uganda scattered across the country, all of which are committed to making positive, sustainable change for Ugandans and their environment.
We chose to do the Organic Farming project, something that we had never imagined doing – We had never even gardened in our backyards at home. The local people we worked with were incredibly patient and eager to teach us everything there is to know about farming and how it improves the lives of those in the community. We learned that the gardens we were digging and maintaining were not only feeding kids at the primary school nearby, but were also acting as demonstration gardens for members of the local community to learn how to create their own home gardens in order to lower the costs of feeding themselves and their families. It was wonderful to know that all of our hard work was really paying off, as we were able to see the positive effects it had on the community. Everyone was so grateful for the work we were doing; it was always a treat to be warmly greeted and thanked on our walk back from the garden!
Outside of the garden, we found it easy to submerse ourselves in the culture. The Ugandan people are overwhelmingly hospitable and welcoming to visitors, and are always willing to help out a lost or confused Muzungu. We made many lifelong friends, locals and international volunteers alike, and we all can't wait to go back as soon as we can!
The support on the ground is fantastic, and any question we had was answered with knowledge and enthusiasm. Leslie and Lee are both incredible women with an evident passion for their work and the country – they are also awesome to just kick back over a cup of coffee with as well!
If you are looking for a place to volunteer in any area from HIV/AIDS support to education, Uganda is an unbeatable country. The work is challenging and satisfying on so many levels, and the people and cultural vitality is unparalleled. Jump in with both feet and an open mind, and you will fall in love with beautiful Uganda just as we did."
GVN:
- We have raised over $1.5 million to support our projects around the world.
- The GVN Foundation has been granted special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
- We have funded the construction of Brighter Future Children's Home in Nepal, Springs of Hope High School in Uganda and 23 houses for internally displaced families in Kenya.
- We have provided fast and effective emergency relief to Peru (2007 earthquake), Vietnam (2007 typhoon), Kenya (2008 post-election violence), Philippines (2009 typhoon), Haiti (2010 earthquake) and New Zealand (2011 earthquake).
- We have worked with over 600 Eat So They Can hosts and 40 Eat So They Can ambassadors to spread awareness of the issues surrounding poverty to over 10,000 people in all 7 continents.
- We have placed over 14,500+ volunteers into community projects in 22 countries over the past 9 years.
Volunteers and children celebrate Africa Day!
This month, in recognition of the 'International Day of the African Child', several volunteers in the Kenya childcare program collaborated to help organise 'Africa day'. The event allowed children from various orphanages and schools across Nairobi to come together and display their talents in front of their peers, including yoga demonstrations, puppet shows and a moving poem on the impacts of HIV. Initiated by local staff, several organizations and NGOs collaborated to make the day a huge success, and motivational speakers were also invited to address those children leaving school shortly, to help them consider their futures.
Of course, there was a lot of fun had as well! Several volunteers and teachers were entered unwillingly into the dance contests with the children, and the President of one of Kenya's leading multinational companies was also entered into the sack race! The day culminated with the breaking of the piñata, in what was a thoroughly enjoyable day for volunteers, local staff and the children. Brooke Nowak, who is volunteering on the childcare program for 3 months, played a leading role in organising the event, and was "so thrilled to celebrate with the children and dedicate a day which is just for them".
Volunteers work with some of the most impoverished children in Nairobi on the Kenya program, who have been either subject to domestic abuse, abandoned or are orphaned. Living in under-resourced and inadequate conditions, this was not just a fun day out for these children, but a real highlight in their short and troubled lives so far.
The event was a huge success, and GVN and our Kenyan partner would like to really thank the volunteers who organised and took part in the event for the children. Hopefully this will become an annual event, and just one example of what a bit of initiative and elbow grease can achieve!
Asante!
Feature Volunteer: Gillian Burt & Uganda's Organic Farming Program
Gillian Burt, a 21-year-old from Toronto, Canada, has the volunteering bug! Gillian has participated in 3 different GVN volunteer programs, starting with Haiti. She was also one of 5 winners of the 2010 GVN 'Be The Change' Scholarships where she was given the opportunity to volunteer in Uganda and participate in Italy's Be The Change Program.
Read on below to hear about Gillian's experience in Uganda where she volunteered with her two friends Elizabeth Cadieux and Kelsey Street in May.
"Uganda is a beautiful country in all aspects – the people, the landscape, and the rich culture all made our month there the most amazing experience. There are many diverse volunteer projects with GVN and their partner in Uganda scattered across the country, all of which are committed to making positive, sustainable change for Ugandans and their environment.
We chose to do the Organic Farming project, something that we had never imagined doing – We had never even gardened in our backyards at home. The local people we worked with were incredibly patient and eager to teach us everything there is to know about farming and how it improves the lives of those in the community. We learned that the gardens we were digging and maintaining were not only feeding kids at the primary school nearby, but were also acting as demonstration gardens for members of the local community to learn how to create their own home gardens in order to lower the costs of feeding themselves and their families. It was wonderful to know that all of our hard work was really paying off, as we were able to see the positive effects it had on the community. Everyone was so grateful for the work we were doing; it was always a treat to be warmly greeted and thanked on our walk back from the garden!
Outside of the garden, we found it easy to submerse ourselves in the culture. The Ugandan people are overwhelmingly hospitable and welcoming to visitors, and are always willing to help out a lost or confused Muzungu. We made many lifelong friends, locals and international volunteers alike, and we all can't wait to go back as soon as we can!
The support on the ground is fantastic, and any question we had was answered with knowledge and enthusiasm. Leslie and Lee are both incredible women with an evident passion for their work and the country – they are also awesome to just kick back over a cup of coffee with as well!
If you are looking for a place to volunteer in any area from HIV/AIDS support to education, Uganda is an unbeatable country. The work is challenging and satisfying on so many levels, and the people and cultural vitality is unparalleled. Jump in with both feet and an open mind, and you will fall in love with beautiful Uganda just as we did."
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