In this Issue
A Deepening Global Awareness: What One Long-Term Volunteer Learned
Sandra Noll refers to the time she spent volunteering
abroad as "a transforming experience of deepening
global awareness." In the Spring of 2005, Noll, 60, of
Maryland, lived and worked as a long-term volunteer in
Cochabamba, Bolivia. Having previously participated in
the Navajo
Nation program, Noll was impressed by Amizade's
commitment to providing a positive experience for
volunteers and the host community, as well as focusing
on sustainable community-initiated projects and the
utilization of capable and knowledgeable local
coordinators. "I felt I would be well supported in a long-
term program," she said.
For one month, Noll lived with a Bolivian host family and
received daily Spanish tutoring. She volunteered at
CEOLI, a therapeutic and educational center for
children and young adults with multiple handicaps.
Initially, Noll wondered how she could be of service in
this particular program, where more than 50 percent of
the children use wheelchairs or walkers, and where
communication is exclusively in Spanish. "I soon learned
that interacting with children has a universal language,"
she said. "The children at CEOLI delighted in teaching
me Spanish words, and I delighted in introducing them
to Play-Dough, Uno and blowing bubbles."
Noll said she discovered many ways to be useful in the
classroom and contribute to students' growth and
life experiences. "The children taught me the
first "truth" of volunteer service and cultural exchange:
No matter one's country of origin, ethnicity, religion,
language, physical or mental status, people are more
alike than different," she said, adding that CEOLI's small
staff of teachers and therapists inspired and amazed
her. "Now, their dedication motivates me to find ways
to involve more people with the organization, whether
it's through volunteering or donating."
Before arriving at CEOLI, Noll decided to spend an
additional week touring Bolivia on her own. "I found this
time an invaluable opportunity to meet a great cross-
section of people and to experience additional aspects
of Bolivia's vast ecological and cultural diversity," she
said. An unexpected benefit was the opportunity to
meet other international travelers. "We shared meals,
side trips and excellent conversation, giving me a
glimpse of how others view the United States, travel
and volunteer service. I felt connected to the global
community in a new way."
Read Sandra Noll's entire article in this month's Cultured Traveler newsletter
Quick Links
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Greetings!
At Amizade, we are constantly inspired by the
dedication and generosity of volunteers of all ages.
From neighborhood blocks to dirt paths in countries
halfway around the world, volunteers form an ever-
widening circle of care and support. While leaders of
nations meet and discuss, volunteers do and achieve.
Whether it's one woman in Bolivia, a classroom mom in
Pittsburgh or a group of college students in Mexico,
volunteers truly make a difference the world over.
Sincerely,
Michael Sandy, Executive Director
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Make an Impact Locally: Volunteer in Your Community
While everyone might not be able to afford a trip to
Africa, the opportunities to volunteer in your own
neighborhood are limitless. Indeed, millions of
indivduals contribute everyday by signing up for
clean-up projects and block watches, or coaching Little
League and soccer. Others volunteer as firefighters,
bring meals to the elderly or help out at their children's
school.
The desire to help has never been stronger, as
evidenced by the outpouring of support for Asian
Tsunami victims earlier this year. What global citizens
must continue doing is building on that support.
Volunteers can fan out across their own communities
and around the globe, bringing much-needed skills,
supplies and education where they are most needed.
Negative forces can be turned into positive and hope
can be renewed.
The easiest ways to get involved are to take careful
stock of your own skills and interests and then search
out an area in which to apply them. Contact your local
Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, United Way, Salvation
Army or Rotary Club. Chances are, they need folks to
pass out refreshments at a fire scene, help build a
house for a low-income family, tutor a struggling ESL
student or sort clothes at a thrift shop.
If you don't have a lot of extra time, consider donating
a few dollars each month to a worthy charity.
Communities and nonprofit organizations continue
working because of donations and the dedication of
volunteers. Just one individual, perhaps even you, CAN
make a recognizable difference.
Click Here For a List of Volunteer Opportunities in 165 Countries »
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Get Educated About the G8
Over the next two days, the U.S. government, along
with seven of the nation's wealthiest countries will
meet during the annual G8 Summit in Scotland to
outline plans and make decisions about how much
money to spend on humanitarian assistance and efforts
to reduce global warming and climate change.
The G8 stands for 'Group of Eight' nations. It began in
1975 when President Giscard d'Estaing of France invited
the leaders of Japan, the USA, Germany, the United
Kingdom and Italy to France to discuss
the economic problems of the day. The group expanded
to include Canada in 1976 and Russia in 1998. The
group also includes a representative from the European
Union. Unlike many other international bodies, the G8
does not have a fixed structure or permanent
administration. It is up to the hosting country to set
the agenda and organize the annual
Summit.
At the Summit, leaders seek to reach informal
agreements to achieve
goals more effectively. The main themes for the G8 in
2005 are Africa and climate change, as both are
pressing issues for the world. Africa demands particular
attention as the world's poorest continent, and despite
continued resistance from U.S. leaders, climate change
is occurring and should be of concern for all.
One of the best ways to get involved on a personal
level is to become educated about the Summit and its
issues. Many groups, such as Jubilee International are
conducting rallies and offering on-line
petitions. One of the most significant is the ONE
Campaign to Make Poverty History, endorsed by Bread
for the World, CARE,
International Medical Corps, International Rescue
Committee, Mercy Corps, Save the Children US, World
Concern, World Vision and others. Founders believe
that allocating an additional "one" percent of the U.S.
budget toward providing basic needs like health,
education, clean water and food, would transform the
futures and hopes of an entire generation of the
poorest countries, including Africa.
Add your signature to the growing list of ONE campaign supporters »
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Last Chance to Volunteer at Montana Dude Ranch this Year
There are still spaces available for
the July 31-August 6 and August 7-
August 13 volunteer programs at the historic OTO Dude
Ranch in Montana.
Experience some of the country's best hiking and
camping in pristine wilderness near Yellowstone National
Park, all while working with the U.S. Forest Service to
restore the OTO ranch to its former glory. This program
is perfect for families and individuals looking for an
affordable vacation opportunity. Cost for each week is
$530 dollars and
includes lodging, meals and recreational activities.
Discounts are available for Amizade Alumni and families
of four or more. E-mail volunteer@amizade.org or call
(888) 973-4443 today for more information.
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Volunteer Update
Amizade volunteers continue to make extraordinary
progress sharing their time and talents around the
world. For the month of July, we have 41 individuals
engaged in both long and short-term volunteer
programs in Bolivia, Brazil, Jamaica, Montana, Mexico
and Tanzania; including 11 individuals who are
participating in Amizade's 10th anniversary program in
Santarem, Brazil. We extend our gratitude for their
service and our wishes for successful experiences, life-
long learning and productive partnerships.
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