Program Reviews

That is what BeThe Change is all about. Empowering those who want to make a difference in the world by giving them the tools and confidence to step out of their comfort zone and take action.

You come out of this experience knowing that one person can promote change and the GVN team is there to help you with your ideas and any obstacles you might encounter. Or, if you don't come with a specific goal in mind, they help you discover your passion and guide you as you explore possibilities.

I attended Be The Change in Taupo, New Zealand in 2009. The participants in our group came from more than 8 different countries and we became a family during the week. We not only learned together, we laughed and cried together (and especially inspired each other).

Throughout the week we learned the basics of what it takes to get your project off the ground, and how to advertise/promote your ideas using social media. We also had time for fun as we explored the local culture.

I left the workshop, not only inspired to "Be the Change" but as a changed person with friends from all corners of the world.

I didn't prepare myself well enough for my task to help the girls with their homework. Like helping them with maths to which there are methods to make them understand their sums better. And I ended up just sitting there trying in my own method instead. I introduced them creative arts and craft using materials I got from the retail shops like making their own headbands and things they could used after they completed the projects. My arts and craft projects were very popular with my 'little angels' to the extend of distracting them from finishing their homework. I had to make sure they finished their homework first before my art and craft sessions by sitting around without much help to do their homework.

The ultimate goal for my encounter was to engage life with people. Spending 6 weeks in PramPram which was a small coastal village, gave me a chance to reaffirm what was most important in living-- the ability to touch lives and be transformed in the process. I would say that teaching was rewarding in itself, helping foster kids special connection with the written word. But the smiles at the end of a day, the enthusiasm when I encountered them in the street; the friendships forged with fellow faculty and the headmaster were treasured gifts. What did I accomplish? More than raising funds to build toilets, more than stories gleaned and written-- I found something missing in my life that was lost thru the routine of daily living. The 3rd world is a misnomer-- there is happiness and pride found in fishing, daily task and sharing the stories of who we are.... I would go back in a heartbeat!

I was fortunate to have worked in Antigua, Guatemala, an old, well-preserved colonial city west of the capital. Part of my morning was spent in an advanced Spanish class with a wonderful teacher. We had ample time to to converse only in Spanish (the teacher had limited English ability, which worked in our favour). The teacher gently corrected my errors, some of which I was not even aware that I was making.
Shortly after 12 noon, I would go to the bus station to take the bus to a mostly indigenous village several kilometers away where I reported to work at an afternoon child care center. I worked mostly with 3rd grade students, helping them with their homework, and then teaching an English class to a group of 6th grade students. It's amazing how quickly the students became attached to me, and how I became attached to the students. At the end of my month's stay (which seemed to pass all to quickly), it was tears all around as the center held a going away party for me. I certainly learned a lot about Guatemalan youth, probably more than any knowledge that I imparted to the students. The center's directors were very supportive, and thanks to email, we can communicate with each other.
My living conditions were very adequate; I lodged with a family with two children (elementary and high school ages). The meals were super, with Guatemalan and Salvadorean specialities. The hosts would converse with me and the other guests, which further increased our Spanish-language abilities.

My trip to the Philippines was the best experience I’ve had. Sugod is paradise, with its beautiful still water beaches, waterfalls and stunning green mountains, plus the big smiles on everyone’s friendly faces makes you feel a part of the community right away.
I fell in love with my host family and of course the children I worked with.
I tutored a few special needs kids in the morning then helped out with the afternoon class after lunch. There are between 40 and 50 preschoolers aged between 3 and 6 however our eldest student was 9, her mother abandoned her so she has only just started going to school.
The children didn’t have much in terms of pencils and books and the teacher didn’t have any spare pencils to give out. One weekend when we went to Romblon Island we brought back lots of stationary and books to give out.
Mam Tess my host 'mum', would cook breakfast for some of the students each morning that had to walk the hour journey over the mountain to get to school each day. My host family are such caring, generous people, I will definitely be returning to the Philippines to visit them.
Things are great on the island, everyone knows you and wants to say hello, wherever we would walk there would be a flock of children following us. A few of the little girls I taught lived near me so they would wait for me after school to hold my hand and walk home together, that was my favourite part of the day.
They may live in ‘poor’ houses and have little money but they are living richer lives than most people I know.

My duties were children mentoring in general. Some English/French teaching. And a lot of art and painting!!

Some difficulties could be the language barrier with the public transportation. Where some of the bus drivers won't be able to speak either French and/or English.

You might get a special price if you are not local. That means that you pay more!

My family spent two weeks in the San Cristobal program at the end of 2011. Most people who visit the Galapagos are on highly structured tours, whisked from place to place, and carefully shepherded by guides. As volunteers, we had a very different experience, seeing things that most tourists don't.

The station is located at high elevation on San Cristobal, a much cooler, cloudier, and verdant area than the hot arid coasts. They support a very wide variety of efforts, mainly centered around supporting native plant life and encouraging local people to support conservation. We spent a lot of time doing greenhouse work, sorting and planting seeds, transplanting seedlings, and moving plants around from sun to shade or vice versa. We also spent time on removing non-native plants, especially Mora (Blackberries), which has run wild.

Perhaps the most eye-opening day for me was spent at a neighboring farm 20 minutes down the road. There our task was clearing one of the farmer's fields that had become overgrown with Mora, but what struck me was seeing up close how local subsistence farmers live, raising all their own food (pigs and chickens running around the yard, and a few cows for milk), and living in a house they constructed themselves of local materials. For years I'd heard the Galapagos described as pristine and mostly untouched, but it's important to learn that people have lived there for a long time, still live there now, and are an important part of the story.

Other work we did included tasks in support of the station, such as collecting fruit from the surrounding forest, helping prepare meals, and even hauling lumber out of the forest for construction. (When they need wood, they cut down a non-native tree and turn it into boards by hand.)

The work is 5 days/week, with weekends off, so most people head into town on the weekends to enjoy the beaches, snorkeling/diving, restaurants, and tours. The station is also flexible if you want more time off, for doing a multi-day island tour, for example.

The station can accommodate up to 50 volunteers, though we were there at a very quiet time with around 15, though every few days people would arrive or depart. Most of the volunteers are in their 20s; as a family we comprised both the youngest and oldest people there. Our youngest, then 9 years old, could not officially be a volunteer (we had to assume responsibility for her), but they were quite good about finding tasks where she could contribute as well.

On the whole this was a great experience. We were able to see a very different side of the Galapagos from what most tourists see, and also contribute toward improving the islands for everyone.

I was worried before going that I may not have relevant skills to really contribute to the projects or to the well being of local kids, but the program volunteers were very helpful to find the right placements for me and match my expectations and constraints (only two weeks in Hanoi / 3 months pregnant) with the needs of the different programs. I spent time at school with young children facing challenge of autism, and taught english at another school for young adults facing divers challenges in life. I also visited on week end an orphanage to bring them some second hand plush, musical toys from my daughter and some other toys I had bought in the local supermarkets. I couldn't do a lot in only two weeks but I am very sure that all kids, teens, teachers and volunteers do appreciate any kind of help and support. I think that they can see the other participant's appreciation of their contribution, they feel stronger in their own commitment and continue this critical work long after short term volunteers like me have left. I also learnt a lot from other volunteers I met: their passion, their generosity, their strength were a great lesson to me.

This is the first time I volunteer internationally and it was quite challenging for me.

Overall the journey is good and I found myself really making the right decision.

I broaden my mind and getting know other country culture and living style which is really exciting.

The GVN partners and the homestay are all quite warming and kind. They all ready to help me in any conditions. I miss the time we together there.

The condition of the Romblon is really rural area with few facilities. But I really admire the inhabitants there as they always living happily though some of them are very poor. The environment of Romblon is really nice with natural flora and fauna.

The children at childcare is really cute and sometimes quite naughty as we know it is the natural character of kids. I really miss them and the teacher also very kind and patient to his teaching.

The staff at GVN's partner organization brought me to the new library which was not yet officially open by the time I visited there. It is an awesome project and congratulations for GVN and its partner organization for bringing it to this Romblon!

There is something I need to mention are the facilities of the school and the homestay. The school is really lack of stationaries and other reading materials such as books for daily learning.

The partner organization's homestay is really in bad condition by the time I visit there as there was flood weeks before I visit there. The staff is planning to move to another new place, which is better in location and to avoid flood in future. This is a good idea.

In summary, this is really a great opportunity for me to take part in this programme and I really hope my contribution can bring some good impact to the community!

I spent two weeks in Golomolo village volunteering with an orphanage. My volunteering includes classroom teaching, teaching kids new games, community outreach, grade six and seven girls group sharing circle, and other duties.

During my stay in Golomolo village my room was in close proximity to the girl's dormitory which brought enjoyment to hear the voices of four year old girls singing each night before they go to bed. This was a revisit in itself to my own childhood of singing and laughter. Several nights I managed to sleep for only five hours because I could not cease to listen to those beautful voices.

I am an African woman and was challenged by the Ugandan cooking techniques that was different from my own traditional cooking techniques.Cooking style, food type, all these were challenges for me, in addition to having minor food allergies.The Ugandan food that I enjoyed and could eat for all three meals in a day was Chapati. I really enjoyed it and since my return to Canada, I've craved chapati on several occassions and longing for the moment where I can have it again.

On my way to Golomolo village, the discomfort was a bit extreme for my back not to mention others. The road condition was severe, the infrastructure was poor. I was not totally shocked, I was experiencing the reality of most less developed countries governance. Too many cars without adequate roads to accommodate them, though I must say that the Ugandans were expert drivers but I did not have the courage to drive there. My two weeks in Golomolo was an amazing experience, meeting with new amazing peope, learning processes and life encouragement. Anyone interested in grassroot development; Golomolo village is an ideal and a match for you!