Global Volunteers -- St. Lucia

The experience was transformative on so many levels. The level of poverty hit me in the face the first day of service, but I was also blown away by the people I met... Our guide Chemida was compassionate, strong, and extremely knowledgeable. The teachers at our school where we worked were resilient and resourceful, doing so much with so little. But who impressed me the most were the children at the school where we volunteered, especially one particular child, Carlos. He was only four yet could read at the 3rd or 4th grade level. Yet he struggled with his behavior. I hope the extra attention I gave him helped to reassure him and encourage him to pursue his academic progress.

Overall, the experience was wonderful. I cannot say enough about how well organized our two weeks were, and the food was next-level delicious. There wasn't a day that I didn't clean my plate.

If you want to make a difference in a place where the beauty of the island, the riches of the resorts stand in such stark contrast to the people who are poor but resilient -- I highly recommend this program to you. Truly an inforgettable experience.