This week is National Volunteer Week here in the states and
we firmly believe that there is no better way to give back than through volunteering.
Whether it is for a humanitarian effort, disaster relief, or animal shelter, volunteering
can be done by anyone no matter what your interests. Volunteer Week started in
1974, and since then has grown with the help of everyone from government
officials to big businesses. The support of these organizations, as well as the
thousands of people who volunteer their time and energy has made National
Volunteer Week a positive and inspirational experience.
Travel does not escape the volunteering realm either, and
many of our members have found ways to give back to different cultures and the
earth while trekking around the globe.
Tammyhayano volunteered for tsunami relief in Thailand on
the island of Phi Phi. She says of her experience, “The
energy of the volunteers here is unbelievable. The people who've been here for
2 months, 2 weeks, or just 2 days-- they are all absolutely committed to help
the Thai people.”
In Guatemala,
nikkiw volunteered
building houses for the local people. “In only two and a half days, my
group and I were able to construct this small structure. To us, this one-room
home seemed simple and none of us could ever imagine this small space being a
sufficient home. However to the family, this house meant a safe and sturdy roof
over their heads.”
Volunteering for the Mountain Fund in Kathamandu,
JennMtnFund spent some time during her Asian travels to help other in the
area. The Fund offers many different programs to anyone in the area who wants
to help out. JennMtnFund asks travelers in the area, “If you're staying in or
around Kathmandu, and have a few extra days of free-time on your trip, why not
spend it volunteering and giving back to this wonderful community?”
After Hurricane Isidore hit the Yucatan Peninsula in 2002,
dosgringos spent their vacation in Rancho Komchen de los Pajaros
helping
rebuild the ecotourism lodge. They contacted the owner
and “…
When she described
the state of the ranch, we thought that she might be able to use two able-bodied
Canadian "boys" to help put things back together. If you could ever
cry in an e-mail . . . well, let’s just say we gave the best Christmas present
in a long while."
And it doesn’t stop here. Millions of
people pay it forward every day. If you have a great volunteer travel
experience let us know and write a journal about it!
Travelocity’s Travel for Good program
connects travelers with volunteer opportunities abroad. Find out more about it
here.
And you don’t have to be traveling to
do good for others! To find any volunteer program in your own neighborhood,
look here.
Posted by jhartmann13 (JJ Hartmann)