Travel

As I prepared to graduate from the Community and Social Service Program from College in 1979, I felt a pull to investigate overseas volunteer opportunities. I applied to Pueblito Canada and in my first year out of college I was traveling to Costa Rica to work with children for six months. My next trip was with Canadian Crossroads International where I worked in an orphanage in Barbados. It didn’t take long to know that volunteering on a global level was something that was truly fulfilling and important for me!

Since then I have volunteered in Belarus, Guyana, Guatemala and Honduras. My work has been with women and children in projects ranging from therapeutic play programs, to offering hands-on healing treatments and teaching Reiki workshops.

Arranging and accompanying my daughters on their first volunteer trip to an orphanage in Guatemala was an unforgettable highlight! It encouraged me to organize and lead a group of six teenage girls to complete a youth focused project in Guyana. Along with this project I was able to complete Reiki and Craniosacral treatments, and was a guest on a TV show speaking about “The Healing Power of Touch”.

In October 2007 I traveled with Sleeping Children Around the World to Honduras, to be a part of their distribution team. If you are looking for an ethical, grass roots organization where 100% of your donation goes directly to the child, log onto their website at www.scaw.org .

November 2008, I spent a week in the same orphanage that I stayed in 8 years ago. It was amazing returning to visit Hogares Santa Maria de Guadalupe in Guatemala. I brought photographs with me from my previous visit. The children were so excited to see a younger version of themselves in these pictures. This orphanage is so warm and welcoming to visit. The children live as one big family. When I asked one young woman how many brothers and sisters she had, she told me “Many!” I had the opportunity to offer a play program and hands-on healing treatments while I was there. What an honour! Before my departure from Canada, I mentioned my plans to visit the orphanage to my friends. By the time I left I had collected donations totaling $325.00 Once in Guatemala I went shopping and bought school supplies and some games for the children. They were so excited to receive this donation from so many caring people! I am so connected to Guatemala and will be returning again in January 2009 bringing along a group of women whom I have infected with my love and enthusiam for this wonderful place. We will spend a day visiting with the children of the orphanage.

It has been an exciting journey for me where I know I gain much more than I will ever give! I look forward to continue sharing my volunteer experiences with you! An excellent organization to look into for volunteer travel in Kenya is with Global Seekers - Volunteer Experience and Responsible Travel Program. Take a look at www.globalseekers.com You could be one click away from an Experience of a Lifetime!