I have always believed that the primary function of government and societal organizations is to provide for the well-being of the people, specifically food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare. My first foray into volunteering was a couple Habitat builds with my college alumni association. From there I learned about Global Volunteers. What attracted me to this organization was its philosophy of service. Global Volunteers only goes into communities where they are invited in, and work alongside community members on their projects and at their direction. Spending one’s vacation volunteering may leave you physically tired but energized and emotionally refreshed.
In the past few years, I have done multiple trips to two sites in the US, both of which have taught me valuable lessons such as that we all have something to learn from one another. In 2024 and 2025 I worked in Montana with the Blackfeet Nation, while in 2022, 23 and 24, I spent time in Texas along the border working with the farm workers and migrant communities. We did much the same work in both communities such as preparing meals for seniors, delivering meals to the homebound, serving meals at the homeless center, packing food boxes at the food bank, and doing home repairs and construction.
The First Nations peoples taught us that food is a gift from the earth and the creator, and according to their cultural beliefs, gifts are meant to be shared. Our time on this earth is a precious gift and a non-renewable resource. So, our time is a gift that we’ve been given and we as volunteers choose to share by helping others and forging relationships.
The project that most volunteers absolutely cherished in Texas was working alongside Sister Norman at the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen. When she set up the center, she was asked what she was doing, she replied, “Restoring human dignity.” I believe that whenever we volunteer our time to help others, we join Sister Norma in restoring the human dignity of others.
In the past few years, I have done multiple trips to two sites in the US, both of which have taught me valuable lessons such as that we all have something to learn from one another. In 2024 and 2025 I worked in Montana with the Blackfeet Nation, while in 2022, 23 and 24, I spent time in Texas along the border working with the farm workers and migrant communities. We did much the same work in both communities such as preparing meals for seniors, delivering meals to the homebound, serving meals at the homeless center, packing food boxes at the food bank, and doing home repairs and construction.
The First Nations peoples taught us that food is a gift from the earth and the creator, and according to their cultural beliefs, gifts are meant to be shared. Our time on this earth is a precious gift and a non-renewable resource. So, our time is a gift that we’ve been given and we as volunteers choose to share by helping others and forging relationships.
The project that most volunteers absolutely cherished in Texas was working alongside Sister Norman at the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen. When she set up the center, she was asked what she was doing, she replied, “Restoring human dignity.” I believe that whenever we volunteer our time to help others, we join Sister Norma in restoring the human dignity of others.