Erin Duffy-- 23-year-old Springfield, Massachusetts Resident Teaches English to Needy Children in Ecuador

Erin Duffy left the United States in April 2006 in order to spend a year to work in an elementary school in Tonsupa, Ecuador. She teaches English and cultural fisica (physical education). For grades 2-7, there are a total of three teachers, each in charge of a pair of grades in one classroom. The walls of the school are made of bamboo with dirt floors and an outhouse for a bathroom. Before her trip, Erin was fortunate to gather four large boxes full of donations, which she recently distributed to her students.

Here is what Erin thinks about her experience in Ecuador with United Planet:

“This is absolutely a once in a lifetime experience. I really wanted to do something for someone in the world who wasn't born into the same fortunate circumstances as we were. Nobody asks to be born into poverty. As much as we like to think we are giving something to the people here, we are receiving so much more. We have been welcomed with open arms and are absolutely enjoying every minute.”

What has she learned so far? First of all, Erin improved her Spanish right away! Working with so many children, she has also learned to be much more patient. In Ecuador, people live at a different pace than in the United States… Her host father says "time is not running," and that is certainly the case according to Erin. Erin has learned so much about the culture and the people of Ecuador as well as the intricacies of how to teach English as a foreign language in Spanish. Most of all, she has learned that a little bit of kindness can go a long way.

Erin had to face the challenging cultural differences, especially related to the language. This experience is important to her because she is gaining more perspective on her own life every day, while being able to give something to the people here. She was greeted with smiles everywhere she went. “There's so much more to life and happiness than I ever could have imagined before this trip.”

Mary Held--32-year-old San Antonio, Texas Resident works in an orphanage with Needy Children in Honduras

Mary Held left the United States in August 2006 in order to spend six months to work in an orphanage in Honduras.

Here is what Mary thinks about her experience in Honduras with United Planet:

“The richness of the experiences and relationships will impact my life's work and outlook. When I complete my PhD in social work, I hope to do further work in Honduras - so this is an opportunity to lay the groundwork and gain a better understanding of the culture and language.”

What has she learned so far? First of all, Mary improved her Spanish right away! She is learning the differences in providing social services in Honduras as opposed to the United States. And also how much more important love and relationships are in one's life than material items.

Mary had to face the challenge to live there with so many wonderful and spiritually rich people knowing where she comes from and how much they want what she has. But for the luck of fate, it would be reversed.

This experience is important to her because the experience of better understanding the language and culture are so important to her work as a social worker. She lives in San Antonio that is 60% Latin American and believes that it is crucial for her to speak Spanish. It also means fulfilling a dream and what she considers a responsibility. She believes that having received so many privileges in her life provides her with a greater responsibility to give her time to those without such privileges.

Rebecca Holloway-Nahum -- 19-year-old Edina, Minnesota Resident Uplifts Small Health Clinic in Ghana

Rebecca Holloway-Nahum left the United States in August 2006 in order to spend six months as a nurse in a small health clinic in Wiamoase, Ghana (a village northwest of Kumasi). She works three days a week in the clinic and has created a project with her roommate to fund and paint a malnutrition ward three other days of the week.

Here is what Rebecca thinks about her experience in Ghana with United Planet:

“I think one of the most important things about volunteering anywhere whether it be the third world, or a thriving metropolis is that you cannot change the course of the world, but you can do immense amounts of good for others, but more importantly for yourself. Even though I came into this trip thinking I was doing it to change the course of existence of other people, I have come to realize that this trip is more about me. Making myself the best person I can be. I think that's not only the first, but also the most critical, in making the world a better place.

When I was sitting in a trotro on the way to Kumasi one evening, I had an epiphany that I had changed so much, and hadn't even realized it. Here I was in the third world sitting on fatal and dirty public transportation. The best part is that I felt comfortable. If I can feel comfortable, at home, and at peace there I can do it anywhere. I realized that this experience has given me the ability to place my security within myself, not on things that surround me”

She learned during her mission that talking makes a difference in the world and that allowing yourself to be on the same level as people that would normally not be has great rewards. It is not necessarily the places you go or the things you see, but the people you meet that makes the journey worthwhile.

As featured on CNN, United Planet is a leading international, educational, humanitarian, and peace-building, non-profit organization with members and volunteers in over 150 countries The mission of United Planet is to foster cross-cultural understanding and friendship, support communities in need, and promote social & economic prosperity among cultures in order to unite the world in a community beyond borders.

United Planet Quests provide a meaningful opportunity for both skilled and unskilled volunteers to make a difference in communities in need in around fifty countries worldwide from 1 to 52 weeks, while immersing in and learning about the culture and language of the host country.

Quests enable participants to broaden global perspectives and cross-cultural understanding; improve foreign language skills; work in international teams; develop leadership skills; build lifelong friendships; and most importantly, make a true difference and have a lot of fun along the way.

Cécile CHAPPEY (cecile@unitedplanet.org)
UNITED PLANET (www.unitedplanet.org)
Reprinted with Permission