*Photo Credit: Suzanne Schultz
“I just returned Saturday from the Belgian workcamp at Arthur Regniers Centre, and wanted to let you know it was the best.  Of the 3 camps I have done over the years it was by far the best organized.  We volunteers had thorough instruction and support, the right balance of work and leisure, good accommodations, regular meals, etc. We even had free rail fare to travel to different cities on the 2 weekend days-don't know if this generosity was from the centre or from the accomplished Belgian volunteer agency. And of course the work itseslf was very meaningful, for everyone concerned.  There were lots of tears upon leaving...Just thought you'd like to hear about a great success.” Suzanne Schultz / Belgium

*Photo Credit: Sol Haroon
Caption:Volunteers gather in a water reservoir that will serve the laundromat they helped to construct in Itaperucu. “It really put into perspective for me what kind of change can be made with just a few people getting together and doing something.  Can you only imagine if the whole planet participated in that kind of community service, each of us taking a little part and making something cleaner, more whole or educated?  It was really a remarkable experience going to this area and learning about different people and trying to understand how they are living and embracing the world.”  Anna Sapozhnikova / Brazil

*Photo Credit: Bob Melaragno
Caption: Orphans enjoy a swim in the Black Sea.

“On a trip to Sozopol we met a gentleman who inquired who we were and upon explaining we were a group from a Sophia orphanage he insisted on paying our way (30 of us) on a boat tour of the coastal harbor. We met people like that all the time.” Bob Melaragno / Bulgaria – 2003

ECUADOR

*Photo Credit: Katherine Wright
Caption: Clearing space for tree seedlings.

“While I was there I really felt like I was living for the first time. I felt like I was finally putting so many years of foreign cultures, international politics, and Spanish language to use….The time and money I spent to go on my trip to Ecuador could not possibly have been better spent!” Katherine Wright – Eucador

ESTONIA

Photo Credit: Paul Banks

Caption: Landscaping in a park.

Caption: Painting a mural in Montlieu de Garde

“The month I spent in France was probably one of the best months of my life. I really enjoyed working alongside volunteers of all different nationalities as well as with the inhabitants of the village. As I often mentioned to my friends at Gourgeon, I can think of no better way to travel than through a workcamp: I met wonderful people, got a workout, visited interesting local sites, built relationships, and constructed a wall as a symbol of international goodwill and cooperation.” Mika Nagasaki / France

“…every experience has its difficulties, and getting through them brought us closer together as people.  You must allow for some unknowns to happen.  If there is too much planning ahead of time, and there are too many rules governing the camp, then it is not as fun.  I am glad that it turned out the way it did.  It was probably the best summer experience I have ever had.  It was simply a joy to experience something new, and the details really didn't matter, as long as I had somewhere to sleep, and food to eat, I was comfortable in the company of the others.” Sam Scoppetone – Germany

“Honestly, it was the best experience of my life.  I made memories and friends during my camp that will last a lifetime.” Kristina Karavatos / Greece

“This is the first time I've seen a group of people so devoted to peace, through art, through entertainment, through hard work, and such a loving group of friends.  John is the biggest inspiration of all, he is the closest thing I know personally to Gandhi, John Lennon, or Martin Luthor King...everything he does has the motive of peace in some way or another.  He has built 17 monuments around Bangalore, many of them near lakes that were in danger, but are saved now because of his work.  He has found work for many of the Janothsova members, decent jobs, saving them from lives as working children.  In fact, two of the most sparkling members of Janothsova have mothers who sit and sell bananas on the street.  Because of John, they've had their worlds opened to the possibility that they can become anything, and one of them is a talented gymnast and is now studying ballet and contemporary dance.  Many of the members have been with Janothsova for years, and are now adults, having joined by meeting John when they were children. I have been so inspired by this that I have decided to stay in Bangalore and help with their projects for a couple weeks.” Jessica Ostrov / India

Photo Credit: Nell Rodgers

Caption: Harvesting apples at a Camphill Community.

“In short, I think the community made every effort to make us comfortable and to supply our needs.  I would go back to Ballytobin in "flash.” A HUGE thank you for all that you and VFP does.  I continue to recommend to many that they connect with you for a new and wonderful experience. Nell Rodgers / Ireland

*Photo Credit:  Micaela Kamp
Caption: Firefighters take a break.

“I had such an amazing time.  This was my second time doing a camp in this part of Italy, and I absolutely love that area (Salento, the heel of the boot).  All the volunteers were allowed to take part in local festivals and learn about local traditions that we would never have been exposed to as regular tourists.  Also, because there were two long-term volunteers in our group, we all got to take advantage of some Italian lessons, which really helped us feel comfortable trying to talk to people from the area.” Gretchen Craig

*Photo Credit: Jeremy Benhammon
Caption: A forest project...stripping bark off of cleared trees.

“I’m convinced that if more people took the time and energy to learn about the rest of the world, there would be more peace and less votes for those who enjoy keeping the war engine going.” Jeremy Benhammou

“Through working in the river and interacting with the surrounding communities, I learned that the project was more than cleaning water.  I bonded with all the group members and helped spread knowledge about the importance of the rivers. I learned how to live without the usual comforts of my environment.” Amanda Bohrman

Photo Credit: Sulaman Shah

Caption: Working at an orphanage.

"You have to be flexible, have a little self confidence & be able to live with complete strangers who may barely speak English. After a day or two I became comfortable as we all adjusted to life in camp." Sulaman Shah

“…build relationships more personal than could ever be obtained simply through traveling….be prepared…disorganization and confusion are simply not so unusual or problematic there, as they cay “toujours comme ca.” Allison Pytlak

“We planted over 1000 trees, cleared the beach thoroughly for miles and did some community education about our efforts. In terms of participation, it was all up to the individual and how much effort they wanted to personally add. As with any clash of cultures we had some disagreements. However it was made up for by enthusiasm, connection, teamwork, spirit, perseverance and understanding. I made some very fine connections because of this opportunity, faces and places I will never forget, capturing a warm place in my heart.” Benjamin Birney

Caption: After dinner cultural discussion.

“I firmly believe after being there for only a short time that peace can prosper and both sides can come together in harmony and reconciliation. With international cooperation, activists and volunteers, a unified peace can evolve.” Alan Hawley

“Often when a person goes some place so foreign they experience many unexpected things.  Well, that is what happened to me.  It was a positive experience and I learned a lot.  I would dearly love to see the kids again.  I might go back to the same camp next year but with much better planning on my part.” Tom Searl

Caption: Working on a horse farm in a national park.

“It was truly an incredible learning experience for me - how to live so closely with 11 other people, how to do farm work, how to ride horses, how to communicate better with those around the world and how to get in better touch with nature. I truly feel like I got to know Slovakia in a way I'd never normally know from simply traveling; more importantly, I feel like I visited 9 countries in one trip. I want to thank you guys so much for opening Americans' eyes to this, and for facilitating my experience. The whole sign-up, reservation, placement and travel process was refreshingly simple. And especially as an American, I feel liked I helped at least a tiny bit in changing people's perception of what we're like.” Bryan McAllister

Photo Credit: Yi-Chen Chiang

Caption: Demonstration in support of elderly women who were used as sex slaves in WWII.

“Participating in the camp, I could discuses the human rights and peace issue with people from different world. I learned a lot. Most important of all, I made a lot of great friends in the camp and learned to respect different culture. It must be one of the unforgettable memories in my mind.” YiChen Chiang

*Photo Credit:  Katherine Mack
Caption: Volunteers used mud to remove paint from their skin.

“I had a fantastic time doing the workcamp in South Africa. It was definitely a rollercoaster ride, with its highs and lows. But I have become more open to new experiences and different ways of living. Although it was only for three weeks, it has had a profound impact on me.” Karla Calinawan

Photo Credit:  Ian Monroe

Caption: Archeological dig in Mula.

“I just got back from Madrid from my workcamp earlier this week and it was an incredible experience.  We had 13 volunteers from 11 different countries and it was just amazing to be able to get to know all those people from all over Europe (and one person from Korea) and work together in the camp everyday.” Amy Belcastro

*Photo Credit:  Maureen Maske
Caption: Volunteers learn how to grow and harvest rice.

“From the first introduction to the final goodbye, the warm welcome and ease that persisted throughout our two weeks were exceptional and quite unique from any American experience I have ever had.  The Thais seem to have a wonderful quality for opening their lives to "outsiders," for including and integrating volunteers into their own daily lives without expressing any feelings of burdensome intrusion.  They were also very sensitive to how comfortable we were (both emotionally and physically), and even had a check-in after one week to see how everyone was doing (which I thought was very sweet). Tum, the camp leader, put all of us at ease from the first introductory session.  The lack of formalities, to me, did not necessarily indicate a lack of cohesive organization, but a flexibility and a work ethic that paralleled the Thai notion of enjoying every aspect of life.  I know it frustrated some volunteers, but I think their disappointment was rooted more in their attachment to expectations and resistance to a new culture.” Christine McKenna

*Photo Credit:  Esther Londono

Caption: Pulling weeds.

"The best aspect of my trip to Tanzania was the learning about and exchanging with the Tanzanian community.  I learned how rich the African culture is.  I came to appreciate the value of spending time by myself without the stimulus of television, the computer I adore and shopping.  My most cherished mementos are memories of new friends made and valuable lessons learned."   Esther Londono

Photo Credit:  Clare McCarthy

Caption: Working in the fields near an ancient Greek settlement.

“Although this was not the traditional _work camp_ experience, seeing as there was no work, it still delivered the same meaningful experience;  borders were crossed, friends made, relationships strengthened.” Sarah McCarthy

Photo Credit: Linda. Schubert

Caption: Repairing stone structures in the village of Gowanbank

Photo Credit: Cynthia Parent

Caption: Raising a Peace Flag in Middle Town Springs, Vermont

*Photo Credit: Peter Yindei Wei
Caption: Renovation of a school classroom. 

“Participants achieved cultural exchange, as well as acquiring new skills from the construction experience.” Peter Wei

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