Seriously though, can't wait. International volunteering absolutely gets into your blood, and it never lets go. I fell in love with that strange, beautiful, diverse country and always knew I'd go back. What I didn't know was that it would be this soon!
But duty calls - the world is still imperfect, out of balance, and a little bit sad. People still need. I'm not talking "need a glass of wine after a rough day at the office" type need, but true NEED, like clean drinking water, nutrition, education - basic human rights. Many of us have no idea what it's like to truly need. And until there is no such thing, there is work to do.
So organizations like VSO (www.vsointernational.org) and Cuso International (www.cusointernational.org) try to make a difference through volunteering. They help send volunteers to share their skills in developing countries, increasing local organizations' capacity to provide services to the marginalized, the poor, the invisible. I am embarking on my adventure in Indonesia to help VSO in developing a National Volunteering Program. Indonesians are warm, curious, engaging, family-oriented people who, through my previous experience, demonstrate an almost infinite ability to care.
VSO wants to harness that, and help facilitate an Indonesia where Indonesians help & support Indonesians. I hope to play a small part in planting that seed through this adventure, and I hope you'll follow me along.
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