When you have degrees in Animal Science, an immense love of travel and a passion for volunteering, you might think it would be difficult to combine all your loves and talents into one experience. Living in Colorado since the early 1980’s and having worked in the non-profit and governmental sectors for more than 20 years as an administrator and program coordinator, it was time for a change. After completing a class entitled Creating Your Heart’s Desire lead by Peter Hughes, the emphasis for volunteering went to the top of my list. Active at the local and national volunteer movement on projects such as therapeutic horseback riding, donating blood, bake sale coordination, recording for the blind, working for a food bank and as a part-time actress and choreographer in community theatre, it was time to expand my horizons.
Through a series of events, I landed on the idea of traveling around the world doing volunteer work, sort of a virtuous or volunteer vacation. With no idea of how to fund such an adventure, background research and fact finding lead to the knowledge of what this type of adventure would require. Part way through the planning, I received an inheritance and decided to use part of the legacy to make the trip a reality. Originally, the plan was for a trip of 3-4 months, but with more research, it became clear that an entire year was needed to really explore, volunteer, and vacation. One of my goals for the year was to come back with a larger world view and have an idea of where to focus my energy in the future.
The trip spanned from January 6, 2006, until January 6, 2007 and with my traveling companion Quen, the penguin, I visited six continents, 11 countries, 12 volunteer placements (204 days to be exact) and had fantastic vacations at UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Easter Island and Angkor Wat. Three pairs of shoes, three pieces of luggage, lots of zip lock bags for packing, and a Lonely Planet Book for each country went along. Through the volunteer agencies that facilitated the placements, I believe that I was able to experience the local culture on a deeper level than usually afforded the average traveler from North America.
Back after 366 days away from Colorado, my new focus is to offer presentations about the experience and what I discovered about the world in general, and about myself specifically. Phase two includes writing articles about different aspects of the trip and volunteer placements and two books slated for publication in 2008.
Do I recommend this type of service/adventure/volunteer travel? YOU BET! Whether for a few weeks or several months, anyone who believes in service volunteering, has a passport and wants to see what is over the next hill will have the time of their life! It’s fun, it makes a difference, and it brings the world into perspective.
Until we meet, Travel in Safety.
Jane Stanfield
