Participant Testimonials

- Guatemala 2008 participant

"No matter how much I taught or how much I served, I could never give more than I received. The Ugandan people have given me more than I can express. They are beautiful in every way. Their strength astounds me and their spirit inspires me. When I came they called me their hero, when I left they were mine."

- Uganda 2008 country director

"HELP International has the perfect amount of structure to give you lots of support if you need it, and yet enough autonomy to feel empowered in making your own decisions and creating your own experience. I loved HELP International because through them I discovered what I could do as an individual to make a difference in the world, and then they helped me do it. Because of the training and leadership we had, we were prepared to be culturally sensitive and good examples of Americans, and the people of Mukono thought very highly of us. HELP isn't a huge organization and it doesn't have a ton of resources, but I was impressed at how well they organized this experience and it inspired me to return next summer."

- Uganda 2007 participant

"I loved every single activity and all of the service we gave! Even when I was not particularly knowledgeable in a certain area, it was great to learn more and help everyone else on their projects. I discovered talents and interests that I had no idea I had before. Every single moment was so great. I loved it!"

- Uganda 2007 participant

"My experience in Guatemala was the best thing I have ever done in my life. I don't think I could have ever learned the things I did while I was there, any place else, doing anything else in the world. Even after being home for two months I still think back to it every day. One of my goals for the future is to learn Spanish and travel back to visit the people I fell in love with and built relationships with, without even knowing their language. I would go back in a heartbeat if I could."

- Guatemala 2007 participant

"From my experience, I gained an understanding of my responsibility to serve because I can, because I have been blessed to have the resources to turn away from my and my family's immediate needs and look outward. I never expected to gain such a pressing understanding of my need to serve. I never expected to meet people who were so much better than I am, who had so much to teach me of compassion, of self-sacrifice and of hope. I feel that I was literally healed by the people of El Salvador as they changed my perspective and expectations."

- El Salvador 2007 participant

"I really enjoyed getting my hands dirty, so to speak, in helping people. Too often I ponder how good it would be, but don't do anything about it. It was great to catch a glimpse of the good I could bring to the world."

- Guatemala 2007 participant

"I love HELP International! My whole outlook on life has changed. I can see now what is really important in life! I completely fell in love with the people in Guatemala while I was there. It was the greatest 6 weeks of my life!"

- Guatemala 2007 participant

"Once anyone allows themselves to let go of the walls they have created, and allow their true heart to be exposed, the joy and the growth both for the giver and the receiver is unequal to anything else. While in Guatemala, I was able to experience honest love between me and the people I was serving. Never have I been a part of something so pure and beautiful. I thank HELP International for the opportunity to change my life, and in the process, bless others. I shall never forget the lessons learned and the experiences I had while in Guatemala."

- Guatemala 2007 participant

"It was an amazing experience. I ache to be back down there. I love being with my family, but I feel that every day that I was working down there I was doing something very important...and it's really hard to have that feeling here."

- El Salvador 2005 participant

“. . . being there was kind of paradoxical-- on one hand it felt like living in El Salvador was like a fantasy world, because we'd left behind the things we know and put parts of our lives on hold while we were gone, but on the other hand El Salvador was a place where things would happen that would change the rest of our lives, the lives in the "real world." I felt like I was valued, that what I could contribute to the work we were doing was needed, and that my time wasn't wasted. I learned about the other volunteers from long bus rides and hanging laundry and teaching English and crises like El Pital, and a whole summer (invierno) of watching them and talking with them yielded so many thoughts about humanity and the way we treat one another that I'll be considering those for a long time. I wouldn't have chosen to spend this summer anywhere else.”

- El Salvador 2005 participant

"One of my favorite places here in Guatemala was the community at La Jolla. I loved working and getting to know the women there. They were such an example to me. They truly showed me how to be happy no matter what circumstance. They live in one bedroom houses with dirt floors, yet every time we were there the ladies would laugh and be full of joy. This past week we went to say our last goodbyes. We sang to the community ¨God Be With You Till We Meet Again¨. A few of the ladies joined in and I saw a few tears roll down their face. After the song, Marta Alicia said a few words and before she could finish her whole face was covered in tears. I didn´t know what she said because I don´t speak Spanish, but tears were suddenly running down my face also. All the ladies came and gave us a hug and expressed their appreciation for us. It brought so much joy to my heart to know that I have helped the lives of these ladies in some way. Those ladies will forever be in my heart."

- Guatemala 2005 participant

"I went to El Salvador this summer thinking I was going to change the world, but instead El Salvador changed me. My new Salvadoran friends taught me that the most precious possession we can give and receive is charitable love and focused development work. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to discover the world through the eyes of those less-privileged."

- El Salvador 2003 participant

"We are learning and relearning one of the deepest secrets of life-All that is really worth doing is what we do for others."

- Guatemala 2003 participant

"I have seen how little it takes to re-ignite the flames of hope. Through service, we help others start dreaming again..."

- Bolivia 2002 participant