(continued, previous)

the fast food, the sheer bombardment of the senses that is New York—I couldn’t help but think upon setting foot in the terminal after my time in the village, “this is obscene!” That moment continues to affect me in a way that has forever altered my perceptions of scarcity not only in our society, but my own personal life as well.

What would you say to someone considering volunteering with GHEI? Keep an open mind! Don’t be afraid to constantly ask questions and be open to being changed in a profound way—it will happen whether you are expecting it or not. GHEI is very well organized and all of the staff and volunteers truly care about the organization’s mission, which is readily apparent in simply talking to any one of them. Sometimes it is hard for just one person to make a difference, but GHEI as a collective has made a world of difference for the people of Humjibre. On the eve of its 5th-year anniversary, GHEI is poised to grow and expand into an even more effective mechanism for facilitating the ability of underserved and impoverished populations to improve themselves. I urge you to volunteer with GHEI—I can almost guarantee that at the end of your service, you will want to go back!

Prospective volunteers should feel free to contact Stan directly with any questions at sw53@uakron.edu.