• Gift Catalog
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
Call Us: 800-487-1074
Global Volunteers
  • Countries
    • International Partnerships:
      • China
      • Cook Islands
      • Cuba
      • Ecuador
      • Greece
      • Italy
      • Nepal
      • Peru
      • Poland
      • Portugal
      • St Lucia
      • Tanzania
      • Vietnam
    • USA Programs:
      • Appalachia – West Virginia
      • Blackfeet Reservation – Montana
      • Rosebud Reservation – South Dakota
      • Española – New Mexico
  • Projects
  • Give
    • Giving Options:
      • Donate Now
      • Gift Catalog
      • Ways to Give
      • Philanthropy
  • Impact
  • Blog
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
Family Volunteers, Volunteer Voices Tanzania

Volunteering with the Pollards

Family Volunteer Experience of a Lifetime in Tanzania

In the winter of 2014, Deborah Pollard and her two children, Meghan and Aidan, embarked on a volunteer experience of a lifetime to Tanzania. They volunteered for six weeks, providing a variety of different services throughout their program – teaching conversational English and other basic subjects, doing light labor and construction, assisting the health clinic with administrative work, plus more. We asked the Pollard family a few questions about their shared volunteer journey.

Interview with Deborah

What motivated you to volunteer together? Why did you choose Global Volunteers?

“Our path to finding Global Volunteers was full of twists, turns and detours, but we couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. As a high school senior, my daughter had been accepted into the school of her dreams, and was ready to take on freshman year with gusto, but approached me one evening with an intriguing question based upon a conversation we’d had a year before. “Mom, were you serious about the possibility of me taking a gap year?” My immediate response was, “Well, it depends on how you define a gap year.” When she told me she envisioned a gap service year, volunteering in impoverished communities, I couldn’t have been more proud…and excited for her! She did a lot of research into the numerous organizations but didn’t like the focus on “voluntourism”…she wanted to make a real difference in serving others. In providing assistance and ideas as she explored the possibilities, I thought it would be great to join her on some of her service programs.

Meghan had an entire notebook full of notes and reviews from various organizations, and found Global Volunteers to be head and shoulders above the others, in terms of opportunities, volunteer projects, logistics, and the ability for families to participate. The clincher for me was the emphasis on safety, and the fact that so many volunteers keep returning to Global Volunteers year after year!”

How did experiencing this volunteer program together impact your relationship?

“My relationship with my children has always been close, but to be able to experience the Global Volunteers program together brought us to a new level of closeness. We are forever bonded by the shared experience of living, teaching, supporting and learning together in an environment that goes beyond the norm. As a result of our time volunteering together, we shared stories, learning experiences, and challenges that enabled us to connect on a completely different level than we would have experienced otherwise. I am thrilled that they both have such giving spirits, and have a continued desire to have a positive impact on the world.”

What would you say to other parents who may be considering this opportunity for their children?

“Regardless of which service program you choose, Global Volunteers provides a priceless experience. It will be incredible, eye-opening, heart-wrenching, meaningful, and moving, whether for yourself, your child, or your family. An ability to connect with other people in such a unique environment will lead to further growth, compassion, and understanding…a trans-formative experience. As a result of our positive experience, I envision a long-term relationship with Global Volunteers and look forward to supporting many more service projects throughout the world. Would love to go to South America on our next adventure!”

Interview with Meghan and Aidan

Describe your favorite memory while volunteering with your mom.

Meghan: “I absolutely loved spending the evenings sitting around the fireplace, just sharing our stories from the day. We both experienced such different things, yet we were so connected. Whether it was a funny comment from one of the students, a challenge I faced in the classroom, how it felt to watch the students succeed, the beauty of the sunrise, or a new bug she encountered on the walk to school, we would laugh, talk, and share every night without fail!”

Volunteer Experience of a Lifetime with Global Volunteers

Did you learn anything new about your mom or your relationship with her?

Meghan: “I was able to see what a giving heart my mom has, from the outside looking in. I’ve always known that she was loving, caring, and compassionate, but seeing her give service to this community day in and day out was inspiring! Her patience and persistence in teaching the kindergartners and her joy in seeing them succeed made me conscious of how lucky I am to have her.”

Volunteer Experience of a Lifetime in TanzaniaAidan: “My relationship with my mom grew closer and I learned a lot about how she looks at the world. I like being able to help other people and learn about new cultures and languages. I told her I want her to go on a gap service year with me after I graduate from high school.”

After experiencing this volunteer program together, would you do it again? If so, where would you go?!

Meghan: “I’m headed to serve in Poland…leaving tomorrow! I’m excited to experience a new culture, serve the community, and be a Global Volunteer!”

Aidan: “I want to go to Poland and volunteer like my sister is doing this year.”

To learn about how you can volunteer in Tanzania with Global Volunteers, click HERE.

Share this:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
May 8, 2015/0 Comments/by globalvol
https://205eev2oa0jm1t4yb914s1nw-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Family-Volunteer-Experience-of-a-Lifetime-in-Tanzania.jpg 395 1024 globalvol https://205eev2oa0jm1t4yb914s1nw-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2014-GlobalVolunteersLogo-Web.png globalvol2015-05-08 20:14:042018-05-18 20:23:00Volunteering with the Pollards
0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

You must log in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Partner Communities

  • China 66
  • Cook Islands 43
  • Cuba 115
  • Ecuador 87
  • Greece 67
  • Italy 54
  • Montana 42
  • Nepal 15
  • Peru 96
  • Poland 77
  • Portugal 42
  • South Dakota 8
  • St Lucia 57
  • Tanzania 132
  • Vietnam 42
  • West Virginia 24

Categories

  • Boomer Volunteers
  • Conversational English
  • Couples Volunteering
  • Culture and Traditions Worldwide
  • Development Impact
  • Family Volunteers
  • Free Time Options
  • Global Volunteers
  • Group Volunteering
  • Impact Stories
  • Individuals on Teams
  • Projects for Professionals
  • Reaching Children's Potential
  • Repeat Volunteers
  • Retiree Volunteers
  • Staff Worldwide
  • Student Volunteers
  • Uncategorized
  • Volunteer Voices
  • Women volunteers

Tags

alumni volunteers American Indian culture Appalachian culture best destination peru Care for children Caribbean island College groups Conversational English cook islands economy covid-19 covid-19 consequences Cuba people-to-people donate for children Earthbox gardens economic support Essential Services food insecurity Funding your fee Health and nutrition High school groups Labor projects lgbt program peru resume resume high shcool retiree service-learning share food Spring break summer volunteer program support children Support women teaching children teaching english team leader things to do peru top places to visit peru tourism cook islands tours peru travel peru volunteer benefits Volunteer impact work on reservations Work with youth youth volunteering
  • About Us
  • Board of Directors
  • Staff
  • Our Beginnings
  • Our Vision
  • Community Partners
  • Collaborators
  • Compare Us
  • Volunteer Vacations FAQs
  • Accountability and Agreements
  • Travel Risks
  • Impact and Outcomes of Service
  • Donate to Global Volunteers
  • Donate to a Volunteer
  • Money Matters – Explaining Your Service Program Contribution
  • Discounts & Fundraising
  • Alumni Center
  • News/Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Agreements
  • Site Map
  • Contact
  • Podcast
  • Volunteer Portal
  • Employment
Global Volunteers
375 East Little Canada Road
St. Paul, MN 55117-1628 USA
(800) 487-1074 | toll-free
(651) 482-0915 | fax
globalvolunteers.org
email@globalvolunteers.org

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Subscribe receive notifications of new posts and updates by email.

Global Volunteers - Partners in Development ® | © Copyright 2002 - Present Global Volunteers
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • Global Volunteers is an apolitical, non-sectarian, non-profit (501C-3) tax-exempt organization.
  • Send feedback about this web site and its administration.
May 1st in Greece! Mother-Son Volunteer Duo in Tanzania Liz and Jacob Turnage: A Mother-Son Volunteer Duo
Scroll to top
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.