International Partner Stories

Our international partners accomplish amazing things with volunteers. Read their stories.

Volunteer assistance is critical to enabling our international partners to create change in their communities. Many of them have shared the work they were able to accomplish with the help of international volunteers. Read their stories below.

Hockey Night in Ladakh print story

July 23, 2012

Health-Inc, India

Six years after the introduction of ice hockey into remote villages where school drop out and lack of self-confidence were huge hindrances to sustainable community development, a group of youngsters from Domkhar lifted the All Ladakh Under 16 Championship cup. A feat never accomplished by under-privileged village kids before, and a brilliant example of what kids can do across the Western Himalayas.

Can you top that? Well, this year, of those youth were asked to join the Indian National Under 18 hockey team, with an opportunity to travel to an international tournament in Dubai. You might say that they lost their final match 14-1. But you might also note that a formerly troubled youth and school drop out (who had returned to school) was also awarded the player of the tournament award by his team mates for his leadership and sportsmanship.

Hockey as leadership? Empirical evidence from this project proves that it works for young people struggling with self confidence. Teachers tell us the kids are working harder, enjoying taking risks in learning more and village pride is booming.

Please visit our volunteer's page if you can contribute skills or equipment to this project.