HOOP -

October 08, 2012

HOOP Helping Overcome Obstacles Peru, Peru
Joanna Josephs

While I was traveling through South America I volunteered with HOOP for six weeks. I chose HOOP because I believe that the work they are doing is valuable and will have long term positive impacts for the community HOOP works with. When I was researching volunteer organizations abroad I found that most volunteer placements were very costly and were not flexible with arrival dates, length of stay or accommodation options. These organizations also seemed to have a rigid placement structures that did not allow volunteers to focus on their existing skills and expertise. HOOP understands travelers. All I needed to do from my end was let them know when I wanted to come, where I would like to stay and contribute a very reasonable administration fee. My skills and expertise...

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Hooray for HOOP

October 06, 2012

HOOP Helping Overcome Obstacles Peru, Peru
chris powell

I volunteered with hoop initially for 4 weeks, I ended up staying for nearly 2 months! Hope is a lovely grass-roots organisation where you can really feel you make a difference when you volunteer. The organisation is run by a motivated, friendly and passionate team who really welcome you in as part of the family. Teaching at the Flora Tristan English School is one of the highlights of my recent travels in South America, the kids are a joy to teach. I recommend HOOP to anyone looking for volunteer work for all the above reasons. Hooray for HOOP!

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Affordable, well organized and lovely people

October 03, 2012

HOOP Helping Overcome Obstacles Peru, Peru
Nisse Örnberg

I can recommend this organization! The people working there know what they are doing and you feel welcome and appreciated. The work you do is both valuable and fun. At the same time you are doing a good thing for people in need, you meet new people that you will learn to appreciate your whole life and lots of friends!

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Better Than I Could Ever Have Imagined

October 03, 2012

HOOP Helping Overcome Obstacles Peru, Peru
Tana Phoenix

Volunteering with HOOP was and remains the best experience I have ever had. The long term volunteers are dedicated and passionate and have a brilliant and defined vision of the future of the organisation and the city of Arequipa. And of course, the kids (and volunteers) are a lot of fun. I went into it with absolutely no idea what I was doing or what I was in for, but the guidance of the co-ordinators was spotless and not for a second did I doubt my decision to join in and help out with HOOP. The interaction with the children is so fulfilling and heartwarming, they really appreciate and relish the attention they are given and watching them grow and learn gave me a real sense of pride and achievement,...

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Working with HOOP

October 03, 2012

HOOP Helping Overcome Obstacles Peru, Peru
Lucy James

I volunteered with HOOP just as it started to get up and running. I can say honestly it has been one of my proudest achievements to be a member of the team. The HOOP team are so aware of how a sustainable NGO should function and they have worked so hard to develop themselves in to something that can really benefit the community they work for. I taught english in Flora Tristan school just as they took over the project and have been inspired by the work HOOP has done. They are so focused on working with the local community, on delivering quality teaching and constantly evaluating the needs of the school and Flora Tristan community itself. Its not often you find a grass-roots organisation so well organised! You feel like you...

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Recommending HOOP

October 03, 2012

HOOP Helping Overcome Obstacles Peru, Peru
Eleonor Pujol

I am so pleased with my time at HOOP. Not only do they really care for the kids in the neighbourhood, they care for the whole neighbourhood, family´s and surroundings included. I wish I could go back if I only had more money and more time. No doubt one the best experiences I´ve had, thank you HOOP!!! Eleonor

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Siguiendo la Luz

November 23, 2012

Abriendo Mentes, Costa Rica
Natalie Ortiz Villalobos

 Estos últimos meses han sido un poco inestables para Potrero, entre seguidos y recurrentes temblores, sequías e inundaciones, alegrías y vacíos, los altos y bajos parecieran estar alternando muy frecuentemente.Es importante reflexionar en momentos como estos sobre la importancia y el valor de vivir en una comunidad, de fortalecer los lazos que nos unen a todos como habitantes de un mismo pueblo, de una misma localidad y al mismo tiempo de un mismo universo. Así como todos celebramos juntos las alegrías y las esperanzas de una nueva temporada que comienza y de un cielo que se empieza a teñir naranja cada atardecer, hemos cargado juntos la ansiedad, la incertidumbre y la inseguridad que genera la temporada baja. Nos enfrentamos todos los días a retos y experiencias tanto individuales como colectivas...

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The Mysterious Thermo Mania

November 21, 2012

Abriendo Mentes, Costa Rica
Rachel Gallucci

About a month ago, a sixth grade student took me by the arm and led me ominously away from the crowd of other people I had been standing with and said, “Rachel, I want to ask you something.”I was very worried about what solemn news I could be receiving from this girl I barely knew. Luckily for me, rather than enter into an intense session of feeling-sharing, I was instead invited in a somewhat exaggeratedly serious matter to go on a trip to a spa. Apparently, unbeknownst to me, the sixth graders had recently been asking volunteers and others within the community if they wanted to buy tickets at a reduced group rate for the trip, the extra proceeds from which benefited the funding of their graduation.I agreed, partly out...

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Report #1

November 21, 2012

Moroccan Center for Arabic Studies, Morocco
Meghan Stuthridge

Time has gone ridiculously fast, with only one month left to go, I can't believe it. At the moment I am building momentum for Amnesty International's campaign for the 16 days of activism, finishing my report on the region and creating promotional material. My work with the local women's NGO has yet to come to fruition, because the organisers at MCAS found out that the organisation they planned to have work for already has a French intern. They have been endevouring to find a similar group but it is proving difficult as all the contacts online appear out of date. There are dozens of NGOs listed in the Rabat area, and navigating through them can be quite difficult. But because of these numbers there is plenty of opportunity to search for...

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A HAIR CUT MEANS THE WHOLE WORLD TO A PRISONER

November 21, 2012

A HAIR CUTBy James OumaThe second hair cut is barely weeks away. The first one was successful and went along way in convincing the boys we really meant business, a limited budget notwithstanding. The first time I decided to have their hair cut I spent a lot of time, energy and money asking friends to contribute money towards this noble cause. A number of people (JUDY, RAMA, MAUREEN and HOSEA) agreed to accompany me to the prison. As the boys lined up to receive a hair cut I couldn’t help but reminisce about my first hair cut. I still remember the way it used to be as if it was just the other day.My mom (a no nonsense widow) would bawl at the top of her lungs calling out my...

hair cutting makes a connection

hair cutting at the juvenile prison

cutting the boys' hair at the juvenile prison

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