Current & Past Volunteer Stories

Want to know what it might be like to volunteer abroad? 

Omprakash volunteers have been posting stories, photos and even videos from their time abroad since 2007. We now have an extensive collection of personal stories from volunteers who've worked with our partners abroad. You can browse through the most recent stories below or use the category selection tool to narrow your search. Alternatively click on the Stories tab for each organization we work with to see specific accounts from a particular organization. Be careful - you might lose a couple hours of your day in here! Happy reading. 

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Experience With Educacion Plus de Nicaragua

October 22, 2012

Education Plus Nicaragua, Nicaragua
Leila Houshmand

To sum up the accomplishments of Educacion Plus de Nicaragua in such a succinct manor would be near impossible. I had the blessing of finding the organization while living and studying abroad, and immediately knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. Educacion Plus is an organization that truly understands what it means to be a holistic international development organization. I was impressed not only by the holistic approach, but also by the organization’s attempts to take steps towards making the work sustainable, and a leadership team that is in solidarity with that mission. To be a part of an organization that not only works in a community, but with a community sealed the deal. The uniqueness of the experience comes in...

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Bridge of Life

October 19, 2012

Bridge of Life School, Cambodia
Lauren Okimoto

When I first signed up to participate on the trip I was so excited and did not know that to expect at all. I knew that the people of Cambodia are very poor and that the weather maybe a sometimes unbearable but that is it. I did not realize how life changing this trip would be for me and how I would never forget my experiences while I was there. I knew that we would be visiting Cambodia and teaching the youth English but I did not know that the students would teach me valuable life lessons as well. The children there were just so wonderful. They all want to be your best friend. They would all...

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My Incredible Experiences Volunteering with Bridge of Life

October 16, 2012

Bridge of Life School, Cambodia
Joe Roohan

I have traveled to Siem Reap, Cambodia and volunteered with Bridge of Life School on two occasions: once in March of 2011 and again May-June of 2012. Both times, I taught English at the Bridge of Life school in Banteay Srei. Each day, I taught four 1 hour classes. Some days, I taught the classes entirely on my own and other days I either team taught or assisted. The first two classes of the day were filled with students who were at the introductory-beginner level, so the teaching consisted mostly of introducing new vocabulary and very simple grammar. The students, both boys and girls ranging in age from about 6-15, enthusiastically participated, whether it was by loudly repeating after me during vocabulary review or excitedly...

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Feel Empowered & Empower Others - Volunteering at Bridge of Life School

October 15, 2012

Bridge of Life School, Cambodia
John Sherman

If you are interested in a truly meaningful volunteering experience I recommend you look into opportunities offered by Bridge of Life School in Cambodia. Bridge of Life School comprises two separate school locations that teach English to Cambodians living in the countryside—one in Banteay Srei and another in Kampong Thom. The schools were founded in 2009 by a Cambodian and American team. Though founded by someone from the U.S., Bridge of Life School is an organization that is run by Cambodians for Cambodians with the assistance of foreign donors and volunteers. This is an opportunity to do really important work that empowers local community members and employs local staff. They understand the problems facing Cambodia and know how to solve them, but foreigner volunteers (in particular native speakers)...

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An amazing experience that will stay with you forever....

October 11, 2012

Bridge of Life School, Cambodia
Caitlin Plunkett

I first traveled to Cambodia in 2005 for my gap year; I lived in Phnom Penh and worked at an orphanage teaching English. It took me less than a day to fall in love with the country and the people. I returned to the UK where I completed my studies and then returned to Cambodia in 2009. This is now my third time here and I am working as the volunteer coordinator for Bridge of Life. It is an excellent organisation which is almost fully Khmer run; the foreign input is simply to help with funding and some organisation. No foreigner takes home any profit, it all goes straight back into the project, which I believe is an incredibly important aspect of being here – it’s to help the Cambodian...

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Recommendation for Muscular Dystrophy Foundation India

September 29, 2012

Muscular Dystrophy Foundation India, India
Sahil Kejriwal

I am currently a graduate student enrolled in the Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling Program at Stanford University, California. Every student that is enrolled in this program must complete a research project related to the field of genetic counseling. For my project I conducted a needs assessment of families that have children affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy in Madurai, India. This was done via interviews with members of 21 affected families. I decided to collaborate with the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation India for this project; they provided me with access to the participants and appropriate facilities to conduct the study. The reason that I chose MDF India as a collaborator is because it is the only organization in India that is run by parents of a child that was affected by...

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My Experiences with Muscular Dystrophy Foundation of India

September 27, 2012

Muscular Dystrophy Foundation India, India
jerome dsouza

Muscular Dystrophy Foundation India is known to me in close quarters since they began their operations in 2010. They have been working on a key area of health and disability, which has not received its due share of attention and support from the public and civil society in general. It works in a niche area through an integrated model of vertical and horizontal linkages and is one of a kind. It is therefore critical to support such ventures so that they make a huge difference in the lives of those affected by the ailment, their families and make available any cutting edge medical treatment that may be required. I am confident that they will achieve all they have set out to do. Therefore, I strongly recommend to OMPRAKASH to induct...

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My Experiences with Muscular Dystrophy Foundation of India

September 24, 2012

Muscular Dystrophy Foundation India, India
jerome dsouza

Muscular Dystrophy Foundation India is known to me in close quarters since they began their operations in 2010. They have been working on a key area of health and disability, which has not received its due share of attention and support from the public and civil society in general. It works in a niche area through an integrated model of vertical and horizontal linkages and is one of a kind. It is therefore critical to support such ventures so that they make a huge difference in the lives of those affected by the ailment, their families and make available any cutting edge medical treatment that may be required. I am confident that they will achieve all they have set out to do. Therefore, I strongly recommend to OMPRAKASH to induct...

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Chocolatadas

October 12, 2012

Building Dignity., Peru
Laura Grant

I connected with Building Dignity because of my friendship with Paul Dosh, one of the founders and directors of the organization. Paul and I collaborated on a dance/poetry performance as part of a fundraiser for the organization, and I was able to visit the community in Peru soon after, in Dec. of 2008. Paul and Emily met me my first morning in Lima and took me out to La Encantada, where we met Martha and Jesus. Everyone was incredibly warm and welcoming. I was only in Lima for a couple days, but I was luckily there for the annual holiday parties - "Chocolatadas". We distributed hot chocolate, paneton cake, and gifts to the kids in the community, and of course, danced. I would highly...

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Volunteering at Building Dignity

October 11, 2012

Building Dignity., Peru
Matthew Hyde

Volunteering at Building Dignity and taking the time to learn and help in Villa el Salvador is an incredible experience for anyone in Lima or interested in going. Villa el Salvador is a fascinating district that juxtaposes the typical tourist destinations in Lima. Taking some time, whether it be a few days or a few weeks, to help out at the organization will be a great experience. The strength of Building Dignity is truly the hospitality of their employees. Jesús and Marta Valencia, the directors in Lima and the host family to the organization, were incredibly welcoming. Before volunteering with the organization, Jesús took an hour long bus ride from the Villa el Salvador district to the district where a fellow volunteer and I were living in Miraflores. He showed us...

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