My Nonprofit Reviews
Lauren Jackson
Review for Youthlinc, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
My Youthlinc experience has been absolutely amazing. Last year I went to Guatemala and the people there changed my life. I fell in love with their culture and their ability to be so happy with so little. Watching someones face after you have served them is priceless. I loved Youthlinc and it's motives so much that I went back this year as an Alum leader on the thailand july team. I fell in love with the Burmese kids from the moment we drove up to the school. The second i got out of the bus, little kids came up to me and were waving, smiling, and giving me high fives. Moments like that make you stop and think about what you are doing. Giving a small child a high five in Thailand is service. Watching kids faces light up at their new playground is service. Digging a 7ft deep hole with a hoe usually isn't what someone would do for fun, but with youthlinc it is fun. The wonderful thing about the international service trips is that the work people do is not temporary, it is designed to help in the future too.
In thailand this year we built a playground for the kids. A playground may not seem like a big deal to an american kid but to a Burmese kid, it is a reason to come to school. I remember our in country coordinator saying that because of that playground, more kids will want to come to school. That playground may be the start of a little kid getting an education and getting out of poverty. That's a big deal.
Another project that we worked on in Thailand is a bathroom/septic tank for the toddlers. The school already has a bathroom so a second bathroom doesn't seem needed, but it really was. The toddlers aren't big enough to use the bathroom already at the school so they usually just do their business on the floor...gross. With the new bathroom the toddlers will be able to use their smaller toilets. Having pee all over the bathroom floor is one really gross and two not healthy. Health is already an issue with the Burmese refugees and they don't need another factor added to the list of health problems. So the bathroom was a needed project that will benefit the kids in the future.
Youthlinc is such a special program. After being involved with it the last 2 years, I don't want to stop! I feel like Youthlinc has inspired me to truly be a lifetime humanitarian.
More Feedback
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Give the Alum Leaders more responsibility.
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2014
Review for Youthlinc, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
This year I was apart of the Guatemala Team with Youthlinc. I was amazed at how involved i was in my community and also in country. I had opportunities to serve all year round with amazing people. After my Youthlinc experience, I noticed that I was always smiling, happy, and willing to serve. This organization is remarkable and I recommend that everyone should apply to be apart of any Youthlinc team.
More Feedback
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would make this program available to more people!
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
