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beheshti

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Review for Youthlinc, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

Rating: 5 stars  

If I didn't travel with YouthLinc to Kenya in 2009 (and again in 2010, because I fell so in love with the experience) I would not be the person I am today. It changed my life. Not only does the 'field work' that YouthLinc does (health seminars, primary and secondary education, microfinance loans, building classrooms - all in developing countries) impact communities in the most sustainable, empowering of ways, but above all else, it makes the deepest change in the most important place of all: the hearts of the volunteers. What is perhaps the most important aspect of humanitarianism is the change that occurs in the heart and drive of the volunteer - how their act of kindness creates a lifetime humanitarian, how their act of kindness changes not only the Kenyan or Cambodian or Mexican child's life, but the YouthLinc participant's life. YouthLinc doesn't just save the life of the impoverished child - it saves the life of the volunteer.

I was a volunteer on the 2009 Kenya trip, and then upon my incredible experience working with primary and secondary school students in the classrooms, building a library onto a local school, holding health seminars for local women, and distributing microfinance loans, I was a changed person. I was the Alumni Leader of the 2010 Kenya team, and returned with an even bigger heart, brighter smile, and eager passion to help the world I live in. I applied to completely different colleges, researched completely different majors. I now attend Seattle University and study International Economic Development and International Studies. I'm pursuing a career in Microfinance or Human Rights Law. I know what's important now.

I'm also traveling to China this summer for two months through Harvard University's WorldTeach program to teach English in the Hunan Province. Had I not worked with YouthLinc, how would I know to channel my time, research, expenses, and energy to programs like these? Programs that help not just the children in need, but help me grow into the person I want to become - compassionate, informed, motivated, and eager to help.

YouthLinc has altogether changed my life for the absolute better. They couldn't get a higher endorsement from me, and I can't thank them enough!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

My communication skills, delegation of responsibilities in leadership, fundraising capabilities, networking strategies, awareness of global issues, theorizing solutions to global issues, and above all else - my compassion and eagerness to serve the local and global community!

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Expand! Establish YouthLinc branches in more cities across the U.S. More students need and deserve to experience this. I would want to make YouthLinc bigger and more available to students in other states.

Role:  Volunteer & I helped distribute Microfinance loans, teach primary and secondary students English and Science, held health seminars with local women, and built classrooms onto the local secondary school.
 
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