Volunteer Testimonials
What did our past volunteers think....?
MARIE AUGER BELLEMARE - Volunteered 2009 and May to July 2015
"May 2015 was my second teaching experience at Seeds of Hope. I first came in 2009 and stayed 11 months. Each time, I was impressed by the warmth that could be felt inside the school, between the kids and with the volunteers. I was, as many people who came before and after me, also shocked by the small quantity of food and material posessions these people needed to be happy. I was impressed! I was also very sad to acknowledge that some kids really were lacking some basic skills in school (according to my personnal standards). It took me a while to understand how I could help them. At first, I was expecting a fast change. I wanted to see a difference, a clear one. Then, I started to understand that helping in daily tasks doesn't imply a fast and drastic change: it implies being there on a daily basis, and being present to accompany the children do most of the work. Most of my best moments there were when the kids would explain to me how to help another kid, because they could see the problem better than myself. It is really them who could give me the key to help and make a difference. That experience taught me to be patient, and not expect a life-changing experience at every moment. I personally think that it is actually once back at home that you realize how this experience has changed your life forever. I recommend this experience to anyone who wants to learn, see new things, be amazed by life, but who also is ready to adapt through problem solving and hard work."
ELIANE DEMERS - Volunteered May to July 2015
"Before leaving Canada, I was scared because it was my first time traveling alone and Spanish was not my first language. Finally, I had no reason to be scared. Everybody was welcoming and even with the little knowledge I had of the language, I was still able to communicate with the kids. My experience at Seeds of Hope can only be described as perfect. I made a lot of great connections with the kids over there, I had fun with them and I practiced my Spanish. I would recommend this place to everyone.
ALEXANDRA GRENON - Volunteered January 2011
"I have only good memories from my experience with Seeds. The children are adorable and very lovely. Even if I was there for only one month, I feel attached to these kids and I’m really going to miss them. You can learn so many things from them and they help you with your Spanish the best they can.
I was with Seeds during the Carnavales, so we made some water balloons fight after classes; even if you are completely wet after it, you have such a great time and the kids just love it! They are smiling all the time and chasing you with water balloons!
Also, it was nice to be with the other Peruvian and International volunteers to share stories and to go out. You feel like you have a new family and you always have something to do. Finally, you are meeting so many nice people, including the kids, the others volunteers and the teachers, that you don’t want to leave and already planning to come back!"
MORRAH GOGGINS - Volunteered October 2010
"I came to Huaraz, Peru, with an open mind, hoping to learn as much as I could about the children and their culture from the most valuable source-the children themselves. I had no particular goal in mind when I left America for Huaraz, all I knew was that I was tired of college and needed a change. My experience with Seeds of Hope far exceeded anything I could have wished for.
The kids...simply put, the kids are angels, with hearts bigger mountains that surround their city. They might act out sometimes, spill some things, get a little rambunctious, but hey, what kid doesn't? These kids have been through so much hardship, and yet they walk through the doors of the school everyday bearing wide grins upon their faces, knowing that they can always count on Seeds to be a safe, comfortable environment where they will be fed, helped with their homework, and most importantly, loved unconditionally. I wouldn't trade anything for this experience. I learned more, experienced more, helped more, and improved my Spanish more than I could have ever imagined. I am already planning a return trip back to volunteer with them again! My time atSeeds was the experience of a lifetime and I will never forget it."
MARIE AUGER BELLEMARE - Volunteered 2009 and May to July 2015
"May 2015 was my second teaching experience at Seeds of Hope. I first came in 2009 and stayed 11 months. Each time, I was impressed by the warmth that could be felt inside the school, between the kids and with the volunteers. I was, as many people who came before and after me, also shocked by the small quantity of food and material posessions these people needed to be happy. I was impressed! I was also very sad to acknowledge that some kids really were lacking some basic skills in school (according to my personnal standards). It took me a while to understand how I could help them. At first, I was expecting a fast change. I wanted to see a difference, a clear one. Then, I started to understand that helping in daily tasks doesn't imply a fast and drastic change: it implies being there on a daily basis, and being present to accompany the children do most of the work. Most of my best moments there were when the kids would explain to me how to help another kid, because they could see the problem better than myself. It is really them who could give me the key to help and make a difference. That experience taught me to be patient, and not expect a life-changing experience at every moment. I personally think that it is actually once back at home that you realize how this experience has changed your life forever. I recommend this experience to anyone who wants to learn, see new things, be amazed by life, but who also is ready to adapt through problem solving and hard work."
ELIANE DEMERS - Volunteered May to July 2015
"Before leaving Canada, I was scared because it was my first time traveling alone and Spanish was not my first language. Finally, I had no reason to be scared. Everybody was welcoming and even with the little knowledge I had of the language, I was still able to communicate with the kids. My experience at Seeds of Hope can only be described as perfect. I made a lot of great connections with the kids over there, I had fun with them and I practiced my Spanish. I would recommend this place to everyone.
ALEXANDRA GRENON - Volunteered January 2011
"I have only good memories from my experience with Seeds. The children are adorable and very lovely. Even if I was there for only one month, I feel attached to these kids and I’m really going to miss them. You can learn so many things from them and they help you with your Spanish the best they can.
I was with Seeds during the Carnavales, so we made some water balloons fight after classes; even if you are completely wet after it, you have such a great time and the kids just love it! They are smiling all the time and chasing you with water balloons!
Also, it was nice to be with the other Peruvian and International volunteers to share stories and to go out. You feel like you have a new family and you always have something to do. Finally, you are meeting so many nice people, including the kids, the others volunteers and the teachers, that you don’t want to leave and already planning to come back!"
MORRAH GOGGINS - Volunteered October 2010
"I came to Huaraz, Peru, with an open mind, hoping to learn as much as I could about the children and their culture from the most valuable source-the children themselves. I had no particular goal in mind when I left America for Huaraz, all I knew was that I was tired of college and needed a change. My experience with Seeds of Hope far exceeded anything I could have wished for.
The kids...simply put, the kids are angels, with hearts bigger mountains that surround their city. They might act out sometimes, spill some things, get a little rambunctious, but hey, what kid doesn't? These kids have been through so much hardship, and yet they walk through the doors of the school everyday bearing wide grins upon their faces, knowing that they can always count on Seeds to be a safe, comfortable environment where they will be fed, helped with their homework, and most importantly, loved unconditionally. I wouldn't trade anything for this experience. I learned more, experienced more, helped more, and improved my Spanish more than I could have ever imagined. I am already planning a return trip back to volunteer with them again! My time atSeeds was the experience of a lifetime and I will never forget it."
