With the Alumni Council getting started with their ideas and visions, we have one more person for you to get acquainted with! The wonderful and eager Abbie has taken on the challenge of being the first Secretary for the United Planet Alumni Council.
Her UP story started with a decision in 2008 and in mid 2009 Abbie was on her way to Cambodia for a 10 day Quest with United Planet to teach English and play games with children. Today Abbie shares with us her stories from her great volunteering experience and her vision for the future of United Planet’s Alumni.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world” is Abbie’s favorite quote by Ghandi, and by going to Cambodia she was trying to do exactly that – be a change.
Her journey started with some challenges: having to cope with a huge language barrier and trying to communicate in a language the local people didn’t understand and who spoke back in a language she didn’t understand. Despite this, Abbie’s attitude and experience was positive.
“The people were so friendly and welcoming; it was easy to get comfortable halfway across the world from my home!”
Abbie felt the people were an enormous help to her when she first arrived and made the transition easier for her. Being in Cambodia and surrounded by these amazing people, Abbie found an unexplainable inspiration and motivation.
Even though her visit was short, it was powerful; and Abbie is positive that she will never forget the things she learned and experienced during her 10 days in Cambodia. She truly enjoyed her experience and had a wonderful time interacting with the amazing Khmer people, and being at the school and orphanage.
“Talking with Phally, who runs the English school out of his house, and hearing about his commitment to the children in his community and what he faced during the Khmer Rouge was very inspiring.”
This was amongst her most cherished memories from her time spent in this beautiful country. Even after returning home, the experience left a mark on Abbie.
“I felt inspired and motivated, and am still planning when I am going to be able to go back.”
Beautiful Angkor
When she was offered the position of Secretary for the Alumni Council she knew this would be her way of giving back to United Planet. Her goal is to connect volunteers with both the projects and countries that they were involved in, and she hopes they will be as involved and motivated to spread the word about United Planet.
Abbie hopes that volunteers will stay involved by signing up for the newsletters, checking the website and Facebook page every so often and asking how they can help. She explained, “we can come up with something!” She believes there is a solution to everything, if someone is willing to pitch in. In this case, it’s all about the Alumni!
We wish Abbie good luck on her journey with the Alumni Council! With her motivation, eagerness and inspirational mind we are sure she will be an amazing contributor to the Alumni Council and to the mission of United Planet!
ABOUT UNITED PLANET
United Planet is a non-profit organization with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time. Established in 2001, United Planet offers volunteer abroad, virtual internships, internships abroad, gap year volunteering, and global virtual exchange in more than 40 countries.
