Global Citizens Network - Kentucky

  United States

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: please inquire for dates

Description: Global Citizens Network (GCN) sends small teams of participants to rural communities around the world where they are immersed in the daily life of the community. Trips to Owsley County in Kentucky last a little over one week, and each team is led by a trained GCN team leader. The team works on projects initiated by people in the local community, for the benefit of the community. Projects may not be decided upon until shortly before the arrival of a GCN team. Participants should be aware that everything is subject to change.

Global Citizens Network was invited to work with the Board of Faith Hill Community Center, a non-profit organization committed to restoring the community and cultural center of the county. As their primary focus, the Board is restoring a Log Church, Log House and Log Hospital that was built in Lucky Fork in the 1930s by missionaries from Pennsylvania. After the war, people moved out of the area seeking employment elsewhere, and the buildings and area were abandoned. 14 years ago several community members developed the non-profit organization to restore the community center and assist families in the county. Currently there is no central community because families live throughout the hills.

As worthwhile and fulfilling as the work you do will be, the true rewards come from the cross-cultural learning which takes place on these trips. A unique and integral component of your experience includes daily activities of cross-cultural learning. You may test your skills making local food, learning a local dance, and discovering the history and rich traditions of the area.

When you have the chance to learn first-hand about people from other cultures, you will feel connected to others in ways you may have never experienced before.

Highlights: GCN teams to Faith Hill experience a varied and busy week. Some of the projects they have worked on with community members included repairing outdoor steps, helping with a yard sale to benefit the community center, planting a new garden, cleaning the church kitchen, repairing/installing lights at the resource center, and sewing seat cushions for the church.   Depending on the time of year, there are a number of future projects the Board of Faith Hill has proposed to work on with future GCN teams. These include helping with the organization and sale of donated goods to benefit the community center; building a sidewalk; repairing a fence and possibly a deck at the community center, preserving an old cemetery by cleaning it up, setting up rocks, and chiseling back dates; cleaning out and preserving the old waterfalls; building a log cabin, and many other cleaning or restoration projects. In addition, they would like assistance with grant writing, setting up a Power Point presentation and other tools to generate funds for the community center.

Qualifications: No specific skills are required, only a willingness to appreciate and accept other cultures. We believe everyone has skills--some yet to be discovered. Each participant contributes what s/he can. If any expertise is needed for a project, the local community will provide these skills.

Cost in US$: USD 975

Many people ask why they have to pay to volunteer. GCN receives primary financial support from program fees and individual donors, while relying heavily on volunteers to make our work successful. Also, while individuals may be able to travel for less to many of these places, GCN provides the entrance into a village and exposure to a culture that one could not receive if traveling solo to these places. Through the long-term partnerships that GCN has established with communities around the world, participants immerse themselves into the daily life of villagers and gain a unique perspective, while making a contribution in the lives of others.

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Participants range in age from 8 on upwards, and come from the U.S., Canada and beyond. Students, nurses, computer programmers, social workers, teachers, families, individuals and retirees...these are just some of the people who join our trips.

Age Range: 8 - 88+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to United States Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 6-12

Scholarships are Available. Global Citizens Network scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial & circumstantial need. Because our Scholarship Fund is very limited, we generally award scholarships to those who would otherwise not be able to participate without financial help; please keep this in mind when you are applying. Scholarships are awarded for up to USD 250 (domestic), USD 400 (international) per individual, USD 500 per family per year.

Application Process Involves:

• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Global Citizens Network's Mission Statement: Global Citizens Network recognizes the interdependence of people around the world, and that social and economic injustice, racial and ethnic inequality, and ecological loss affect all people. But through cooperative effort, individuals of all cultures can experience and enhance their ability to make a difference in their community and their world. To foster that cooperation, Global Citizens Network sends short-term teams of volunteers to communities in other cultures where participants immerse themselves in the culture and daily life of the community. Each volunteer team is partnered with a local grassroots organization active in meeting local needs. Global Citizens Network creates a worldwide network of people and organizations committed to addressing global issues. By providing participants the opportunity to learn about the society, knowledge, art and livelihood of other cultures, Global Citizens Network seeks to honor and help preserve those cultures. By providing the resources of participating volunteers and project grants, Global Citizens Network seeks to assist human and community development in those cultures. By creating a network of people and organizations, Global Citizens Network also seeks to enhance participants' impact on issues of local and global concern.

Year Founded: 1992