Feedback from Be The Change Volunteers

See what participants have said about GVN's Social Entrepreneurship programs

"If I had to rank the most enjoyable months of my life, November of 2007 would be # 2. No Joke! The month I spent with GVN doing the Changemakers program was invaluable and ridiculously fun."

"I'm a social entrepreneur because of the GVN Changemakers program. I learned in the program that Non-Profits and NGOs are primarily businesses. Although the objectives of these organizations are more difficult to measure than the bottom line, efficiency matters. Successful Non-Profit companies and NGOs (like GVN and The GVN Foundation) have to utilize good business practices and continually foster ingenuity in order to best enact the change they want in the world; good intentions are not enough!"

"But I also learned that while you have to be clever to run a successful for-good company, the people you meet in this industry are wonderful individuals. And there are no better individuals than the people I got to know at GVN."

Throughout University, I looked and hoped for jobs that would satisfy two of the following three criteria: be enjoyable, be profitable, and be ethical. The GVN Changemakers program taught me that I could have all three."
Rafe Steinhauer

"Traveling to New Zealand to be a part of the Be The Change program was hands-down one of the most amazing experiences in my entire life. Having the opportunity to learn from such incredible people who are doing the work I once only dreamed about has changed my life in many ways. They instilled in me the confidence, strength, and courage to go after my dream to make a difference in this world. The entire week felt like a vacation with old friends, however the volunteers came from all over the world and we had just met upon arrival. We found so much passion in one another that we could all identify with and our gratitude to be there constantly grew. Previously, I had discovered a path that I wanted to take with an organization and assumed it would happen in a few years. When I returned home, I immediately founded the organization to help me make positive changes in my own community, as well as communities abroad! I can't imagine how I could have accomplished this without the help of GVN! Thank you so very much to Colin, Courtney, and Lauren for changing my life and inspiring me to "Be The Change" I wish to see in this world!

With much love and gratitude,"
Jan Reid

"The training program for me, was the living proof of how it is never too late to start learning and giving."
Natalia Villalpando

"The knowledgeable people at the Global Volunteer Network have put together a very worthwhile program. Be The Change not only increased my knowledge of important business aspects such as office management, marketing, and developing a website, but also allowed me to continue to work on and improve various projects I had already started. Living with and getting to know the other interns was just one of the things that made the Be The Change program very meaningful, but it was a wonderful way to be able to experience New Zealand with new friends. I would recommend the Be The Change program to anyone who would like to increase their knowledge in the area of nonprofit management or entrepreneurship. Whether you are already the executive director of a nonprofit or have just become interested in getting involved in nonprofits, Be The Change is a program that you do not want to miss out on."
Danny Dodson

Just before I got on the plane to go to New Zealand my dad told me to stop looking so nervous. He said 'you never know Laura; you might well make some of the best friends you have ever made.' I shrugged it off and told him that whilst I hoped that this would be the case, it was highly unlikely given that I was only going to be there for 2 months, surely not enough time to secure very close friendships with anyone.

Well, little did I know...

Two months later, I was saying goodbye to some of the coolest and kindest people I have ever met.

I decided to participate on the program primarily because I had just graduated from university and I was looking for some direction in my life.

On my arrival I was greeted by Courtney, a very smiley lady from Colorado. She had been assigned to mentor us for the internship. We immediately hit it off and as the internship progressed we became dear friends. The big blue house by the sea became my home for the next couple of months, and I met a whole host of people from the UK, the US, Australia, Alaska, Israel, Bermuda, and of course New Zealand...It proved to be a great mix of people...

Colin's generosity never ceased to amaze me, both professionally and personally. The time I spent with GVN was a huge turning point in my life... I grew a lot in confidence and left with a real sense of achievement. For me the internship was as much about personal development as it was about international development. I would certainly recommend the Program to anyone who feels like they want to make a difference.

Since returning home I have made it my goal to continue to help people in need. I have recently volunteered with two charities and I am keen to go back to New Zealand to see everyone and to lend my support again. Thank you to everyone at GVN and I hope to see you again soon."
Love Laura Dinham

"I feel fortunate to have been a part of the inspirational work that Colin, his staff, and the organization are doing to make the world a little bit better by empowering others to achieve the impossible. By drawing on the insights, wisdom, and vision of Colin and his staff I now see beyond my own vision of what could be possible both in my personal and professional life. From the program I gained new skills, a new approach to making change in the world around me, and best of all new friends who are each Change-makers in their own light. I feel part of something larger than one self and I will always value the time spent within the program. Colin's GVN vision, the remarkable staff, and my fellow Change-makers truly are extraordinary and I would highly recommend this once in a life time experience � expand your horizons and go for it!"
Bill Toxvard.

"I was impressed by the efficiency and professional attitude of the staff members and Colin, the Director. I was treated like a special guest of the program. My opinions and ideas were taken very seriously and I felt that by collaborating with the program we could really make a difference."
J.R. Toledo MD,

"Between September of 2006 and March of 2008, I spent time backpacking, working and volunteering around the world. Shortly after my time in South Africa, I interned with the Global Volunteer Network (GVN), a New Zealand based NGO supporting the charitable and educational work of underprivileged communities. I spent considerable time exploring the effects on children of crises such as water scarcity, inadequate sanitation, the prevalence of malaria and TB, and poor access to education and health care. The internship offered me an introduction to the advocacy side of development work and deepened my understanding of the primary issues and consequences of poverty. The experience has also led to my later involvement with a Liberian refugee camp supported by GVN."
Nicola Feldman