"Education creates jobs and a job is the only way out of poverty."
​- Jimi Cook Co-Founder Be The Change Volunteers
About:  Be The Change Volunteers (BTCV) is a development aid non-profit organization dedicated to our mission of improving opportunities for education worldwide. Our mission is accomplished by partnering with local communities to address infrastructure, equipping, and training needs.  We operate primarily in developing-world countries serving remote communities with a demonstrated need for educational facilities and resources.  Our organization is unique because we do not simply send funding to these communities.  We provide on-site, in-depth needs analysis to help identify long term solutions to be completed in phases over time.  Teams of generous self-funded volunteers that we call Changers, travel to partner communities to participate in our education-focused service projects and unique and profound cultural exchange opportunities – or, as we like to say, we build schools and we build relationships that unleash the power of education all around the world.  More about BTCV...
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Testimonials from real volunteer Changers
Testimonials: Take it from our volunteers and supporters becoming a Changer is an amazing experience and a worthwhile investment.  Read some real Changer testimonials here...

Listen to Changer Chats

Welcome to Changer Chats these are real stories from real volunteers who we call Changers.  These 30 minute conversations are designed to share about the amazing work Be The Change Volunteers is doing all over the world and to bring a spotlight to some of our most impactful stories.  We hope you enjoy listening!  Be The Change!   

The Book about the first 10 years of BTCV

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Order The Book Hand Delivered Hope Now on Amazon Click Here

Check out This video about Be The Change Volunteers

- Honoring Our Son Phomotso -

In May of 2016 Phomotso Makeke Cook, the adopted son of BTCV Co-founders Jimi and Cristi Cook, tragically passed away from a heart attack in his sleep at the age of 23.  

Phomotso was an early inspiration for our "BTCV Kids" fund, a scholarship program that allows students to live out their dreams through the gift of education.  He attended school at Farview (BTCV 004) in Mt. Fletcher, South Africa where he met Jimi & Cristi, telling them of his dream to be a photojournalist on the very first day he helped work on that BTCV project.  His contagious smile, passion for education, and relentless pursuit of his dream instantly won the hearts of the whole BTCV team, and a little over a year later he was able to come live with Jimi and Cristi and complete his junior year of high school at Columbia Independent School (CIS) in Columbia, MO.  When he returned to South Africa, he finished his senior year of high school and passed the National exams with flying colors, making him eligible for university enrollment.  ​He applied, interviewed, presented his portfolio and was accepted by the prestigious Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in Pretoria, South Africa to study photojournalism – the chance to pursue his dream.  To read more of Phomotso's story and see his portfolio Click Here.