Nicole Neville - Columbia, Missouri
Be The Change Volunteers started doing trips in partnership with my high school when I was a freshman. Theses teams were typically reserved for upperclassmen so my junior year I applied to help build a playground in Guatemala. It was an amazing experience that has kept me coming back for more. I’ve been to Tanzania and Peru since then and each trip has been unique in the experience and the work done. You get an incredible sense of community with your fellow Changers and the locals. I can’t wait to go on another build!
Be The Change Volunteers started doing trips in partnership with my high school when I was a freshman. Theses teams were typically reserved for upperclassmen so my junior year I applied to help build a playground in Guatemala. It was an amazing experience that has kept me coming back for more. I’ve been to Tanzania and Peru since then and each trip has been unique in the experience and the work done. You get an incredible sense of community with your fellow Changers and the locals. I can’t wait to go on another build!
Remy Shulz - Williston, Vermont
I am 16 years old and I learned about BTCV through my dad who had participated in a trip to Papua New Guinea. He wanted me to join him on a trip as soon as I was old enough. A BTCV leader recommended that we go on the Peru trip and we decided that would be a great trip to start on. I loved the group who we went with but the best part of the trip is the community you work with and the connections you make. The community welcomes you, due to the unique nature of BTCV trips and work alongside you to better the community. We now plan to participate in at least one trip a year and hope to do so for many years to come.
I am 16 years old and I learned about BTCV through my dad who had participated in a trip to Papua New Guinea. He wanted me to join him on a trip as soon as I was old enough. A BTCV leader recommended that we go on the Peru trip and we decided that would be a great trip to start on. I loved the group who we went with but the best part of the trip is the community you work with and the connections you make. The community welcomes you, due to the unique nature of BTCV trips and work alongside you to better the community. We now plan to participate in at least one trip a year and hope to do so for many years to come.
Madeline Licocci - Nashville, Tennessee
The opportunity to attend a trip with Be The Change Volunteers could not have come at a better time in my life. I was about to start my senior year of college and although I knew I wanted to be a special education teacher, but I did not have a good handle on who I was. After spending 2 weeks in Uganda I came back to the United States wishing I could turn the planes around and head back to a place where I needed to finish the job I started, where all my new friends were, and where I left my whole heart. You can never imagine how much learning about a brand new culture in a beautiful country could change your life, but it does. I wake up everyday and think about how I want to be a special education teacher so that I can change the world. Building the school and teaching in the school in Gayaza helped to give me this motivation. I know I will be attending amazing trips with BTCV for the rest of my time. The Gayaza Community has shown me who I truly want to be in the world and they have provided me with a kindness and friendship that is irreplaceable. I am eternally grateful for BTCV!
The opportunity to attend a trip with Be The Change Volunteers could not have come at a better time in my life. I was about to start my senior year of college and although I knew I wanted to be a special education teacher, but I did not have a good handle on who I was. After spending 2 weeks in Uganda I came back to the United States wishing I could turn the planes around and head back to a place where I needed to finish the job I started, where all my new friends were, and where I left my whole heart. You can never imagine how much learning about a brand new culture in a beautiful country could change your life, but it does. I wake up everyday and think about how I want to be a special education teacher so that I can change the world. Building the school and teaching in the school in Gayaza helped to give me this motivation. I know I will be attending amazing trips with BTCV for the rest of my time. The Gayaza Community has shown me who I truly want to be in the world and they have provided me with a kindness and friendship that is irreplaceable. I am eternally grateful for BTCV!
"Uncle" Al Rohlfing - Kansas City, Missouri
I first learned of BTCV years ago when their director gave a presentation to my local Sertoma Club. It sounded interesting and seemed like a great organization that I would enjoy. I could combine travel with the construction skills that my Dad taught me and help change the educational opportunities for children in deserving communities. I made the decision to sign up for the Peru Project in 2014. Little did I realize back then where that first four-hour boat trip down the Amazon River would lead me in the upcoming years. I have had the privilege to serve on awesome projects in Peru, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Puerto Rico, and India. Each project is unique, filled with authentic local foods, sights, sounds, and experiences not available through any travel agent. The amazing groups of BTCV volunteers and local project partner communities I’ve had the privilege of working with have all become part of my extended family. Working side by side, we experience the life changing transformations of these schools, their students, and their communities from the ground up together. I can’t wait until the next project.
I first learned of BTCV years ago when their director gave a presentation to my local Sertoma Club. It sounded interesting and seemed like a great organization that I would enjoy. I could combine travel with the construction skills that my Dad taught me and help change the educational opportunities for children in deserving communities. I made the decision to sign up for the Peru Project in 2014. Little did I realize back then where that first four-hour boat trip down the Amazon River would lead me in the upcoming years. I have had the privilege to serve on awesome projects in Peru, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Puerto Rico, and India. Each project is unique, filled with authentic local foods, sights, sounds, and experiences not available through any travel agent. The amazing groups of BTCV volunteers and local project partner communities I’ve had the privilege of working with have all become part of my extended family. Working side by side, we experience the life changing transformations of these schools, their students, and their communities from the ground up together. I can’t wait until the next project.
Sujit Itty - Scottsdale, Arizona
I am from an immigrant family and education has played a huge role in my life. Our family learned about Be The Change Volunteers, and we are impressed by the work they are doing all over the world. BTCV provides opportunities for kids to receive an education that would not otherwise be possible. Education creates opportunities for lifelong success and gives children hope. We also trust in the BTCV leadership team to steward resources wisely and with transparency. That is why our family chooses to financially support the BTCV mission.
I am from an immigrant family and education has played a huge role in my life. Our family learned about Be The Change Volunteers, and we are impressed by the work they are doing all over the world. BTCV provides opportunities for kids to receive an education that would not otherwise be possible. Education creates opportunities for lifelong success and gives children hope. We also trust in the BTCV leadership team to steward resources wisely and with transparency. That is why our family chooses to financially support the BTCV mission.
Scott Daugherty - Columbia, Missouri
Having known the BTCV co-founders Jimi and Cristi Cook for over 25 years, I knew that if this was something they were passionate about it was something I needed to learn more about. The love and support that the Cooks have for people and education all over the world is amazing. I joined a group of changers on a build in the Peruvian Amazon jungle. We worked with the people of El Chino village. The trip was truly a life-changing opportunity. The passion and work ethic that all of the changers brought with them to this village along side the wonderful people who lived there to build a campus for their children to learn was eye-opening. BTCV Is changing the lives of people all over the world, giving them a better quality of life through education. Whether it’s giving financially, donating your time, or joining a team on a build I strongly recommend BE THE CHANGE to be the charitable Organization you support.
Having known the BTCV co-founders Jimi and Cristi Cook for over 25 years, I knew that if this was something they were passionate about it was something I needed to learn more about. The love and support that the Cooks have for people and education all over the world is amazing. I joined a group of changers on a build in the Peruvian Amazon jungle. We worked with the people of El Chino village. The trip was truly a life-changing opportunity. The passion and work ethic that all of the changers brought with them to this village along side the wonderful people who lived there to build a campus for their children to learn was eye-opening. BTCV Is changing the lives of people all over the world, giving them a better quality of life through education. Whether it’s giving financially, donating your time, or joining a team on a build I strongly recommend BE THE CHANGE to be the charitable Organization you support.
Julie Estes - St. Louis, Missouri
As an Advisory Council Member and a Board Member I have witnessed BTCV's dedication and commitment to improving and advancing, but always remaining on the path of their established mission. They continue to keep their transparency and integrity in clear focus even as the influence and builds expand. Above all, their love of people and hearts for improving lives through educational opportunities is what defines them and keeps them going.
As an Advisory Council Member and a Board Member I have witnessed BTCV's dedication and commitment to improving and advancing, but always remaining on the path of their established mission. They continue to keep their transparency and integrity in clear focus even as the influence and builds expand. Above all, their love of people and hearts for improving lives through educational opportunities is what defines them and keeps them going.
John Hager - Columbia, Missouri
Since 2010 Columbia Independent School (CIS) and Be the Change Volunteers have struck a partnership in sending high school students on trips abroad with the goal of building educational infrastructure. Students have travelled to South Africa, India, Malawi, Guatemala, Papua New Guinea and Peru. The builds to El Chino, Peru have occurred on half of the trips with CIS students building the cement foundations for classrooms 1-5 as well contributing to the 200 meter bridge connecting the village to the school campus. CIS students and the various local communities have mutually benefited from this cross-cultural experience, as BTCV brings people from different cultures and backgrounds together in the spirit of improving education and lives overall. As the CIS teacher chaperone on the Peru 2018 build the experience was memorable and rewarding with a real sense of contributing to El Chino; some CIS students have attended multiple builds based on their desire to give back to communities. Overall, the BTC experience is one of the highlights of the CIS Upper School with students looking forward to attending a build years in advance.
Since 2010 Columbia Independent School (CIS) and Be the Change Volunteers have struck a partnership in sending high school students on trips abroad with the goal of building educational infrastructure. Students have travelled to South Africa, India, Malawi, Guatemala, Papua New Guinea and Peru. The builds to El Chino, Peru have occurred on half of the trips with CIS students building the cement foundations for classrooms 1-5 as well contributing to the 200 meter bridge connecting the village to the school campus. CIS students and the various local communities have mutually benefited from this cross-cultural experience, as BTCV brings people from different cultures and backgrounds together in the spirit of improving education and lives overall. As the CIS teacher chaperone on the Peru 2018 build the experience was memorable and rewarding with a real sense of contributing to El Chino; some CIS students have attended multiple builds based on their desire to give back to communities. Overall, the BTC experience is one of the highlights of the CIS Upper School with students looking forward to attending a build years in advance.
Matt Smith - Columbia, Missouri
I have known and worked with the Co-Founders of Be The Change Volunteers Jimi and Cristi Cook for years at the University of Missouri. Education is important to me because it provides the largest base for individual growth, regardless of what one chooses to get an education in. Education is opportunity, it means freedom beyond what simple donations can provide. I choose to support the BTCV mission financially because I know I can trust the BTCV leadership to be diligent and honor our gifts completely.
I have known and worked with the Co-Founders of Be The Change Volunteers Jimi and Cristi Cook for years at the University of Missouri. Education is important to me because it provides the largest base for individual growth, regardless of what one chooses to get an education in. Education is opportunity, it means freedom beyond what simple donations can provide. I choose to support the BTCV mission financially because I know I can trust the BTCV leadership to be diligent and honor our gifts completely.
