Norm Chong & Tabitha Holman – Austin, Texas
We first learned about BTCV at a fundraising event for volunteer “Changers” in Fort Collins, Colorado. Fast forward 10 years and we have witnessed an incredible transformation of villages, communities, and most importantly the hearts and minds of the children. The kids graduating from the BTCV schools have had a real opportunity to learn and develop skills to be successful, which in turn allows them to return a sustainable impact to their community. We are proud to continue to sponsor and support this organization and you will not find a group of people operating at a higher level of integrity than this one.
We first learned about BTCV at a fundraising event for volunteer “Changers” in Fort Collins, Colorado. Fast forward 10 years and we have witnessed an incredible transformation of villages, communities, and most importantly the hearts and minds of the children. The kids graduating from the BTCV schools have had a real opportunity to learn and develop skills to be successful, which in turn allows them to return a sustainable impact to their community. We are proud to continue to sponsor and support this organization and you will not find a group of people operating at a higher level of integrity than this one.
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!
Lewis Family - Gainesville, Florida
Our family has been traveling with Be The Change Volunteers for many years. The partnership they create with communities gives us a huge sense of comradery within the local community. Banding together with local parents, teachers, and community leaders in a common goal for their children has been empowering, humbling, and unifying. Providing a hand up and a foundation to support education of children in communities who truly want to teach their children how to help themselves and their country demonstrated the greatest power of love and sustainable charity to us. Bonds are built that truly last forever.
Our family has been traveling with Be The Change Volunteers for many years. The partnership they create with communities gives us a huge sense of comradery within the local community. Banding together with local parents, teachers, and community leaders in a common goal for their children has been empowering, humbling, and unifying. Providing a hand up and a foundation to support education of children in communities who truly want to teach their children how to help themselves and their country demonstrated the greatest power of love and sustainable charity to us. Bonds are built that truly last forever.
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.
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.
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.
John Heidrich - Albuquerque, New Mexico
While I was working in Cambodia, who would have guessed, an email to Jimi Cook about Chouk, a baby elephant that lost his foot when trapped by poachers, would have led to multiple life changing builds with the BTCV family. These emails from around the world about Chouk (who now is a 2000 pound healthy male) rapidly introduced me to the children at the Floating School. The Floating School was the second BTCV project. The families located on the Tonle Sap Lake are displaced Vietnamese families from the Vietnam war. These families survive by subsistence fishing where the lake water levels change 30-50 feet throughout the year.
I have been fortunate to share the project events in Papua New Guinea, Peru, Uganda, Guatemala, India, and a return visit to Cambodia. These projects impact so many children and especially the girls in these communities by directly improve the schools, teacher housing and libraries. BTCV programs have life changing impact on the children and their families. The projects have allowed me to pay it forward and appreciate all the wonderful things in my life.
While I was working in Cambodia, who would have guessed, an email to Jimi Cook about Chouk, a baby elephant that lost his foot when trapped by poachers, would have led to multiple life changing builds with the BTCV family. These emails from around the world about Chouk (who now is a 2000 pound healthy male) rapidly introduced me to the children at the Floating School. The Floating School was the second BTCV project. The families located on the Tonle Sap Lake are displaced Vietnamese families from the Vietnam war. These families survive by subsistence fishing where the lake water levels change 30-50 feet throughout the year.
I have been fortunate to share the project events in Papua New Guinea, Peru, Uganda, Guatemala, India, and a return visit to Cambodia. These projects impact so many children and especially the girls in these communities by directly improve the schools, teacher housing and libraries. BTCV programs have life changing impact on the children and their families. The projects have allowed me to pay it forward and appreciate all the wonderful things in my life.
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MORE TESTIMONIES FROM OUR REVIEWS
Thank you for letting me be involved in such a wonderful experience I have to say that the BTCV approach is so eye opening and enlightening that it was a breath of fresh air that excited me in ways other charitable work hasn’t. Thank you so much again and I can’t wait to go back. Seeing the joy on the kids’ faces and the excitement of the families gave it all the purpose and made all the hard work count. The celebration of all the hard work felt like purposely letting a balloon go to rise and float in the wind. The team leaders are the best - very conscientious and committed to the team having the best experience in all regards! The community immersion experience is something I will treasure the rest of my life! I felt like family and learned so much from them! My daughter had a fantastic experience – it changed her and I am so grateful and impressed. Grant was phenomenal in making sure everyone was safe, had what we needed, and had an amazing experience! Once in a lifetime experience…except I am planning on doing it again and again! An incredible opportunity to meet and spend time with members of a different culture. I also appreciated the chance to work with the incredibly dedicated BTC volunteers. I was beyond impressed with how well the project was planned from start to finish. Communication and organization prior to the trip was excellent! Grant and Azhar did a fantastic job informing and coordinating about COVID requirements and travel changes Great balance of taking time to create relationships and also time to work on the project. Time for teachers to go into classrooms and observe/work with kids is much appreciated! Thato and Jimi lead with love and grace throughout our build. They both made it a point to build a personal relationship with each member of our team. This community is amazing in so many ways. They welcomed us with kindness and love and wanted to be involved with all aspects of the build. The interactions with the kids were awesome! BTCV is an organization that we truly believe in! The pre-trip communication was OUTSTANDING as compared with other volunteering/traveling I’ve done. Every time I had a question, Grant and Debbie were remarkably prompt in responding, like minutes later, which was phenomenal. So thankful to be traveling through the international airports with the group! I was very impressed with the food and the accommodations! I really appreciate how the work can be paired to your abilities. If you want hard work, there is hard work to be done. If you want less hard work, there are opportunities for that, too. And, when you need a break from construction work, you are repeatedly encouraged to build relationships with the community members. Cristi and Jimi checked in with every team member regularly and made sure everyone knew the expectations of each work day the night before. I found that to be super helpful. The project leaders were well versed in making a pleasurable trip and keeping all in the group engaged, safe, and on target for the project. The local leadership and guides were amazing, personable, and very thankful for our involvement. Couldn’t ask for better people to work with from hospitality to sharing local information to guiding us! The local guides and leaders were amazing to work with and succeeded in making a working environment merge with a rich cultural experience! There is genuine respect for both BTCV and local community members. My favorite part of the trips were the relationships that were made between the village and the team. It truly is a shoulder to shoulder project! I’ve already started saving for my next build! I totally stumbled into this opportunity, and that introduction to BTCV was a gift. I appreciated many elements of this project, especially the communication pre, during, and post, and loved the team I traveled with. Getting to see the tenure of relationship and the vision for future projects in this community was especially powerful for me. I would love to go on another project when possible, and have several friends interested, too. Unbelievably amazing adventure! |
