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One of the main goals of AIDE is to create socially conscious global citizens and we feel that it is important as members of the staff to get involved and give back to the local and international communities. The people at AIDE not only support the mission; they live it!
For the last 8 years, our team has continually given personal time, financial contributions, support and energy to the following organizations and events in Austin, TX where we are based:
Project Transitions, Austin Habitat for Humanity, Communities in Schools, Make a Wish Foundation, Matthews Elementary School, Meals on Wheels, Ride for AIDS, Lyons Gardens Family Eldercare, Capitol Area Food Bank, Caritas, Town Lake Animal Shelter, Lance Armstrong Foundation, Shoal Creek Cleaning
In 2006, we got involved with the Katrina Evacuees in Austin by providing food, clothes and friendship.
In 2008, AIDE staff joined a group of university students in painting, repairing, and teaching English at a rural school in San Carlos, Costa Rica during their Spring Break. We also traveled to Guatemala to demonstrate our commitment to community service by painting the exterior of a local heath care facility for adults and children with disabilities. Finally, we volunteered for 2 months in an orphanage in Khayelitsha, the second largest township of South Africa.
This coming November, the team will travel to Nyanga to re-build an orphanage that currently houses 32 children (9 boys between 9 and 17 years old + 5 girls between 8 and 14 years old + 18 little ones between 0 and 7 years old). Children at the crowded orphanage are now sleeping 3 to 4 to a bed, or on the floor. The orphanage's founder, known as "Mama," started by housing a few kids suffering from AIDS, but the numbers kept growing, and she's simply out of room. "Mama" gets no governmental assistance and relies solely on donations. Check all the details here.
The most recent demonstration of our commitment to community service was in April 2008 in Antigua, Guatemala. Over 30 members of AIDE and Alliance Abroad staff traveled to Guatemala for 5 days of service, sightseeing, and company collaboration.
No swanky hotels for this group; we all (even the President) stayed with local host families in Antigua to experience the people, culture, food, and community first-hand.
Our first 3 days were spent exploring the natural and cultural attractions of Guatemala.
We haggled at the world-renowned Chichicastenango market.
Cruised Lake Atitlan
Toured an organic coffee plantation
Watched a traditional weaver at work
And took some exciting local transportation
Day 4 had us rolling up our sleeves in order to paint the exterior of a local heath care facility for adults and children with disabilities. We were only expected to paint one wall, but our teamwork and determination made it possible for us to paint the entire building which equaled a whole city block!
We all had a wonderful time working together and experiencing the warmth of the Guatemalan culture and people while giving something back to the community. Here is what some of the staff had to say about their Guatemalan adventure…
“I will remember everything about this project. The first thing is the pride that I felt for helping to make the building in the center of the city so beautiful. It was an amazing feeling. But the pride was not only something that I felt, the people of Antigua felt it as well. The building had been dirty and then walls were losing their color. We painted the walls a beautiful bright yellow and the people were clapping, smiling and taking pictures. You could see how happy it made them that people were helping them take care of their city.” – Barbara Tunkis, Poland
“My host family was generous, warm, and shared with us their home and culture. Also, the food was delicious!” - Beth Dorman, USA
“The culture was so rich and interesting. I would go back to explore different parts of the country.” - Zhenya Cvetkova, Bulgaria
“To future volunteers: be willing to try something new! Remember that your way of life is not the only way of life. We can learn so much from other cultures.” - Daniel Harvell, USA
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