My last day with Habitat is Oct 15th! Since I started as an AmeriCorps just over 6 years ago I have been so inspired by the way in which Habitat changes lives. (yes you may have read this already from my "Build-A-Thon" profile, but its a good summary of my experience, ok?!) I've helped build homes for some of the most hard working, deserving, downright RAD families I have ever met! I have led countless volunteers through the process, providing them the opportunity to contribute. Volunteering with Habitat is empowering not only for volunteers themselves, but also for the families. In a way, it restores their faith in humanity! Imagine how blessed you would feel if 2,500 strangers helped build your home. That's just magical, my friends. I have really loved my job. It's changed my life! I have felt so honored to be a part of providing 4 AmeriCorps teams and thousands of volunteers with an experience similar to mine (their version of course) that totally tickled my fancy.
It's been 6 years (the longest I ever been in one town- in all the land- in all my life!) and it's time for a change. I miss the challenges faced when first starting with Habitat, building onsite as an AmeriCorps. I need to explore some new corners of community and volunteerism. I need to get dirty again and cry a little bit. In another country. As Ive said to a few people as of late-- I want to be told to "go over there and dig a hole" and then I want the dirt to be rock ridden and hard and I want to cry about it a bit and then I want to get over it and make it happen anyways and get those ever so priceless "this-sucks-so-bad-it's-humorous" giggles.
So my tentative plan is to try and travel and volunteer out of the states for 6 months to a year. I'm on a tight budget so I'll have to find work at some point along the way. I leave for Bangkok Oct 29th (maybe give or take) and will travel with Jon for about 2 weeks- relaxing a bit- R&R and such. Dreamy. I was going to begin teaching English with a school in Northern Thailand, but then I got on the WWOOFing train (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms). And you know, I'm actually a bit burnt out on coordinating and teaching and facilitating and just want someone to tell me what to do! and get my hands dirty!
I've mapped out possible WOOF locations in Thailand and have exchanged emails with a few. Everyone seems really flexible. Basically "just tell me when you'll arrive and you've got a place with us!" Many of the locations have internet access too, which will please the mum :)
You can click over each of the locations and learn a bit more about them via the pop-up and links. I found blogs from fellow WOOFers that worked at these locations too, which are an interesting read. Check it out:
