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D-Day Survivor Ray Lambert recounts Omaha Beach horror and why he was apprehensive to share his story

For a long time, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Ray Lambert remained silent about fighting in World War II and the historic D-Day invasion where he single-handedly saved over a dozen men. But the last few years, the 99-year-old former medic has been very candid about what took place during the war so the American soldiers who died won’t be forgotten.

By: Heather Newgen

By the time he was 23, Ray Lambert had fought in North Africa, where he earned the Silver Star after driving a jeep into enemy gunfire to get his troops out; he went to combat in Sicily, and in June of 1944 he joined roughly 73,000 Americans for what would be his third and final invasion: D-Day, the turning point of WWII that helped lead to the defeat of the Nazi forces in Europe.

Seventy-five years ago, Lambert, who was part of the First Division’s famed 16th Infantry Regiment, hit the cold, gray shores of Omaha Beach with the first wave of troops. His brother Bill served alongside him and the two Alabama natives made a pact to take care of each other’s families should something happen. The brothers parted ways upon arrival in Normandy and with bullets flying towards their packed Higgins boat, Lambert jumped out and began pulling drowning injured soldiers to land.

The Staff Sergeant was hit but he didn’t stop.

“Something went through my right elbow and that kind of shattered my elbow and caused some bleeding. I kept working and didn’t pay much attention to that. I saw a guy hung up on barbed wire. I went in to get him off the barbed wire and had a difficult time. I got him loose and something hit me in the thigh, halfway between my hip and knee. It knocked a big hole [in my leg] almost to the bone and actually kind of knocked me down. I got up and put a tourniquet on just above the wound. I told one of my corporals to try to get more men over to the big rock so they could save them and treat them,” he told The Voluntourist.

But not even two serious injuries stopped the army medic. He continued on his mission.

“I was bleeding very badly and getting weaker, but I saw a guy’s arms up in the water. I realized he was in trouble and went there to get him. When I got to him his equipment was also hung up in the barbed wire and an underwater mine had been set off and he had some injuries. I got him with my right arm, the one that was shattered, and had that around him. I was working with my left hand and finally after going down twice in the water I got him out.”

He added, “As I turned to go back towards the beach, a Higgins boat came in and when he dropped his ramp it hit me in the back and pushed us both right to the bottom. It crushed the lower part of my back and I thought for sure we were both going to die. I said a prayer. I asked God to give me one more chance to save this person. For some reason unknown to any of us, that ramp rolled up and the boat moved to a different spot. My guess is the boat was in the wrong place where fire power was coming in. It was so heavy that they decided to move down the beach. I got the guy out and got him back up. By then I was in terrible shape. I was bleeding terribly bad so I passed out on the beach.”

A few hours later Lambert woke up on a landing ship and his brother Bill, who had also been shot, was next to him. Both went home.

The Voluntourist first talked with Mr. Lambert, a four time Purple Heart receipt, last year in Washington D.C. at the National Memorial Day Concert on PBS where he was celebrated for his countless acts of courage and bravery, something he’s very humble about. We recently had the chance to follow up and speak with him again.

The Voluntourist: Last year you were honored at the National Memorial Day Concert and this year your story will be told again on the show by Sam Elliot. What was it like to attend the event?

Ray Lambert: It was very touching to me to sit there and listen to the story and it brought back so many memories of my guys. Also I was very proud that I had been able to accomplish and live through those things that now it seems to be important to people and young people. I always have mixed feelings when listening to some of the things that I’ve done, things that have happened to me. But that was just a wonderful day to be there. Then later of course meeting people from Fox I talked to and you, that was a lot of fun also. I’m always happy to do what I can to bring back memories to other veterans. They’re all so important and it’s getting down to just a few of my era and generation. I was in North Africa, Sicily and D-Day. From the 1st Division, I don’t think there’s over two of us left that was in all three invasions, so it’s always interesting to hear the younger people I talk to ask questions about those three invasions.

The Voluntourist: I understand you were apprehensive to tell your story. Why?

Ray Lambert: There’s two reasons. One is, you don’t like to remember how people were torn apart and those kind of things, you just don’t like to talk about it for a long time. I had no intentions of ever talking about it again, but when I realized they couldn’t do their own talking, their families never knew how things were really because their sons and daughters were killed. That’s when I thought it was a responsibility that I thought I owed to families, other families, that didn’t get their sons and daughters back. Then I started talking more about it and the more I talked about it, the better it makes me feel that those guys who died on the battlefield have some representation that were there also and can tell people how it was, how brave they were and how they just kept going day and night, never complaining and just doing their job.

The Voluntourist: Is that when you decided to write your book Every Man a Hero?

Ray Lambert: Yes, because today the word hero doesn’t seem to be as important as it was years ago. I know there are plenty of heroes out there today, but when soldiers lived the way they did in the woods like animals and faced death every single day, then kept moving forward and forward. We knew we were going to lose 15 percent of the guys in every company. So you just go in trying to do your job and not think of getting killed. You just walk into the danger every minute of every day. I wanted people to know the story of those guys.

The Voluntourist: I understand people suggested the title of the book should be Ray Lambert a Hero, but you wouldn’t go for it.

Ray Lambert: Yes, when they wanted to do the book they were talking about Ray Lambert the hero and I said, “no, no way am I going to do that. My men were all heroes and they all did their job and faced the same danger.” Some of us did a few things that others didn’t, but still every man that made that D-Day invasion was a hero in my opinion.

The Voluntourist: Absolutely! How often do you think of Normandy and the men you were with in battle?

Ray Lambert: Almost every day. Just a few minutes ago I was thinking about the guys and how they never lived to see their grandchildren and great grandchildren, or to have a home or married life. It will never leave me. There’s so many that I knew from 1940 through Africa and through Sicily. We’re all like a family and it gives me a lot of good feeling and satisfaction to think about all the guys we knew and had so many laughs with and so many sad moments too.

The Voluntourist: You arrived to Normandy in the front of a cramped Higgins boat where you were shot at the moment you hit the shore. Do you remember the ride there? What were you thinking, feeling?

Ray Lambert: I had been on two other invasions, so I knew what to expect, but going in the water was very rough and everyone got seasick. Everyone was throwing up all over the place and the wind was blowing it back. If you weren’t seasick, you’d get sick from all the stuff going on. Some of the guys were very quiet. One guy was standing right behind me and he was saying some things from the Bible and I couldn’t understand him because the noise was really rough, but I know he was doing that. There was one guy trying to move around in the boat. It was very crowded. There was a lot of concern because we knew exactly what we were going to get into, but it was of course a lot worse than we thought. It was a time where your mind was pretty much tied to the job you were going to have to do.

The Voluntourist: How aware were you that winning the invasion was pivotal to winning the war?

Ray Lambert: We had been told that this was “do or die” as we used to say. If we didn’t make it, there was a good chance that all of our guys would be destroyed and that the war would probably be lost. That’s what General Eisenhower and the other guys were talking about. We had to do this and it was an awful responsibility to put on young guys. We had guys that were 17, 18, 19-years-old. We knew we had to do our job.

The Voluntourist: You’ve seen so much tragic untimely death, what makes you keep going after everything you’ve experienced?

Ray Lambert: The enjoyment I get of doing something hopefully for someone else, and to make someone else smile or laugh. It makes me feel good. I’ll be 100-years-old November 26th, and I can’t do some of the things I did, but I still enjoy being with people and I still enjoy talking about my men and the fun that we had. One of best friends was Howard [Buck] Shute. He was a captain. He and his wife and my wife were all close friends back in the forties. The only two people left out of that group now is [me and] Buck Shute’s wife Florence. She lives in New Jersey and she’s a year older than I am. I talked to her last week. She and I have conservations about the old days and things that went on. We all had no money and used to get cheese and crackers from the mess hall and have that for our evening meal sometimes. All those kind of wonderful things that happened to us when we were young and all together. That keeps me going. I just feel every time if I can call Florence and talk to her it’s going back to my oldest friend that I have still living. We just always laugh about things. It’s the energy that I get from other people and knowing that I may have an opportunity to do something for someone else–those are the things that keep me going.

To see more of Lambert’s story, watch the 2020 National Memorial Day Concert Sunday, May 24 at 8/7c on PBS.

May 20, 2020 admin

Former Crips gang member negotiates cease fire with the Bloods so he can feed the homeless on their turf

Former Crips gang member Gernay Quinnie Jr. turned his life around after 19 years in prison and is now helping the homeless in a rival gangs’ neighborhood.

By Heather Newgen

The Bloods and the Crips have a longstanding violent history and deadly rivalry that stems back to the 70s. Both street gangs originated in South Central Los Angeles and are nationally known for their vicious crimes, but for Gernay Quinnie, it was never a question of which gang he would join.

“My family associated with the Crips and that played into my decision of which side I was going to play on. My dad was a [Rollin] 90 Neighborhood Crip and my mom was a 111 Neighborhood Crip.”

But Quinnie’s dad didn’t stick around for long. When he was just 7-years-old his father left and he hasn’t seen him since. His mom struggled to raise Quinnie and his older brother, and it was “in a way expected” for him to join the gang.

“I can only speak for African Americans, but most join out of necessity, especially for males. When you look out into into the environment, you look for the strongest male figures and you can’t help but notice these gang members who are out there boldly standing up to the police, or boldly standing up against another person. That becomes the man’s figure. Because men have been removed out of the homes, or not allowed in the homes because of their inharmonious backgrounds, that entirely goes to us looking at these [guys] as the men in the community. You get influenced by imitation,” Quinnie, 38, told The Voluntourist.

He added, “I was coming out of poverty. There was economic opportunities [to being a Crip]. I was jumped in at 13-years-old, but there was a little bit of a twist because I already had a gang started in my apartment building. So I brought them 12 recruits and that gave me status in the gang.”

Crips Gernay Quinnie helps a friend who “jumped him” into the Crips when they were kids

As a Crip, Quinnie committed several robberies, but at 14 he was involved in an armed robbery that went wrong in the West Athens neighborhood of South Central. His partner and best friend was shot and killed, and Quinnie was shot in the face.

“As a result of his death I had to ride the beast. His murder was on me because we were accomplices. Anything that happens in the commission of the crime falls on equal partners. Patrons and police were shooting back at us as we attempted to rob the store,” the former Crips member said.

He served time in jail and would have been released when he was 25, since he was a juvenile. However, when he was 18-years-old, he successfully escaped prison and was free for over two weeks until he was captured. He then had to serve another few years and spent a total of 19 years imprisoned.

“I didn’t see my mom the whole time I was incarcerated. There was a big disconnect between me and her. My grandmother was my staunch supporter. She had passed away and I ended up going to a crazy house in prison and that’s where I actually found myself. It was at the lowest of the low for me. I’d seen what I become and I’d seen what I was doing to myself. I knew I had enough intelligence at this point to change because I was an avid reader. It was me being confronted with extremes. I was there for a year seeking help for depression and suicidal ideations as a result of this lack of value I had on my life.”

The big turning point for Quinnie was learning the story of Joseph in the Bible, which he instantly resonated with.

“His story connected with mine–being outcasted from your family. He was sold into a situation where he was almost a slave. His whole situation addressed the anatomy of human behavior. Within that I started to extract lessons from his life and how I could apply it to mine,” he explained.

He was so taken with Joseph that he started teaching other prisoners about him and called it The Joseph Project.

“It’s a narrative therapy based science and that’s what really changed my life.”

Quinnie was released from jail in 2017, has been reunited with his mom and “retired” from the Crips after 20 years.

“I gained the respect of my peers who allowed me to go and do my own thing. In doing my own thing, I turned things around and started doing some improvements to my neighborhood. That’s how I really got the respect and how they respect us older guys who are now getting out of the game. They respect us if we take that step and then add something to what we actually stepped away from,” he said.

He’s now giving back to the homeless in underserved areas of LA and is trying to help them through the coronavirus pandemic, even if that means going on another gangs turf. The Bloods and the Crips have been notoriously feuding for decades, but Quinnie worked out a temporary cease fire so he can enter their territory without issue. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t fearful.

“Everybody is disguised now [with masks due to COVID-19] and that intimidates me. Before I knew who guys were and I could see things coming. I’m more afraid of getting shot than I am of catching COVID-19. I go out there on a wing and a prayer every day. What I’m doing is nonsense to people out there on the street. So I have to make it make sense to them when they come up to me.”

Quinnie visits the roughest parts of LA every day handing out food and trying to educate homeless communities about coronavirus.

“People respect, but they don’t understand the full scope of it because as far as the gang life is concerned, it’s too soft. ‘We respect you and we know what you used to be, but this, what you’re doing is too soft, but give me some food at the same time,’ he admitted. “It’s a mixture on that end, but as far as the community, I cut their grass, I fix their door, I go shopping for the neighbors, I protect the neighbors and check on them. I do what the men in the community was originally designed to do.”

The food he distributes is donated by Pastor John Hernandez from New Challenge Ministries and Quinnie is working in partnership with WordsUncaged, an organization that empowers currently and formerly incarcerated people through arts and education, as well as R.A.C.E.(Reclaiming American’s Communities through Empowerment), which helps prevent gang and youth violence.

“The areas I’ve been in are ones people don’t go in to help. The homeless are literally left out to dry on this,” he said. “Sometimes I’m out until 10:00 p.m. at night still feeding. They say, ‘Man, are you coming every day?’ Even the ones that are tough and control their little camps, you see them eating the food. I’m forming a relationship with them. I know their names, personalities and what they’re going through. They’re human beings, They just made a mistake,” Quinnie continued.

If you’d like to help, volunteers to sort and deliver food are always needed. You can reach out to Quinnie on his personal Facebook page. If you’d like to make a donation click here.

You can also drop off canned goods and non perishable items to 1732 W. 111st Los Angeles, CA. 90044.

April 20, 2020 admin

Send a COVID-19 front line worker a meal or care package from Fuel the Frontline

Looking for ways to show appreciation to those working hard to help others during this challenging time? Check out Fuel The Frontline, a nonprofit initiative that allows people to send care packages directly to COVID-19 front line workers in the U.S.

By Heather Newgen

While much of the American workforce has been sent home to wait out the COVID-19 pandemic, front line workers like nurses, doctors, MTA employees and grocery store clerks are out there daily risking their lives to serve others.

Fuel The Frontline allows anyone to send a meal kit or a self-care package to essential front line workers such as those in the healthcare industry, sanitation workers and more.

Created by Erika Wasser, co-founder and CEO of Prospr At Work, an employee management and communication tools for hourly/shift-based teams and Amy Ogden, branding expert, Fuel The Frontline aims to provide a token of appreciation to essential frontline workers. People staying home want to show their support and now have the option of sending a package to an anonymous front line worker or to a specific front line worker that they know. Fuel The Frontline’s current brand partners include Provenance Meals, Paleta, Fuel Meals and Happy Box. Current package options include:

Fuel a Meal ($50) — Meals will be provided to vetted front line workers by either Fuel Meals, Paleta or Provenance Meals. Donations will go towards either 3 lunches + snacks, or a 7-day Entrée Delivery.
Fuel a Self-Care Package ($25) — Care packages will be provided to vetted frontline workers by Happy Box. Donations will go towards a self-care package including items like hand lotion, something to snack on, and other treats like candles and sleep masks.

“The idea all started with a call to my brother,” Ogden told The Voluntourist. “He’s a sanitation worker with a pre-existing lung condition. I knew there had to be a way for us all to show our appreciation to front line workers like him. One call to Erika and we were off to the races.”

“Like many of us, Amy and I have been staying home doing our part to stop the spread of COVID-19, but we wanted to do more” Wasser said. “With Fuel The Frontline, we hope to say ‘thank you’ to the amazing front line workers who are literally risking their lives combatting this outbreak.”

Front line workers interested in receiving a Fuel The Frontline package can nominate themselves or be nominated by a loved one at https://www.fuelthefrontline.com/apply. For real time updates, follow on Instagram @fuelthefrontline.

March 30, 2020 admin

How one woman is inspiring Black women to travel alone with her popular Facebook group Sisters Traveling Solo

Meet Cole Banks, the woman behind the Facebook group Sisters Traveling Solo that inspires Black women to travel alone.

By Heather Newgen

Cole Banks started the Sisters Traveling Solo (STS) Facebook community to encourage Black women to travel alone after she stumbled upon an article discouraging Black women from traveling by themself. She frequently traveled solo and wanted to help prove that sisters can safely and affordably travel solo. STS’s mission is to connect, empower, inspire, and support sisters. Beyond the steady increase in travel among African Americans, up $63 billion from $48 billion since 2011; STS has been a forerunner in leading women to discover, heal, and explore themselves through travel.

Cole Banks, Founder of Sisters Traveling Solo

In just a few years, here’s what Banks has accomplished so far.

STS Facebook group has more than 70,000 members.
Since 2016, STS has planned 51 trips and taken more than 370 sisters to 17 countries; 7 more will be added to the list in 2020.
STS Cultural Trips have helped generate more than $250,000 in revenue for women-owned businesses globally.
STS started as a passion project for Cole. In 2018, she left her corporate job at The Coca-Cola Company to focus on Sisters Traveling Solo full-time. Now, her office can be anywhere she wants it to be as she continues inspiring people to get out of their comfort zone and live the life they truly want—especially when it comes to travel.

STS is not only inspiring Black women to jet set around the world, but it’s shattering negative generalizations and creating a wonderful community of like-minded travelers.

The Voluntourist: How is Sisters Traveling Solo breaking stereotypes?

Cole Banks: We are breaking a number of stereotypes: that women should not travel alone, that black women should not travel alone, that black women don’t travel but more importantly that women can’t get together and have fun without drama. What I love about our trips is the sisterhood amongst our members. On our trips, it is pretty amazing to see these sisters form a bond and sisterhood that can take many years to find. It is the common bond of travel that connects them and creates an environment of comfort and trust on day one of our trips. In addition, outside of our Sisters Traveling Solo community, we promote sisterhood by intentionally partnering with women owned businesses where we travel.

The Voluntourist: Why is it important for Black women to travel alone?

Cole Banks: I feel it’s important for Black women to travel alone because we need that mental break from our everyday routine; putting others’ needs before ours, compromising on things we truly want, and escaping the weight that society puts on us, just as Black women. We have to take time for mental breaks that allow us to sit in our own thoughts, to reflect, destress, and just enjoy our own company. Also, you don’t have to travel out the country or even out of your own state to do this. Solo travel can be done in your own city.

The Voluntourist: How the group empowers women of color?

Cole Banks: We empower women of color through our community that allows them to see what’s possible when you stop waiting on other people. Our community is a visualization of what it looks like when you put yourself first.

The Voluntourist: How has Sisters Traveling Solo helped generate more than $250,000 in revenue for women-owned businesses globally?

Cole Banks: We have contributed more than $250,000 in revenue to women owned tour companies in Africa (only). For our cultural trips, we only work with and support women owned tour businesses to help us host the trips for our clients. We have done this is in 3 countries; Ghana (2 times), Morocco (3 times) and Tanzania (2 times). We ask these women tour owners to also find ways for us to support small women owned businesses and organizations that help local businesses during our trip. For instance, in Morocco we supported an organization that helps women in Morocco who are divorced, abused or single mothers learn skills that will help them become independent; in Ghana we support Mama Esther who has a fabric making shop that she runs in the back of her home; and in Tanzania we learn about a day in the life of a woman who is a seaweed farmer.

The Voluntourist: what are the misconceptions about traveling alone and has how traveling solo has changed you?

Cole Banks: One misconception is that traveling alone is not safe. But, I tell our members to follow your instincts just like you do when you’re at home and if it doesn’t feel right then, don’t proceed. Also, I hear that it’s not fun. My response to that is…if I can’t enjoy my own company then I’m doing something wrong. Through solo travel I have gained a better understanding of myself. It has helped me understand that the only person who limits what I can do is me. And, most importantly it has helped me understand that I belong everywhere; in every country, in every meeting, and at every table.

The Voluntourist: What tips can you offer on affordable travel?

Cole Banks: Look for deals. Be flexible with your travel schedule. Be willing to fly out of another city that is a major hub (ie New York). Follow the popular flight deal sites on Facebook and Instagram. Set up travel alerts on airline sites. Look for alternative lodging solutions like airbnb and hostels which can potentially reduce the cost of the overall experience. Also, consider staying outside of the city centers and near public transportation.

The Voluntourist: What inspired you to quit your full-time job to do Sisters Traveling Solo full-time?

Cole Banks: Sisters Traveling Solo didn’t really inspire me to quit my job. I was able to do both. The reason I left my job was because Sisters Traveling Solo grew so fast that I could no longer maintain both. And, after running out of vacation time, doing both was no longer an option.

Interested in joining Sisters Traveling Solo? Click here or check out the Sisters Traveling Solo website https://www.sisterstravelingsolo.com/home.

February 29, 2020 admin

Why Delhi is the worst place to miss your flight and pretty much the worst airport

Anyone who has missed a flight knows that sinking sweaty-palm frantic feeling. But missing a flight at the airport in Delhi takes that fear to a whole new level.

By Heather Newgen

Even the most seasoned traveler can miss a flight. It recently happened to me in Delhi, India and it caused so much unexpected chaos that the American Embassy got involved.

After a month of traveling I was ready to go home. It was my second time in India and I was hoping for a better experience. In 2009, I went to Delhi to volunteer with an organization called Volunteering Solutions, which turned out to be an unethical and shady program. It was so terrible several volunteers left, including myself.

I couldn’t afford to change my return flight, so I stayed in India. I was alone and encountered multiple issues like relentless sexual harassment from the owner of the hotel where I was staying. It was no longer safe for me there, so a volunteer I met was living in Delhi for the summer with her family and they came to my rescue.

I crashed with them for the rest of my time in India and we became great friends. In fact, she was the reason I returned to India. She invited me to her wedding and although my first experience in India wasn’t so amazing, I didn’t hesitate to visit again.

I was so elated for my friend and wanted to be there for her, plus who doesn’t want to attend a traditional Indian wedding?

So I went with a renewed excitement and open mind. The trip started off really well. I arrived a week before the wedding, spent a lot of time with my friend and enjoyed seeing Delhi again.

The wedding was beyond anything I could imagine. For two days I ate incredible food, danced all night, made wonderful new friends and wore the most beautiful Indian dresses. It was an unforgettable weekend and I’ll always be happy I went, but it came at a price.

After traveling to Nepal and other cities in India it was finally time to head home. I had dealt with severe food poisoning, lost luggage, sexism and a slew of other issues after the wedding, so I couldn’t wait to go home. My flight was scheduled to depart at 3:20AM on December 7th, 2019 on British Airways. I should have arrived the night before, but I was confused by the time and I didn’t show up until 11:30pm on the 7th. So I missed my flight by an entire day. Totally my fault.

Indira Gandhi International Airport

Here’s the thing about the Delhi airport. You can’t enter unless you’re a ticketed passenger. There’s armed men at the entrances checking boarding passes and passports. One of the guards told me I had missed my flight and he directed me to an area that was connected to the airport.

There I could buy a new ticket home from a ticket counter or call the airlines to book a new flight. There was limited seating, no places to grab food or drinks and there were no bathrooms.

No Airline Agents

There are no agents to speak with. The ticket counter in the area I was at wasn’t for any specific airline. One person mans the counter and you can purchase the first flight out, but that’s it.

Inside the airport there are ticket counters with agents, but they check you in for your flight. Nothing more. In addition, there are only smaller airlines like SpiceJet that have Air India that have permanent counters. Larger international airlines like British Airways only have agents there when they have a flight leaving from Delhi.

By this point it’s 1:00am. I had free international data and texting with T-Mobile, but not calling. It was .25 cents a minute and I knew a call to the airlines would be lengthy. So I quickly called a friend and explained the situation. I asked him to call the airlines and arrange a new flight. An hour later I was booked on a 4am flight on Etihad Airways by American Airlines, who I booked my original flight through. I was on BA because that’s one of AA’s partners. It’s now 2:30am and didn’t have long to catch this flight, but I was determined to do it.

Armed Men Physically Block Me From Leaving the Airport

I received an email confirmation and was allowed to enter the airport. I ran to the ticket counter to get my boarding pass and was told that AA didn’t process my flight correctly so they refused to issue me a boarding pass. As a result I missed the flight. I called my friend again and was booked on a Cathay Pacific flight at 10:30pm, which was 18 hours later.

It was frustrating, but it was my fault that I missed the first flight and everything finally seemed sorted so I didn’t care. At this point I just wanted to sleep and go back to my friend’s house, who lived in Delhi, until my new flight. As I tried to exit the airport, men with guns stopped me. They screamed at me in Hindi and wouldn’t allow me to leave. I had no idea what was happening.

I called my friend and she didn’t understand why I couldn’t leave. She asked to speak to the guard, but he refused to talk to her on the phone. We were both utterly confused.

Airport Rule–Can’t Leave Once you Enter

I went to the information desk and they also said I couldn’t leave. They told me once someone enters the airport, they can’t leave unless it’s on their departed flight. That was all they’d say. Neither my friend nor her husband had heard of this rule before and we weren’t sure what to make of it.

American Embassy was Amazing

By now it’s 6:00AM. I can’t leave the airport, I can’t go through security where there are restaurants and a hotel since I can’t get my boarding pass. Agents for your flight don’t arrive until three hours beforehand so I was stuck. I started posting videos of what was happening on Facebook and friends called the American Embassy on my behalf.

They contacted me immediately and were also perplexed as to why I couldn’t leave. They didn’t know anything about this rule either. They asked if I was being held at gunpoint and I said no, but the armed men were trying to intimidate me by showing me their guns while yelling at me. The woman from the embassy then asked if I was allowed to use the restroom and I said I was.

Because guns weren’t drawn on me and I could use the bathroom freely, the embassy couldn’t send a representative, which I understood. I felt safe enough, so the support from the embassy should go to people in dangerous circumstances.

That said, they did stay with me on the phone for over an hour, they found a way around this rule and talked to employees at the airport that helped me leave.

Loophole

So here’s the one way to get out of the airport if you’re in this situation. You have to prove you missed your flight. I had the email confirmation on my phone from BA and obviously I wasn’t on that flight, but that isn’t enough. An airline employee has to confirm you’re not on their manifest and they have to walk you out of the airport.

As mentioned previously, there aren’t agents from major international airlines at the airport except when there is a flight leaving Delhi on that airline. I was lucky and there was a BA flight departing, so agents were there. At the suggestion of the embassy, I started approaching any employee I could find. Finally, someone from another airline helped me find where BA was checking passengers in for a flight and told them what happened to me. An employee took me to a side exit, showed her badge, told the guard I was okay to leave and signed me out.

I came back to the airport hours later for my new flight without incident.

Things to Note

–A local Indian man also missed his flight. He was directed to the area I was at and rebooked his flight. He was able to leave the airport and I wasn’t. He happened to be on my flight to Hong Kong, where we both caught connecting flights to our final destinations. I told him what happened to me and asked how he left. He said, “Being a local Indian man has its advantages.”

-Most people at the airport aren’t helpful. The armed guards won’t give you the time of day and the information desk is hit or miss. One guy told me to wait near the desk and he would have a BA agent help me. I waited for over an hour and when I asked him if I should keep waiting he ignored me. It was like he didn’t want to deal with me and so he told me whatever he felt like get me to leave him alone for awhile. So I walked around and went up to a guy who worked for an airline I’d never heard of before. The embassy talked to him and he helped me find the BA agents.

–The employees at the information desk rotate on a regular basis, so the trick is to keep going back and ask someone new for assistance.

–It’s an unfortunate fact that many men are hostile towards women in India and view females as their property. Women are degraded, abused and grossly mistreated. My encounter with a lot of the male employees wasn’t pleasant. They yelled at me when I politely asked for assistance and treated me like a criminal. Not all men of course. The Cathay Pacific agent who checked me in was very kind, as was the guy who showed me where to find British Airways agents. But, be prepared, especially as a solo female traveler. You will encounter a level of sexism that’s pretty unbelievable.

–Arrive at least three hours before your flight. The lines to get inside the airport can be long. Once you’re in, the lines at the ticket counter can be up to an hour wait, if not longer. Then you go immigration and then security. It’s a process, so the earlier the better.

–Be mindful of when your visa expires. You won’t be allowed to board your flight if it has expired. So if you miss your flight and your visa is about to expire, apply for another one quickly. You can’t get it approved on the spot. It takes at least two days. Click here to apply. Also call the American Embassy and have them give you advice on what to do.

What to do if you Miss your Flight

–Don’t go to the airport if you know you’ve missed your flight. Instead call the airline and talk to them directly since you can’t talk to agents at the airport. Plus, the cell and Wi-Fi service there is spotty at best, so it’s better to handle the situation beforehand if possible.

–Make sure to have your email confirmation before you attempt to enter the airport, otherwise you won’t be allowed in.

–If you miss your flight from Delhi while you’re at the airport, don’t try to leave. You still be stopped. You will have to figure it out while you’re there. Call your airline ASAP or have someone do it on your behalf.

–If you go to the information desk and tell them you missed your flight, they will probably escort you out of the airport to the area where I initially was. You don’t want to be there because there are no bathrooms, restaurants or many places to sit. So try to stay in the ticket counter area as long as possible. There are clean restrooms and a couple coffee stands where you can get water and snacks.

–There is a Holiday Inn at the airpot in Delhi and passengers leaving from T3 can in theory stay there. However, you need a boarding pass to access the hotel and once you enter the hotel you can’t leave until your flight. I didn’t have a boarding pass since my next flight wasn’t for another 18 hours. So I couldn’t access the hotel–or at least that’s what I was told. It’s definitely worth trying while you’re there. All they can do is tell you no.

–If you find yourself in a similar situation to mine, don’t panic. It doesn’t help. Take a deep breath, know it will take some time, but you will be okay.

January 7, 2020 admin

An honest look at IVHQ in Kenya and why volunteers should avoid them

At first glance IVHQ looks like a credible voluntourism organization. However, there isn’t anything ethical about the company. I volunteered with IVHQ in Kenya and was shocked by their misleading agenda and how they used locals in harmful ways to solicit volunteers and tourists.

By Kate Wilson

In late 2012, I had completed a double Bachelor degree of International Development and Public Health. Before I started a career in community development, I wanted to volunteer for a few months. I did as much research as I could and settled on going to Nairobi, Kenya. IVHQ seemed like a reputable organisation with great reviews and low fees for the three months that I planned to be there.

I inquired about IVHQ before I booked a program. I sent an email to the organization asking about the process, the costs and the details of the program in general. In my email communication, I asked whether I could read reviews and testimonials about the specific programs as what I had found online were volunteers talking and rating the accommodation, food, and their hosts, which I personally did not care about.

FIRST RED FLAG–NO HONEST REVIEWS

The program coordinator suggested the testimonial page on the IVHQ website as well as the IVHQ Facebook page were good places to get information. I noticed that on both sites, the reviews were all positive but they did not elaborate on the activities of the actual programs.

I pushed aside the uneasy feelings I had and moved forward. I narrowed my program choices down to the HIV/Aids program and the Women’s Education Program. I emailed IVHQ again to ask what these programs entailed. I received an email response from Joe Gichuki- the Coordinator for Network for Voluntary Services (the IVHQ office for Kenya).

This was his response:

“The HIV/Aids and Women’s Education Program are almost the same in terms of activities. There may however, be slight differences. Basically those doing these two programs are placed in centres which have been set up to enlighten or give hope to those affected and infected by HIV/AIDS scourge. The centres have different activities eg; home visits meant to reach out to those people who are sick and have no one to care for them. During home visits they do cleaning, cook and feed the weak and sick. Other activities include enlightening them on the importance of having a well-balanced diet, good hygiene, importance of taking their medicine correctly and the negative impacts of involving themselves with hard drugs and taking of illicit brews. In other times, they visit hospitals to give hope to the sick.”

“For those doing HV/Aids program you may them places in hospitals where they can do counselling and actual testing of HIV/Aids. These are only those who have basic experience and qualified to do this. Those doing Women’s Education can work with teenage girls in schools to teach them on the reproductive health. Different centres have their schedule on how this is all achieved but basically this is what the two programs are involved in.”

The Women’s Education program had a description in the volunteering manual which read:

Due to ongoing initiatives to support those affected by HIV/AIDs, many women living with HIV/AIDS are still able to continue and function on a day-to-day basis, but need support to be able to do so. IVHQ and our local partner work closely with centres which support these women, and their families, providing counselling, guidance and sometimes child care. The primary aim of these centres is to empower the women through income-generating projects, education and skill training. At many of the centres, many women are able to learn sewing, tailoring, candle-making and jewelry-making through subsized courses, and the women also have access to finance and small business management courses, enabling them to start their own craft-making or tailoring business to generate an income and provide for their children and families. In these centres, volunteers can assist in any area including counselling, skill training and campaign/education development. Volunteers on this program do not need previous experience or training in HIV/AIDS or Women’s Empowerment, however we do strongly recommend volunteers gain some understanding of the subject prior to their arrival.

SECOND RED FLAG–NO EXPERIENCE, NO PROBLEM

I was both intrigued and confused as to how I, a volunteer with relatively no experience with the above activities, would be any help to the women at the centre. I assumed that when I arrived I would be the one working alongside qualified and experienced nurses, social workers or community health workers that would provide me with training, but that wasn’t really the case.

RELATED: Beware of Frontier

THIRD RED FLAG–UNHELPFUL ORIENTATION

At the orientation, I was placed with a group of women who were HIV positive. The orientation was very vague as it didn’t offer any indication of the activities involved, details of the group of women, nor any training. Volunteers would be ‘thrown in’ to navigate everything themselves without a support person and this didn’t seem responsible to me.

On my first day, I was introduced to a group to six women from the WEEP centre- which stood for ‘Women’s Empowerment Education Program’. Apparently, it was a government recognised organisation. At the site was a two room primary school with about 30 children and a smaller room where the 6 women met. The group was ‘run’ by a local nurse named Gladys. The women were initially a bit shy but then opened up about their stories.

LOCALS BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF

Over the course of a couple of days, it occurred to me that these women were not empowered at all. Instead, they were conditioned by Gladys to come across as weak, poor, helpless and sad. They claimed to not have any work because of their HIV. Gladys was providing them with an income, rationing it out weekly for the women to pay for their rent, food, medication and children. I was dumbfounded. I felt as though these women were not who they claimed to be at all but were in fact brainwashed by Gladys so that volunteers and tourists would give them handouts. These women previously worked as secretaries, teachers and housewives. These women were told to believe all of this negativity when I knew that they were strong, healthy and intelligent. I was unsure as to how long this was going on for. There was a local woman there to assist me who claimed to be a social worker, but I never knew if this was true or not, because she didn’t seem very interested in helping the women too much and looked to me for guidance instead.

HELPING OUTSIDE OF THE PROGRAM

Over the next week, I discussed with the women what they would like to do to generate their own income. They wanted to make bags and clothing to sell at the market. Gladys gave them money to get started. Another volunteer and I went into town and purchased Singer sewing machines for the ladies to get started. These would be theirs to keep. The morale and attitudes within the group lifted. A volunteer with a teaching background offered to teach the women English for an hour a couple of times a week. I taught the women how to make simple meals on their coal stoves. The women were becoming more independent, confident and happier.

FINANCIAL SHADINESS

Gladys had set up a space with souvenirs ranging from clothing, bags, jewellery and homewares that she claimed the women had made. The sales of these items would go directly back to the women. I asked the women about this and they admitted that they didn’t make any of the souvenirs. Gladys would buy items from the local market, increase the prices and tell volunteers and tourists that the women made these. Only a small percentage of the money went to the women and Gladys pocketed the rest. It occurred to me that the money Gladys had was in fact my volunteer fees. At this point, I was suspicious of Gladys’ motives. It didn’t sit well with me knowing that Gladys was controlling the women’s finances and lives in general. I spoke to the other volunteers and the ladies and we came up with an idea for the ladies to generate an income. We would help the women set up a ‘clothes washing business.’ Their first customers were the volunteers staying at our house. They needed bags of clothes washed and hung to dry. The ladies were enjoying running their own small businesses and having control over their finances. Gladys didn’t like the idea and not being ‘needed’ or in control of the ladies and wanted them to stop with the business.

In addition to WEEP, I visited another group of HIV positive women known as Power Women. These women were self-sufficient running their own jewellery making business, hair salon and were now in the middle of establishing their own child care service on the premises. They encouraged visitors to spend time with them, to participate in any of the activities that they were doing and they never asked for donations. I asked these ladies if the women at WEEP could join them as I didn’t trust Gladys and I thought the ladies could benefit from each other. The Power Women were a little hesitant at first, but happy to include the other ladies in their group. Unfortunately, I was only going to be in the country for the next week, and I was worried about the ladies. We confirmed with the women that the sewing machines were theirs- one each to keep and to take to the Power Women space if they wanted to go there. Gladys claimed that the machines were hers and not the ladies’. I took this up with NVS and they ensured me that Gladys would not take them or be involved with the ladies anymore. Some of the other volunteers kept in contact with the ladies after I left and I really hope NVS stepped up and made sure the ladies were ok. Being a young girl, with limited support, limited experience and who lives on the other side of the world is not the right person to hold so much responsibility. I didn’t have the time or resources to ensure that these women would be safe and I didn’t know who the other volunteers were that would be ‘assigned’ to the group after I had left. The whole program was not well managed, organised or clear. It felt as though NVS didn’t care about who was participating in this program as long as they were willing to provide handouts.

GOING ROGUE

I felt that I wanted to do more with my time while I was there so I accompanied some other students who were in teaching programs. I spoke to the Principals of two schools in the Kibera Slums and asked whether I could teach the students eight subjects- one per week. These were; Relationships, HIV/Aids and social stigma, Menstruation, contraception, STI’s, hygiene and sanitation, nutrition and pregnancy. I didn’t have a teaching degree but I did have a degree in public health and health promotion. As far as I was aware, only some of these subjects were taught at schools and not in very detail. When I asked the Principals why, I was met with a few responses. The reasons were that the current teachers employed at the school did not have the knowledge to teach them. Another reason was that the teachers were too embarrassed to teach these subjects and that they didn’t have enough government funding to employ a local health teacher. I was put into the school timetables immediately and the teachers were really excited and enthusiastic. I created fun, educational and interactive classes that the students enjoyed. Other volunteers loved the idea and joined in with some of the classes. A couple of weeks before I had to leave, I spoke to some other volunteers just starting out their programs and asked whether they would take over and teach some other classes at other schools in the area. They were very keen. I wrote a proposal to IVHQ asking whether they would include these subjects as part of a separate teaching program for future volunteers. My idea fell on deaf ears and I was never given a reason. The only reply I received was that “it is not possible”. I tried to contact IVHQ again when I returned home but no one from the organisation ever got back to me. This was just another disappointment with NVS and IVHQ.

I honestly don’t feel as though they care about anyone besides themselves and raking in as much money as they can from unsuspecting volunteers. IVHQ isn’t an ethical program and I advise volunteers against giving them your money or time. This organization isn’t actually helping local communities. Instead they use to them lure in volunteers and tourists for their financial gain.

January 6, 2020 admin

Pink pledges a $500K donation to the Australian Fire Service

Here’s just one more reason to love Pink! The superstar has pledged to donate $500,000 to help aid local fire services in Australia.

By Heather Newgen

The wildfires in Australia have been raging for months now, claiming at least 23 lives according to CNN, killing half a billion animals, including koalas, birds and reptiles, burning 11 million acres and destroying more than 1,500 homes.

“I am totally devastated watching what is happening in Australia right now with the horrific bushfires,” Pink, 40, captioned her Instagram post. “I am pledging a donation of $500,000 directly to the local fire services that are battling so hard on the frontlines. My heart goes out to our friends and family in Oz ❤️.”

Pink is also encouraging others to make donations and posted links to local organizations.

Pink

The fires, which have been burning since September, have forced entire towns to evacuate, in one of the worst fire seasons in Australia’s history. Firefighters are working tirelessly to combat the out of control fires, but there’s no end in sight.

Currently, three fires have combined into a single blaze that’s the size of Manhattan, NYC. Firefighters from the U.S. have now been called on for additional help for the first time since 2010.

The fires joined overnight in the Omeo region in Victoria state, creating a 6,000-hectare (23 square mile) blaze, according to Gippsland’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

In addition, a fire in the Wollondilly region south of the capital Sydney, which is the neighboring New South Wales state, remains “out of control,” according to the Rural Fire Service. It has burned 264,000 hectares (1,020 square miles) of land in recent months.

Victoria has declared a state of disaster and NSW has declared a state of emergency.

Other organizations to donate to include the Australian Red Cross, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, which set up specific funds for the families of two firefighters and the Salvation Army Australia, which is providing food and shelter to people who had to evacuate, as well as front-line responders.

To help wildlife, consider WIRES, an Australian wildlife rescue nonprofit and the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital where you can adopt a koala.

January 4, 2020 admin

How “The Voice” Season 17 Finalists Give Back

Long before the contestants of Season 17’s “The Voice” made it onto the Emmy-winning reality show battling it out for the top prize, they were giving back in their communities.. With their new platform, they’re now able to highlight those efforts and raise awareness for their charitable causes.

By: Heather Newgen

Fan favorite Ricky Duran, 29, beautifully sang Leon Bridges’ “River” for his blind audition, winning all the coaches over, getting a four-chair turn. He ultimately chose Blake Shelton as his mentor, who he stayed with throughout his time on the show. Duran effortlessly performed like a pro who was ready to take on the industry by storm all season. Plus he dressed like a rock star and pulled off a sequin blazer and leather pants, proving he means business.

THE VOICE — “Live Semi Final Results” Episode 1719B — Pictured: (l-r) Blake Shelton, Ricky Duran — (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)[/caption]

The edgy diverse singer came in second place, Team Kelly’s Jake Hoot took home the trophy, but believes this is just the start of something big in his career, so be on the lookout for him.

THE VOICE — “Live Finale Results” Episode 1720B — Pictured: (l-r) Ricky Duran, Gary Clark Jr. — (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)[/caption]

While Duran isn’t impressing the crowd with dynamic vocals and musical talents, he’s giving back to an organization that’s very personal for him.

“There’s a foundation called the AFSP, the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention that I’ve put on a couple of benefits in Worcester for that cause. I think it’s a very important subject that needs to be talked about Suicide awareness,” he told The Voluntourist.

Duran’s father, Ricardo Duran, was a musician, which sparked his love for music. His dad taught him how to play the guitar and they played in a band together when Duran was a teenager. Later on, his father managed his college band called the Blue Light Bandits. Tragically, Ricky lost his father in 2012; Ricardo took his own life after his health went into serious decline.

“I lost my dad to suicide when I was 22 and also my best friend four years ago. It’s a tough thing. It’s a lot of mental illness tied in with real life. It’s something that we all need to look into a little more,” he revealed.

Another frontrunner on “The Voice” season 17 was Team John Legend’s Katie Kadan who placed third. The beautiful 38-year-old soulful singer from Chicago, Illinois wowed audiences with her powerful voice and blues-infused style.

THE VOICE — “Live Finale Performances” Episode 1720A — Pictured: (l-r) John Legend, Katie Kadan — (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)[/caption]

The artist admits she was fearful to own her talents and although she sang in her church choir, she didn’t start performing anywhere else until age 30.

Now the powerhouse fully embraces her gift and when she’s not belting out perfect performances in the Chicago club scene, she’s volunteering.

THE VOICE — “Live Finale Results” Episode 1720B — Pictured: (l-r) Katie Kadan, Adam Lambert — (Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC)[/caption]

“I do a lot of service like helping rebuild communities. I’m helping out in a town called Maywood, IL, helping rebuild the community because finances are down and crime is up. I love to get in there and help whether it’s feeding people, whether it’s singing with people, whether it’s cutting lawns or doing whatever I can. I like to do that,” she said.

As to what happened to Maywood, she revealed, “The town was a great town, a historical town, but taxes went up so high that people aren’t able to keep up with their properties. It breaks my heart. The church that I’m involved in does a lot of outreach for the community. It’s called Impact Church and I’ve been working with them for about a year. While the singer does what she can, she wishes it could be more.

“It feels great to help, but I know I can do more. I think the biggest message I want to spread is kindness and love. We live in a society where people are just hating on people too much. it’s our job to be kind, so if I can do a little bit of that then I’ve done my job.”

December 29, 2019 admin

A contrast of disappointment and hope in humanity at Sneha’s Care Animal Shelter

This article about a volunteer’s experience at Sneha’s Care Animal Shelter, which is located in Nepal, was originally seen on the blog The Search of the Hummingbird. The writer has given permission to have the piece posted on The Voluntourist.

By Laura Yates

At the moment, as I start to write, I feel like this past week has undone all the good vibes and feelings, peace and calm I have generated over the past few months. I know it isn’t the case, but I still need to process the week properly, which is why I decided to write about it…This is not a pretty blog post, it is still raw and real, despite me trying to censor it… so I hope you can read it for what it is.

From the moment I arrived at Sneha’s Care Animal Shelter it was non-stop. I could have taken more breaks, from the cleaning, physical work and dog feeding. But I think if I had stopped a little longer than necessary I would have had to stop, think and feel. And doing that would have been far too heartbreaking.

In my mind I kept thinking, shit has to get done, and some people are standing around watching others work, but the dogs need this shit to be done! Some of the staff at Sneha’s Care Animal Shelter (particularly two inspiring women, Nana and Kamala) worked their arses off. So first I thought that I didn’t stop working because I felt guilty for taking even the tiniest break, while they worked. But I think, in hindsight, I didn’t want to stop and let my mind and heart catch up. I didn’t want to be mindful and present, because it would have made the heartache too real.

Sneha's Care Animal Shelter Beautiful dog at Sneha’s Care Animal Shelter
Photo courtesy of Laura Yates

Sneha’s care Animal Shelter was having its bi-annual vet camp while we were there; twice a year, for two weeks “World Vet’s” sets up a camp to assist with spaying, neutering, vaccinations, surgeries etc. A great job they did, but it did mean that a lot of the permanent staff were busy with the camp and not the usual shelter duties. It was a good week to be able to volunteer in the short-staffed shelter, but also exhausting. Each day literally rolled into the next, sleep, eat, feed dogs, clean shelter, wash dog bowls, walk dogs, hang washed blankets, feed dogs, put blankets out and dogs to bed, shower, eat, crash, repeat.

If I had a moment during the day, I would go to each “dog run” and do Reiki in the area. I would also spend time giving Reiki to the injured and sick dogs or take time to love and cuddle some of the 200 dogs in Sneha’s Care Animal Shelter. Some 100% healthy, some scared and injured, some paralyzed, some happy three-legged hounds, they were all there and in need of something.

On the second day at Sneha’s Car Animal Shelter Nana asked me to help prepare the dog food. It required sticking my hands in a giant pot of watery rice and squashing the big lumps of rice in between my fingers to break them up. I started to gag, I am really not good with mushy food, particularly soggy carbs. At that moment, I looked up at all the little furry souls in the shelter, some barking, some wagging their tails, some looking rather sad, and I reminded myself to think of my intention, the souls I was doing it for. Being mindful of the task at hand was not going to be possible, so I focused my mind on the motivation instead. A helpful tactic indeed.

Dogs hanging out at Sneha’s Care Animal Shelter
Photo courtesy of Laura Yates

Most evenings the three of us volunteers would get back to the volunteer house that Sneha’s Care Animal Shelter provides, change out of our very dirty and smelly clothes, shower, eat Dhal Bhat (a giant plate of rice, some watery dhal and some curried veggies – lovely the first few times…but twice daily got a bit much) and then we would climb into bed with a cup of black tea and some chocolate that we bought from the nearby grocery store (this was our little bit of comfort).

On our fourth day, we arrived to find that one of the puppies (with two broken legs) and another ill dog with serious mange, both had passed away during the night. Seeing one of the other dogs (bandaged up, with an ear missing) looking very sad, resting it’s head on the still body of the mange dog was the end of us volunteers. I just pulled myself together and worked harder, to the extent that I decided that carrying 30kg bags of frozen chicken up a flight of stairs (4 times) was a great way to distract myself. But during the day each of us took a moment to ourselves to shed a little tear. It was a tough reality in the shelter, we didn’t talk about it much, but I think we all felt the same. That evening we decided to get creative and make some dog toys from some of our old clothes, we did this while eating chocolate and listening to Christmas carols. The first little reminder that December is around the corner, and I like to think that it lifted our spirits just a little.

It wasn’t all sad and tough. The three of us volunteers had some good laughs, particularly on the days where we got a lift from the volunteer house to the shelter (or back) in the dog ambulance. With Hari the driver and a vet technician, 5 of us squashed in the front of the ambulance, made for a cosy trip. Or when we felt the freedom of the evening dusty air, riding to the house on the back of the motorcycles with some of the staff. We also had some hilarious conversations over our twice daily portions of Dhal Bhat. It was a good experience to immerse ourselves within the daily lives of the Nepali people.

Besides that one day, I did not shed a tear, I don’t think I allowed myself to fully process the things I saw and felt; The sad hazel eyes of Germany, the immobile German Shepard with a nerve problem, looking up at me saying “please help me, I’m in such pain”. The nudging against my arm of little Ellie, the amputee, with the biggest heart, just wanting to be near me. The squeaky bark of Tink, the skinny 8 week old puppy, who never wanted to be alone. The half closed eyes of the new dog that arrived, so old, shivering and scared. The sad sad eyes of the dog that arrived with a head injury and a missing ear… even the sparkly eyes of the now healthy dogs, so ready to be adopted and loved, and in need of exercise and freedom….

Tink and Germany at Sneha’s Care Animal Shelter
Photo courtesy of Laura Yates

But now, as I write this, I feel like I can start to feel, and I feel so much. I feel helpless for these precious souls, what karma brought them into such a life?

I feel anger at the number of people who got dogs for their homes (because they wanted to live up to the neighbors), only to realize that dogs are hard work, need time and cost money, and then kick them out on the street. (And this doesn’t only happen in Nepal).

I feel confusion about the controversial topic of euthanasia. There are some paralyzed dogs in Sneha’s Care Animal Shelter that seem pretty happy with life, but there are some sick and paralyzed dogs that just look sad and in pain, who makes the decision of what is right and wrong?

I also feel irritation at the lazy resident vet, standing around barking orders to us to do things, when he could have made himself much more useful, with his veterinarian skills, tending to the sick and wounded dogs, that occasionally got neglected by him,

I thought to myself, where on earth are all those feelings of compassion and good vibes that I have accumulated over the past few months? I honestly could go back to Phool Chatti Ashram in Rishikesh and just hide and re-heal all over again.

At the time when I needed it most, I did not meditate or do yoga, I just went into autopilot, ignoring the fact that being disciplined in my self practice is always crucial for my mental, spiritual, physical and emotional heath.

Sneha's Care Animal Shelter Little Ellie at Sneha’s Care Animal Shelter
Photo courtesy of Laura Yates

This is not a pretty blog post, nor does it flow particularly well. But it highlights the terrible way in which so many humans disregard the tender hearts and souls of animals, how they think they can just toss dogs out when they become an inconvenience, is beyond me. However, it also highlights that there is some kindness left in humanity, the volunteers, and the hard working staff at Sneha’s Care Animal Shelter, give me hope that there are people in the world that still have empathy and compassion. A particular event reminded me just how much unconditional love dogs have to give. I was holding Putchi, a little white fur ball, while she got her wound dressing changed. She kept trying to bite me, so we had to put a muzzle on her for a brief moment while Kamala changed her dressing. As soon as we were done, dear little Putchi nuzzled her nose between my waist and my elbow, all forgiving and ready to love again.

Sneha's Care Animal Shelter Volunteer Laura Yates Snuggling Putchi, and ear licking by another pooch at Sneha’s Care Animal Shelter
Photo courtesy of Laura Yates

It also highlights the importance of a daily meditation practice for myself. Staying in touch with the power of Now, with my body and my feelings, while maintaining the discipline of a calm and peaceful mind, is essential for my health.

As I write this, Moira, a fellow volunteer, at Sneha’s Care Animal Shelter, has just sent me videos of dear little Tink, joyfully playing with her new homemade toys… This is when I remind myself; a lot of us get truly overwhelmed and despondent by the negative state of this world, but if we each take time to do something positive, focusing on one kind and compassionate task at a time, we may make a difference even if it is just to one precious soul at a time…

Tink and her new toy at Sneha’s Care Animal Shelter
Photo courtesy of Laure Yates

December 2, 2019 admin

Terminally ill teen dedicates final months to anti-bullying cause Give a Child a Voice

Eric Erdman, 19, has been battling an aggressive rare form of brain cancer – Anaplastic Grade III Ependymoma for three years. The terminally ill teen has only a few months left to live and he’s spending that time giving back to others with his organization Give a Child a Voice. The foundation aims to help put an end to child abuse, bullying, as well as life-threatening childhood illnesses.

By: Heather Newgen @hnvoluntourist

Since learning of his condition at just 16-years-old, Eric Erdman immediately jumped into action to help others. He created the T.E.K Foundation CC Inc., operating as Give a Child a Voice, which shows children how powerful and important their voices can be.

“The cause is important to me because for me being silent I learned was much more painful than breaking the silence. When I broke my silence a better version of me surfaced. It would mean the world if more kids could break the silence to stop suffering in silence,” he told The Voluntourist.

“I was inspired to create the Give a Child a Voice movement from the pain I experienced first hand in my life. The fact that I can truly say I am no longer a victim anymore of child abuse, bullying, and even my terminal illness. The moment I spoke out I no longer was a victim. It is my mission to help more kids not be a victim anymore,” he added.

One of the most rewarding things for Erdman to see is the positive impact Give a Child a Voice is having.

“The impact on kids so far has been absolutely incredible, so many kids reach out daily and share their stories. Some searching for additional assistance which is why we are also searching for more organizations to partner with so we may get kids the help they need,” he shared.

Erdman is now is hospice, but is still fighting for his cause. He is seeking the next school (so far he has helped two) to be the recipients of a gym transformation with the impending months he has left through his “Give a Child a Voice Fitness Center Give-A-Way.” The foundation is launching their gym transformation contest at the recent NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Race in Miami where his aunt famed race car driver Angela Ruch paid tribute to Erdman.

“I’m racing for Eric at the Ford EcoBoost 200 because it takes a village to construct a gym, and our goal is to raise $300,000 to help Eric continue to make an impact in more children’s lives. To transform another gym with the final months Eric has remaining, along with many more gyms to come, I can’t think of a more
worthy cause,” Ruch stated.

Eric and his brother Tylor designed the wrap for her truck, which featured Give a Child a Voice to commemorate his efforts in paying it forward.

Give a Child a Voice

“To know Eric has spent time with his brother designing this wrap for the final race of the year has so much meaning to me. I’m racing for a great cause as we need to help all children find their voices, Ruch said.

She continued, “Eric was bullied and abused as a child and was a timid kid growing up. He found himself spending time in the gym to help clear his mind, and grow confidence within himself. That’s when he decided to start his own foundation, Give A Child A Voice. Now Eric has purpose which has driven him to start building gyms across the US to help other kids, like it helped him.”

Erdman has always believed in viewing life as if we are all books, waiting to be written. Although he won’t be able to write as many chapters as other people, he continues to work hard to ensure that the chapters he is writing are meaningful.” We are the authors of our stories – not our abusers, not our bullies, and not our life-threatening illnesses. When we break the silence, we take back control,” he said.

To learn more about Give a Child a Voice visit https://www.giveachildavoice.us/.

November 21, 2019 admin

Just voluntourist