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GSC's Asia
Programs are Expanding!
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New Developments in Cambodia and Thailand
Experience the vibrant
cultures, storied histories, and exotic landscapes of Asia while
providing meaningful service to the warm and gracious people of
Cambodia and Thailand. Global Service Corps is excited to offer new
experiences for volunteers interested in participating in an Asia
program. Please read on to learn about the continuing evolution of
GSC's HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention program and the Orphanage
Care Program in Cambodia, as well as the Buddhist Immersion program
in Thailand. For more information on how these programs can be
combined with the Teach English Abroad and International Health
Programs, go to the Integrated Service Learning Program pages for
Thailand and Cambodia on the GSC website.
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Cambodia: New!
HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Day Camp for Street Kids
Built upon the best
practices from GSC’s Tanzania and Thailand HIV/AIDS Program, a new
HIV/AIDS Prevention and Life Skills Day Camp is set to begin in
Phnom Penh on July 25, 2011. GSC has been collaborating with a new
partner organization in Cambodia serving 1,100 street children in
Phnom Penh in 11 youth centers. Providing a safe space for healthy
growth and development, as well as an opportunity to engage in
academic, art, and enrichment activities such as music and dance,
GSC volunteers can assist in enriching all aspects of life for
these children in need. During the Youth Day Camp, GSC will be
working with three of these centers, focusing on children aged
11-13. Based on a needs assessment of the local communities, GSC’s
work in Phnom Penh will include HIV/AIDS education and prevention,
drug and alcohol abuse, and issues related to domestic violence.
To read more about GSC's HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Program in
Cambodia please click on the picture to the left.
Camp begins July 25th! Deadlines are fast approaching. Apply now: http://www.globalservicecorps.org/site/apply/
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Cambodia: A Look
into the Orphanage Care Program
GSC's Orphanage Care
Program is unique in that it encompasses support for youth affected
by HIV/AIDS prevention, English education, and positive living all
in the atmosphere of a large, caring family. This environment is
exactly what won the heart of a past GSC volunteer.
"After settling in to my new room and getting the initial tour
of the orphanage, I sat down for lunch with the director in an
outdoor covered dining table next to a fish pond. No more than 10
minutes into lunch I saw the first child, a little tiny bald boy
with a big bandage on his head wearing a matching red plaid PJ set
walking around by himself. I could only see him from behind. The
director explained to me that he was about 3 years old and HIV
positive. His mother had died and his grandmother carried him
around for the first two years of his life afraid that if she let
him go, he would die of AIDS too. I can't remember exactly what
happened, but his grandmother ended up bringing him to the
orphanage. He had never walked or done anything for himself. It was
a tough adjustment to be thrown in with 59 new kids running and
playing and he didn't take it well. He cried and screamed all day
long and refused to leave his bamboo mat/bed. When Virak turned
around, I expected to see a sad, lonely little boy. Instead I was
greeted with a devilish smile letting us know he was up to no good.
For the rest of lunch, Virak hid behind the chairs giggling, stood
on the edge of the fishpond until told by the director to backup,
running away in a laughing fit, "hiding" behind small
bushes and trees, and doing silly dances. His feet are turned out,
but he is recovering well from his early sheltering and apparently
is now fitting in great. Hearing his story and seeing him now, I
couldn't believe it. How does a small child recover from something
like that so quickly? I knew that this place would be
special."
-Kate B., GSC Cambodia Orphanage Care Volunteer, 7/19/10-9/12/10
To learn more about GSC's Orphanage Care Program in Cambodia please
click on the picture to the left.
To apply to work with children like Virak who thrive from the love
and dedication of GSC volunteers and staff please visit: http://www.globalservicecorps.org/site/apply/
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Thailand: Buddhist
Immersion Program Welcomes Families and a New Head Teacher
GSC's Buddhist Immersion
Program offers a unique opportunity for students, groups, and
adults of all ages to experience life in a Buddhist monastery
(wat). Volunteers can become fully involved in temple life as they
practice meditation and chanting, observe alms-giving, and live
simply and in harmony with nature. While guests at the wat,
volunteer participants give back by serving the monks and community
members through teaching English. Families are also invited to
participate together in this unique cross-cultural experience,
providing children the opportunity to learn from as well as teach
young novice monks and local Thai children.
Global Service Corps welcomes John Marshall, who has recently
joined the GSC team as Head Teacher of the Thailand Buddhist
Immersion Program. John has eight years of experience teaching
English as a foreign language, practices meditation regularly, and
has a "passion and commitment to the spiritual path."
John will provide essential support and guidance for volunteers,
GSC Thailand staff, and the monks and local community members.
What GSC Volunteers are saying about their experience:
“This trip was a truly joyous experience. I was able to immerse
myself in a lifestyle that’s both vastly different than my own, but
very intriguing. I was able to learn about myself and others in a
profoundly meaningful way and to the benefit of the local
community.”
-Eric M., GSC Thailand Buddhist Immersion Volunteer,
12/18/10-1/14/11
To learn more about GSC's Buddhist Immersion Program in Thailand
please click on the picture to the left.
Apply now to experience Buddhism in the "Land of Smiles":
http://www.globalservicecorps.org/site/apply/
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Contact Us- We'd
Love to Hear from You
Global Service Corps
welcomes your input, comments, questions, stories, and donations:
http://www.globalservicecorps.org/site/donate/
Please feel free to invite friends, family and colleagues to sign
up to receive GSC newsletters.
To ensure the delivery of this newsletter, please click the
"confirm" link at the bottom of this newsletter, and add
GSC to your Contacts or "Safe Senders List."
Contact us:
Global Service Corps
3543 18th Street, #14
San Francisco, CA 94110
Email: gsc@globalservicecorps.org
Tel: 415-551-0000
Fax: 415-861-8969
Website: http://www.globalservicecorps.org
Blog: http://globalservicecorpsblog.wordpress.com/
For more information on our programs, schedules, and application
process, please click on the picture to the left to visit our
website.
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