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STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
Experience of a lifetime...
The requirement of completing local service hours before the trip helped prepare for my international trip. I realized that when I do something small in my community, I can help many people. Doing service in Kenya made me want to come home and continue serving.
–Ambrie Bodily; 2011 Kenya Team member
Youthlinc has forever changed me. It has humbled me in every way possible. It made me appreciate my freedom as a girl in the United States. I am so grateful. I never realized how much service could change me. I love it. I have learned so much about others, but most of all, I have learned about myself.
–Erin Berg; 2011 Kenya Team member
I have learned a lot and grown a lot over the past year with my interaction in Youthlinc. I have learned organizational and planning skills. But most importantly, I have learned people skills. How we all come together from different backgrounds, cities and personalities, then grow together as friends under the watch of service is truly amazing. And to learn how to reach out and touch lives.
--2011 Kenya Team member
I have been changed in more than one way. A lot of times people look at the negative aspects of humanity, but Youthlinc proves that there are people in this world who truly care for others. It was great to serve around 30+ more people with a mind centered on service. I love service. No matter how much you serve others, the feeling of satisfaction and of appreciation never gets old. I plan on continuing to serve others daily whether it be by opening a door for someone, or donating more time in service to others.
-- Trevor Williams; 2011 Mexico Team member
I know my life has been changed by these experiences. I am humbled and joyed by it all. I find the most happiness when I’m making others happy. I have become so much more grateful for all the things I enjoy. I want to help be the change today that makes the difference tomorrow. Even if one person’s life is changed because of mine, it is worth it.
– Micadyn Judkins; 2011 Mexico Team member
My local service prepared me for the international service. It was really meaningful especially because you had to earn your right to go on the trip. The many hours of service have opened my eyes to a whole new world. Now that I’ve served in Mexico, my world has expanded even more. I can’t wait to use what I have learned when I get home! I know I’ll serve the rest of my life!
--Micah Rose Allgood; 2011 Mexico Team member
Youthlinc has helped me in so many ways. Local service made me realize there are service opportunities EVERYWHERE and I want to find them. International service has helped me realize that there are good people everywhere. You can find friends and opportunities everywhere if you are willing to go and put forth the effort.
– Melissa Fillmore; 2011 Mexico Team member
I feel that my life has been changed for the better. I now know not to judge people right away, or to take anything for granted. I truly have been humbled by this great adventure. I want to serve so much more and be able to help everyone. I want to devote more of my time towards serving and working with others. I am truly grateful for this adventure and how it has taught me so much about myself.
--Mallorie Duke; 2011 Mexico Team member
Youthlinc has been life changing. I have always been grateful for what I have, but these experiences add a whole new meaning. The life I lead and opportunities I have are amazing, and I want to spend my life doing what I can do make this a reality for others.
–Carly Poth; 2011 Cambodia Team member
I can’t wait to get home so that I can do more service and change other people’s lives for the better while learning about people and their stories. Service is the best experience you can ever have.
--Maggie Bradford; 2011 Cambodia Team member
I knew I loved service, but this experience has cemented my thoughts on it. I want to do this the rest of my life.
--Megan Hall; 2011 Cambodia Team member
Youthlinc has impacted me greatly. Going on this trip has opened my eyes to an entirely different world. This trip makes me want to serve my community and the world more often in the future.
– Cole Robbins; 2011 Peru Team member
This program has completely changed my perspective on life. It has opened up my eyes to how vast the world is, and how much we as humans are capable of. It has made me aware of just how big a difference I can make in the world and in the lives of others.
-- Anna Vincent; 2011 Peru Team member
I think Youthlinc’s impact on Palmeras is exponential. Just with the sidewalk alone we have made it so they don’t have to walk through mud to get to school every day. The people of Palmeras were definitely impacted by our group and I was impacted by them as well. I feel that now I really understand the importance of service and how much it impacts me and the people I help. The people of Palmeras, Youthlinc, and my service site have changed my life and I’m so grateful for this experience.
--Emma Stephens; 2011 Peru Team member
Before the trip I had an idea of how it would be to serve others in Kenya, but nothing could have prepared me for the experience that I had. I am so impressed by the way that this program conducts its projects. The way that we worked for and with the community, by asking for their needs rather than just throwing aid at them, makes me feel like we really did change the community not just for the time that we were there, but for the future of Kiamuri as a whole.
I also want you to know how highly I think of our team leaders. I don't think we could have been in better hands. They are all so knowledgeable about development and aid and they truly care about the communities they serve.
From the red dirt that is still stained on my ankles to the unprecedented Kenyan hospitality we were shown, I truly fell in love with the village of Kiamuri. I will treasure this experience for the rest of my life.
-Lisa Moynihan, Kenya 2009
The Youthlinc program has helped me realize that the world is bigger than me and my community. I have also come to understand that there are needs in every community, even Salt Lake. This trip has helped me want to become more involved in service both locally and internationally. One person really can make small steps toward big revolutions.
- Bonnijane Black, Mexico 2008
My experience doing service with Youthlinc has been deeply meaningful to me because it has strengthened my understanding of the differences between needs, wants, and desires. While having little to no monetary possessions, the Kenyans that I worked with were some of the happiest people I have ever met. They taught me that happiness is a state of mind and not measured by consumerist material desires.
- Stephen Smoot, Kenya 2008
This program has impacted me in such a way that I plan on being a humanitarian for the rest of my life. I will continue to give service in my community for the rest of my life. Although it is fun to go to another country and do service I have realized how much service needs to be done in my own community.
-Scott Simpson, Mexico 2008
I think the biggest lesson I learned while in Ocotlan is the fact that I still have a lot to learn in life and that the only way to learn more is to see opportunities to stretch yourselves beyond what you would normally think you are capable of doing. I learned that individual people really do have the power to change lives.
– Merrit Denison, Mexico 2007
The most striking realization I had was that all people the world over are, for the most part, the same. I was amazed to find that after flying 9,000 miles, I could find similarities with and personally relate to the people I encountered. I also will never forget the feeling of being the EXTREME racial minority."
–Nick Andersen, 2001 Kenya
I believe my experience in Kenya will prove to be one of the defining experiences in my development as an aware citizen of this planet. The image of the unimaginable poverty that I have witnessed will be a constant motivation for working towards social justice and other humanitarian projects.
–Benjamin Rackham Kenya 2005
This experience has impacted me in a way that has not only opened my eyes to poverty and a world full of needs but has introduced me to people who are truly happy and content. The people of Santa Rosa are so grateful for the little that they do have. They inspire me to want to be a better person. I now realize more than ever that I am so blessed and because of that I have such a great responsibility and potential to do good and make a difference in lives around the world."
– Linda Jo Taylor, Peru 2007
The hard work and dedication of the poor support the society in which we live. My home, my clothes, my car, i-pod, computer, my everything are made by my brothers and sisters. The greatest ability is the capacity to have meaningful relationships with others regardless of their circumstance. I won't forget that all our lives are connected.
– Smitty Monson, Mexico 2007
It's cheesy to say this program changed my life but it did. I will never forget the people in Santa Rosa. They will always be a part of my heart and of my life. They taught me how to live simply and how to be grateful. Never in a million years would I trade this experience."
– Rebecca Edwards, Peru 2007
This trip has been the most eye-opening, amazing, wonderful time of my life. Helping people and seeing their gratitude, touched me so deeply. While we were in Peru, it hit me; compared to these people, I live like a king. My house is a palace. I have absolutely everything, including an obligation to give of myself to others."
– Kevin Engberson, Peru 2007
I just got back from the Dominican Republic with another service group. Everyone complained the whole time. They weren't happy to be there to serve the less fortunate. If they had done local service before they went, their attitudes would have been more humble, and they would have known that they were on SERVICE trip. They weren't there to tour around. YouthLINC really does change lives and it really is THE best organization out there!"
– Madison Baugh, Peru 2007
At the Boys and Girls Club, I worked with a lot of kids who got very little attention at home, or none at all. Despite that, they mostly had good attitudes, and that wore off on me. I also learned patience and how to play 6-base kick ball."
– Sean McCandless, Peru 2004
For my local service, I volunteered at Kids On The Move, a place to help children with disabilities. Having a consistent place to volunteer was beneficial because I was able to watch the kids grow and develop and create friendships. Despite how busy life is, giving my time for those children was worth every moment."
– Erica Martineau, 2005 Peru
I can't even express how grateful I am for this opportunity. I feel everyone involved is better because of this experience and as a result, we are each individually empowered to make our homes, neighborhoods, states, countries and ultimately the world a better place."
– Melanie Goates, 2002 Kenya
Sitting on a wood floor in a simple village in along the Amazon in Peru, I was surrounded by children with dirty, bare feet and "hand me down" clothing they had worn the day before. Their big brown eyes held the hope all children possess. Even with the language barrier, I managed to ask them what they wanted to be when they grew up. They eagerly shouted out their dreams: "Doctor," "Teacher." I felt their optimism, but was saddened by the thought that isolation and poverty would limit their opportunities to pursue their dreams.
But my sadness was quickly replaced by an overwhelming sense of responsibility - a responsibility to utilize the many resources available to me and prepare myself to help those in need. I attribute my genuine passion for service to this two week experience with Youthlinc in Yanamono, Peru.
– Brittany Wells, Peru 2003
Because of this experience, I love service. I have decided that for an occupation I would like to do something to help people.”
– Seth Hansen, Kenya 2001
The town was very dirty. The poverty was incredible. All the people smiled and waved.
– Jessie Tregeagle, Kenya 2001
For my local service, I volunteered with the Interfaith Hospitality Network, which provides care for homeless families at various churches. I never really thought of homelessness associated with families--specifically children, until my local volunteer work. I always assumed homeless people were individuals with addictions or they didn't want to get a job. That's just not the case though. Now I know most of them have suffered hardships that have made them homeless that I couldn't even begin to know how to cope with."
– Brandee Butler, 2000 Kenya
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