Lisa Herlehy (Canada/France)
Orphanage volunteer in Nairobi, Kenya

With an airline ticket to Nairobi that would go unused because of changed plans, on the spur of the moment I did an internet search with the words “orphanages, Nairobi’. Cosmic Volunteers (which my 17 year old son calls ‘Cosmic Adventures’) caught my eye and the rest, as we are wont to say, is history. Less than two weeks later people whom I knew I would never be able to leave behind met me at the airport.

Doing something for nothing (at least in a fiscal sense) and teaching our children the true value of caring is arguably the most important contribution we can make to this planet. My intent was to model this for my three teenage children and while I believe I did this, where I actually ended up was realizing tremendous personal growth. Even in middle age we can see more clearly what we are meant to do and become more confident in our ability to do so.

Everywhere on this planet, it is not an easy time for children and young people but some have far less opportunity than others. Everyone must find his/her own way to give back to society. Some may make tremendous contributions and never leave their town but for others, the need to know other places and people will beckon. This is something Scott experienced and now provides the opportunity for others to experience volunteerism abroad.

As a parent I would without hesitation recommend this organization. This is not because my child experienced it but because I did. The arrangements, the phone/email contact and country preparation were more than adequate and carried out in a professional manner.

While the experience was mine alone, it will not doubt affect the future for others and it would not have happened without a chance email to Scott. Uhmmm, perhaps he should consider a name change…not to Cosmic Adventures but to "Cosmic Energy."