Volunteering

Because I am a little bit of a hippie (and I will reaffirm that when I begin to post about worm composting), I have always wanted to travel with the kids to far off places. More than that, I want the kids to provide service for others and to be able to be a part of a society completely unlike their own. So I can remind them always of how great they have it.

The main problem has been that most of the organizations that do this type of thing don't want herds of little kids hanging around. And, it's a little on the pricey side.

So, this past year, we have really been trying to curb our spending and save our money so that when the kids reach 14, at least one parent can take a child on a volunteer trip. And the kids are also saving their money to go. And other than Nate, who has the uncanny ability to get out of any and all work, they are all hard workers as well. When motivated. Usually by candy.

At any rate, with Rebi now 13, I started looking around for volunteer opportunities. And what did I find? An organization that will accept kids as young as 8. Which means that August or September of 2009, we are going on a humanitarian aid trip somewhere in the world. Whether they want to or not. Anyone want to join us?

http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/default.asp