Orphanage Volunteering: Is it Right?
Mexico: 1 Week Volunteer & Adventure Team
50% off Volunteering in Africa
About The Humanity Exchange
What we do:
In partnership with local communities, The Humanity Exchange fosters leadership in international development through volunteer, internship, and language learning programs.
Mission:
To provide an impactful experience abroad for volunteers, while contributing to development in partnership with local communities.
Our work is guided by the principle of humanity. We believe that it is up to each of us to take action and work with our fellow human beings. Our programs contribute to local development efforts and volunteers rise to the ultimate challenge of living, working, and learning abroad. We connect volunteers to the realities of the human condition abroad. We build on years of experience, and are committed to providing the highest quality experiences abroad with the utmost of integrity.
Values
Valued Partnership
- We do not impose on communities. We only send volunteers when and where they are truly needed. Our partners receive volunteers because they truly want a helping hand and to learn from the cultural exchange, not for any other reason.
Quality
- We look for volunteers and interns with an open mind, a willingness to learn, and adaptability. We always provide pre-placement support and cultural education. This ensures the best possible experience for both you and your host community.
Experience
- THEX is a dynamic organization. We are driven by a core team with substantial and diverse experience in facilitating volunteer placements around the globe. The success of our programs is drawn in large part from the is the dedication and efforts of our team. Based on our expertise, we are adept at managing relationships across an array of cultures. What does this translate into for you? We provide you with the best program abroad that is possible. Furthermore, you can rest assured that the volunteering you do will have a meaningful impact.
Our Team
Allison Fedorkiw (BSc. Human Ecology, MA International Studies)
Executive Director
Allison is the founder and director of The Humanity Exchange. She started her international career in the Ivory Coast, where she was engaged in work against HIV and AIDS. It didn’t take long before she returned to travel much of the West African region, where she conducted research on both post-conflict reconciliation and child trafficking. In Canada, Allison has had the opportunity to deliver anti-racism education from coast to coast, and she has worked with various marginalized populations including incarcerated youth, homeless, and immigrants and refugees. From the communities where she has lived and worked, Allison has understood firsthand the great impact of volunteerism and fostering leadership in others. It was the combination of these elements that seeded the roots for The Humanity Exchange.
Rebekah Brown Lee (BPhil., Graduate Studies in English Literature & Language Education, GradDipEd.)
Exchange Manager Benin
Originally from Richmond Virginia in America, Rebekah, known as Brownie, has dedicated her career to education, development, and volunteer management in the West African region. Brownie started her career as a Volunteer with the Peace Corps in 1962. For ten years she taught English as a foreign language in Togo, Guinea, Tanzania, and Zambia to urbanites, rural populations, and refugees. Brownie then returned to the Americas, where she continued her education and embraced her passion for teaching both in Jamaica and back home in Virginia. In 1984, following a desire to return to Africa, Brownie assumed the roles of Associate Peace Corps Director in Niger, Mauritania, and Ghana. In these locations, she was responsible for developing documents for recruitment, as well as training and monitoring volunteers in the field. Brownie went on to coordinate an Indigenous NGO Strengthening Project for Africare/Benin. Subsequently, she served as a sub-regional advisor and trainer of Peace Crops Staff and Volunteers in Coastal West & Central Africa (nine countries inclusive). Lastly, before her time with The Humanity Exchange, Brownie pursued two consecutive two year terms as Director of Peace Corps for Togo and Benin. In addition to working as an Exchange Manager with The Humanity Exchange, Brownie is compiling her autobiography and volunteering as an English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) teacher in Tori-Bosito, a village just outside of Ouidah. Brownie brings a wealth of experience to her position with The Humanity Exchange. Based on her years of experience in the region, she provides invaluable knowledge to volunteers, providing advice and guidance for motivated individuals interested in African development issues today.
Annick Akobe epse Akomian (BComm.)
Exchange Manager Cameroon
Akobe is married with three children, two girls and one boy. Akobe has expansive experience managing international teams and youth exchanges. In Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, & South Africa she led international teams implementing projects focused on HIV/AIDS education and youth entrepreneurship. She also spent time working for the Bank of Africa in the Republic of Benin, and has traveled considerably in both Africa and Europe. Originally from Cote d’Ivoire, Akobe moved to Cameroon where her husband works to take care of her family. Her experiences taught her the value of giving back to the community, and this motivates her work with The Humanity Exchange. She joined The Humanity Exchange team while managing the training department at Okalla Ahanda et Associates, an Auditing and Accounting firm.
Tatiana Franco Monsalve (BPsych. in Progress)
Exchange Manager Colombia
Tatiana loves the hum and vibrancy of cityscapes. As a native of Medellin, the City of Eternal Spring, she is an expert on this beautiful city she calls home. From the Plaza Botero to dancing with friends, she loves the activities and social life in Medellin, and shares her vast local knowledge with volunteers. Outside of work, Tatiana enjoys writing poetry and helping her young daughter discover the world around her. Tatiana is currently pursuing her psychology degree, with a focus on cultural influences on psychology as a phenomenon. Tatiana is passionate about her work as she can show volunteers how to truly enjoy Medellin to its full potential, learn from other cultures, and connect talented volunteers with organizations who need them most. Tatiana warmly welcomes volunteers to Medellin.
Kate Russell (B.Sc. International Studies & Political Science in Progress)
Mexico Team Leader
Kate began her international work experience in Nepal, where she care for and taught English to orphans. She has travelled extensively in Canada, and the interior and west coast of the United States and Mexico. In 2010, Kate was fortunate to be employed by 27 Million Voices, where she was engaged in the movement against human trafficking, and she has remained as an active volunteer. Kate’s interactions with various communities and peoples, during her work and travels, have shown her the benefits of volunteerism and building capacity.
Nicole Majewski
TheX Representative at PEACE Mexico
Originally from the United States, Nicole started working with PEACE several years ago. It has enabled her to be involved with local communities in the beautiful Puerto Vallarta region. Nicole screens and interviews volunteers for PEACE. She also manages aspects of your placement overseas including lodging, language lessons, organization placement, and country specific advice.
Structure
We are a social enterprise which means we operate as a business with primarily social objectives. A social enterprise is a hybrid organization. By combining the best features of a for-profit and a non-profit, a truly effective mechanism for change is created. Unlike traditional for-profits, value is placed not just on profit but also on a social good. Unlike traditional non-profits, it is possible to operate with a relatively small organizational structure, significantly decreasing administration costs. By the way, this is how we were able to keep the average cost of our program fees 20%-60% lower than the majority of similar volunteer-sending organizations.
Why did The Humanity Exchange choose to adopt the social enterprise model?
In addition to charity, there are most definitely effective ways of partnering to achieve positive outcomes in development. By employing local people, investing in local families, and partnering with local communities, we achieve our mission of providing an exceptional international exchange experience, fostering leadership, and contributing to local development efforts.
In short, we have an opportunity work in a more cost-effective manner and contribute to the local economy while reaching our mission. Thus, the positive effects resulting from our work are increased.
Social enterprises are becoming increasingly common today. We do not have the space to fully explain this innovative concept here, and in fact, the concept itself is continually evolving. Click here for a clear and informative overview of the defining elements of a social enterprise. Below are some examples of social enterprises.
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The Cost of Doing Good: Paying to Volunteer
At first, it might seem a bit strange to pay to volunteer, especially considering that you are giving your valuable to time to help out. Here is an explanation of our volunteer fee, which we hope will clarify why it is necessary.
Firstly, most organizations do not have the means to cover the cost of your work with them. If they did, it would be more sustainable for them to use those funds to hire a local person who will be there in the long-term. They will dedicate time, staff, training, and resources, towards ensuring your placement has a positive impact for both you and them. In addition, you will need food, lodging, and guidance while in-country. Your volunteer fee ensures there is no financial burden placed on the host organization, whose resources are already strained.
Secondly, it takes considerable resources to connect volunteers and to prepare volunteers for going overseas. Whether it be print materials, pre-departure information, marketing, or maintaining a website, there are many costs that go into making your volunteer placement happen.
Thirdly, we have a responsibility to reinvest back into the communities where we work by funding partner initiatives. Without charging a volunteer fee, we would not be able to contribute to local communities where we are present.