Mentor 2012 Testimonials

"All of our mentors were caring and loving! They made sure all of our needs were always taken care of! They were involved with our projects but I really appreciated that they let us run the show and they did so patiently and with constructive criticisms.” Jordan Nielson, U of U, Thailand

“You GIVE a year to service locally and internationally. You GAIN lifelong attributes and memories that will change your life.” – Jenny Jones, 2011 Peru Team Mentor

“Our mentors were able to gain our trust and friendship by being so kind and caring about the students on our team, but they were always aware that they were mentors before they were friends.” – Jaden Carlson, 2012 Guatemala team

“All our mentors were open-minded and open-hearted. They opened their lives to us and provided a sense of safety which ensured a comfortable international experience.”– Kaila Balch, 2012 Guatemala Team Member

“The mentors on my trip made me feel safe and important to our team. They helped me within my committee, but never took full control over the situations. They always made me sure the students had a say in things and that our opinions were heard.” –Katie Stevens, Kenya 2012

“Creating lifelong humanitarians comes from attitude first. The more you do service for other people, the more you can see it change their lives. When you see it change their lives for the better, it changes your life, and the more you do it becomes a habit.” – 2012 John McNeill, Kenya Team Mentor

“This was the first time I had ever done anything like this. Sometimes, if not all the time it is easier to do something yourself instead of watch or teach somebody to do the same task. But if you do not let them do it they will never learn.” –John McNeill, 2012 Kenya Team Mentor

“If not you, who? If not now, when? Youthlinc provides the rest.” –2011 Jason Taylor, Kenya Team Mentor

“The mentors did exactly what they were supposed to. They helped us get to our final goal, but let us lead the way!” –Erica Thompson, Kenya 2012

It was an absolute kick to see the kids interact with the school children and villagers, to see the Cambodian kids get school uniforms and bicycles, toothbrushes and toothpaste, a new school building and a well (they had no water at the school). Perhaps the most grateful people of the entire trip were the women who were given washable, reusable sanitary napkins. It is one of those things that never would have crossed my mind yet made a huge impact on the people there who have no access to something so simple as a sanitary napkin. The experience has changed my daughter's life and mine as well. - Glen Bowen, Cambodia 2012