Global Outreach Alliance

Not only was GOA very personable in the day to day experiences with the community, but the progress that we made was both sustainable and empowering. GOA does an incredible job of empowering  individuals!

All of us were changed by the profound exchange of love and service: we had given them new houses to live in, they had given us a new way to understand living.

My experience was great! Probably my favorite trip I have ever taken. You could see the progress of the village, not just through what we were doing, which was just a small part, but through the other past programs that had been there too. I thought that was really encouraging because I knew that the work for the people there would be continued, rather than just hugging an orphan and leaving.

I looked at various organizations for about a year and a half before I sided with GOA. I even had the hospital and the physicians group that I work with do research on GOA’s legitimacy. As for the actual expedition, I would have paid 10x the program fee after actually seeing what impact my money had. Of course, it’s so difficult to completely change hundreds of lives within two very short weeks, but you see the impact of change while you are there. Whether you stay involved or not, the impact continues long after you are gone. You are empowering skills, knowledge and tools to help give villagers a SUSTAINABLE lifestyle. Meaning, you aren’t just going to show up and scream “I have the answers! Just do what I do!” You have to observe them as much as they are observing you. They are a developing community, not a disabled community.

A local [member of the GOA-U board] said to me that money gets wasted away but knowledge can be given from generation to generation–this is the way I want to live my life. I want to have a lasting influence, not one that will just die with me. My service expedition with GOA helped me realize that and gave me opportunities to learn how and start to make a long-lasting effect.

I learned the true meaning of sustainability. Before my expedition, I did not know how important sustainability is to an individual, family or community. I always thought that helping others meant providing them with ‘things,’ but never understood that the true meaning of help is actually teaching to be  independent of aid.  That’s what GOA does.

It’s good to help… but the best way to help is not to treat the symptoms but the causes of those symptoms. That is the sweetest part of sustainability and self-reliance. That is what I learned. That is what our village has learned thanks to GOA. Thank you GOA for sustainable development solutions!

GOA’s expedition to Israel is a matchless way to serve directly as a teacher to not only build a child’s character, but also to develop their personal talents and expand their English-speaking abilities. There are many good causes out there and you only have to look to your own home to find ways to serve those around you. But I would participate in this program again because I realize that I am capable of being a strong resource to its progress. I think of service as a selfish selflessness—that I receive joy as I give what I can of my heart and hands. As I gave my heart and hands to the children of Nazareth, I felt joy that I have had yet to feel in other service opportunities.

This was such an amazing experience! I have always dreamed of serving in Africa–and this was more than I could have asked for! Not only were we able to provide meaningful service, we were able to fully immerse in the culture, meet amazing people, learn about sustainable development and self-reliance, and form wonderful friendships with the community.

 

This program allowed me to gain a truly interactive feel of native Africa and of the powerful positive influence intercultural bonding can have on a community.

Do I endorse this program? With all my heart. Would I do it again? At the drop of a dime.

My experience with Global Outreach Alliance was absolutely incredible! I really admire GOA for promoting self reliance so that people can be independent and become more educated. Because of my experience, I am definitely a lot more aware of my surroundings and different cultures. I am a lot more careful of what organizations I give my money to.

It was a truly unique experience in that sense that we could immerse ourselves into another culture and at the same time give back in such a powerful way. The work was challenging but really worth it. I, as well as the children I worked with, really benefited from the camp. And it’s great to know the work will continue even when I’m gone.

I have had opportunities and experiences that I never would have had if it weren’t for GOA. There was a such an incredible reverence and respect for culture and community from GOA that I haven’t seen from many other people, let alone an organization. It was amazing to see [our] projects make such an impression and take off. There are extremely few opportunities like this that make an invaluable impact on your life and your character. I am so thankful that I was able to be a part of this team and to help inspire real change.

I had the opportunity to work with three different organizations while in Kenya and I can whole heartedly say that my experience with GOA far surpasses the rest.

What did I learn during my time in Nazareth with Global Outreach Alliance? I learned to empathize more. I learned to talk less and listen more. I learned how to go with the flow, become less focused on me and more focused on learning about others. I discovered how asking a question rather than telling an answer is much more satisfying and makes those being asked feel valued.

I want to tell everyone I know about how wonderful GOA is! Many friends have been on similar service expeditions and spoke of disappointment, whereas for myself, I could never say such a thing about my experience with GOA.

After one day I realized it’s not always about what language you speak, but the LOVE you show towards others. GOA is a perfect example of this. You go into this not knowing anyone and from day one the GOA directors and team leaders were nothing but loving, caring, and passionate towards every single one of us camp counselors and the locals themselves. Overall my experience was indescribable and life changing! Thanks you GOA  for letting me give back–I can’t wait for my next GOA adventure.

I couldn’t be more thrilled to be one of the volunteers helping [others] to achieve their own goals.  I wholeheartedly recommend this [organization] to those who are interested in directly improving the lives of others for years to come.