International (MNN) — With the northern hemisphere in the thick of winter, a lot of people might find they're dreaming of summer days.
Buckner International has an opportunity for you to do more than dream. You can GO.
"Project Go is a summertime volunteer opportunity," explains Buckner's Analiz Schremmer. "It's geared specifically for college students, but we take people all the way up to age 29. Basically, they have a chance to work with orphans and vulnerable children in one of eight different locations around the world."
Project Go volunteers could end up in Peru, Kenya, Russia, Guatemala, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, or right in the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas. No matter where they are, they are sure to be fully immersed in a new culture and consistently surrounded by children.
"While they're there, they could do anything from teaching Vacation Bible School, teaching English, or helping with paint projects. More than anything, they're giving a lot of one-on-one attention to children who may not otherwise get that," says Schremmer.
In a nutshell, trip participants have a chance to be Christ to a community of children desperately in need of His love.
Volunteers can head to one of these countries for either one or two months. The trip sessions are from May 31 to July 1, or July 9 to August 9. Participants can choose to go on one, the other, or both.
Schremmer says volunteers come back changed every year. They've not only had the chance to play an important role in the lives of needy children, but they've gotten the chance to immerse themselves in another culture. Entire worldviews change.
To top it all off, says Schremmer, "When our trip participants travel with us, they become a part of this [Buckner] family–this network of Christian people who really care about serving God's children and serving families. And so they come to be a part of this great organization."
If you or someone you know wants to be a part of such a life-changing experience, click here and learn more about costs, dates and details. The application deadline for Project Go is February 5, but Schremmer encourages applicants to get everything in as quickly as possible to best secure their place in the country they would like.
