Our Volunteers

The following stories are from just a few of our volunteers. If you're looking for more, join us at one of our events!

DANIELA, STEVE AND STERLING: Team 6 April 2010

Supported on the trip by their company, Rogers, and the donations of friends and family, they gave a lot and got a lot. This team was attracted to the experience because they wanted to visit a different exotic place, be challenged physically and see what it was like to directly help someone in need. These goals were met and they had an amazing time doing it. “Being part of the families and building their homes changes their lives - and your own – forever. The greatest part is that you come back with a renewed perspective on life.”

CHRIS: Team 1 December 2005
When I contributed through Red Cross to the tsunami I assumed that this would be a travesty I would watch from afar. Then I heard that friends were going to Sri Lanka with TRIP and it simply seemed like an opportunity I couldn't let pass. We've all grown up to understand that team work is the best work and never was this more apparent to me then during my time in Sri Lanka. Our team included those we were building homes for and all family members played a role. We worked, ate, socialized and played as one. There's no doubt I came home with a new view on charitable work and charitable organizations. It's not about hand outs, it's about hands on. I didn't think I would ever be part of something like this, because I didn't think it could ever be like this!

LARA: Team 2 April 2006
This trip impacted my life in a way that words will never be able to describe. Each day I experienced something new - working with my amazing team alongside local labourers who were very poor and families who had lost everything.The most difficult part of the trip was not seeing the hardship the Sri Lankan community has endured because of the tsunami, but leaving behind these caring, warm-spirited, giving people.

LIZ: Team 6 April 2010
Liz and Bruce Corneil have been supporters of TRIP from inception. In 2010, Liz decided it was time to find out what was happening with the project first hand. Reflecting on the experience of, Liz shares, “Instead of being a tourist you are immersed in their culture, welcomed into their homes and actually have an opportunity to get to know them. Building the community centre was a great idea. With all the classes and activities it is the hub of the village.”

MICHELLE: Team 3 December 2006
When I volunteered with TRIP, it was during a time in my life when I was absolutely carefree but also looking for something meaningful. So I went to Sri Lanka and what an amazing decision! It gave me such great perspective and made me realize how lucky I was. And I had a blast! You work hard, immerse yourself in the culture and have lots of fun doing it. I still think so fondly of those two weeks and count them among the best of my life.

HILARY: Team 6 April 2010 and Team 8 April 2011
Hilary became involved with TRIP following the adventures of her daughter Amalie, a veteran of four volunteer trips, and son Kristian who has been to Sri Lanka two times. Hilary enjoyed all aspects of building but definitely excelled at the art of plastering. “Working really hard physically to help those wonderful, hopeful and gentle people was incredibly energizing as well as rewarding. My whole feeling about everything I do on a daily basis is different because of that amazing journey in April 2010.” Hilary has been a huge supporter of TRIP and will be joining Team 9 for her third visit to Sri Lanka.

ALLISON: Team 4 December 2007
From the moment my friend Jessie and arrived in Sri Lanka, I was in awe of this magical place. The people, the smells, the tastes and the scenery were all so amazing! We worked on a home with the family members and every day more neighbours and friends joined in to help, watch and even heckle a little. We didn't speak the same language but we all understood the goal and worked together to achieve it. One of my favourite parts of the day was when we broke for lunch and went to somebody's home for wonderful curries and salads with hot sweet tea or cold soda. Writing this makes me want to go back so badly. If you have the chance to go, don't miss it.
JESSIE: Team 4 December 2007
Travelling to Sri Lanka with TRIP Canada was truly the 'TRIP' of a lifetime. The Sri Lankans are wonderful people who live simple lives so incredibly different than ours. Our group had the chance to personally contribute to rebuilding and improving their homes, schools and community centre. The friendships I built not only with the Sri Lankans but with the team I worked with was an experience I will always cherish. I would encourage anyone that is looking for a incredibly rewarding and unique volunteering experience to go on TRIP

IAN: Teams 4 December 2007 and 6 April 2010
Ian first came to Sri Lanka with Team 4 in 2007 and couldn’t wait to get back. He throws himself into the work but equally enjoys the people, the food, the town of Tangalle – all aspects of this wonderful experience. Back again and working even harder, Ian also added yoga on the beach every morning for a serene start to the day. “My second time and how wonderful to reconnect with the Sri Lankans I met before - friends for a lifetime!”

ALISON: Team 5 April 2009
The past experiences of TRIP Canada team members inspired me to take a leap and fly half way around the world to help people I had never met - the victims of the 2004 Tsunami. I was prepared for the heat, hard physical labour, blisters and jet lag but I was not prepared for the strong relationships that I formed over such a short period. For 2 weeks our team worked side by side with the Jayasekara family and each day we saw our hard work transform from piles of bricks and mortar into a beautiful home. Despite language barriers we laughed, joked and learned about each others’ cultures. I never realised it was possible to have such a strong bond with a complete stranger. It was a phenomenal experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

GEORGE: Team 6 April 2010
The trip was educational, fulfilling, and rewarding in so many ways, but a recent revelation was the most liberating. While telling a friend about our trip, I mentioned my struggles reconciling my strong desire to provide ongoing support to a deaf boy in Sri Lanka as opposed to doing something for someone closer to home. He said "Don't even think about it. My grandfather told me years ago that you should help whoever you actually meet." I realized that if you worry too much about whom you should help, you may end up not helping anyone at all and you will never make a connection with someone - in a developing world.

SHAYNE + MARIE: Team 4 December 2007
For the Mintzs the trip to Sri Lanka was an amazing experience that opened their eyes to the tremendous diversity between the culture and way of life of Canadians and Sri Lankans. They were fascinated by the demonstration of Sri Lankan perseverance and resourcefulness in making the most of scarce resources. “It is certainly different than anything we have ever done before and obviously some of the conditions are not ideal,” comments Shayne. “But while working side by side with family members and neighbours, we made many friends. And our TRIP team mates were the best. It was a wonderful and one we would recommend it to anyone who wants to make a difference.”

JO-ANNE: Team 2 April 2006, Team 4 December 2007, Team 5 April 2009
Jo-Anne is a community health nurse who decided it was time to try something new. Her first experience with TRIP Team 2, had such an impact that she signed up for three more building trips and then moved to Sri Lanka for a year to facilitate philianthropic projects with Canada. Jo-Anne shares, “I had never seen any of the world before traveling with TRIP Canada. TRIP made it safe and easy for me to spread my wings for the first time. These ‘working vacations’ have exposed me to the joys and challenges that international travel can bring, and I recommend them to anyone as a great way to both see and serve the world.”

NICK: Team 4 April 2006 with Softchoice; Team 3 December 2006
Traveling with TRIP to Sri Lanka twice in 2006 to help build the village for tsunami survivors, opened my eyes and started me on a journey that has involved six more volunteer trips to three countries in Africa and Laos. I have worked with many organizations but I must say that TRIP has established an intimacy with the people and community in Sri Lanka that is almost impossible to achieve. I can't say enough about how safe, organized, diverse and fun a trip with this group can be - you will meet amazing co-travelers and wonderful beneficiaries!