Beautiful Words from Our Alumni

We’ve being receiving an outpouring of love from our community, and we wanted to share those beautiful words with the world! Here is just a very small sample of the countless heartfelt messages recently sent our way:

“Being a part of this organization and community has been a deeply fulfilling part of my life for the last decade.”

“I have been proud of how we dealt transparently with the complexity and imperfections of the work we do in communities far away from our own homes. And most of all I have been blessed through my involvement to come to know people who have touched and inspired my life. “ “The road to meaningful change has never been easy, in fact it is usually hard as hell and challenges every aspect of our being. Thank you for sticking in there. Thank you for your commitment to fight for what you believe in, and for what has brought so much meaningful change into the lives of so many.”

“I just wanted to express how thankful I am for OG and for those like yourself who have been and continue to be dedicated to the success of this vitally important organization. I hope you never lose faith in the importance of what OG does and in its irreplaceable role as an educational program. I never will!” “My OG Peru experience touched my heart, spirit, and soul.” “I was pushed to the limit, both physically and emotionally, and will be forever grateful for the personal development and memories created.”

“With OG it isn’t about saving the world. It’s about realizing how little we know about it so that we can honestly, authentically, respectfully show up and be part of it – in solidarity with others.” “Two years ago, I embarked on a little adventure that shaped me for the better. It was by far the best way I have ever used my privilege as a person with the option to visit one of the most beautiful places on Earth, home to kindest community of people I have ever met—the Himalayas.” “I got to participate in a cause that is actually relevant to the local people, and a chance to learn why, rather than applying my own biases and ideas to another people’s world. OG facilitated this entire experience and I’m forever grateful that I did it the right way, with the right people.”

“It is important to learn how your travel choices affect the local communities and OG helps you do that with their programs. In my Guatemala trip with OG I met great people, swam in a beautiful hot spring, and stayed with a loving host family (shout out to Mama Elena!) I learned how volunteer tourism can be damaging to so many beautiful communities and how you can lessen your impact.” “OG was one of my favorite and most impactful experiences I’ve had.” “This is an organization that is so near and dear to my heart, it is the epitome of how and why I travel. OG prepares you to travel and shows you the world, it makes you become a better citizen, be a better human. OG connects you and introduces to local activists, doing real important vital work in the region. Not only will you learn about the region and the work that activists are doing, you will learn new skills and more things about yourself that you never knew existed.”

“I truly believe that there is no better organization out there (yes I am biased), OG encompasses it all.” “I went on a program in 2011 and again in 2014 and I am still feeling the benefits, I still feel that I’ve taken so much away from these programs. These programs spark something in you, they feed a fire that you didn’t know you had.” “This trip was absolutely unique and changed me forever.”

“In the summer of 2017 I traveled to India with Operation Groundswell and it has changed my life as a human and as an educator. If you are looking to travel, and even more specifically looking to travel with a purpose, I cannot say enough about how truly incredible this organization is.” “OG is the most incredible group I have ever traveled with.” “Travelling and volunteering through Southeast Asia was one of the best experiences of my life.”