When Karly Greczmiel thinks back to her humanitarian trip to the scenic town of Turrialba, Costa Rica, an image of a 15-yearold with Down syndrome immediately comes to mind.
"He was so sweet and he drew me a picture that I still have today," said the 19-yearold Langara College human kinetics student.
It was 2010, and she, along with fellow McMath Grade 12 classmates, went to Costa Rica to build a therapeutic garden at Esquela Especial, a school for disabled students.
Although Greczmiel enjoyed building a lasting legacy for Costa Rican children, it was her time spent playing with the children that were the most memorable moments of her Central American adventure.
"It was an amazing trip, but I wanted to spend more time with the children," she said.
Last year, those cherished reminiscences of her trip flooded her mind. Greczmiel couldn't stop thinking about the idea of working with disabled children in a developing country.
She spent countless hours on the Internet researching various volunteer opportunities and found what she was looking for in International Volunteer HQ. (www.volunteerhq.org).
The New Zealand based nonprofit organization was formed six years ago. It sends more than 4,000 volunteer travelers every year to developing countries all over the globe.
"I really checked them out. I really liked that you know exactly where the money is going and their prices to volunteer are really inexpensive," she said. "The organization partners with trusted nonprofit organizations across the world."
Meanwhile, she chose Vietnam because it was the only country which offered the option to work with disabled children.
Her humanitarian journey begins Feb. 1, when she works with children five days a week, with weekends free to explore Vietnam.
"I'm still not sure where exactly I'll be based," she said.
Volunteer HQ representatives meet Greczmiel at the airport in San Jose, Costa Rica. She spends the first couple of days being interviewed before she finds out where she'll be posted.
"I was told they walk you through the various programs and then they propose a number of location sites and job descriptions that I can choose from," she said. "I will also have an adult responsible for my well-being while I'm in Vietnam."
On these volunteer trips, young humanitarians like Greczmiel get to meet likeminded youth from around the world.
"I'm really excited about experiencing the culture in Vietnam and connecting with the people and the other volunteers," she said.
Greczmiel hopes the trip helps her decide which career path she wants to follow.
"I'm interested in working with disabled children in either psychotherapy or occupational therapy," Greczmiel added. "I think this trip will confirm whether either one is the right path for me."
Meanwhile, the eight-week volunteer trip costs her a semester of school.
"My parents are very supportive of my decision," she said, adding she saved more than $3,500 this summer working as a City of Richmond lifeguard to pay her trip's expenses. "I'll definitely go back to school when I return."
Community service is nothing new for this young woman. Greczmiel participated in a number of school initiatives and worked for many nonprofit organizations. Her volunteer resume is long and varied, including World Vision's 30-Hour Famine committee member, member on a number of leadership conferences for elementary students and volunteer with CHIMO Crisis Services.
For her countless community service, Greczmiel received the inaugural 2010 Alex Campbell Humanitarian Award.
As her departure date (Jan. 27) looms ever closer, Greczmiel said: "I'm nervous, excited and anxious all at once. I can't wait to get there and begin."
mhopkins@richmond-news.com
