Through support from the Office of Volunteer Services, students have many unique opportunities to volunteer throughout the United States and in developing nations.
Students initiated the establishment of each of the service trips that we offer. These trips provide students with the opportunity to act globally and to understand the challenges facing people living both in other parts of the world and in the United States. Participants are selected through an application process several months before the trip (see timeline below). The group, which includes a faculty/staff advisor for the international trips, holds weekly meetings in preparation to serve the community where they will travel. Upon return, students are expected to share their experiences with the campus through presentations and informal discussion. The cost of trips range from $150-250 for WAB trips and $2600-3000 for international trips. For more information or to receive an application, please e-mail volunteer@wfu.edu.
Founded by a WFU student in 1995, the City of Joy program creates opportunities for students to witness, know, love, experience, and serve the poorest of the poor. A team of ten students, a returning student leader, and a faculty/staff member travel to India over winter break and volunteer for two weeks in conjunction with the late Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity. Read more
The Helping Hands program provides an opportunity for students to live and work in an orphanage for a two week period. A team of ten students, a returning student leader, and a faculty/staff member travel to Moscow and work primarily on minor construction projects such as painting, spackling, sanding, etc. Read more
A team of ten students, a returning student leader, and a faculty/staff member travel to South Africa to participate in unique community development work. In addition to general service projects including painting and other minor construction projects, the main service is teaching a computer literacy program with a Kayamandi community partner. Read more
Amizade means “friendship,” and that is exactly what participants on this trip have the opportunity to give to street-children in Brazil. Amizade participants work with a non-profit group that reaches out to these children by helping with a building project for a local community center. Read more
WAB organizes annual service-related spring break trips for students. In the past, students have traveled to rural parts of South Dakota, Oklahoma, Florida, and South Carolina. Students have also volunteered in urban settings including Washington D.C., New Orleans, Charleston, and Boston. Read more
Each international service trip is lead by a past trip participant, and this student leader selects the faculty/staff advisor for the trip. The advisor assists the student leader in charge of the trip and attends the weekly meetings, which enable the group to learn about the country, culture, complete necessary paperwork, and for team building. The faculty/staff member's expenses are paid for by the Office of Volunteer Services. If you are interested in being an advisor or would like to receive more information, we would love to hear from you! For more information, please contact Brighid Jensen, the Assistant Director of Student Development and Volunteer Services, via e-mail at jensenbm@wfu.edu or call 758-4549.
| Name of Trip | Duration of Trip | Application Available | Application Due | Preparation Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Joy- Calcutta, India | Late December to mid January |
Late February to early March |
Friday before Spring Break |
Fall |
| Amizade- Santarem, Brazil | Early/mid May to late May |
Late October to early November |
Friday before Thanksgiving Break | Spring |
| Helping Hands- Moscow, Russia | Early/mid May to late May |
Late October to early November |
Friday before Thanksgiving Break | Spring |
| Mission of Good Hope- Kayamandi, South Africa | Early/mid May to late May |
Late October to early November |
Friday before Thanksgiving Break | Spring |
