In 2003 volunteers from the United Youth Corps program served on two international projects, one in Ghana (West Africa) and the other in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Emily Sandilands from Dallas, Texas; Gareth Simons from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; and Logan Smith from Seattle, Washington, served as counselors at the five-day United Church of God youth camp in Kumasi, Ghana, in August 2003. They paid their own travel expenses to and from the camp, a trip that requires approximately 21⁄2 days of travel each way from North America. Campers came from Ghana and Nigeria and participated in a wide variety of activities including football (soccer), volleyball, team-building obstacle courses, personal development and Bible classes.

Roberta Bauer from Akron, Ohio; Heather Beyer from Kansas City, Missouri; Ryan Foster from Jefferson, Oregon; and Jessa Moser from St. Louis, Missouri, volunteered to serve at the Legacy Institute School in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Heather had to return home early due to some health problems, but her service during her time in Thailand was much appreciated. Roberta, Ryan and Jessa volunteered their time during the full 10-month term of the school year, which ran from May 2003 to March 2004.

Courses taught at the Legacy school include English, computers, music, public speaking, farming and Bible. Students at the school come from the Karen and Katchin tribes in Burma and along the Thai-Burmese border. Additional UCG volunteers who served outside the scope of the Youth Corps included Daniel Miller and Cody Kitts.

During discussions toward the end of the school year, the volunteers unanimously said teaching at the school was one of most worthwhile experiences they had had. Serving on this project can be challenging. It's not always easy to be far from home, and to take on so much responsibility, but it offers a wonderful growth experience—a chance to see more of the world and to practice the way of give. Roberta Bauer summed it up this way: "I've had far more opportunities to learn than to teach!"

This year Youth Corps projects are being offered in South Africa, Ghana, Thailand and Kenya. Visit www.ucgyouth.org/youthcorps for more information and application forms.