Service Travel: Two Different Approaches

Erin and Some of "Her Kids" in Nepal

With all the flack recently about Greg Mortenson’s “Three Cups of Tea,” I thought it was due time to post the Travel Fun interview I conducted a couple of months ago on service travel. In it I discuss with Erin Guttenplan, founder of Edge of Seven, and Sharon Shuteran, local Tellurider and service travel worker extraordinaire, the merits of helping out in far-flung lands in a variety of capacities. As unfortunate as the news is regarding Mr. Mortenson’s supposed wrong-doings, I don’t think anyone wants to see those in need around the world suffer from this firestorm.

It Takes a Village (And Lots of Tea!)

“I’m a firm believer in the power of travel and the power of educational travel,” says Erin, founder of Denver-based Edge of Seven. Their current focus is building a dorm in a rural part of Nepal, so that forty girls can continue their education. They take volunteers from every skill set on their two-week programs, one of which was completed by a friend of mine last June. “These experiences, while challenging, are incredibly rewarding,” Erin emphasizes in the interview. More projects are scheduled for departure the end of May and June; check out Edge of Seven to see how you can become involved in this unique form of voluntourism.

Sharon Instructing in Her Bhutan Cleft Care Project Job

Sharon Shuteran, our judge here in T-ride, became involved in service travel, primarily in Bhutan and other parts of southeast Asia, through a personal contact. She has worked as a non-medical coordinator for the Bhutan Cleft Care Project for the past few years and organizes most of her travels herself. In our interview, she talks about how you can find volunteer positions by contacting organizations directly or on facebook and other forms of social media. Sharon, a “freelance service worker” of sorts stresses that you can create your own program without signing up for an organized trip. Wow, now that’s what I call an intrepid traveler!

“You connect more to people when you’re working there,” Sharon says. “I get more out of it than I give,” she continues. Clearly there’s a lot to be said for “getting outside of yourself.” Click on the link below to hear more from these two dedicated women.

Click to play the Service Travel program

Know that both Erin Guttenplan and Sharon Sharon would be happy to hear from you regarding service travel. You can reach Sharon through facebook.

Sharon On the Road Again (Hey, No Talking on the Cell Phone While Driving!)