Local HSU graduate takes two months off his job to go volunteer time for a community project in Brazil

I know Doug as one of the friendly baristas at the Myrtle Avenue Starbucks. A flyer there caught my eye. Many people have dreams, Doug went out and pursued them. I decided to have him tell you in his own words why he is raising funds and and why he decided to take two months off to go volunteer his time for a community project in Brazil.

Kudos to Starbucks giving him time off for this and even more so to Doug for his innovative spirit in raising funds for his trip.

Why Douglas DiSalvo is going to Brazil:

I've always had a desire to travel and an interest in language learning. Most of my interest in these subjects arose from books and movies that I had read or seen growing up. My family was rather large, so my mother and stepfather couldn't really afford to travel with all of us kids. My mother also has a terrible fear of flying, so when we did travel it was only to places we could reach by car. In fact, I didn't take my first plane ride until January of last year, because I essentially learned to be fearful of flying without any real basis for those feelings. Similarly, I was taught to be scared of the people and the world around me simply because it was unknown to mother. I know she didn't mean any harm. She was really just trying to protect me. However, as I've gotten older, gone to college, traveled a little, and met people from all walks of life, I've found many people want similar things in life such as healthy relationships, a comfortable living (or in many cases the ability to survive), and a general feeling of belonging.   So, I've learned there is nothing to be afraid of. As I've learned to recognize it, I remind myself to look at the larger picture and to see myself as a citizen of the world. I may not be rich by American standards, but I am very fortunate when stacked against the majority of the developing world. I found that if I am going to travel, I don't want to travel as a tourist. I don't think traveling as a tourist offers as meaningful of an experience. Instead, I want to become another member of the community. I believe living with local people in local living conditions gives a better understanding and insight to their culture and their experience. I believe volunteer travel that allows one to work in the community alongside local people for the betterment of that community broadens the mind and leads to a more meaningful travel experience. I hope to prove these feelings right with my trip to Brazil.

I haven't had the opportunity to pursue this kind of endeavor because of my enrollment in school. However, I have just recently completed my BS in Business Administration-Finance at Humboldt State University. Now that I have time available to me, and before I begin a career, I want to go abroad on a volunteer project. I feel that if I don't go during this gap of time, I will miss the opportunity and deeply regret it. In the last few months of my Bachelor program, I researched numerous organizations that assist those who want to volunteer abroad; however, many of the organizations were quite expensive. I found International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ) just a few months ago. I found the organization to be the cheapest of the ones I had researched. IVHQ has positive reviews from previous volunteers, and it has a program in a country that I've wanted to experience. Although I have only been in contact with the organization a short while, I am happy with my choice.

I always knew I wanted to visit Brazil. I've read and watched how Brazilian people and culture are relentlessly grandeur. Even those individuals in the worst situations have a cleverness and grace to circumventing barriers and adversity; known locally as "jeitinho." Originally, I had intended to teach English abroad. But, as it sat on my brain, I realized that I might never have this opportunity again, so I needed to be creative in my approach. I looked into various graduate degree programs to see where I wanted to take my education and potential career moving forward. As I searched around, I found that the programs I continued to circle back to all pertained to international finance and global infrastructure development. Specifically, I found the graduate program at the University of Denver in Global Finance, Trade, and Economics at the top of my list. I determined that my interests, education, and long term goals fit the community development project program better than the teaching English program. I now feel like I will be more successful and have a greater impact on the community by better aligning my strengths to their needs.

Originally, my intention was to only go for one month; however, I was able to convince my employer to allow me two months of leave so that I may make this experience the fullest possible. I was very reluctant to give up my job in order to stay longer, so I am very grateful for their consideration on this. I am fundraising for the trip to allow me the opportunity to stay for the second month. I am so excited to have this experience that I will likely find way to make it happen even if I fail to raise the funds through donations. However, it would relieve a lot of pressure on me if I were able to reach my donations goal. In order to entice people to believe in my volunteer project and to solicit their help, I have offered my personal financial planning knowledge, my small business, data analysis, project management and capital budgeting skills in exchange for donations.  The exchange rewards donors for helping me raise funds, It allows me to continue to build my skills and experience, and it prepares me for taking a leadership role in my project in Brazil. I have a link to my Linkedin page on the GoFundMe donations page so that people can see some of my experience, skills, and education. Donors also have the ability to contact me through Linkedin or GoFundMe.

I am really excited and grateful for this opportunity. I know its something that I will never regret and something that can never be replaced.

Here is the link where you can donate to Doug's trip  : http://www.gofundme.com/Volunteer-Brazil