Mr Ravi Kumar (Founder of ARV - Association of Relief Volunteers) is the wisest, kindest and most warm-hearted person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.  People walk around everyday saying they want to do something to change the world and make it a better place.  Ravi Kumar is actually doing it.

- Lauren Salmon, ARV Volunteer Dec, ’07

This volunteer experience was one of the most amazing things I have ever done, and I know I am not alone in this sentiment. I look at everything through different eyes, and I know that I am a changed person.

- Nicole Morello, ARV Volunteer Dec, ’07

I will never forget the children greeting us with hugs and kisses and their ever smiling faces. I shall never forget all those hands that have shook mine and all those voices that have said thank you to me. I have never been thanked so many times in such a short amount of time and felt like I really did something to be thanked for. I really felt like the KI villagers wanted us there, we learned from them and they learned from us. It's awesome how much can be said and understood without even speaking the same language.

- Bella Flammia, ARV Volunteer Dec, ’07

We had an unforgettable experience in Ghana with Meshach and his wonderful family. Above all, we learned what “it takes a village” really means: everyone shares whatever they have and does whatever it takes to help each other out.  It is in that spirit that Meshach founded PROFESA, and it was in that spirit that we all worked together to help the people of Abeka.

- Amy Draizen, PROFESA Volunteer July/Aug, ’08

It was a real pleasure going to Ghana and working with Meshach.  He has an incredible vision and I felt really lucky to be there at the ground level, seeing both the triumphs and the struggles as Longitude attempts to really help Abeka in so many ways from education, to healthcare, to community organizing.

- Judah Lakin, PROFESA Volunteer July/Aug, ’08

At first I didn’t really have a job at PROFESA. All of the students were older than me so it would be a little awkward teaching them. But I decided to invest my time teaching the computer-teacher-to-be, Sam. Every day at around four o’clock we sat and I taught him the basics of using the computer. Each night was dedicated to learning a different part of Microsoft Office. In the weeks following, I saw my work actually come in handy. Sam brought all of the new laptop computers to school and began the first ever computer class. He seemed to be a competent teacher, much better than me! All the students were interested and eager to learn. I felt really proud that I could help.

- Eli Draizen, PROFESA Volunteer July/Aug, ’08

It is great working with carpenters and helpers and trading methods of fabrication.  We each have something different to offer each other.  It has been a learning experience putting up framework and then paneling without the benefit of power-tools.

- Jack Grant, PROFESA Volunteer Dec, ’08

Throughout this trip, I’ve realized that returning to India to volunteer with Ravi and ARV is like going home to your family. There is so much love in the air that it’s hard to believe that you were ever away in the first place. And even when home is difficult or too frustrating to deal with, these people are always just a phone call, email or mind’s memory away – waiting for us.

- Annie Falch, ARV Volunteer Group Leader Dec, ’08

As we pulled up to the village, I was expecting to just go get to work and start building. That’s not at all what happened. The entire village was waiting for us. The children had plates of flower petals they threw on us as we got out of the car. The women had made huge, beautiful flower leighs that they put around our necks. The men were playing drums and everyone was saying “Wandanamuru” meaning “Thank You.” That’s when I knew this was going to be so much more than building a few houses. This was going to be something huge and life changing. And it has been.

- Tracey Brown, ARV Volunteer Dec, ’08

I would say that participating in volunteer trips allows people to have a more meaningful experience visiting India. The relationships and connections formed with the people you interact with as an ARV volunteer promote a deeper cultural understanding than what is gained from only visiting tourist sites. ARV is a worthy volunteer organization because it listens to the communities it serves, empowering those communities and allowing volunteers to provide the most needed services. While these volunteer trips take you out of your comfort zone, the positive contributions and friendships you make in the local communities are unforgettable.

- Taylor Casey, ARV Volunteer Dec, ’09

Every experience with Longitude and ARV has been wonderful. I honestly had the time of my life and did not want to ever leave Ravi and GP village. The time I spent there talking to Ravi, Vijay and spending time getting to know the people in the village are memories that I will cherish forever.

- Kristin Namimoto, ARV Volunteer Group Leader Dec, ’09