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 Vallarta Living | December 2006 
New Job in 'Volunteerism' Puts the World Within Reach
 Ashley Petry - IndyStar.com
| | Mica Talbott (right) visits with a kindergarten student named Alejandra in the Las Brisas area in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Volunteers from Indianapolis-based Ambassadors for Children delivered school supplies and built a playground and school unit there Nov. 19-26. (Photo provided by Mica Talbott) |
Mica Nicole Talbott always has been passionate about travel. She dreamed of seeing the world, experiencing other cultures and expanding her global understanding.
This August, she finally accomplished that goal - by moving to Fishers, Indianapolis.
Talbott moved from San Diego to accept a position with Ambassadors for Children. The Indianapolis-based nonprofit organization focuses on "voluntourism," organizing short-term humanitarian trips for travelers.
"Volunteers come together and do cultural immersion as well as service projects during their vacation," Talbott said. "It's a way to do good while you're exploring a certain area."
As director of group travel, Talbott organizes trips for companies, families and other groups. Some of the trips are tailored for people with certain skills, such as doctors or dentists, but most are open to anyone, including children and seniors.
Talbott, who is trained as a massage therapist, said the job is perfect for her because it allows her to make travel a lifelong pursuit, even after she has a family.
AFC has 25 regular travel destinations across the globe, and Talbott will visit at least a few destinations each year. She already has traveled to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and a Navajo reservation in New Mexico. Next year, she will visit South Africa and Cancun, Mexico.
Because the organization focuses on children, many of the projects serve schools or orphanages. In Puerto Vallarta, where it is not uncommon for 10 children to share one textbook, Talbott delivered more than 400 backpacks and school supplies to children in need.
"(The children are) extremely interested in their education and having the opportunity to advance themselves, but they don't have the money to afford the school," she said.
Talbott is also filling a new role for AFC as director of chapters.
"We've had trips since 1998 all over the world, and when people come back they really want to stay involved," said AFC president and founder Sally Brown. "We wanted to start AFC chapters, where a group of people can get together and support our missions globally."
Many universities have started AFC chapters, but Talbott also is working with community groups, congregations, previous AFC volunteers, and neighborhood and cultural groups.
"I'm helping people establish and begin their chapter, and also I'm their contact for any Q&A," Talbott said.
Spurred by national media coverage of its unique mission and philosophy, AFC now attracts trip participants from across the nation, Brown said. AFC chapters can help sustain that momentum and support the organization's mission.
Talbott is the perfect person to lead that initiative, Brown said, because of her enthusiasm and perseverance.
"She had the passion. I knew that when I first met her," Brown said. "She sees the potential here."
For Talbott, that potential includes the ability to make a real difference in global relations.
"I feel like it's making a positive impact," she said. "Once we all realize that we're very much connected, in my heart I believe there will be less violence."
Interested in adding some volunteerism and cultural immersion to your next vacation? Contact Ambassadors for Children at www.ambassadorsforchildren.org or call (317) 536-0250 or (866) 338-3468. |
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