Global Service Corps [1] was founded in 1993 by Rick Lathrop after gaining a PhD in Human and Organization Development at The Fielding Institute in Santa Barbara, California. At Fielding, Rick became interested in global studies, particularly in the area of sustainable development, and discovered that there were few educational programs available for adults to gain first-hand experience in the field of international development and community service.
In 1993, GSC developed a working relationship with Global Routes, an organization that had been providing international community service summer programs for high school and college students for about ten years. Global Service Corps began to establish volunteer service programs for adults with an emphasis on village-based sustainable development. The first project trip took place in December 1993 in Costa Rica. The GSC program expanded to Kenya in 1994, In 1995, a project was established in Thailand with an emphasis on teaching English and community health. In 2001, it moved its East Africa program to Tanzania with an emphasis on sustainable agriculture and HIV/AIDS prevention education.
In August 1995 GSC became a project of the Earth Island Institute. GSC benefits from the support of the Earth Island network services which include assistance in project administration, accounting, promotion, fund development and computer services. The relationship established with Earth Island Institute acknowledges the inherent connection between sustainable development and environmental concerns.
Global Service Corps offers short-term and long-term volunteer and internship programs in Cambodia [2], Thailand [3] and Tanzania [4] to work in the fields of sustainable agriculture and food security; international health; community development; HIV/AIDS nutrition, education and prevention; teach English abroad; Buddhist Immersion; and orphan care. Volunteer and internship program lengths vary year-round from two weeks to one year. GSC overseas volunteers undergo a week-long orientation and technical training with the assistance of in-country staff and local counterparts. The purpose of this orientation and training period is to help overseas volunteers acclimate to their new surroundings, introduce the local languages and customs, and prepare for their projects.
Perhaps the most enriching part of your cultural immersion experience with GSC is the once in a lifetime chance to live with a local family in Cambodia, Thailand or Tanzania. GSC overseas volunteers live with gracious host families who truly integrate their guests into the local community and culture. Whether you are sharing a spicy som tam (papaya salad) with your new Thai family or a plate of ugali (corn meal) and sakuma weki(greens) with your Tanzanian mama, the homestay experience GSC offers will not be quickly forgotten. GSC also offers programs suited for couples, groups, families, and those seeking school credit.
Mission: To design and implement volunteer vacation and service-learning community development programs that benefit the volunteers and positively impact the communities they serve.