Expeditions

Save a Life, and Change Your Own!

Perspective-changing and life-enriching experience, for everyone…

Get the experience of a lifetime by going to a developing country together with volunteers desiring to empower those in need to save their children and ASCEND out of poverty. Participants can expect a life changing experience as they open their hearts and minds to appreciate a different culture and serve those in need. Participants may choose to live within the community and experience an inter-cultural way of life. Expedition expenses include: airfare, lodging, ground transportation, group meals, and a share in project costs. A detailed budget is provided to each participant. Expedition participants will generally have five to six days of service work, although expedition formats vary. Currently, ASCEND is taking expedition groups to Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Ethiopia, and Mozambique. Extend your experience and go on a cultural tour exploring archeological wonders or protected islands, trekking or climbing through amazing terrain, or taking an extraordinary animal photo safari.

Who Goes on Expeditions?

Humanitarian expeditions are for people wanting to share their time, resources, knowledge, and/or skills with those in need in return for a humbling, mind-opening experience that can be a guiding force for the rest of their lives. All are invited to join in this labor of love. Volunteer participants include people from all walks of life: students, retirees, families, couples, singles and even organizations.

Expedition Focus

Because ASCEND has integrated development programs, expeditions can be tailored according to the needs of the community, as well as the skill sets of the professionals and individuals who participate as volunteers. Expeditions may have a focus on one or more of the four areas of sustainable solutions as follows:

Education: All expeditions have an educational component as part of ASCEND 's emphasis on life-skills mentoring. Participants promote literacy for social change, which empowers those in need to not only learn to read and write, but also to improve their family and community.

Enterprise: Business teams focus on training those less fortunate with basic knowledge and principles necessary to operate a successful small business. Teams may offer seminars as well as mentor one-on-one to help provide hands-on practice.

Technology & Construction: Depending on community needs and location, expeditions may include construction projects such as schools, health posts, community centers, greenhouses, drip irrigation systems, wells, pumps, filters, rainwater catchments, adobe stoves, bathrooms or latrines, etc.

Health: Medical teams work in communities, clinics and hospitals serving the needs of people without resources. Teams offer training to local doctors, dentists, medical students and/or community health workers. Surgeries and health/dental campaigns may also be part of the mission.

Continuing Medical Education: CME conferences provide participants a unique opportunity to learn and receive CME credits, while contributing to the quality of medical information and care available in a developing country.

In-Country Expeditions

Comprised of leaders and volunteers from Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Ethiopia, or Mozambique, in-country participants work with ASCEND’s in-country staff to serve their own people. Meaningful contributions with the help of advance preparation by in-country staff, drawing upon 25 years of development experience.

If you have specific questions about ASCEND expeditions please follow this FAQ link to find out more about the organization and operations of ASCEND expeditions.

For a list of, and more information on ASCEND 's countries of full operation, please follow this Countries of Full Operation link.

For a list of, and more information on ASCEND 's countries of alliance, please follow this Countries of Alliance link.

ASCEND , in cooperation with the University of Utah, will be hosting our third U.S. Team CME conference and humanitarian service expedition March 2009. For more information please follow this CME March 2009 link.

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