want to make a difference? prove it.

i've been thinking today. lately, i've really been praying to find opporunities to serve others--even if it's something small. i've realized that some of the happiest times in my life have been when i've been in the service of others. my mission means everything to me. i cherish my time in thailand doing tsunami relief work almost more than anything. i am really thankful for people who have inspired me to get involved in doing so many incredible things. for one of my classes, i have to write an article on...well, on something. my choice. since i've had service on the brain, i've decided to write about Empowering Nations, the non-profit volunteer-based foundation that i was with when i went to thailand. i wanted to share it with all of you. get involved. i'm telling you. your life will be changed forever.

It began as a relatively dormant foundation, completing only a few projects here and there. Today, however, Empowering Nations has traveled to places like Thailand, Brazil, Kenya, Ghana, and Peru. Their volunteers have built schools and homes, provided micro-credit training, taught disease-prevention methods, bolstered literacy, and provided disaster relief. It has grown into a foundation that completes projects all over the globe in a fierce fight against poverty, impacting the lives of thousands.

In 2002, BYU graduate Mike Poelman took an idea and ran with it. It is a well-known fact that there are thousands of foundations and non-profit organizations all around the world. Yet, how many of those foundations and organizations know how to efficiently use their donations and effectively facilitate their volunteers? This was a major concern for Poelman and he decided to do something about it. He saw a need for a volunteer-friendly and low-cost organization that could actually make a difference and fight against poverty.

With the help of four other students and world-renown expert in social entrepreneurship (and BYU professor) Dr. Warner Woodworth, Empowering Nations came to life. According to their mission statement, they are a proactive volunteer-run non-profit organization committed to empowering the poor through education and relief and to promote and facilitate the involvement in the fight against poverty throughout the world. Poelman’s simple idea has turned into an incredibly proactive group that stops at nothing to promote positive change.

Executive Director of Empowering Nations, Sarah Carmichael Parson, says, “One of my main beliefs about EN is that we believe that one person can make a difference. Even though poverty and development issues that plague underdeveloped nations are immense in scope, we as individuals can and must do something to help. We cannot be overwhelmed by the problem, but must be driven to want to do something to help. Even though we are individuals, we can make a difference in the lives of those we serve. That it is our duty to do so.” Empowering Nations doesn’t go around giving pamphlets to the poor on how to solve their problems. Instead, they actively teach and empower people to help themselves and ultimately create a lasting change. Not only do volunteers alter the lives of others, they alter their own lives forever as they give all they’ve got in the service to those who need it most. Empowering Nations not only believes, but they know that one person can, in fact, make a significant difference.

Empowering Nations isn’t on the brink of stopping their efforts any time soon. Their projects continue year to year and their volunteer numbers are on the rise. This year, their projects will take them to Paraguay, Kenya, Mozambique, Ghana and Peru where they will help people to learn about entrepreneurship, economic education, family preservation, community health, and orphanage support.

If you are interested in being a part of Empowering Nations, you can visit their website at www.empoweringnations.org or send an email to empoweringnations@gmail.com.