Be The Change Volunteers provides 'voluntourism' opportunities

May 9, 2012 | 6:00 a.m. CDT

Be The Change Volunteers is a Columbia nonprofit organization providing what is coming to be known as "voluntourism" opportunities to build schools and teach in developing countries. Projects have included educational projects in Malawi, Cambodia and Rwanda.

Be The Change volunteers work with students to restore one of the classrooms in Rwanda that was destroyed during recent fighting in the area. | Photo courtesy of Jimi Cook

Students of the floating learning center in Cambodia have dinner together. The students did not have access to a school until the Columbia organization Be The Change Volunteers built the floating learning center. | Photo courtesy of Jimi Cook

Jimi Cook, founder of Be The Change Volunteers, helps members of a local village construct the Annie Grace Kamwendo Memorial Library at the Sankhani School near Lilongwe, Malawi, in Africa. | Photo courtesy of Dusty Hoffman*

On a trip with Be The Change Volunteers, Jimi Cook plays soccer with Sam, who is confined to a wheelchair because of polio. This was the first time Sam had ever played soccer. | Photo courtesy of Jimi Cook

Be The Change Volunteers built a floating learning center on the Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia. | Photo courtesy of Jimi Cook

Students in Rwanda participate in class at a restored school, which was a project of Be The Change Volunteers. The teacher said she was thrilled to teach in such a beautiful classroom. | Photo Courtesy of Jimi Cook

Dusty Hoffman, a Be The Change Volunteers participant, plays with children in the Makalani Village near Lilongwe, Malawi, in Africa. | Photo courtesy of Dusty Hoffman