Cindy Murphy Kelley is the Executive Director of Global Citizens Network.
Contact Cindy- cindy@globalcitizens.org 612.436.8290
She holds MBA and BA in Human Services Administration and has 20+ years of history in leadership positions at nonprofit organizations. She is thrilled to support the work of GCN. She studied French in college and has traveled extensively throughout the world, including her first GCN experience to Cantel, Guatemala in 2009. Cindy also teaches each semester on the graduate level.
Linda Stuart is the Director of Global Citizens Network.
Contact Linda - linda@globalcitizens.org 612.436.8271
Sensing that she was not complete, she started traveling at age 16 in search of something that might make her whole. What began as a senior class eco-tour to Dominica has turned into Linda's life work as an advocate for respectful cross-cultural encounters and responsible travel.
In 1996 Linda went to Nicaragua as an international observer of the presidential elections. She studied abroad in Ecuador on the University of MN's Minnesota Studies in International Development (MSID) program for one year. Passionate about community development and motivated by GCN's mission, Linda led her first GCN team to Llanos de Morales, Guatemala in 1999.
In 2001, Linda and her husband put their six month old daughter in a front-pack and ventured off to Santiago, Chile. Linda studied at the University of Chile in the Masters of Arts in International Studies program. In conjunction with the UN's Economic Commission for Latin American and the Caribbean (CEPAL), she completed her thesis entitled, "La relacion entre el ecoturismo y sus impactos sociales: El caso de las poblaciones locales en Chile y Ecuador." Linda and her family (+ another one on the way) returned to the states after receiving her MA in 2003.
Most recently, Linda had been serving the Twin Cities immigrant community as an ESL instructor and curriculum writer at the Lincoln Adult Education Center in Minneapolis, MN.
Moreover, she has worked in management, development, administrative and research positions for the Institute for New Americans, Seward Community Co-op, Trece Lunas Arts Collective, Rethinking Tourism Project, World Bank Project SICA, Augsburg College's Center for Global Education, and the US Dept. of Justice.
She has taught Spanish for managers and workplace English at area restaurants. Linda holds a BA in International Relations and Spanish from Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN.
"I still imagine a million and one places I'd like to visit, but even more people I'd love to meet."
Amy LeCLaire-Sachs is the Program Coordinator for the U.S and Canada.
Contact Amy - amy@globalcitizens.org 612.436.8272
She comes to the job with a love for travel and shares the GCN vision of respecting cultural diversity. Amy has a BA in Biology from Gustavus Adolphus College. For vacation, she has traveled throughout Western Europe and the United States. Her favorite excursion, however, was a 2-year experience with the US Peace Corps in Cebu, Philippines.
Amy currently lives in Minneapolis with her husband, 3 children, and dog, Hank. She is taking Spanish classes at the University of Saint Thomas to enhance her future travels. She encourages her children to be curious, open-minded, and accepting of diversity in their daily lives.
"I look forward to taking my family on the GCN trips"
Laura Kurland is the Regional Coordinator for Latin America.
Contact Laura - laura@globalcitizens.org 612.436.8274
She comes to GCN excited to support the organizations mission, continue to learn more about indigenous cultures and participate in international community service.
In 2006 Laura traveled to Peru with the Fulbright Student Program to study the impact of political decentralization policies on marginalized rural indigenous communities in the southern department Puno. She researched the miscommunication and conflicting perceptions between the government and local indigenous (Aymara-speaking) community members. She focused on the areas of health, education, and development needs in communities of extreme poverty living over 14,000 above sea level.
After completing her M.A. degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University in Washington, D.C., Laura returned to Peru for another 15 months. She worked on a project with rural farmers to promote organic quinoa production and access to the local restaurant market. She also volunteered with a local tour agency to develop a youth literacy volunteer curriculum on the island communities of Lake Titicaca. Later, she spent time in Lima, expanding her knowledge of travel resources and non-profit organizations in other regions of Peru and nearby countries as the assistant manager of South American Explorers Clubhouse.
She and her fiancé look forward to traveling more and also having Minnesota as their home base.
“I have witnessed the positive impact cross-cultural encounters have for my friends, family, and myself and look forward to facilitating opportunities for others to participate in their own global service experiences.”
Sam Hinton is the Regional Coordinator for Africa and Asia.
Contact Sam - sam@globalcitizens.org 612.436.8273
He was born in Nairobi, Kenya where he learned that instigating informal soccer games is a great way to bring people together. In joining GCN, he is thrilled to pursue his passions for cross-cultural learning and human development.
Sam studied at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania for the ’03-‘04 school year on an International Reciprocal Student Exchange Program (IRSEP) scholarship and graduated with a B.S.B in Finance from the University of Minnesota in 2004. He returned to Tanzania in 2006 to work for a safari company and to start a local joint-venture business. In early 2009, he volunteered with a small NGO (Confident Children Out of Conflict) to develop and implement a UNICEF funded sports project for vulnerable youth in Juba, Sudan.
Before joining GCN, Sam worked in Merchandising at Target Corp in Minneapolis. Between stints in Africa has also lived and worked in New York and London. He coaches youth soccer in the Twin Cities and is always looking to translate his experience in business into opportunities for social entrepreneurship.
If you want to expose your children to other cultures in a way that is more real, in-depth, personable and memorable – by working in community with them rather than just traveling – this is the way to really learn about another culture.
We were exposed to something few of us get to experience. Most often we simply drive through communities. This time we got to meet and really get to know people, and they were so generous. We got far more out of the experience than we gave.
Kathy P., Rock Point, AZ (family of 4)
This was our best family vacation and a phenomenal experience. I feel extremely fortunate that I was able to do this with my children. My children realized that although the people in the community we visited didn't have a lot of material possessions, they had some things we didn't. The community members were funny, loving and generous.
The group experience was what made it so great. The team leaders were remarkable. They never passed judgment and treated my children like full members of the group, so they acted that way. The experience made them more confident and more excited about taking other travel adventures.
Marcy G., Xiloxochico, Mexico (family of 6)
Volunteering in Tanzania was a life-changing experience that opened my eyes not only to the needs of our fellow global citizens, but also to the lovable and exhilarating culture of Bukoba.
Megan age 19, Bukoba, Tanzania
GCN wasn't just a volunteer trip but instead a life altering two weeks that helped me discover myself.
Shannon age 15, Bukoba, Tanzania
Our GCN sponsored program in Tanzania wasn't a vacation but rather a deeply moving experience our family will cherish for a lifetime.
Sean, Dad, Bukoba, Tanzania
Working side by side with my husband and children, helping, reaching out, and learning from people in a culture vastly different from our own together as a family was one of the most valuable experiences of my life. We are already planning our next volunteer vacation.
Karen, Mom, Bukoba, Tanzania
This experience changed all of us. Nothing can compare with it. It's made my kids into global citizens. Before we left for Kenya, I was concerned that my kids were getting spoiled, but the trip showed them how happy people were, even though they had so little by comparison. They also discovered how much more important it is to have experiences instead of things.
My kids are so mature now as a result of the trip. They have a new and broader world view.
Nancy F., Maili Tatu, Africa (3 time repeat participant with 2 kids)
I took each of my two granddaughters on a trip when they turned 13, as a rite of passage. It was tremendously bonding for us. It deepened our love and our relationship, but it also sensitized the girls to different cultures and helped them gain an understanding and empathy for others.
One of my granddaughters was extremely wary. She said, "I don't know how to do this and I don't want to be there." But by the end, she was begging to stay. She had formed some amazing friendships. It was quite a transition.
My advice to families considering this kind of trip is this: Even if you have some hesitation, trust that the experience will be transforming for your child and for your relationship with your child. My two granddaughters are totally different personalities, but the same positive transformation happened for both.
We had so many one-on-one reflective conversations about what we were experiencing and learning. It's a different and more intimate way of being with children.
The team members were incredibly kind to my teenagers. The leaders were such good role models -- caring and inclusive.
Meg V., Rock Point, AZ 2003; La Push, WA 2007
The truly amazing thing about this community is the pride, character, and sense of respect you feel being with them. They carry themselves with esteem. Being with them, you know they will not only survive, they will succeed, collectively using the resources available to them for the good of the whole.
Joyce, Pennsylvania; Kenya Participant
With the beauty, the simplicity, the strength and comedy of this place, each day becomes an adventure to be anticipated.
Gladys, Ontario; Kenya Participants
I learned much more that GCN is about the process of building long term relationships with communities, not necessarily about the process of "building!" It was truly priceless to be allowed to be on the 'construction site' with a bunch of indigenous people in Mexico. Tourists DO NOT get that opportunity-nor should they. We all believed WE TRULY MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
Diana, Colorado; Two-time Mexico Participant
I have just this last hour arrived back home after what can only be described as an experience of a lifetime, the people at Jampaling were wonderful and I return with a feeling of accomplishment, and everlasting respect for a group of people who work so hard with such limited resources to achieve their goals.
David, Ontario; Nepal Participant
As a GCN volunteer you expect to fill the role of giver, giving of your time, efforts, money and heart. During a recent trip to Nepal, I felt more like a wide receiver for a pro football team, with countless blessings being passed my way! It started before I even left with support from a bunch of people, some of whom I don't even know, my sponsors through fundraising.
Cherril, New York; Nepal Participant
A positive growing experience that will unfold as time moves on. I do appreciate the warm hospitality of the local Navajo people and thank them for all they did to open our eyes and heart to their life, culture and values.
Jerry, Minnesota; New Mexico volunteer
It has become the most meaningful thing I've experienced in my life. It was more than a casual cultural exchange. I never felt like a tourist - I felt like I was coming home.
Ted, New York; New Mexico volunteer
The trip to Rock Point was a wonderful experience for me. Our team really "connected" and are talking among ourselves of doing other trips together! We all agreed we haven't laughed and sung songs like we did there for a long time. The Navajo people are wonderful, and we were able to share songs, dinner with them and they with us. We were able to complete the projects they had for us and still have lots of time for culture exchange.
Lynne, California; Arizona volunteer
My goal was to get lifted out of my personal and professional rut, to have my head and heart spun around and to land more solid and grounded. For the most part this happened.
Nancy, Vermont; Guatemala volunteer
Because of a scholarship provided by Global Citizens Network, I was able to spend two weeks volunteering in Guatemala, in a rural village called Llanos de Morales. This was my second trip volunteering in a developing nation (I went to Nicaragua two years ago), but my first time working with GCN. My experience was unforgettable and I would recommend it to anyone!
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