Impact teams are a truly special way to experience a new culture and make a difference overseas with your community from home. In the previous post, we discussed many of the details of Impact Team trips. Now let’s talk about why you should lead one.
There are plenty of reasons to go on any Engage (short-term) trip. You’ll change people’s lives for the better, experience a beautiful new culture, and grow in so many ways. Going with an Impact Team only adds to those reasons. You’ll have more time to focus on impacting others because your team will have a head start on working together. As you experience the culture, you’ll share those memories with people you encounter daily in your regular life. Your team will encourage each other as you grow and help each other live out what you’ve learned once you head home.
The impact of leading a team reaches further than the team members and lasts longer than your time overseas. A team from your school or organization is a visible demonstration of a heart for service. It’s a way for your organization to put your money where your mouth is or make a statement about what is most important to you. More importantly, it could inspire more people in your org to look for their own opportunities to serve others. For your team members, a trip like this could have lasting implications. Seeing the beauty of another culture, experiencing the opportunity for impact, and getting a tangible idea of living overseas could inspire them to consider a whole life of similar service. This trip willl challenge your team to reach for the stars, and root your belief in this work in the dust of a once-foreign country.
Leading a trip like this can sound complicated and intimidating, and you may not have the capacity to add all of that to your plate right now. Who does? So here’s some good news: it’s actually very doable. On your own, you’d have to create the program, coordinate with the community you’d be serving, do all the paperwork for travel documents, and solve the million unexpected hiccups alone. But ELIC is invested in making this possible; we want this experience for you; we want to see others impacted by your gifts and service!
Let us handle the heavy lifting. We’ve been doing it for decades, and we already have the infrastructure in place. We’ll help with all the paperwork and planning. You’ll have access to recruiting materials to build your team. You’ll all receive training to equip you for the work ahead. Health and safety measures are already in place in case of anything unexpected. We’ll be available every step of the way to answer any questions and help work out logistics. We want to see you succeed, and we’ve got your back.
We'd love for you to go, and we think it’s a good idea. But you don’t have to take it from us. Team members who’ve gone on these trips before have a lot to say to future short-term teachers:
We’re excited for you, too! If you’re interested in leading an Impact Team or have questions about the program, let us know in the form below.