For one Jasperite, life isn’t about working yourself to the bone for never-ending debt, stress and anxiety.

Instead, it’s about relaxing, appreciating what you have and helping others along the way.

“I don’t think I’ll ever own a house, I don’t think I’ll ever own a car... I’ve seen people in my life struggle with things. So many people have major debts and stress and anxiety and depression,” said Sarah Dondo.

“We have it so good, and people still complain and I don’t know why,” she added.

Currently, Dondo is getting ready to embark on yet another overseas journey through the Global Volunteer Network (GVN). This time, she’s headed to La Esperanza in Honduras for three weeks to hang out with the locals, give the children some much needed love and attention, and hopefully put a smile on their faces.

“I love doing this... I’m kind of addicted,” she said, describing her previous adventures to Guatemala, and Zimbabwe as “a really fun thing to do.”

Previously she volunteered in a hospital in Guatemala, where she would take small children with cleft palettes out of their cribs so that they could be held, nurtured and played with like normal children.

“Everyone knows kids need affection, interaction... and they just lie in the crib day after day because the nurses don’t have time to feed them, walk them hold them,” she said.

“These kids are so vibrant, and they long to be held, and touched. It’s really fun.”

During her time in Honduras, she will stay with a local family, which she said is all part of the fun as “you’re actually exposed to how they live.”

Her trip isn’t about having a holiday or partying; it’s about helping out families.

“I’m not there to go to the bars, I’m usually in my family’s home by six o’clock,” she said, noting that she’ll be focused on taking care of the children, and helping out wherever possible.

Another way she plans to brighten their days is by taking three big suitcases packed full with clothes, toys, games, and anything else she can get her hands on.

The 28-year-old did a similar act when she went to Zimbabwe back in 2006, and took three loaded suitcases full of toys, clothes and other items for an orphanage.

Dondo’s heading south with the GVN, a volunteer organization that links willing people with communities in need throughout the world.

And she’s positive that GVN is legitimate. She’s paying for her flight down there, which will cost her about US$1,000. She’s also covering the program fee herself, which mainly covers food and accommodation, and costs another US$800.

This way, she said, everything she’s given will go directly to the children who will adore the gifts.

“A lot of people can’t go to Honduras... at least they know if they give it to me, I’ll give it to them. If you give me a soccer ball I can give it to a child that doesn’t have that sort of thing, and when you give it to them, their eyes are bulging with excitement. It’s just so fun.”

Dondo admits that what she’s doing is “just a band-aid fix”, but she still thinks it’s an important, and fun, thing to do for those less fortunate than herself.

“I’m not saving the world, or doing anything big,” she noted, “by giving them an odd pair of shoes, or something... then the little money they do get can go towards school fees.”

While Dondo’s eyes are currently set on Honduras, with a departure date of January 17, she’s also looking into the future with plans to make similar humanitarian trips to Rwanda and other parts of the world.

Anyone who would like to contribute to Dondo’s three suitcases, contact Dondo at 780-707-8219 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

She is looking for small toys, sports equipment, clothes, shoes or anything else for the children of Honduras.