Everyone loves hotdogs and fireworks on the 4^th of July, but this year, a handful of Winrock/F2F volunteers spent their holiday a little bit differently. Below, volunteer Anil Shrestha — who is currently on assignment in Nepal — shared his reflections on why he chose to spend his holiday volunteering and how it contributes to the American values of equality, progress, and action.

“The fourth of July reminds us all the value of independence and freedom that came from the sacrifices of people who fought for these privileges we enjoy today. To continue enjoying these privileges we must fulfill our responsibilities and help others seeking for such privileges. Nepal is struggling to maintain a stable democracy in its transitional years. Therefore, I am glad to be spending my holidays helping the Agricultural and Forestry University in Nepal improve its capacity to create a program that will not only serve the needs of the society but also contribute to the rights of the students to a world-class education in a field that is of utmost importance to have stability, self-reliance, and freedom in the country.”

Anil is one of seven Farmer-to-Farmer volunteers that donated time over this past holiday weekend. Thank you, volunteers!

“True patriotism springs from a belief in the dignity of the individual, freedom and equality not only for Americans but for all people on earth, universal brotherhood and good will, and a constant and earnest striving toward the principles and ideals on which this country was founded.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, once stated, “let us remember the large numbers of citizens who, day in and day out, through acts of volunteerism large and small, bring hope to so many of the world’s disadvantaged. Let us ensure that this wonderful resource, available in abundance to every nation, is recognized and supported as it works towards a more prosperous and peaceful world.”

As we go into this 4th of July holiday weekend, celebrating patriotism and American values, I can’t think of a better way to summarize how I feel about the USAID Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program and its value — for our country as well — in today’s global world. American F2F volunteers donate their time and expertise, and in doing so, build bridges and goodwill in immeasurable ways. These F2F volunteers show the world that Americans are diverse; we are human and imperfect – just like everyone else; and we share some of the same hopes and dreams as the rest of the world.

I just returned from a trip to Bangladesh and Myanmar to learn about the impacts and changes that our F2F program is facilitating on the ground. There were many positive examples of improvements resulting from F2F volunteer training and assistance: cattle farmers who are producing more milk — and at a higher quality — after implementing improved cattle management techniques; teachers at agricultural universities who are using new tools and methods to engage students and foster deeper, more hands-on learning; avocado farmers who are now selling their fruits in the market for the first time. And so many others. But one of the things that strikes me the most, are the personal connections forged between the American volunteers and their trainees.

Village by village, country bv country, I was inspired by stories of these personal connections. In every case, people described their volunteers as kind, generous, hardworking, knowledgeable. I heard examples of how the volunteers are staying in touch after they return to the US, continuing to answer questions and provide guidance and inspiration from afar. I saw joy in the eyes of the farmers, teachers, and technicians who interacted with the volunteers, as they recounted their experiences. I smiled back at their smiles as they spoke, full of pride, about what they learned.

One farmer told us, “This changed our view of Americans.”

One of our NGO host organizations noted, “F2F is really doing something that is symbolic of the American handshake.”

One technician said, “This was our dream.”

It’s our dream too, as Americans, to live in a world where everyone can benefit from a good quality of life. I’m so grateful to be a part of a program that enables me to play a part in helping to make this happen.

Happy 4th of July!