“The world is a big place, why not explore it?”

Christopher Popowycz encourages others to volunteer with Cuso

After graduating from university with a Master’s in Integrated Water Resources Management, Christopher Popowycz wanted a new challenge.

“I just wanted to go and do something different,” Christopher says of his decision to volunteer with Cuso International. “I had been sitting behind a computer for too long. I wanted to go out in the field and use my hands.”

That was in 2018. The then 37-year-old accepted an assignment in Honduras for a year to do watershed research. Seven years later, he’s still there, living in the capital city of Tegucigalpa and travelling around the country as a volunteer natural resources and climate change advisor.

He knows the length of time he has been volunteering is unusual; most Canadians give six months to a year of their time. But the work and living in Honduras sits well with him—so well, he kept extending his time as a volunteer and is applying for residency in that Central American country.

One thing that kept him at it was the opportunity to work with others—colleagues, partners, and local people—to make a difference. This included when he worked with others to start the relocation process of the threatened coastal community of Las Barras de Motagua y Cuyamel.

Since 1985, the community of about 1,000 people had been struggling with coastal erosion, losing homes and livelihoods to the encroaching sea—a situation exacerbated by climate change.

In 2012, the area where they lived was declared uninhabitable by government authorities. While meetings were held and declarations were signed and agreed upon, the commitments lagged for an extended period and were never really fulfilled.

“It was heartbreaking,” he says of how the community was being pummeled by the sea. “Former homes were now just foundations in the water. I think I cried for a week after seeing it.”

With the support of Cuso and local partners, Christopher conducted painstaking and meticulous research to investigate and compile all the reports and recommendations issued over the years. His work helped finally give these communities a voice, inspiring other organizations to assist in turning their relocation from a mere dream into a reality.

Another project that has brought satisfaction is helping to protect watersheds, including helping to develop rules and regulations for their use.

“I was able to be a part of helping make sure watersheds were managed properly and environmentally protected, and make sure water sources remained safe and clean in communities,” he says.

Additionally, Christopher has been able to conduct climate change workshops for schools, businesses, and various organizations.

“I’m a big advocate of education,” he says. “I especially love doing workshops with kids.”

Although the work can be challenging, Christopher feels truly blessed to be supported by “amazing” Cuso staff, other volunteers, and partner organizations.

“It almost feels more like a hobby than a job,” he says. “I get such pleasure from my work. There’s no shortage of things to do. It’s never boring.”

While Canadians can also volunteer close to home, Christopher believes that volunteering in another country is special since it can provide insights into different cultures.

“The world is a big place, why not explore it?” he asks. “We can open our eyes and learn new things.”

In Honduras, that includes learning to be flexible over things like time.

“The meeting starts when people arrive,” he says. “I don’t worry about when they show up.”

For university graduates, Christopher says volunteering with Cuso is a great way to start a career.

“You get to know lots of people in different organizations,” he says, listing off the groups he has worked with such as the United Nations. “It’s a great networking opportunity.”

For those who are retired, volunteering is also a good thing to do.

“We are so privileged as Canadians,” he says. “We can share our skills and knowledge with others.”

Volunteering with Cuso is a unique opportunity to create meaningful change while gaining valuable international experience. If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident with a recognized qualification and at least two years of professional experience, we invite you to explore this exciting journey. Cuso volunteers receive travel and accommodations, a modest living allowance at the local standard, and continuous support from both our Canadian and regional offices every step of the way. 

We are actively recruiting for placements across Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Canada. We currently have a high demand for dedicated professionals to serve as Gender Advisors, Communications Advisors, and Monitoring and Evaluation Officers. We also have a need for people to volunteer in Peru, Honduras, Colombia, Benin, and Tanzania. To learn more, visit Cuso.