Alumni Association Update

For MBA student Simone Lee, this summer's Wharton International Volunteer project in Mumbai, India, was a time of "frustrations and wonders."

"Imagine living steps away from the poorest slums in the world, taking a shower with nothing more than a bucket and a cup, having mosquito bites swell up to the size of your hand, and seeing rivers that have become open sewers," Lee said. "Contrast that with the incredible hospitality of strangers opening their homes to you, enjoying an Ayurvedic massage, and walking in caves where 5th-century Buddhist monks carved incredible statues and paintings. It was an amazing time."

Lee was one of 50 Wharton students who recently returned from volunteer projects in 14 developing countries as part of the Wharton International Volunteer Program (WIVP). In all, 21 projects took place in Africa, Asia, and Latin America in fields ranging from health care to education to microfinance. Volunteers tackled issues including developing an expansion strategy for a children's charity in Vietnam; creating a budget, website, and brochure for a youth education project in Brazil; and designing a long-term business plan for the largest sexual and reproductive health services organization in Swaziland.

Lee's group developed a fundraising strategy targeting financial services and information technology companies for the Yuva Parivartan, or youth transformation movement, at Kherwadi Social Welfare Association, a 75-year-old NGO (non-governmental organization) that provides vocational training services to slum dwellers who live between Bandra East and Khar East in Mumbai. "My past experience volunteering for various community projects showed me that I would never be satisfied working solely for money and that I wanted a career where I could help the needy directly," said Lee, who is also co-president of WIVP. "This volunteer program gives me a tremendous opportunity to fulfill this dream."

Now in its 19th year, the Wharton International Volunteer Program is a nonprofit, student-run organization that enlists the varied talents and experiences of Wharton MBAs to improve the social and economic development of emerging economies while providing MBA students with valuable international development experience. Each summer, WIVP sends MBA students as volunteers to work with small to medium NGOs in developing countries; projects typically last two to four weeks and involve two to four students each.

WIVP's work around the world is supported through donations from companies and alumni as well as fundraising activities organized by student members, including a Winter Ball that traditionally draws more than 800 students each year.