Dr. Charles Cappellino has gotten a lot out of life and he wanted to give a little bit back. So, in 1977 he took the first step of a journey that has led him into years of fulfillment as a traveling volunteer.

Cappellino, an ophthalmologist from Mattituck, N.Y., first got involved with overseas volunteering when he performed eye surgeries in rural Nigeria. The working conditions were abysmal, as Cappellino recalls. "The surgical dressing tray was a fly swatter," he said. Furthermore, he risked serious disease and injury in the name of helping others.

Regardless of the risks, Cappellino discovered a certain attraction to the volunteering way of life. He soon found himself going to such exotic locales as Ecuador and St. Lucia, not to browse through shops or rest on the beach, but to work.

His most recent volunteer adventure was in Rota, Spain in April, where he taught conversational English to children as a member of a Global Volunteers team. It was his third service program with Global Volunteers. He volunteered in Ostuni, Italy, in March 1996 and in Siedlce, Poland in 1994.

While in Spain, Cappellino formed close relationships with his students. "The children at the school were very friendly and open," Cappellino said. He also got an opportunity to participate in a traditional April festival in the neighboring community of Seville, one of the biggest festivals in Spain and Andalusia’s most colorful celebration.

Out of his three Global Volunteers service programs, the one Cappellino most enjoyed was his experience in Italy "because of the food, accommodations, weather and people." He also admits he enjoyed himself because, as an Italian American, he got special treatment. "They treated me like I was a movie star," Cappellino said. "People came out to cheer me the day I left."

The following is a vignette Cappellino wrote about his time in Italy:

I had traveled throughout Italy many times before, both with my parents who were born in Sicily, and as a student at the University of Bologna, so I was not concerned with adapting to the language or culture in my assigned destination, Ostuni, Italy, a historic town built on top of hills that lies along the Adriatic Coast between Bari and Brindisi...population 35,000.

When I recall my first day at Morelli Elementary School in nearby Carovigno, everyone seemed happy, the girls embraced their teachers and the noisy hallways resonated with sounds from the marble floors and concrete construction.

Classes were between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., five days a week. I was given a free hand in covering the class work and all the students were very receptive even though this was a new experience for them, too. I was the first American ever assigned to their school! They asked me questions on movies, T.V., sports, and life in America. They even asked for my autograph. I felt like a celebrity!

No teaching experience was necessary, so I concentrated on what I knew best (ophthalmic surgery not included, of course): conversation and pronunciation. In between, I injected games such as "Simple Simon," songs like "You Are My Sunshine," and parlor tricks. Before long, we enjoyed ourselves and felt very comfortable together.

There was plenty of time to socialize with my teammates after school hours. We arranged a bus trip to Locorotondo and Alberobello, two unique towns with conical-shaped roofs made of stone called "trulli," dating back to the 16th century. On another occasion, an Italian family drove me to see Lecce, the port of Brindisi, and all the olive groves, vineyards, artichoke farms and almond trees. Although I love New York, the landscape of Italy’s "boot" was a welcome change!

My second and last week at school was highlighted by a class trip by bus to Egnazia, an ancient Greco-Roman ruin along the Adriatic dating back to 800 B.C.

By this time, the students who did not have classes with me had heard about the "Americano" teaching English in his unique way wanted to be involved, so permission was granted to double-up classes in a larger room. Need I say how honored I felt?

Towards the end of the week, the local teachers and their families organized a grand festival to honor my teammates at our hotel ballroom. Yet another highlight!

The festivities began with the Carovigno Flag Throwers marching in to the sound of drums and bugles dressed in period costumes. Next came the Ostuni Folklore Group in local costumes playing guitars, accordions and drums. They were followed by a dance group of teenagers in traditional dress.

After dinner, the mayor of Ostuni paid tribute to the Global Volunteers and we in turn thanked the city for their hospitable and cordial reception.

My last day of school was the most memorable of the trip. When I opened the front door to the school that morning, I was surprised to be greeted by the whole school with cheers, gifts, and an outpouring of affection and appreciation. Tears filled my eyes and that moment alone was worth all my efforts.

Although he has faced some tough challenges during his many trips abroad, Cappellino said he has no regrets about his volunteer experiences. "You get a certain satisfaction from volunteering," Cappellino said. "You get to help other people. But, you also get off the beaten track and away from places everybody else goes to see."

Global Volunteers has opportunities for people with or without medical backgrounds. Most projects require no specific training, but our service programs in the Cook Islands, Ghana, Romania, Ecuador, Tanzania, Jamaica and Costa Rica need medical volunteers like Dr. Cappellino. Ophthalmologists, family practitioners, obstetricians and gynecologists, pediatricians and general internists are urgently needed to perform exams, various surgeries, and assessments as well as teaching and support. However, due to the variety of needs, most specialists can also be of great value, as well as physical therapists, physicians assistants, nurses, EMT