A Note from Tim
This edition of the Quarterly Exchange features the first REI short-term professional team trip to Malang, Indonesia. We can say that a solid foundation was laid for future short-term teams. This is a wonderful addition to the team trips that REI is doing – adding to the opportunities for teams to go to Vietnam, Kazakhstan and on individual trips to Uzbekistan.
As always, I hope these stories of impact will continue to inspire you. In fact, Kennon Matthews, a first-time REI volunteer can't help but leave you moved, as he describes his experience and impressions from his first trip. And Adam, the Indonesian colleague who helped plan and facilitate the REI short-term trip to Malang, will engage you with his perspective on the how these REI volunteers made a meaningful difference even across cultures.
Currently, the REI team in Uzbekistan is looking for longer-term professionals with experience in basic drawing, graphic design, illustration and portfolio design to volunteer to come to SIUT for two to three weeks, or even for a full semester, to teach this fall (2026) in the Department of Design. If you, or someone you know, wants to be a part of this in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, please let me know! These individual trainings will be outside of any teams going to Uzbekistan and will be working directly with REI’s team in Samarkand.
We so appreciate every way you participate and invest in REI’s programs to build people where and when it is needed most – thank you!
