An American in Dubno: Good Deeds Can Be Done Anywhere

The American in Dubno, Geoffrey Glenn, is known by almost every resident of the city. He gained good fame a few years ago when he was a Peace Corps volunteer. Always friendly and smiling, Geoff leaves a lasting impression on people. Eventually, Dubno and Ukraine became his second home. He continually helps and works for the city’s community. Last year, thanks to the American, our charity organization “Community Foundation of Dubno ‘Dobrobut'” received support from grant donors, and the people of Dubno, in turn, received free help.
Moreover, he came to Ukraine almost immediately after the full-scale invasion. Was he scared? Geoffrey openly shared his thoughts and experiences about volunteering in a conversation.

“I Complained a Lot About What Other People Were Doing, But I Didn’t Do Anything to Change It”

“I was over 30, and I already had two children. I remember sitting on the couch, watching the news, and complaining about everything that seemed wrong in the world. And for some reason, I realized that I complained a lot about what other people were doing, but I wasn’t doing anything to change it. So I decided to do something to change the world. Because if I complain about something, I should at least try to change it.”
At first, I started volunteering for small organizations and events, where I also took my children with me. And although they felt uncomfortable or didn’t particularly enjoy it, later they understood everything.
Over time, my activities changed – from small, one-off tasks to permanent work with volunteer organizations. At least once a week, sometimes twice a week, in various organizations. Feeding people, giving shelter to teenagers in trouble, looking for ways to make my community better – that’s how I learned what it means to be a volunteer. I helped with fundraising, organization, and consulting. This led me to join the Peace Corps.
After finishing my work in the United States and when my children were old enough to care for themselves, I came to Ukraine and worked as a volunteer in the Peace Corps for almost three years. That’s how I ended up in Dubno, where I met many people who are now my family and friends. So when this terrible event happened in Ukraine – the full-scale war – it was important for me to come here to support them.

“I Am Afraid for the Future, Like Everyone, But I Also Have Hope. And I Know That Ukraine Will Win.”

– Was it scary to come here after the February invasion?
“We first came to Warsaw in March, right after the war started. And yes, it was scary. I grew up in a rather tough place, so I’m not scared by air raid sirens but by other things. Strangely enough, I don’t react much to the sirens. But I was afraid for my family, my wife and her son, friends, our families, and for Ukraine.”
After a few months in Warsaw, we came here because we realized it’s better to be here, with the people who matter to us, than to be even in a neighboring capital. We’ve been living here since then. I am afraid for the future, like everyone, but I also have hope. And I know Ukraine will win.

– Last year, as a volunteer for our organization, you helped a lot. Can you briefly tell us about this activity?
– Mykola (Mandziuk – editor’s note), who is the head of Dobrobut, was my colleague during my Peace Corps service, and we became very close friends. So helping the charity fund is not only my relationship with the organization but also friendship. It’s also a way to help Dubno. I help Mykola and “Dobrobut” grow their potential so that, as the organization develops, it can do better and larger things for the community, especially when we talk about Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction.
Part of what I have been doing since I arrived in Ukraine also involves helping “Dobrobut” become the best organization it can be and doing everything I can to make that happen.
Some of the projects I’ve had the opportunity to work on are being realized through Rotary. Rotary offers grants, so I successfully applied for two grants. The first is to provide medicines and food for displaced people coming from the east to Dubno. The second is to assist centers housing the elderly and people with disabilities (nursing homes – editor’s note) who cannot care for themselves, so we can provide them with the necessary items.
I also work with the Peace Corps Volunteer Alliance that has returned. They offered two small grants that we managed to secure. One is to help adults with hygiene products and families with members who have disabilities. The other is to create a charging center when Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure caused power shortages. So, we managed to acquire the necessary equipment. I am still working with organizations to find more funding.

When We Dedicate Our Time to Volunteering, We Become Part of Something Bigger Than Ourselves.”

– Geoffrey, why is volunteering important? Why should people volunteer?
“When we give something to others, we are connected. When we dedicate our time to volunteering, we become part of something bigger than ourselves. If we don’t do this, we are alone.”

– Is this the main idea of volunteering?
“The main idea of volunteering is to serve something bigger than yourself. When I was in the Peace Corps – I moved to Dubno. And when you live somewhere for a long time, longer than a few weeks, social connections begin to form. I made friendships and built a family here. After I left, I still kept in touch and, to my happiness, married a Ukrainian woman. My Peace Corps service wasn’t just volunteering. It taught me that I can be part of a community anywhere in the world.”
So when the full-scale war started, I felt the desire to come here. I believe that I am needed here and I’m doing everything I can.

“I Like That You Have a Connection in the Community That Doesn’t Exist in a Big City.”

– What do you like most about Dubno?
“First and foremost, I like the people. I like that it’s a small city where the residents say: ‘I know you.’ And I like that you have this sense of community that doesn’t exist in a big city. I love the nature here; it’s beautiful. I also like the castle.”

– Geoffrey, do people recognize you on the streets?
“Everyone knows that I’m the only American here. During my time in the Peace Corps, there were quite a few of us. In fact, in this community, we had more Peace Corps volunteers than in some larger communities. And so we were very fortunate to have several people dedicated to Dubno. But yes, people recognize me. And I don’t pretend I’m not American. Maybe it comforts some people that there are people from other countries here during this time.”

– What is the hardest part about volunteering?
“I’m critical. When we volunteer, it doesn’t feel like work. We want people to do things or act in a certain way, so we can be critical of what people do and not very sympathetic. It’s hard to be patient. But I think that when you look at volunteer organizations and the people who do volunteer work, you understand that they are doing the best they can. They are trying to make some changes. And for me, that’s more important than sitting and complaining about life. Sometimes I think you can volunteer a lot and not notice that it has a big impact, that it’s making changes. You just need to believe a little bit that good things are happening because of your work, even if you’re not there to see it.”

“What Superpower Would You Like to Have?”
“If I could have any superpower, I would like to help Ukraine win this war and make sure that nothing like this could happen again in the future. I would also like for no one else to experience something like this. Because it is terrible and unbearable. And I hope the world will see this and rise against it. For Ukraine, for the present and the future.” “But if I were to fantasize humorously, I would like to be invisible. I think that would be cool. Not because I want to sneak up on people, but because the ability to see people when they don’t know you’re around could be wonderful. I believe that people are kinder when they are alone.”

“We All Need Help. Reach Out – Change a Life.”

– Geoffrey, what would you say to people at the end of our conversation?
“I urge you to dedicate time to volunteering. I know that most of us are busy, many of us are struggling, some are worried about the people they love, especially if they are in the army. But just like a small monetary donation, dedicating your time can make a huge difference. An hour or two a week can really change someone’s life. And it doesn’t have to be on a national level. You can voluntarily do something for people who suffer more than you. We all need help. If you help someone, their life will change, and then yours will change too. And one more thing: if you don’t like how the world looks – change it. My favorite quote is: ‘You don’t have to light up the whole world, just your little part.’ And that will bring positive change. I can assure you of that.”