Reviews
Country Reviews
TONGA | ||
“The HEFY Program helped me to forget about myself for two and a half weeks and focus on the other things in this world that really matter, like service, friendship, and the gospel. I'll never forget about this experience and am glad that I went because it will help me while I'm on my mission.”
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"This trip changed my life! I loved every minute I spent there! It opened my eyes to the things that really matter the most in life! It strengthened my testimony of service indefinitely! There is truly no greater feeling then when you are serving someone. It's something I can't even describe…I'm so grateful I went on this trip and got to experience a different culture and realize how truly blessed I am. I know that the church is true and going on this trip only strengthened my testimony! I would recommend going to Tonga to anyone. It really is the other side of Heaven."
"I can't put it into words on how much it strengthened me. I learned so much about the gospel and service. I have such a stronger testimony now." | |
BELIZE | ||
| "I learned a powerful lesson about God's unending love for all of His children, including me. I also received a witness that God does exist and works the same even far away from the places and culture that I know." - Sara, age 19, Katy Texas |
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FIJI | ||
 "I wouldn't give up this experience for anything in the world. It was the most amazing thing I have ever participated in and has been the most spiritually strengthening journey I have ever taken. Thank you HEFY for this." Anika, age 16, Salt Lake Utah |
"My experience in Fiji brought me closer to my Heavenly Father and to myself. I learned about how Heavenly Father has a plan for everyone, how he truly loves all of his children and how he blesses all of us in different ways. I also learned things about myself, like how I feel the spirit, what things I need to work on, and how I blessed I truly am." Taylor, age 17, Salt Lake Utah "This was a life changing experience. I will never forget how hard it was as well as rewarding! It was so much fun and would do it again in a heartbeat." Amanda, age 17, Ogden Utah
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PERU | ||
"I loved visiting Machu Picchu because it is such a famous place and it definitely lived up to its reputation. I also loved This trip helped me develop into the person I want to become by strengthening Christlike attributes like charity. I loved getting to know other LDS teenagers who share my same values and we ended up becoming best friends who I will never forget. Brianna, age 18, Centerville Arkansas | ||
What Adult Coaches Had to Say
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"Serving the group and the Peruvian people helped me grow closer to my Savior. This was a great group and I loved the opportunity to share my testimony and help this youth grow closer to Christ." James, Peru, 2012
"I was strengthened spiritually so much by this experience and made some amazing friends! We've already been to 2 other states to visit our HEFY buddies!" -Leslie, Peru, 2010 "I loved it because it was the closest thing spiritually to a mission that I have had since my mission. Being immersed in the culture and providing that kind of service is a spiritual feast!" -Boyd, Fiji, 2010"This experience will be one that I will reflect on for the rest of my life which will be a reminder of the simple blessings i enjoy each and every day regardless of what the day brings me. Thank you HEFY for organizing this experience which allowed me to touch the lives of strangers across the ocean and at the same time strengthening my own spirituality and character." Denise, Fiji 2012 "Loved the zip lining and waterfall!! Loved walking the streets of Quito and Cuenca at night. Enjoyed visiting the Incan | |
"The interaction with the local people was awesome, but as a parent leader what I enjoyed the most was getting to know the youth in our group. I didn't realize how attached to them I had become until the trip was over. They were great kids." -Boyd, Fiji, 2010 |  |
What Parents Had to Say
"My son met a young man there who gave up a professional soccer career to serve a mission. The young man's example has made a huge impact on our son, who is now determined to serve a mission. This touches my heart so very much, I am so grateful!" -Carma, 2010 |
"I loved the opportunities to help others less fortunate combined with fun activities. She had the opportunity to raise money to help one of the local children while she was down there." -Dawn, 2010 "I liked the service and the opportunity to see how blessed (we) really are." -Tami, 2010 "I loved that (the youth) were able to be so integrated into the lives of the people and (that there was) emphasis on spiritual growth, study, and prayer." -Kari, 2010"The HEFY group worked hard and had opportunities to associate with the children they served." -Nadine, 2010 "I loved the variety of fun, hard work, spiritual, and adventure." -Rebecca, 2010 "This trip broadened my son's horizons. It took him somewhere he wanted to go, but not on "vacation." It was a trip with purpose." -Kathryn, 2010 "The best part was service on a personal level, living and serving close to those in need with wholesome LDS activities. All (helped) to strengthen a testimony of Christ-like service and living." -John, 2010 "HEFY helped them think outside themselves and find joy in serving others. I appreciated their involvement with the members of the church in Tonga as well as the children there." -Audrey, 2010 "I would say that this trip caused my daughter to feel humbled, with more gratitude for the living circumstances she has, more compassion, and greater charity." -James, 2010 |
"I would encourage anyone interesting in the HEFY program to go and do it! The trip was an awesome experience for our daughter as well as the rest of the family as we watched her fundraise and work towards earning her trip. And then finally realizing her goal." -Nona, 2010 | | "My son's experience in Brazil was fantastic. HEFY does a great job of providing a spiritual, cultural, educational, and humanitarian experience that is both challenging and fun." -Amy, 2010 |
"It has been a great testimony builder for my daughter and has increased her desire to serve wherever and whenever she can." -Tami, 2010 "My daughter's confidence increased, she met amazing people, the staff was outstanding, and she was able to get outside herself and see what others have to deal with in life." -Carrie, 2010 "I think this program is an outstanding way for any young man or woman to put themselves aside and serve others in ways that could change their lives forever." -Valerie, 2010 "This trip was one of the best things that has happened in my daughter's life. The opportunity to serve in a new environment has changed her outlook and she seems to have less of a desire for material things. The group was great." -Nadine, 2010 "I liked how my son felt about serving the children and the example of others." -Carma, 2010 "The opportunities to raise funds, to serve people at great personal sacrifice, and to encounter people whose lives are considerably less blessed than hers was a great spiritual experience." -James, 2010 |
"HEFY is a wonderful opportunity for young people to experience serving others in an exciting setting. I loved that they were able to attend church, go to the temple, and interact with the members while on this trip. I felt they were safe and loved the email updates." -Toni, 2010 |
What Participants Had to Say
HEFY Strengthens Spiritually
| "It made me realize that halfway around the world, people still believe in the same standards." -Ethan, age 16, Michigan"It helped me further my desire to serve a mission and to realize the divine nature we all have." -Kelsey, age 19, Utah "It strengthened me a lot spiritually! I felt the spirit so strongly on the first Sunday at the Niteroi branch and even though I couldn't understand Portuguese the spirit was there and it was strong. I loved it and I loved the uplifting environment." -Chelsea, age 18, Arizona "It humbled me to see how much we really have here. It has made me more grateful for everything I have. I loved seeing the church in another country. It really strengthened my testimony of the truthfulness of this gospel." -Jessica, age 18, Utah "(This trip) showed me how much Heavenly Father loves ALL of his children and how blessed I am." -Briana, age 17, Colorado "I grew closer to Heavenly Father when I realized that He was watching over me very closely and protecting me. I also learned a lot about the kind of person I want to become." -Chelsea, age 18, Utah "It helped me rely on myself more, and gain my own personal testimony. Getting away from technology helped me set aside time for scripture study and daily prayers." -Jacob, age 18, Wisconsin"I went on this trip kind of expecting one big experience to change me, but over and over again, it was the little things that would touch my heart and spirit. I filled up a page and a half of all the little lessons I learned." -Brandi, age 19, Idaho "(I gained) a better understanding of what true happiness is." -Nathan, age 16, Oregon "I felt it brought me closer to Christ by serving His children." -Caley, age 16, Idaho "Going on this expedition is hands down one of the best things I've ever done. It really helped me get ready for my mission." -Kij, age 18, Utah "It touched me when the locals testified of Joseph Smith and his greatness despite him not even being from their country, but a distant land." - Connor, age 18,Oregon |
HEFY Experiences Cultures
| "This trip was so amazing and eye-opening. It really gave me a totally new perspective on life. The people that I met down there were so awesome and I can't wait to go on another trip!" -James, age 17, Nebraska "It helped me to realize what the power of God can do in anyone's life, whether poor or rich. I gained a better testimony of unconditional love and patience. I was strengthened by serving those who needed me and wasn't concerned about myself." -Tia, age 17, Colorado"I really enjoyed myself there. The friendships made with both the locals and other HEFY participants will last me a very long time. I really appreciate the leaders and the hard work that they did to make the trip run smoothly." -Stian, age 18, Alberta, Canada "This trip was by far the best trip I have ever been on. Yes it was very physically demanding and we worked hard, but with working hard we played hard." -Alix, age 18, Utah "This trip was the best experience I've ever had. You can feel the love that the people have for you and how much even the little help we provided changed their lives hugely. I love the people of Tonga and have a great relationship with a lot of them." -Alexis, age 17, California "I was strengthened by the members of the church in Fiji as well as being able to converse with kids my own age from their states about our common beliefs." -Emily, age 17, Arizona "It was strengthening to me to see the saints sacrifice so much and travel so far to come to church. I loved basking in their spirits and feel the love they had for their Savior. I loved spending time with the children, hearing them bear their testimonies." -Annie, age 18, Oregon |
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HEFY Changes Lives through Service
| "I never realized how much I had, until I saw how much they didn't have. I have never wanted to help someone so much in my entire life. I could have spent a year there and loved every second of it. The locals were incredible." -Allie, age 18, Utah "I learned more about our Savior through this service experience than any other." -Kara, age 18, Utah"This trip was the highlight of my summer. I love knowing that the service was needed and appreciated. It makes me feel so fulfilled to know that I really helped someone who needed it!" -Shannon, age 16, British Columbia "It gave new meaning to Sunday being a day of rest and it made me realize how much service can help." -Ashley, age 16, Utah "HEFY taught me that everyone in this world is a child of God and everyone needs help." -Zach, age 17, Georgia "I gained a stronger testimony of service and the real reason we do it! And I also learned so much about gratitude, seeing that the Tongans have so little but are still so giving and grateful!" -Alicia, age 17, Utah "Seeing the joy that the service brought to the people and seeing the strong testimonies of the members out there really strengthened my own testimony." -Lucy, age 17, Minnesota"The example I had from others, those in my group and the ones we served strengthened my testimony immeasurably. The spirit I felt among those children was so strong that I wished I could have stayed to live with them." -Jon, age 17, Ohio |
