Islands rising up out of crystal clear blue waters. Mountain peaks touching trade wind clouds. Crescent-shaped white sand beaches stretching endlessly, startling the eye. A proud Afro-Caribbean heritage alive in a culture with all the flavor of the local fruit trees and all the rainbow variety of the fish swimming offshore.

Until the 1960s the BVI was relatively undeveloped with few paved roads, fewer tourists, and only a dirt landing strip for airplanes. In the ensuing decades of change the BVI planned wisely for tourism, avoiding high rise casinos and endless duty-free shopping. Strong governmental autonomy and relative self-sufficiency create a feeling of well-being unusual in the Caribbean. And yet all BVI residents do not benefit from tourism or the yachting industry. Pockets of real need exist. BVI social services, not unlike those in other countries, are under-funded and under-supported. VISIONS groups in the BVI support social service initiatives on a number of fronts.

We work on Tortola, the commercial center and largest island of the BVI, or Virgin Gorda, a smaller, less populous island to the east. Our home base on either island is a community or church hall, the practical centers for community life. Friendships forged through years of collaboration in the BVI mean that our home base neighborhoods know and trust us.

Your service will engage you directly with the warm enthusiasm of local masons, carpenters, farmers, environmentalists, and diverse public servants. Projects in the BVI always include some construction. Through partnerships with the Ministries of Education, Health and Welfare; Department of Agriculture and the National Parks Trust; churches, public schools, and individuals; VISIONS groups have built homes, playgrounds, park gazebos, pavilions, mountain lookouts, beach facilities, rain shelters, walking trails and more. Non-construction projects vary from designing and painting public murals to volunteering with special needs children to a beloved annual work rotation on Michael's farm where we harvest fruits and vegetables in an organic tropical setting. BVI projects always incorporate school children and the joyful laughter they bring to our worksites and activities.

Recreation engages us in every way with the amazing surroundings. "Special Assignments" are one way we explore by talking with locals to learn about small businesses, the environment, culture, economy and more. Snorkeling happens at almost every beach, hikes lead through tropical forests, and finding a good fishing spot becomes its own adventure. We go dancing and sailing, listen to steel drum music on the beach, play pick-up basketball games. Throw in a perfect ocean sunset during a beach barbeque and the stage is set for an unforgettable experience.

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