"People would come into the office smiling every day," says Michael Passarelli when describing his time volunteering with Heartland Alliance in Haiti. He was struck with how hopeful and positive the people of Haiti are as they rebuild their country after the January 12 earthquake.

Michael has a passion for international work, and has volunteered with several Heartland Alliance programs including the Marjorie Kovler Center, which treats survivors of torture, and the National Immigrant Justice Center, which helps represent people seeking asylum. "I couldn't think of a better organization to volunteer with," he says. "You can really tell who you're helping."

Michael's passion for volunteering started in college when he taught English as part of a tutoring program. He enjoys working directly with people in need and plans to make volunteering an ongoing part of his life. He's interested in pursuing a law degree with a special focus on human rights law.

Immediately after the earthquake, Heartland Alliance's staff set up mobile health care clinics which served over 6,000 children. Continuing to focus on the special needs of Haiti's children, Heartland Alliance has established an anti-trafficking program to protect children from being exploited or removed from Haiti illegally. Michael volunteered in Haiti, helping to run the program's day-to-day operations, doing everything from coordinating vehicles for the child protection officers to updating budgets.

Michael is excited and energized by his experience volunteering in Haiti and hopes to return on a permanent basis to help run the anti-trafficking program.