Have you ever considered moving to an impoverished country to do volunteer work with the locals? Author Nicolette Uma Smith and her husband did just that, joining a charitable organization in Guyana, South America. We learn about the country and the living experience. We are also introduced to many beautiful souls and begin to understand their lifestyles.

Part travelogue, part guide to the difficulties and rewards of volunteering overseas, Hopeful Steps presents a collection of vignettes such as "The Pleasures and Pitfalls of Riding a Bike in Georgetown" and "Being a Yogi in Guyana". Step inside these pages to gain insights about living and working in a different culture. Written with an occasional humorous touch, these thirty-six essays include biographies of four remarkable Guyanese women, as well as some historical background. The many pictures enhance the text.