Carla Cuglietta was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta.  She studied at the University of Alberta and got her first degree in Physical Education, followed by a degree in Education. For the last twelve years, she has worked with students, friends and family to raise awareness of the responsibility people have to help others globally.  Three years ago, she started a non-profit organization called Canadian Water Works.  Its purpose is to bring clean water and sanitation education to people in need. We currently operate in remote villages in India and Africa.

Her volunteer work has taken her to Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, India, China and Sierra Leone.

She currently lives and works in Shanghai, China with her husband.

I first noticed it in high school; I was bothered by situations around me that were unjust.  I can clearly remember being on my way to church seeing someone on the street asking for money and everyone ignoring them.  I felt like something was wrong with this picture, in fact I knew something was wrong with this picture.

Troubled by this, I got some friends together at my high school and we put on a lunch for some of the homeless people in the area. I did not have to look far for help as I quickly learned that given the opportunity, people want to help people.

Some time later, I saw a documentary about a woman who sold everything she owned and bought a piece of land in Mexico to adopt 64 children that were living at a garbage dump.  I needed to go to this place; I needed to find out more about this type of service work.  I bought a plane ticket and off I went.  Ever since, I have been hooked on International Aid and trying to get others involved with me.

Over the past 12 years, I have asked for help from my from friends, family and schools for projects I have worked on in Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, India and Sierra Leone.  It has been the greatest joy of my life… to help people help people.

In 2007, I was awarded the Me To We National Award for Educators.  This was a great honor that really helped me to see t this wasn’t just planning trips with friends to volunteer in other countries, it was a calling.

When I realized something I love to do can help people, have a positive change on a global scale and bring absolute joy to everyone who joins in to help, I made this a way of life.  I hope you will join me…what else are you doing?