My name is Amy McAllister – nice to meet you! I am 25 years-old, and until this recent international departure, lived in Atlanta, Ga. However, because I grew up in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., I still consider myself a beach bum at heart.

After I graduated from college, I moved to Atlanta to pursue a career in fashion merchandising. I did that drill for a while and found out it really wasn’t for me after all. I then tried another 9 to 5, and again, realized that I still saw life as more than punching a clock. Finally, I decided to return to my roots.

I have been passionate about traveling and humanitarian work my entire life. I also had so much compassion for the social, economical and environmental injustice that was going on all over the world. I knew I had the capability to make a difference, even a small one. And that got me to the place I’m at now. I signed up and was chosen to participate in a program to do humanitarian work all over the world – 11 countries in 11 months to be exact. I’ll be traveling with four other girls, the 5 Alive Team, and reporting from each destination about our work, the issues each country faces, and the ways you lend a hand from where you are.

Follow me in my travels:

July: Central America – Mexico

August: Central America – Guatemala/Nicaragua

September: South East Asia – Thailand

October: South East Asia – Cambodia

November: South East Asia – Vietnam

December: Southern Africa – South Africa

January: Southern Africa – Swaziland/Mozambique

February: Southern Africa – Swaziland / Mozambique

March: Eastern Europe – Romania

April: Eastern Europe – Moldova

May: Eastern Europe – Ukraine

And now, here are some of the great loves of my life: my doggie (Muffin), spending time with my friends, hugs, a day on the beach, hanging out with Jack, Kate, Locke, and Sawyer (sad if you don’t know them also), playing with kids, car windows down and singing at the top of my lungs, spending time with family, reading a good book outside, laughing a lot, winning free tickets to country concerts, honest conversations, flip flops, anything sweet to eat, the Braves, and crying from a book, movie, or…ok… basically anything.

Remember, as Captain Planet says, “By our powers combined, we can make a difference!” I plan to, and I hope you will, too!