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Walk in Their Shoes: Can One Person Change the World?
The powerful, personal story of Jim Ziolkowski, the man behind the organization buildOn—which turns inner city teens into community leaders at home and abroad—and his inspiring mission to change the world one community at a time.
Jim Ziolkowski gave up his career in corporate finance to create buildOn, a service-oriented program that goes into high-risk areas around the world to work with students in their communities. Under Jim’s leadership, buildOn volunteers have contributed more than 850,000 hours of community service, and the organization has constructed more than 430 schools worldwide, from the South Bronx, to Detroit, Chicago, and Oakland, to Haiti, Senegal, Nicaragua, and Nepal.
Walk in Their Shoes is packed with the ingredients of a powerful bestseller as it traces Jim’s story from his transformation from a thrill-seeking twenty-something backpacker, to a Harlem-based idealist trying to launch a not-for-profit organization, and finally to the head of buildOn.
Ziolkowski compellingly chronicles his exciting story of worldwide travel and adventure, creating a moving portrait of the power of faith, teamwork, and the boundless potential of the human spirit. Blessed with relentless optimism and an unshakable faith, both of which have fortified his commitment to the poor and the underprivileged, Jim Ziolkowski’s inspirational memoir reveals that helping and empathizing with others can help—and heal—ourselves.
Jim Ziolkowski gave up his career in corporate finance to create buildOn, a service-oriented program that goes into high-risk areas around the world to work with students in their communities. Under Jim’s leadership, buildOn volunteers have contributed more than 850,000 hours of community service, and the organization has constructed more than 430 schools worldwide, from the South Bronx, to Detroit, Chicago, and Oakland, to Haiti, Senegal, Nicaragua, and Nepal.
Walk in Their Shoes is packed with the ingredients of a powerful bestseller as it traces Jim’s story from his transformation from a thrill-seeking twenty-something backpacker, to a Harlem-based idealist trying to launch a not-for-profit organization, and finally to the head of buildOn.
Ziolkowski compellingly chronicles his exciting story of worldwide travel and adventure, creating a moving portrait of the power of faith, teamwork, and the boundless potential of the human spirit. Blessed with relentless optimism and an unshakable faith, both of which have fortified his commitment to the poor and the underprivileged, Jim Ziolkowski’s inspirational memoir reveals that helping and empathizing with others can help—and heal—ourselves.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published April 2, 2013
34 people are currently reading
1532 people want to read
About the author
Jim Ziolkowski
1 book11 followersJim Ziolkowski is the Founder, President and CEO of buildOn, a non-profit organization that builds schools in developing countries while also running community-service programs for high school students in America. At home or abroad, Jim’s goal is to break the cycle of poverty, illiteracy and low expectations through service and education. Inspired by his own travels to some of the most impoverished cities in the world, Jim derailed his promising career in corporate finance to dedicate his life to an unabashedly idealistic mission.
Since it was founded in 1992, buildOn students have contributed more than 1,000,000 hours of service. Many of these students have also been involved in building over 500 schools in Haiti, Nicaragua, Mali, Malawi, Senegal and Nepal. More than 72,000 children, parents, and grandparents attend these schools every day.
More than two decades later, Jim is still the guiding force of buildOn. Deeply influenced by his own religious faith, shaped by his personal meetings with Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama, and hailed by President Barack Obama, Jim likes to say, “We’re not a charity – we’re a movement.” He graduated cum laude from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, and he has been featured on many news outlets, including NBC’s TODAY Show, CNN, CBS Evening News, and the Big Ten Sports Network.
Since it was founded in 1992, buildOn students have contributed more than 1,000,000 hours of service. Many of these students have also been involved in building over 500 schools in Haiti, Nicaragua, Mali, Malawi, Senegal and Nepal. More than 72,000 children, parents, and grandparents attend these schools every day.
More than two decades later, Jim is still the guiding force of buildOn. Deeply influenced by his own religious faith, shaped by his personal meetings with Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama, and hailed by President Barack Obama, Jim likes to say, “We’re not a charity – we’re a movement.” He graduated cum laude from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, and he has been featured on many news outlets, including NBC’s TODAY Show, CNN, CBS Evening News, and the Big Ten Sports Network.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
November 23, 2013
For non-Christian readers I would like to say, don't be put off by some reviewers references to the author's "deep faith". His Catholic upbringing and beliefs really are not there to preach, convert, or judge, but do provide important personal context to the ways he found meaning through the work he started and continues to do today.
Even though I don't share his faith, I feel that by sharing his beliefs, and the things that challenged his faith, his story becomes more intimate and real for the reader. The values of making one-to-one compassionate connections, of speaking and listening from the heart, and of being of service to others and the community are universal, and sadly lacking in many so-called religious people today. This is someone who didn't have to do what he did (leave a good job and the comforts of his home, friends, and family), but chose to listen to a higher voice guide him toward a life's work. Living your values is a message the most and least "religious" among us should listen to, and act on.
By the way, I'm off to Nepal in January to build a new school as a result of being inspire by this organization (buildOn.org). My college alumni book clubs are also reading "Walk In Their Shoes" this spring and I trust some lively discussed will follow.
Even though I don't share his faith, I feel that by sharing his beliefs, and the things that challenged his faith, his story becomes more intimate and real for the reader. The values of making one-to-one compassionate connections, of speaking and listening from the heart, and of being of service to others and the community are universal, and sadly lacking in many so-called religious people today. This is someone who didn't have to do what he did (leave a good job and the comforts of his home, friends, and family), but chose to listen to a higher voice guide him toward a life's work. Living your values is a message the most and least "religious" among us should listen to, and act on.
By the way, I'm off to Nepal in January to build a new school as a result of being inspire by this organization (buildOn.org). My college alumni book clubs are also reading "Walk In Their Shoes" this spring and I trust some lively discussed will follow.
October 10, 2013
I was a goodreads first reads winner of "Walk in Their shoes" Jim Ziolkowski.wrote of his 20 plus years as a humanitarian who went around the world and helped build schools for the desperately poor.He gave up a career to Join "Buildon" in the USA that helped teens to volunteer in cities like Detroit, the Bronx. he even lived in Harlem for a couple years.
Over the years Jim and volunteers have built schools in Haiti,Nepal south Africa. to date over 550 schools world wide.I found this book touching, I loved how one person can make a difference. Jim gave up a well paying job so help the needy. before his job, Jim had hiked for months through countries that had no schools, or running water, he saw how desperately poor people around the world were. I was impressed how he also devoted his life to teenagers who were falling through the cracks and reached them getting to volunteer. I liked how he believes that each one of us can change the world.
P.S. I was also glad to see that he is from Michigan"Go Spartans"
Over the years Jim and volunteers have built schools in Haiti,Nepal south Africa. to date over 550 schools world wide.I found this book touching, I loved how one person can make a difference. Jim gave up a well paying job so help the needy. before his job, Jim had hiked for months through countries that had no schools, or running water, he saw how desperately poor people around the world were. I was impressed how he also devoted his life to teenagers who were falling through the cracks and reached them getting to volunteer. I liked how he believes that each one of us can change the world.
P.S. I was also glad to see that he is from Michigan"Go Spartans"
September 3, 2013
*Spoiler alert*
This is an amazing book. Of course, being an active buildOn (the organization that Jim founded) student who has fundraised money and traveled to Nepal to build a school, my opinions might be a bit biased.
I was lucky enough to get the book from buildOn before it's release, and when I finished I was like WOW... I had known some of Jim's stories before, but this book in it's entirety gave me a complete new perspective on the hardships that he had to overcome for the past 20+ years. After all you don't just start an organization with a few friends and expect it to grow automatically, into today's buildOn, which has built over 500 schools globally.
Anyways, as biased as my views might be, this is one damn good story. It's no coincidence that I could not put this book down the night I started reading, or that after my mother yelled at me to go to sleep I left the living room and continued reading in bed, or that after she came up, busted through the door and yelled at me again, I "went to the bathroom" and sat on the toilet and kept reading.
In this book, Jim first recounts his childhood experiences going skiing and hiking with his father. Then after college he travels around the world, going to India and then Nepal, where he stumbles upon a remote village, celebrating the completion of their very first school. This is when the seed of an idea is planted into Jim's mind. He starts working for GE, but cannot keep his travel experiences out of his mind. After 9 months he quit, and starts this organization with his brother. He has lived in Harlem to "walk in the shoes" of the students in his programs, and discovers that they want to transform their neighborhood, not escape it; His travels take him to South Africa during Apartheid, where white soldiers points their rifles at his face while he bravely points his video camera at theirs; To Brazil, where he befriends groups of street kids... He is a reckless traveler, but everywhere he goes he tries to help the people, and they always give him back something intellectual or emotional that he then puts back into his programs at home and abroad.
As a high school student, reading this book makes me want to travel and see the world some day. I want to expose myself to the poverty, violence and injustice of the world so I can better understand myself and the career choices I want to make. It also deepens my dedication to this wonderful organization and I'm so proud to be part of it.
This book is also about faith. Jim's son gets a strange and very serious health problem a few years before this book's release, so that he has random seizures that would last up to half an hour or even a full hour (I forget). He can barely go to school, and no matter how many doctors or different kinds of medicine he goes through, Jim's family cannot find a cure.
I have a little brother and I can't imagine what I'll do if this happened to him. Jim spends long periods at the hospital with his son while working at the same time, and it becomes very difficult physically and emotionally. But Jim always has faith, he never gives up. buildOn continues to develop despite this, and I think that it takes a lot to not go crazy under those circumstances. The little boy is a lot better now, and I pray that his entire family stays strong and someday they'll find a cure. I really hope I have the same strength if life ever comes down at me like this.
buildOn is doing very well today. Just this summer buildOn's Student Chapters at high schools and universities pledged to raise 1 MILLION DOLLARS the next school year to build 33 schools. And that's chapters alone, not counting what the after school programs and buildon HQ do.
I recommend this book. I really do.It will inspire you and motivate you like no other.
I quote this book's title in asking, "Can one person change the world?" Yes, some have done it, and many are doing it today.
This is an amazing book. Of course, being an active buildOn (the organization that Jim founded) student who has fundraised money and traveled to Nepal to build a school, my opinions might be a bit biased.
I was lucky enough to get the book from buildOn before it's release, and when I finished I was like WOW... I had known some of Jim's stories before, but this book in it's entirety gave me a complete new perspective on the hardships that he had to overcome for the past 20+ years. After all you don't just start an organization with a few friends and expect it to grow automatically, into today's buildOn, which has built over 500 schools globally.
Anyways, as biased as my views might be, this is one damn good story. It's no coincidence that I could not put this book down the night I started reading, or that after my mother yelled at me to go to sleep I left the living room and continued reading in bed, or that after she came up, busted through the door and yelled at me again, I "went to the bathroom" and sat on the toilet and kept reading.
In this book, Jim first recounts his childhood experiences going skiing and hiking with his father. Then after college he travels around the world, going to India and then Nepal, where he stumbles upon a remote village, celebrating the completion of their very first school. This is when the seed of an idea is planted into Jim's mind. He starts working for GE, but cannot keep his travel experiences out of his mind. After 9 months he quit, and starts this organization with his brother. He has lived in Harlem to "walk in the shoes" of the students in his programs, and discovers that they want to transform their neighborhood, not escape it; His travels take him to South Africa during Apartheid, where white soldiers points their rifles at his face while he bravely points his video camera at theirs; To Brazil, where he befriends groups of street kids... He is a reckless traveler, but everywhere he goes he tries to help the people, and they always give him back something intellectual or emotional that he then puts back into his programs at home and abroad.
As a high school student, reading this book makes me want to travel and see the world some day. I want to expose myself to the poverty, violence and injustice of the world so I can better understand myself and the career choices I want to make. It also deepens my dedication to this wonderful organization and I'm so proud to be part of it.
This book is also about faith. Jim's son gets a strange and very serious health problem a few years before this book's release, so that he has random seizures that would last up to half an hour or even a full hour (I forget). He can barely go to school, and no matter how many doctors or different kinds of medicine he goes through, Jim's family cannot find a cure.
I have a little brother and I can't imagine what I'll do if this happened to him. Jim spends long periods at the hospital with his son while working at the same time, and it becomes very difficult physically and emotionally. But Jim always has faith, he never gives up. buildOn continues to develop despite this, and I think that it takes a lot to not go crazy under those circumstances. The little boy is a lot better now, and I pray that his entire family stays strong and someday they'll find a cure. I really hope I have the same strength if life ever comes down at me like this.
buildOn is doing very well today. Just this summer buildOn's Student Chapters at high schools and universities pledged to raise 1 MILLION DOLLARS the next school year to build 33 schools. And that's chapters alone, not counting what the after school programs and buildon HQ do.
I recommend this book. I really do.It will inspire you and motivate you like no other.
I quote this book's title in asking, "Can one person change the world?" Yes, some have done it, and many are doing it today.
April 30, 2020
So many memorable quotes from this book.
1. I had always read or heard that you can't do anything to assist the shockingly poor, or that giving anything to beggars would only encourage them. But I wondered if it was an excuse for complacency. How better to relieve yourself of any responsibility for a problem than to say the problem is insolvable?
2. You cannot imagine how important action is to the inner life...The interior joy we feel when we have done a good deed, when we feel we have been needed somewhere and have lent a helping hand, is the nourishment the soul requires. Without those times when man feels himself to be part of the spiritual world through his actions, his soul decays. ~ Albert Schweitzer (Reverence for Life)
3. A poem by the Dalai Lama ~ Never Give Up
Never give up
No matter what is going on
Never give up
Develop the heart
Too much energy in your country
Is spent developing the mind
Instead of the heart
Develop the heart
Be compassionate
Not just to your friends
But to everyone
Be compassionate
Work for peace
In your heart and in the world
And I say again
Never give up
No matter what is happening
No matter what is going on around you
Never give up
4. Faith is not an emotion, not a feeling. It is not a blind subconscious urge toward something vaguely supernatural....Faith is first of all an intellectual assent. It perfects the mind, it does not destroy it. It puts the intellect in possession of the Truth which reason cannot grasp by itself. It gives certitude concerning God as He is in Himself, faith is the way to vital contact with God Who is alive. ~ Thomas Merton (The New Seeds of Contemplation)
5. Do small things with great love ~ Mother Teresa
1. I had always read or heard that you can't do anything to assist the shockingly poor, or that giving anything to beggars would only encourage them. But I wondered if it was an excuse for complacency. How better to relieve yourself of any responsibility for a problem than to say the problem is insolvable?
2. You cannot imagine how important action is to the inner life...The interior joy we feel when we have done a good deed, when we feel we have been needed somewhere and have lent a helping hand, is the nourishment the soul requires. Without those times when man feels himself to be part of the spiritual world through his actions, his soul decays. ~ Albert Schweitzer (Reverence for Life)
3. A poem by the Dalai Lama ~ Never Give Up
Never give up
No matter what is going on
Never give up
Develop the heart
Too much energy in your country
Is spent developing the mind
Instead of the heart
Develop the heart
Be compassionate
Not just to your friends
But to everyone
Be compassionate
Work for peace
In your heart and in the world
And I say again
Never give up
No matter what is happening
No matter what is going on around you
Never give up
4. Faith is not an emotion, not a feeling. It is not a blind subconscious urge toward something vaguely supernatural....Faith is first of all an intellectual assent. It perfects the mind, it does not destroy it. It puts the intellect in possession of the Truth which reason cannot grasp by itself. It gives certitude concerning God as He is in Himself, faith is the way to vital contact with God Who is alive. ~ Thomas Merton (The New Seeds of Contemplation)
5. Do small things with great love ~ Mother Teresa
July 8, 2016
It has been a great journey. Reading this book, felt like reading Jim's diary. It was awesome and special. It helps in knowing how things would really go to build something like BuildOn. I enjoyed to the max and it influenced me a lot. Thanks Jim.
I will miss all characters mentioned in the book too.
I will miss all characters mentioned in the book too.
February 12, 2015
Amazing book by someone who truly walks the walk! Yes, one person clearly can change the world for the better. Inspirational!!
November 16, 2017
A good book about discovering the pressing needs of others and taking direct action to help. I have traveled the world for business and have seen extreme poverty and look for ways to help alleviate it.
Jim found a way by taking things one step at a time and has built upon his success. It's a beautiful way to accomplish multiple purposes, build schools, get inner city kids involved in helping others and educate young people.
I'm going to try to get involved with BuildOn in Phoenix for kids I work with that are at risk.
Jim found a way by taking things one step at a time and has built upon his success. It's a beautiful way to accomplish multiple purposes, build schools, get inner city kids involved in helping others and educate young people.
I'm going to try to get involved with BuildOn in Phoenix for kids I work with that are at risk.
December 13, 2022
This book was so bad that I read quotes from it to my friends for a laugh.
I can hardly believe it was written in 2013 with the things they had the audacity to think are admirable.
After reading this book, I am now incredibly skeptical of his organization’s work. Any progress BuildOn has made seems to have been done despite the guy who wrote this book aka the founder. I’m glad that he is no longer a part of the daily decision-making process. Hopefully he also has a minimal say in their strategy and practices as well. He’s a great connector and fundraiser, but I probably would be too if my values let me pander to people who don’t want to tackle systemic issues and want to be vacationteers. Fingers crossed the organization has grown past this man’s limited perspective.
On the bright side, if you are hoping to accomplish something that you are in no way skilled at but you have almost unlimited access to high-performing volunteers as well as organizational access to global corporations and NGOs, this book is the inspiration you’re looking for!
Oh! And don’t forget to have values that tell you that paying for ANY TYPE of labor, skilled or otherwise, doesn’t make the work “pure.” Because people having to earn money instead of volunteering for you is an obstacle to your organization’s timeline and goals.
Throw this book in the trash!
I can hardly believe it was written in 2013 with the things they had the audacity to think are admirable.
After reading this book, I am now incredibly skeptical of his organization’s work. Any progress BuildOn has made seems to have been done despite the guy who wrote this book aka the founder. I’m glad that he is no longer a part of the daily decision-making process. Hopefully he also has a minimal say in their strategy and practices as well. He’s a great connector and fundraiser, but I probably would be too if my values let me pander to people who don’t want to tackle systemic issues and want to be vacationteers. Fingers crossed the organization has grown past this man’s limited perspective.
On the bright side, if you are hoping to accomplish something that you are in no way skilled at but you have almost unlimited access to high-performing volunteers as well as organizational access to global corporations and NGOs, this book is the inspiration you’re looking for!
Oh! And don’t forget to have values that tell you that paying for ANY TYPE of labor, skilled or otherwise, doesn’t make the work “pure.” Because people having to earn money instead of volunteering for you is an obstacle to your organization’s timeline and goals.
Throw this book in the trash!
August 27, 2025
4.5 stars. Fascinating to follow Jim’s life path that led to the start of a non profit; even more fascinating to watch that organization grow in fits and starts, overcoming daily challenges, any of which could’ve pushed him to throw in the towel. But he never gives up, somehow, and neither do the communities he is trying to help, either at home or abroad.
December 8, 2013
Walk in Their Shoes: Can One Person Change the World?, is a truly inspiring book. I found Jim Ziolkowski's attitude and outlook to be refreshing in a world of me,me,me. He makes no bones about his faith being his core strength but he does not preach or judge others. The work he has done with buildOn has impacted so many people around the world and here in the States that it is a true example of the ripple effect.
I found his personal actions and thoughts about what he did to be real. This book is not sugar coated with the hard and challenging bits glossed over but they were not the focus either. Touching the lives of others in a positive way is not a small thing but the hard work that it takes is a shared journey and Jim Ziolkowski makes sure you understand this. The pride he takes in the actions of the people he works with shines through the entire book.
This should be a must read for anyone who has a dream they think is too big!!
I found his personal actions and thoughts about what he did to be real. This book is not sugar coated with the hard and challenging bits glossed over but they were not the focus either. Touching the lives of others in a positive way is not a small thing but the hard work that it takes is a shared journey and Jim Ziolkowski makes sure you understand this. The pride he takes in the actions of the people he works with shines through the entire book.
This should be a must read for anyone who has a dream they think is too big!!
January 16, 2014
I have to make a disclaimer that I currently work with buildOn and that was what brought me to read the book but it was an amazing read. I truly understood what Jim went through to start the organization and the drive and passion he has for changing the world. I personally could relate as I have felt a calling since college to make a difference in the lives of others and have selected my career path based on that. I am lucky and fortunate to get to work with the students at buildOn and I hope others will read this book and it will light a fire within them to make a difference in their communities. We really only have each other as human beings and it is better to care for others and have compassion than not.
August 5, 2013
I was privileged to read the galley proof this May. While I recognize many of the themes and anecdotes having known Jim for nearly twenty years, I was impressed by the depth of his spiritualism that forms the foundation of his beliefs and drive. buildOn, the organization he founded, has made a lasting positive impact stamping out illiteracy and empowering kids and adults across the globe. Jim has been an inspiration for me and so many others around the world. I hope others will equally be touched, and perhaps become swept up in the buildOn movement.
June 10, 2017
Walk in Their Shoes:
Can One Person Change the World?
Short answer: YES
How? one person shows another person who shows another person how to do what Jim does --the organization builds.
One person living in abject poverty receives an education and teaches others. A mother receives an education and her children become educated.
One school is built for Grades 1-3, and 3 years later, the community, without BuildOn, builds another school for Grades 4-6, and it continues.
But although this book recounts the amazing drive of Jim Ziolkowski, I think a lot of credit goes to GE, a company for whom he worked for a few months and then quit in order to follow his dream for which he seemed naively unprepared.
GE wanted to retain him as an employee, so they gave him a sabbatical, expecting him to return to GE. Instead, GE began to give him incredible assistance, with facilities, social contacts, finances and mostly the pro bono assistance of their top people.
I think that Jack Welch's management style filtered down to his employees and then to Jim and BuildOn.
For example, he was told "what you cannot measure, you cannot manage". This program has benefited from measuring... effectiveness, hours of service, expenses, changes in success factors for inner city teens and changes in economic and social conditions in third world countries.
Jim found a way to draw people to him, not by having them see his goals, but by having his goals be internalized by others. This is the secret to success in dealing with people, whether business executives, family, gang members, or third world people living in poverty... make the goal theirs. Give them ownership. Jim does this successfully in every situation.
I cannot describe adequately the awesome work that BuildOn has done.
I have been in some of the countries in which Jim built schools. I saw poverty and hopelessness. Jim saw hope. Now I know better.
Find out for yourself. Read the book.
Can One Person Change the World?
Short answer: YES
How? one person shows another person who shows another person how to do what Jim does --the organization builds.
One person living in abject poverty receives an education and teaches others. A mother receives an education and her children become educated.
One school is built for Grades 1-3, and 3 years later, the community, without BuildOn, builds another school for Grades 4-6, and it continues.
But although this book recounts the amazing drive of Jim Ziolkowski, I think a lot of credit goes to GE, a company for whom he worked for a few months and then quit in order to follow his dream for which he seemed naively unprepared.
GE wanted to retain him as an employee, so they gave him a sabbatical, expecting him to return to GE. Instead, GE began to give him incredible assistance, with facilities, social contacts, finances and mostly the pro bono assistance of their top people.
I think that Jack Welch's management style filtered down to his employees and then to Jim and BuildOn.
For example, he was told "what you cannot measure, you cannot manage". This program has benefited from measuring... effectiveness, hours of service, expenses, changes in success factors for inner city teens and changes in economic and social conditions in third world countries.
Jim found a way to draw people to him, not by having them see his goals, but by having his goals be internalized by others. This is the secret to success in dealing with people, whether business executives, family, gang members, or third world people living in poverty... make the goal theirs. Give them ownership. Jim does this successfully in every situation.
I cannot describe adequately the awesome work that BuildOn has done.
I have been in some of the countries in which Jim built schools. I saw poverty and hopelessness. Jim saw hope. Now I know better.
Find out for yourself. Read the book.
March 4, 2019
The great life of Jim Ziolkowski can only be understood through faith. Since he was very young, he wanted a way to life his faith in the real, modern world and he found one by serving the poor and connecting the great needs in Africa and America through BuildOn. The stories he has lived are out of this world, from leaving GE to getting Malaria in Africa and being friends with drug dealers in Harlem. The whole book is a testament that life can be great if you live for others, that you can change the world only if you walk in other people’s shoes and see them like they really are.
——-
La vida de Jim Ziolkowski solo puede entenderse a través de la fe. Desde que era muy joven, quería una manera de vivir su fe en el mundo real y moderno, y encontró una sirviendo a los pobres y conectando las grandes necesidades de África y América a través de BuildOn. Las historias que ha vivido son casi increíbles, desde dejar GE hasta contraer malaria en África y ser amigo de narcotraficantes en Harlem. Todo el libro es un testimonio de que la vida vale la pena si vives para otros, que de podemos cambiar el mundo solo si nos ponemos en el lugar de otras personas y los vemos como realmente son.
——-
La vida de Jim Ziolkowski solo puede entenderse a través de la fe. Desde que era muy joven, quería una manera de vivir su fe en el mundo real y moderno, y encontró una sirviendo a los pobres y conectando las grandes necesidades de África y América a través de BuildOn. Las historias que ha vivido son casi increíbles, desde dejar GE hasta contraer malaria en África y ser amigo de narcotraficantes en Harlem. Todo el libro es un testimonio de que la vida vale la pena si vives para otros, que de podemos cambiar el mundo solo si nos ponemos en el lugar de otras personas y los vemos como realmente son.
April 19, 2021
I read this book slowly, here in Bamako, Mali, usually not more than a chapter a day, taking it in. It's very well written, honest, telling. I, too, have lived a life like Jim Ziolkowski, spending about 10 years away from home as a humanitarian and missionary, 7.5 years of that time in Africa. I know what he's talking about, living and describing. I'm impressed with the buildOn organization and have seen their schools in some of the same areas where an organization we work with has built schools. Education IS the key to breaking the cycle of poverty here. In the 40 years since I first came to Africa, I've seen the changes that come from educating, especially the girls.
I wish everyone would read this book and try to understand the gift that can be given if you just get involved and share. I am a different person having lived on this side of the world in places of great poverty. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Their gift to me is as great or greater than my gift to them.
I wish everyone would read this book and try to understand the gift that can be given if you just get involved and share. I am a different person having lived on this side of the world in places of great poverty. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Their gift to me is as great or greater than my gift to them.
March 1, 2020
The answer to the title question is a definite yes! And that is what the author did. He quit his job at GE and made his own foundation and slowly committed to building 3 schools in 3 different countries. He also created school programs in schools were the student's were challenged in various ways and worked with them to volunteer in the community, which eventually led to some of the students going to different countries for a couple of weeks and helping to build more schools.
It is a book of success beyond what was originally imagined but also of heartache within his family and his testament of faith.
I would say this is worth the read and be prepared to have your heartstrings pulled.
It is a book of success beyond what was originally imagined but also of heartache within his family and his testament of faith.
I would say this is worth the read and be prepared to have your heartstrings pulled.
August 1, 2018
Oh my gosh. Such an amazing narrative. I laughed, I cried... twice.
This is an uplifting and truly motivational story everyone can relate to. Loved that this was a Michigan boy raising others around our world. I was sad that I was a day late and a dollar short, as his team just held a conference in Detroit ... Truly wonderful story. Easy read, and will leave your heart warm. Read it, share it, spread the word,.. and thank the man for making a positive difference in this world, one person at a time.
This is an uplifting and truly motivational story everyone can relate to. Loved that this was a Michigan boy raising others around our world. I was sad that I was a day late and a dollar short, as his team just held a conference in Detroit ... Truly wonderful story. Easy read, and will leave your heart warm. Read it, share it, spread the word,.. and thank the man for making a positive difference in this world, one person at a time.
September 13, 2018
You need this in your life to draw from in times of ...
One of the best books I have ever read. It is a quick read with loads of content and quality. I was deeply immersed and inspired.
One of the best books I have ever read. It is a quick read with loads of content and quality. I was deeply immersed and inspired.
July 8, 2019
While I might be a tad bit partial to this mission as I served on the board of directors for buildOn,
I love this book. The stories of survival, meaningful bonds formed, and impacting communities across the globe was super inspiring!
I love this book. The stories of survival, meaningful bonds formed, and impacting communities across the globe was super inspiring!
Read
November 27, 2025“But I wondered if that was an excuse for complacency. How better to relieve yourself of any responsibility for a problem than to say the problem is insolvable?”
“Many ideas die before they have a chance to succeed; others perish before they’re even born.”
“Many ideas die before they have a chance to succeed; others perish before they’re even born.”
February 20, 2017
A must read. One person really can change the world. It's no longer if we have a choice but whether we are going to decide to make a difference.
January 28, 2018
Fear is useless what is needed is trust.
July 12, 2018
Truly an inspiration. What an incredible spirit of giving.
February 10, 2019
If you're looking for a little bit of hope in this crazy work, this will do it.
March 27, 2019
The answer is: YES!
Inspired!
Inspired!
January 6, 2020
This is an inspiring read which puts life and death into a greater perspective. I especially appreciate this book as somebody who has travelled to an impoverished country as a missionary.
November 28, 2021
Incredible story!
April 7, 2015
Walk In Their Shoes by Jim Ziolkowski (w/James S. Hirsch) was received as a giveaway through First Reads program (sponsored by goodreads.com).
This is an autobiography of the author introducing himself as living a fairly normal life with loving parents, through high school and continued emotional support through his college years. The story further elaborates about the strengths the parents had regarding life and their faith (Catholicism). After just a short time at a prestigious program which would further his academics and business opportunities, the author decided he needed to take a break and travel overseas with others who wanted to experience Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and China.
Along the way he made friends and became inspired by groups of people he met who believed in bringing education in the form of basic schools which could teach reading and writing, math, language and history, among other things. These groups would also organize the areas into segments of men and women who could learn a trade, raise crops or find some other way to sell their wares or foodstuffs and become more self sufficient. The majority of the story relates the inspiring travels and program which he set up over the years under a nonprofit umbrella entitled buildOn. As much as was possible, this organization also worked in tangent with other groups regarding improving health conditions and living conditions for the community as well.
So many stories were told about the children, the organizers' struggles, fundraising quandaries, and failures and successes experienced both in the US and in the foreign lands. This is not a 'fast read' simply because there is so much information about how the author learned to achieve his goals anew each place he went and so much emotion whether it be tragedy, success, love or frustration.
This book was very inspiring to read. It helps others to understand why some people have a burning desire to go far out of their box across the world to learn from other parts of the world and educate this other world in return. The story was so meaningful, determined and instructive that I rated it a 5.0.
I hope this nonprofit buildOn will be able to continue its work for many years to come.
This is an autobiography of the author introducing himself as living a fairly normal life with loving parents, through high school and continued emotional support through his college years. The story further elaborates about the strengths the parents had regarding life and their faith (Catholicism). After just a short time at a prestigious program which would further his academics and business opportunities, the author decided he needed to take a break and travel overseas with others who wanted to experience Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and China.
Along the way he made friends and became inspired by groups of people he met who believed in bringing education in the form of basic schools which could teach reading and writing, math, language and history, among other things. These groups would also organize the areas into segments of men and women who could learn a trade, raise crops or find some other way to sell their wares or foodstuffs and become more self sufficient. The majority of the story relates the inspiring travels and program which he set up over the years under a nonprofit umbrella entitled buildOn. As much as was possible, this organization also worked in tangent with other groups regarding improving health conditions and living conditions for the community as well.
So many stories were told about the children, the organizers' struggles, fundraising quandaries, and failures and successes experienced both in the US and in the foreign lands. This is not a 'fast read' simply because there is so much information about how the author learned to achieve his goals anew each place he went and so much emotion whether it be tragedy, success, love or frustration.
This book was very inspiring to read. It helps others to understand why some people have a burning desire to go far out of their box across the world to learn from other parts of the world and educate this other world in return. The story was so meaningful, determined and instructive that I rated it a 5.0.
I hope this nonprofit buildOn will be able to continue its work for many years to come.
July 16, 2013
Although there were many times I thought the author was a naive idiot, I also felt he was noble in his venture to be the change. Education is something the United Nations believe is a right of every human being, but is not happening due to poverty. Jim Ziolkowski had a promsing career with GE he decided to leave the corporate world to create the organization buildOn. BuildOn is a organization that turns inner city teens into community leaders at home and abroad and to build schools in the poorest of countries. So far students have contributed over 1 million community service hours and over 500 schools have been built from Detroit and the South Bronx to Haiti, Mali and Nepal. These schools have helped to break the cycle of poverty, illiteracy and low expectations and transformed communities.
This book is about faith in spirit and an idea that propels Jim and thousands of young people who made the decision to step up, step forward and make a difference. Check out their website www.buildOn.org to learn more about what they have accomplished and their future plans.
I was a little disappointed when he recounts his visit in South Africa during apartheid that he did not protest the death of the Amy Biehl by militant anti apartheid mob. Especially due to her being a anti apartheid activist. Not to mention you nearly got yourself killed as well as your host. Extremely cavalier with the lives of others by not making yourself aware of the customs, politics and taboos of the places you visited.
I did enjoy the "Never Give Up" poem from the Dalai Lama and the quotes by Frederick Douglas "If there is no struggle, there is no progress" and of course Mother Teresa "Do small things with great love."
And maybe that is it if you put to much thought into the risks then who will be left to make the difference. I do believe that community service should be a bigger part of our educational system and that giving back to communities.
This book is about faith in spirit and an idea that propels Jim and thousands of young people who made the decision to step up, step forward and make a difference. Check out their website www.buildOn.org to learn more about what they have accomplished and their future plans.
I was a little disappointed when he recounts his visit in South Africa during apartheid that he did not protest the death of the Amy Biehl by militant anti apartheid mob. Especially due to her being a anti apartheid activist. Not to mention you nearly got yourself killed as well as your host. Extremely cavalier with the lives of others by not making yourself aware of the customs, politics and taboos of the places you visited.
I did enjoy the "Never Give Up" poem from the Dalai Lama and the quotes by Frederick Douglas "If there is no struggle, there is no progress" and of course Mother Teresa "Do small things with great love."
And maybe that is it if you put to much thought into the risks then who will be left to make the difference. I do believe that community service should be a bigger part of our educational system and that giving back to communities.
December 13, 2013
Walk in Their Shoes, was a very inspirational read for me. This book is a biography about Jim Ziolkowski, a successful businessman who abruptly changed his career after a life-changing trip with his brother around the world. After Jim’s experiences abroad, he came back and gave up his corporate career at GE, to start a non-profit organization to build schools and help people. It was amazing to see how one person on a mission can make a difference in the world. I highly enjoyed myself while reading this and found it very difficult to put it down. Not only was the writing engaging, the pictures that Jim Ziolkowski included towards the end of the book, were breathtaking. I am a visual person, so seeing these pictures of his personal life, like his adorable kids, as well as pictures from building the schools, really brought his story to life. The descriptions of his travels overseas and in Third World countries at the beginning of the book, also helped paint a vivid picture of his many adventures around the world. In particular, his trip hiking adventure I am fascinated with learning about other countries and felt like I learned a lot through reading about his travels. The vocabulary throughout the book was difficult, but his choice of words added to the quality of the reading experience and I enjoy being challenged as a reader. I have always been a fan of biographies because the element of real life in a fantastic story, really keeps my interest. This book is lengthy, close to 400 pages, but I did not mind that because the story was so inspiring. Since I enjoyed this book so much, I looked up his organization, BuildOn online and have become highly interested. If you are looking for a biography or feel like reading an inspirational book, I recommend this book for you!
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