Kimberly Hurst, of Long & Foster Realtors, Inc., will travel to Burundi in November to visit with community leaders in several towns and villages in that east African country. Working through the international aid organization World Relief, she'll take part in meetings to discuss microfinance, health issues, ethnic reconciliation among Hutus and Tutsis, and other issues that have plagued Burundi, one of the world's poorest nations.

"I'm looking forward to a productive exchange of information," says Kim. "Although the people of Burundi are poor economically, their community leaders have a strength and resolve that astounds outsiders. I'm looking forward to learning from them, even as we discuss ways to help provide resources they lack."

Kim and her husband Rich Hurst are veterans of relief and development work overseas, mainly working though Christian organizations dedicated to such purposes. Rich just returned from two weeks in Rwanda and Congo where he and a small team conducted leadership workshops and visited refugees camps. Kim's prior development work has included work at schools, orphanages and medical clinics throughout Central and South America.

She is co-author of the book Vacations With a Purpose which is a guide for what is becoming known as "volunteer vacations."

"My real estate business is the perfect complement to the work I do overseas," she added. "My clients are supportive of the organizations I support both in terms of finances -- 10% of commissions are donated to charity-- and by becoming interested in the development work we do. In addition, the other agents at Long & Foster Middleburg Sales pitch in to help with my clients when my volunteer work takes me away from the office."

Kim has been a licensed agent since shortly after her move to Virginia. "I decided I wanted to grow a business that helps people move from fast-paced self-centered lives, to a slower, more neighborly pace," she says. "I love helping people discover this wonderful corner of the world that we discovered when we moved here from Colorado."