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2.07.2014
"In a gentle way, you can shake the world."
In June of 2013, I fell in love. The kind of love that consumes your every thought. The kind of love that makes you happier than you ever thought. The kind of love that breaks your heart when separated.
I fell in love with a country. I fell in love with people. With a culture, with a way of being. I fell in love with Cambodia.
This summer, I return to my love. To the orphans that won my heart. To the smiles that lit a fire of passion. To the land that had been destroyed by evil men, and is left struggling to rebuild and captivate the world once again.
The impacts left on the Cambodian people we encountered was long lasting, but the impacts left on my heart, as well as the hearts of 9 students and 2 other chaperones that traveled with me... Those impacts effect us every day.
I don't feel comfortable asking for money. I never have. When I was in Cosmetology school, my parents supported me. If I ran out of money before the month was up, I would take laps around the mall food courts for dinner, embarassed to tell my parents I needed more than they had already given me. I have struggled with asking for money for these trips. Last year, needing to raise $2000, this year needing $5000. The more I become involved with Children's Global Alliance, the more I realize how important monetary support is to what we do.
The kids we take on our trips with us are volunteers. The 5 chaperones and myself are volunteers. We take time away from our jobs and families to go on these trips, do actively participate in what we believe in.
The money we raise for our personal funds takes care of our flights, our housing, and our food. But there is so much more that we do, therefore more that we need. This is not a vacation. This is a life changing experience. Our lives, and the lives we touch while in these countries. The extra funds we raise goes to our drivers, our translators, buying food for the children we are helping, and for supplies that better their every day lives. As Lisa Marie breaks it down,
"At our annual fundraiser this past March we were able to raise $14,315 in three hours. The success of those three hours allowed us this year to directly impact thousands of children, families and communities around the world. In Cambodia we built two homes, that house 30 children. Children who previously slept outside. It's extraordinary to see the impact that some wood, nails, concrete and tin can have over someone's life. I think it was more powerful for the children to see the time, care, blood, sweat and tears put into creating their new homes; That we cared and loved them enough to create something beautiful for them. We were able to buy beds, mattresses, sheets and pillows for every child. The day we delivered and set up the beds was surreal. When we left for the day, all I could think about when I laid down to sleep was that those 30 children were finally enjoying some basic comfort for the first time in their lives. 30 tiny heads laying on 30 pillows, comfortable, not worrying about dengue fever or malaria from mosquitoes. We hung pictures of them in their new homes and wrestled with tears as they realized that this was for them, because they deserved to have a safe, clean place to sleep. We were also able to fill their bellies with food, their library with books, and their medicine cabinet for a year.
In Nicaragua, a portion of the $14,315 dollars made it possible to save lives by providing medication, doctor visits and food. We have lost two children since starting our program in Nicaragua. Marbely died at 9 years old from a heart attack caused by her grandfather running out of her $5 medication. Alejandro was mistakenly given an injection that stopped his heart, he waited 8 hours to see a
government provided "doctor" for a broken arm. So this money has been critical to never losing another child. It has absolutely saved lives. The lives of Jose daniel, Franklin & Clara, Milagro and Jesus. All suffering from disabilities and parents that can't afford the extra care required to keep them alive.
In Tanzania it was extremely satisfying to be able to spend $3,200 to provide 150 students with knowledge through textbooks. Previously, only the teachers taught from one battered and torn book, that was passed around the class. As we unpacked the books, the children excitedly peeked in through the doorway and began jumping and smiling, still unsure if the books were really for them. Next year we want to help tackle the $1,200 that is needed to feed all of the children every month and eliminate some of the burden from Mary Sinantei, the single mother and angel among us that keeps the place running, with no help from the government; Fueled by passion through her own struggles.
This brings me to our students from Vail, North Carolina and Florida who travelled with us this year and witnessed the power of love and compassion first hand, like never before. They struggled, fought, and gave every ounce of their hearts and energy every day. To help people they perceived as being able to do absolutely nothing for them. They do not return they same way they come into this experience. working in these countries expands your mind and the capacity at which you thought you could love something or someone beyond anything you ever thought was possible. Creating global minded, compassionate teenagers that will one day be running the world. They care more, love bigger and want for less.
I know not everyone has thousands, or even hundreds of dollars to donate to my cause, or any cause, but I am not asking for thousands... Or even hundreds... All I ask is that you give what you can. However much you can spare. The people I have met deserve and are grateful for even the smallest act of love. And as Ghandi so wisely and truthfully said, "In a gentle way, You can shake the world."
I fell in love with a country. I fell in love with people. With a culture, with a way of being. I fell in love with Cambodia.
This summer, I return to my love. To the orphans that won my heart. To the smiles that lit a fire of passion. To the land that had been destroyed by evil men, and is left struggling to rebuild and captivate the world once again.
The impacts left on the Cambodian people we encountered was long lasting, but the impacts left on my heart, as well as the hearts of 9 students and 2 other chaperones that traveled with me... Those impacts effect us every day.
I don't feel comfortable asking for money. I never have. When I was in Cosmetology school, my parents supported me. If I ran out of money before the month was up, I would take laps around the mall food courts for dinner, embarassed to tell my parents I needed more than they had already given me. I have struggled with asking for money for these trips. Last year, needing to raise $2000, this year needing $5000. The more I become involved with Children's Global Alliance, the more I realize how important monetary support is to what we do.
The kids we take on our trips with us are volunteers. The 5 chaperones and myself are volunteers. We take time away from our jobs and families to go on these trips, do actively participate in what we believe in.
The money we raise for our personal funds takes care of our flights, our housing, and our food. But there is so much more that we do, therefore more that we need. This is not a vacation. This is a life changing experience. Our lives, and the lives we touch while in these countries. The extra funds we raise goes to our drivers, our translators, buying food for the children we are helping, and for supplies that better their every day lives. As Lisa Marie breaks it down,
"At our annual fundraiser this past March we were able to raise $14,315 in three hours. The success of those three hours allowed us this year to directly impact thousands of children, families and communities around the world. In Cambodia we built two homes, that house 30 children. Children who previously slept outside. It's extraordinary to see the impact that some wood, nails, concrete and tin can have over someone's life. I think it was more powerful for the children to see the time, care, blood, sweat and tears put into creating their new homes; That we cared and loved them enough to create something beautiful for them. We were able to buy beds, mattresses, sheets and pillows for every child. The day we delivered and set up the beds was surreal. When we left for the day, all I could think about when I laid down to sleep was that those 30 children were finally enjoying some basic comfort for the first time in their lives. 30 tiny heads laying on 30 pillows, comfortable, not worrying about dengue fever or malaria from mosquitoes. We hung pictures of them in their new homes and wrestled with tears as they realized that this was for them, because they deserved to have a safe, clean place to sleep. We were also able to fill their bellies with food, their library with books, and their medicine cabinet for a year.
 |
| Food & supplies for 125 families, Nicaragua |
government provided "doctor" for a broken arm. So this money has been critical to never losing another child. It has absolutely saved lives. The lives of Jose daniel, Franklin & Clara, Milagro and Jesus. All suffering from disabilities and parents that can't afford the extra care required to keep them alive.
 |
| Escuela Especial, Nicaragua |
In Tanzania it was extremely satisfying to be able to spend $3,200 to provide 150 students with knowledge through textbooks. Previously, only the teachers taught from one battered and torn book, that was passed around the class. As we unpacked the books, the children excitedly peeked in through the doorway and began jumping and smiling, still unsure if the books were really for them. Next year we want to help tackle the $1,200 that is needed to feed all of the children every month and eliminate some of the burden from Mary Sinantei, the single mother and angel among us that keeps the place running, with no help from the government; Fueled by passion through her own struggles.
 |
| Naserian, Tanzania |
I know not everyone has thousands, or even hundreds of dollars to donate to my cause, or any cause, but I am not asking for thousands... Or even hundreds... All I ask is that you give what you can. However much you can spare. The people I have met deserve and are grateful for even the smallest act of love. And as Ghandi so wisely and truthfully said, "In a gentle way, You can shake the world."
www.childrensglobalalliance.org
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