"Every generation has the obligation to free men's minds for a look at new worlds... to look out from a higher plateau than the last generation."- Ellison S. Onizuka
Eight months ago, fourteen nervous students sat down to a panel of four chaperones to interview for the adventure of a lifetime. Armed with essays and fundraising plans, they sought out to convince the women in front of them that they should be accepted to travel to Cambodia with Children’s Global Alliance. A few days later, they received a phone call praising their hard work and efforts, and inviting them to change their own lives, as well as others.
The months that followed were harder than expected. Frequent meetings, blog assignments, language tests and fundraising deadlines kept these kids on their toes, working for every second of the journey. There were struggles, consequences, frustrations, triumphs, breakdowns and breakthroughs. This experience would not be easy or freely given. This experience would be earned wholeheartedly.
Today, these fourteen students and three chaperones met at the check-in gate of the airport, 34 bags were checked, families were hugged and kissed, goodbyes were said. We board our first plane with waves of nervousness, followed by waves of excitement. We will land in Cambodia in awe, with open minds and hearts. We will leave in three weeks as expanded human beings. Different, yet the same. Passionate, inspired, educated, enlightened and full of love. Seventeen lives are about to be forever changed.
