Yesterday, most of our time was spent making and pouring 15 individual piles of concrete. We had some small breaks between mixing, and it was great to be able to play with the children. We were standing in the field area between the two school buildings. The children…
Today we drove to Chogaria to visit Chure Women’s Empowerment Group. We were warmly welcomed with singing and dancing as soon as we pulled up. Chogaria’s Women’s Empowerment Group received an award for Best Community Based Organization in Meru, and our group had the honor to witness the ceremony. The Deputy County Commissioner was there…
This afternoon we visited AINA, a HIV/AIDS children’s home. It was very inspiring to see how kids with a deadly disease can be so happy. Throughout the experience today and all of our other visits around Meru, it has been incredible as to how powerful our presence can be. Whenever we drive by someone,…
The following day, we discussed the question–“what does it mean to be a global citizen?” Some of the words that came up were open-minded, resilient, caring, determined, and risk-taking. After thinking about this, I concluded that these adjectives mean nothing unless one is able to realize the world’s imperfections, rather flaws, and have a desire…
(editor’s note: while on the trek, the instructors took advantage of a found signal to send an earlier journey entry.) The Himalayan Hope Home is full of girls capable of changing the world. Leading these girls to success is Pema. As a young girl, Pema always tried to change the way people viewed the world….
The night we left the Himalayan Hope Home will forever be one of the most memorable moments of the trip. The girls of the Hope Home had put on a ceremony for the SStS group, which eventually led to an emotional good-bye. Many tears were shed and many hugs were shared as we said good…
This morning we all had eggs and tomatoes with rice – but some of us were too tired to be hungry. Afterward, we continued our project by decorating the barrels. Tim wrote “garbage” using Chinese characters while the rest of us drew mountains, smiley faces, flowers, and an abstract painting of a howling wolf. After we…
Editor’s note: for chronological clarity, this entry was written on Friday. Today was day 6 in Peru- day 3 at munaychay! We started the day bright and early with a breakfast consisting of bread with jam and butter along with scrambled eggs courtesy of Jack and Cortlin. Next it was time to start the work….
Today we had a relaxing morning with breakfast of bread and tampi (barley paste that is great with peanut butter). We then packed our bags and said goodbye to our first homestay families. We set off to next homestay, stopping along the way in a small town for shopping and lunch. We also stopped at…
Today in the afternoon we visited the home of the grandmother of one of the children at KACH, Dennis. Even though we were complete strangers, and it was a primitive home, we were welcomed with friendly smiles. Dennis’ grandmother, Ella, showed us around her farm and told us about the different crops she grows on…
Part One For the past week, we have been fortunate enough to have a well-trained yogi teach us yoga. Although his teachings are more Buddhist-related, the messages learned can apply to anyone willing to open their hearts. For example, he told the group that some people meditate for up to 50 years and still have…
I’m sitting in a van, mind wandering around while I solemnly gaze at the rainforest flying by my window. Occasional bumps and potholes keep me awake. Housing projects start to come into view, unfinished and brightly colored. I’m feeling tired, I hope we’re there soon. I’m leaning against a wooden gate, mostly surrounded by rainforest…
Today was our last full day in Rurre, and it was a pretty chill day hanging out around the hammocks and Rurre. In the morning, we met with town officials to ask them questions about our lenses but not before getting a snack from a nearby bakery. We learned about Bolivia’s economy, government, culture, and…
Long day making barrels in the rain, but the kids had a great attitude and worked hard. After the work day we took a hike up a nearby mountain to see the om mani peme hung Buddhist mantra carved into its side. Saw lots of yaks along the way.
Last Planting Day: Today we again planted grasses (a different variety) in the lake with the dibble tools. After that, we ate lunch under a bridge and met Rusty, a Park Ranger on Lake Pontchartrain who is a former member of the military. He escorted us to the park visitor center and showed us a…
In the early morning of Nepal, the giggles of girls a floor below us SSTS members ring throughout the house. A bell chimes for breakfast,older girls help the younger ones get ready for school, and Krishma is leading it all. Young in spirit and at heart, Krishma is capable of instilling confidence and self respect…
After an extremely cold night, Callie woke us up for our first work day. We started off with a delicious breakfast of bread, jam, and bananas, complemented by Manzanilla tea. Inka, one of the German volunteers led us to the work site where the boys would start digging up stairs where the children would read and where…
Today our groups had the chance to visit two amazing NGOs: Tiny Toones and PSE. At Tiny Toones, we spoke with Short, the General Manager of the school. He was born in Thailand in a refugee camp after his parents fled from Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge. They were able to resettle in the United…
After lunch we traveled to a primary school called Marere. We couldn’t get to the school by car, which meant a lot of walking through dry, barren land. The kids who attend the school have to walk up to 2.5 hours to get to their school. We were walking through the typical lens of a…
Visited Lhamotse and Dorjetrak Monasteries. Met with more members of our NGO: The Tibetan Village Project
Today was a travel day from Phnom Penh to Kratie. Thankfully, the bus ride was split up by a stop at Spider Village, a market place distinguished by venders selling cooked insects: scorpions, spiders, crickets, and others. We all had the courage to try them. Not only did we have the chance to eat the…
There is no replacement for shoulder-to-shoulder immersion in a community to appreciate humanity’s common bonds: the foundation for impassioned Global Citizenship.
Today was the day that we finished up our work at the community and headed back to Rurrenabaque, and I think I speak for everyone when I say that the fruits of our labor were well worth the hard work. On our way to the boat, we were able to give the community the gifts…
The SStS Nursery and Building Teams: The building we are currently working on is going to be more lodging and meeting space at Tiriji, their eco-center that will be used for leadership conferences and other income generating services, including bio-intensive agricultural training. Another self-sustaining aspect of the KACH model is organic agriculture. Today we prepared…
Wow, I now know what true grunt work entails. Over the past two days, our group has traveled to the community, Embocada, to deliver filters, fix ones already there, and set up the ones we brought. On Sunday our group split in two; one staying in Rurrenabaque to help get more supplies while the other…
Today our SSTS group visited two very emotional areas, the S-21 torture camp and the Killing Fields. Our trip to s21 invoked numerous emotions in the first building of the abandoned school screamed pain. (editor’s note: the photo is of a contemplative SStS student on the grounds of S21) The building had the beds of…
We have only been here in Nepal for about a week and I have already made so many memories that I will cherish forever. While in Kathmandu we toured the Monkey temple and several stupas. We were all blown away by the amount of prayer flags that lined the temples. It has been amazing seeing…
Hey Mom—we’re all good here, J. And to other parents too, everyone else will write soon. Today, we toured the grounds of IPI. As a part of the tour, we visited one of the family farms, belonging to “Mamma Sophie.” She and her husband began with a look inside their home—followed by a glimpse at…