Nicaragua, Morocco, & Tanzania

I can’t believe this amazing experience has come to an end. In some ways I also so feel like it is a begging for me because, I am so much more open minded to everything that comes my way and am so much more grateful for all the things I have. All the kids from 3 years old to 16 years old have impacted my heart forever and I will never forget them. I have experienced so many incredible things this week. Some of the most amazing things have also been the most heart wrenching things. For example I went on a home visit on Thursday. The girls name was Julissa she was 24 years old and had Cerebral Palsy. She looked like she had a beautiful personality and could have lots of potential. She was very skinny and her legs were the size of my arm. She also had bed sores all over her face because her parents leave her in her so called “room” for most of the time. Unfortunately with all the potential she could have her parents didn’t really care for her. The first thing that I noticed when we...

From the moment the school bus pulled up on the second and third day, with all of the kids in it my hear t was racing, excited but yet still nervous and anxious to start the day. When all of the kids stepped off the school bus with the biggest similes on their faces all of my worries went away and I was just a happy and excited kid. I can’t believe it’s only Wednesday and I will already give unconditionally love and will do anything for them, no matter what. So far I have worked in the pre-school room and have worked with the kids who are deaf.   I love each and every one of them from 3 years old to 16 years old. They all have impacted my heart and have left their own personally print. On Tuesday I worked in the pre-school room. I built such strong relationships in this room and some unforgettable memories.   One kid that I have connected with so much is Victor. He is the sweetest and cutest kid in the world and although he doesn’t really talk, he has no problem showing...

From the moment we landed in Managua, I have had mixed emotions. Throughout these last two days, that has all disappeared because I realized that this is what I have been preparing for, for the last 8 months. I have also gained so much more confidence in myself because, think about it, not every kid has the guts and the heart to be doing this. When we woke up the first morning I didn't know what to expect of the school. I thought it was going to be very plain and nothing on any of the walls, even more trashed than it was, and I thought the teachers weren't going to care about the kids or really put that much effort into teaching these kids or in general just into their jobs. My mind completely left those thoughts the second we stepped outside of the van because the school was open and there were swing sets, posters in all of the classrooms, and most all of the staff seemed like they loved these kids and they loved their jobs. When we all got assigned a room I was ready ...

I have had to answer this question many times over and over again but this time I have really thought about who my real inspirations are in life. One of my true inspirations is my last nanny Jamie. She was my nanny, but to me she was really like an older sister. She lived with my family and me for two years. Jamie was the best nanny I could ever ask for. She helped me with the smallest thing from homework to helping me resolve fights with my sister and friends. She was always there for me and was good at listening and just making sure I was OK. She inspires me because she has the biggest heart and is always willing to help people, no matter what is going on in her personal life. Jamie was the main influence for me to want to go on this trip because she always told me stories about her experience with CGA.   When I was younger I thought that was such an amazing and courageous thing to do. Today she is working at a school with kids that need help socially. I...

I know this is an assignment but as I was flying to North Carolina to see my family I was asking myself these three questions over and over again in my head. What is my biggest fear of going on this trip, what will be the most difficult part of this experience,  and what ways will I change. To be honest with you I don't know really where to start because, I can't even tell you how many times I have ran over these questions in my head and trying to put this thought on paper is unreal. But it feels relieving being able to tell it to people on my blog. My biggest fear well there are tons that I could say. One is what if I am not able to handle all the emotions and I am terrible at just letting it all out and just talking to someone. But I know that my group will be super supportive and knowing that we are all going though this together will make me feel so much more comfortable with talking to people. Another one is what if I don't know how to handle the kids...

  I know this might sound cheese and you have probably heard this quote numerous times but no matter how many times you might hear ‘Everything Happens for a reason” its true and there is always a story behind it and its not always the best story but the story mostly always ends up having a great life lesson behind it.     “Everything happens for a reason” my lesson behind this is not everything might go your way like it might be someone not showing up on time to your event or, their equipment when there are lots kids waiting for music, and you are thinking of everything that could possible go wrong in that moment. That’s happened to show me that you need to have faith and patience in your friends and group, and in anything you do. Or you missed a deadline and you don't know how to handle the situation. Even if you are thinking about giving up you know you can't because you know that it all happen to teach you a lesson, and you know everything will turn out ...

On Friday my fundraising team had a bake sale. It was at Homestake Peak school. Alexis and I held the bake sale but if it wasn't for are team we would have never raised all of are money. Tyler baked delicious macaroons. Sophia made some pretty mean cookies that sold tremendously well. Alexis and I made brownies and cupcakes. We also ordered North Side Café's donuts. With all of these yummy goods we raised $164 when are goal was only $100. Alexis and I were very happy and we cant wait to do another bake sale. We are also looking forwarded to are dance on December 6th. Hope everyone can get the word out.