Nepal Trip Post #3

I cannot seem to find the right words to start this. I know what I want to write about to envelop what can be said about this place, but something stops me from being able to untangle all the thoughts in my mind. Perhaps this inexplicable quality itself can properly represent Nepal. I have not understood much for this time, but what I do understand has made amazingly perfect sense.

                A few days ago on a home visit, a girl told me her favorite thing about living in Bhaktapur was the sense of family and unity between everyone here. If said about any other place, I would have dismissed such a common cliché. Even to someone who is slightly familiar with the city, this may have seemed crazy. Bhaktapur, like most cities, seems overcrowded, confused, and never resting. To claim that so many people, so busy, could possibly be anything like connected is a bold accusation. However, I know now that this city is the only one that deserves such an acclaim. Throughout all our time here, I have not seen an ounce of violence, conflict, or any sort of malicious happenings. Instead, everyone here greets everyone, helps everyone, and shares life with everyone. Teamwork and cooperation are not options because no alternatives even exist.

                What I have to thank for this is unclear, but I do know one thing: I have never seen a people so united by religion. At home, religion has become a topic of conflict, unease, and even hatred; no one trusts anyone if they different in beliefs. Here, this could not be more the opposite. Ironically enough, in Nepal, having a mixture of different religious thinking is not only accepted, it’s commonplace. More often than not, a person in Nepal will tell you they are Hindu, but practice Buddhism as well, or vice versa. Everyone prays together. Everyone celebrates together. Everyone is connected through common belief that whatever they believe is best for the world.

                That being said, I am still awestruck by the way that religion manifests itself here. The temples and shrines—many of which we have had the privilege of visiting recently—are so intricate and detailed and cared for; in terms of religion, I don’t even know what I don’t know, but I can tell you that the air surrounding sacred places here is enough to make me feel something. It gave me chills to admire the pristine white temple displaying the engraved story of a Hindu goddess, but it also comforted me. There is simply something that calms me about being in a place that people so deeply trust and put their faith in. Nevertheless, in Bhaktapur, this feeling is not just in the temples, it is the city itself. Walking down the streets, I feel the city itself sigh with love for its people, and I see the people care for it more than someone cares for only a home.

                Nepal has me perplexed. But, I trust that the connections I have made here need no explanation to me and are difficult for others to comprehend. The students, I care for them and wish them all the fortune in the world. I feel that I have now a greater understanding of life, as cheesy as that sounds, having met them. The people and land here will never be forgotten nor will they ever leave my heart.

Nepal Trip Post #2

Having a bad day at school stinks. Having a bad day of teaching really stinks. Up to this point in life, I feel as if I have matured to a certain extent in accepting personal failure. The reason that I know this being I have competed in a lot of karate tournaments over the past year, and admittedly, I lost. A lot. If I were to let myself become dreadfully disappointed in every loss, I certainly would not have had the heart to continue. That being said, I have grown to accept a new lens when observing my losses. I purely look for progress. I strive not for medals, but for the feeling that I was better today than yesterday, and I try to adapt this standard in all things I do in life.

                By those standards, Monday was an ugly, obnoxious, utter disappointment. The common themes for the day, sponsored by yours truly, included disorganization, confusion, and miscommunication. In several lessons, it felt as if every minute of my experience leading up to this trip packed up and left town. In my math lesson, for example, I was uncontrollably flustered and fidgety and skittish; not a good combination when you’re trying to teach any singular person any singular thing, much less with many singular persons and many singular things. None of the words that came out of my mouth took root in any student’s mind. And, though it may not seem so big a deal, I never had the time to do any sort of game or activity at the end. They missed a chance – and they don’t get many – to actually have fun while learning something, and I missed the chance to have fun with them. Most importantly, I broke a promise. I told them that the lesson would be fun and interesting. I also broke a promise to everyone around me that I would be my absolute best, a promise that I have been trusted to keep. I failed to make progress. The realization of this was overwhelmingly disappointing for me. As I have learned in life, however, sulking only does so much good for so long. The only path for me now lies clear and bright in front of me, rather than behind.

                Thankfully, the universe has sent me plenty of good to counter the not so good. Earlier this week, we introduced a week-long, school-wide project that concerns a topic that Nepal struggles with severely. Similar to most cities developing nations, the streets of Bhaktapur are horribly polluted. The comparison to many American towns and cities is indescribable. The underlying cause is not as obvious as many may think. No, the people of Nepal do not care less about their environment than Americans do. Nobody has taught them what to do to fix the problem of pollution. This is the reason why two classes of the day for each grade have been replaced with a class about environmental health. More specifically, we have been teaching students about reusing, recycling, and composting; topics that we have been told as common knowledge but have never been taught to these kids. Since the day that we taught our lessons, we introduced the project. The task is to come up with a solution to the lack of reusing, recycling, or composting in the community. By next Sunday, they will have finished projects to be judged by their class teacher and then by the principal of Lisha School and the CGA leaders. The class winners and overall winners will receive large prizes and may get help in putting their plans into action.

In my opinion, the best part of this project is tapping into the creativity of these students who, in the pursuit of learning, have been trained to read and memorize only what the book dictates. On the very first day, I was clear through the blank expressions and silent answers that thinking outside of the box was not common curriculum. Many students here have grand ambitions; most have told me that imagine themselves as doctors, engineers, or other professionals of the sort in the future. While I am proud of their hope, I still frown because it is difficult to see an engineer who is unable to try a new design or a doctor afraid to look for new answers. But I know that their imagination is not yet dead. It slowly began to crawl out of hiding when they were told to come up with any solution that they want to help their community. The ideas that are sprung when you tell them to just think for themselves are astounding. I saw plans I would never have thought of in a million years, and the eagerness that the kids have to put their thoughts into actions fills me with not just immense pride, but admiration as well. It is here that I am reminded of one of the great foundations of what CGA does. We have the resources to help students achieve new tasks, the will to push them beyond their imaginable limits, and, above all else, the insistence on showing them their own tremendous ability. I believe it goes without saying that I am excited about this project.

Never before have other people made me feel as deep feelings as I do on these trips. These kids have the unique talent of breaking my heart into a million pieces and also to melt my heart until it melts. And I wish, more than I wish for many things in my life, that the feeling I leave with them is a worthy one.

Nepal Trip Post #1

My expectations never warn me about color, but my memory is always eager to show it to me. Arriving in Kathmandu, I was not so awed by the mountains or forests or cars or anything else I expected. Instead, my eyes were held captive by every glimpse of color that winked at them. The red brick buildings, the blue sign or awning of a passing shop, and the dark brown wood skeleton of a once living, not yet crumbled house. I didn’t expect the colors to interest me so much, but they did because I remembered them. I remember the colors from Nicaragua, Cambodia, and Tanzania, and I remember how they manifested in the same form: the vibrant life of an impoverished city. I believe that people back at home, sometimes including myself unfortunately, often hear poverty and think of a dull, dreary existence, and yet that is never the case. On the surface, yes, many of these people live with very few material things to call their own, and nearly none of the luxuries we enjoy. In 2015, the universe decided to take more from the people of Nepal. No one talks about it, there are no signs advertising rebuilding and restoration plans, but everywhere, there are crumbled streets and crumbled homes. Despite all this, it is always the color that reminds me that though it may be a hard life, it is still life. Everyone everywhere is moving, selling, buying, and building. Here, life must go on, and the Nepali people have no choice but to live life.

As I sat in the Class 7 room – a bare cement, 250 square-foot room with one whiteboard – observing the lesson on the first day, I wrote one phrase in my notebook next to my notes. I told myself, rather I begged of myself, “Don’t forget this feeling.” For a small, wonderful time, I only stared and grinned as I watched the students so intent on learning what they could about health, of all subjects. I smiled because I could not contain a fierce excitement within me. I simply wanted to teach. Where this came from, I am not sure. I remember being in the classes in Tanzania, terrified beyond belief. Certainly, this was a change for the better, and I intend to use it. I feel my teaching has improved drastically from my last trip to this one. Nevertheless, I have yet to be satisfied with my teaching. From what I see of myself and what I have been told. I have much to work on. These faults are and will constantly be one of my top priorities because my students rely on me getting better and because I know I can do it. I was reminded at some point of a proverb that many teachers know that goes back ages and ages, and is one of the foundations of education: teaching is hard stuff. That’s right, contrary to popular teenage belief, teaching requires time and effort in preparation. Because of this, I know I cannot let myself relax until I know I have over prepared for every lesson, and when I see the results in action.

Finally, and most importantly, I must make an earnest attempt to describe the Nepalese people. I have to say, there is not a single student in the entire school who is not incredibly bright, which is part of the reason why I was so excited to teach. I simply get the feeling that everyone here is very smart, but I only wish I were more persistent and had the knowledge to connect with the people I meet. With the students, I feel I am inching closer to this goal. Just as in Tanzania, I learned here that energy put into the class directly effects the energy you receive. My favorite part of each day is when I get carried away with teaching something, most of the time it is something I dreaded in my own education, seeing the interest and excitement in the eyes of my students, and letting this snowball of excitement carry the time away. Today, one of my favorite games to play was a smiling game. When I had the chance, I just looked at a few students and smiled, and I would soak in the light that radiated from the smiles and laughter I got in return. I feel myself getting sucked in closer and closer to these kids.

So far, Nepal has not failed to show me kindness and eagerness, and I have surprised myself in responding to such an environment. I still have much I want to learn about this place and its people, and I have many improvements to be made in my teaching. All I know is that I want to do better, and I want more.

Nepal Blog #3

Over the short span of my life, I, like many, have had the opportunity to meet people from far and wide of all types and styles. At karate tournaments when I strike up a conversation with another competitor, we inevitably get to the common question, “Where are you from?” I hear all kinds of responses, from Michigan to Arizona and even Alaska. When it’s my turn, I say “Colorado,” and I very humbly explain, “you know, only the best state ever.” If my new companion is from the great state and of course already knows of its status, I tell them I’m from Vail Valley, “You know, only the best place ever.” Though I say it jokingly and I mock it here, I actually do take great pride in my home. When I think about it, I could not have been luckier than to have lived and continue to live in Eagle, Colorado.

Of the ways that growing up in Eagle has affected me, I don’t deny that the most obvious way is through appreciation for the outdoors. My parents weren’t so fortunate to have grown up surrounded by the great outdoors; my mom grew up in the city of Milwaukee and my dad grew up partly in Santa Fe and partly in various cities from LA to Boston. They encouraged us to go outside, and we would go on family hikes and camping trips, but the real love for nature came from the fact that we could do these things in the first place. In Eagle, you can mountain bike, fish, kayak, and hike while a 30-minute drive either East or West will allow you to raft, ski, snowmobile, or climb a mountain. I don’t claim I do all of these things, but the point is that someone can do any of these things if they want, and the people of Eagle are always doing so. The street that I live on at one point included my brothers and I plus about 13 other kids about the same age all with the same affection for being outside.

On summer nights, we would play baseball, tag, hide-and-go-seek, and any other game we could think of until our parents called us home, and when we felt more adventurous, we could go for a bike ride or a hike up on the nearby hill. Our Nintendo Wii sat mostly neglected at home. I’m not saying I don’t play video games, but I feel that growing up here has created a tendency in me too long to be doing something and that there is always something better and more fun to be doing. I’ve also grown a liking towards physical work and the rewards of creating something that you can see every day.

The perks (and pitfalls) of a small town also come with growing up in Eagle. In a town where everybody knows everybody and your mom happens to be possibly the only person in town with one leg, it is nearly impossible to go somewhere where you don’t run into someone that you know or, more likely, your parents know. Often hearing the phrase “Now, are you another Witt boy?” developed my ability to not only respond to questions but also keep a conversation going with actual adults. Most kids in a small town know how this feels and most, though not all, will tell you that they don’t always find it so hard to have mature conversations with people 20, 30, or even 60 years older than themselves.

I could continue to talk about how living in Eagle is different from living anywhere else on the planet, but the truth is that I probably actually couldn’t tell you exactly. I’ve been able to reflect this far on the biggest things that support who I am because Eagle is so unique, but I have also been lucky enough to have traveled to a multitude of places and seen the different areas that people call home. When I try to examine the bigger picture, I see that though Eagle is small and different, there is a lot more it has in common with nearly everywhere else on the planet than it contrasts with them. In realizing this, I believe that there is a great lesson to be learned. No matter how different you may think you are from another, you can find much more than you share, and helping our communities should be viewed as such.

Nepal Blog #2

Though overshadowed by the presence of India and China, Nepal has long had a rich history dating thousands of years ago, but much of it has been tumultuous and chaotic. Rising to power sometime in the fourth or fifth century, the Licchavi dynasty was the first well-known dynasty to rule the area, marking the beginning of an era characterized by Hindu leaders ruling non-Hindu people. Despite this, Nepal flourished as a major intellectual and commercial center between China and Tibet and India from 500-700 CE. In the 14th Century, the ruling Malla Dynasty imposed strict social and legal Hindu codes on the people for the first time. In the late 18th Century, a small principality, Gurkha, ruled by Prithvi Narayan Shah built a strong army and managed to conquer most of the areas of Nepal, overthrowing the Mallas. The Shah rulers had difficulty in uniting the diverse regions and peoples of Nepal, but by doing so set the foundations of the modern country of Nepal.

The Royal family of Nepal and many of the noble families constantly fought for control over political offices, hoping to gain power and eliminate their enemies. One such family, the Rana family, managed to take control for more than a whole century from 1846-1951. In this time, Britain had gained control over India and posed an overpowering threat to Nepal. Wisely, the Rana rulers negotiated peaceful terms with Britain in which Britain would have a large influence in Nepal, but the Himalayan nation was allowed domestic autonomy. However, when Britain left India in 1947, it opened the doors for anti-Rana forces to unite with the royal family to overthrow the government and restore the crown. Though the country tried to move towards democracy in the following years, conflict and turmoil persistently shadowed the government, and economic, political, and social peace crumbled throughout the decades. Slowly, anti-monarchy movements and communist groups gained influence in Nepal, and in the early 2000s, Communist Maoist rebels had started a civil war. The government had little success in fighting the growing insurgency, but in 2006, the UN intervened with a peace treaty and tensions slowed down. In 2007, the monarchy was abolished by strong insistence from the Maoist groups. From there until 2014, no solid government could be maintained and no prime minister would stay.

In 2014, Nepal was hit by several major natural disasters including a deadly avalanche on Everest, a landslide, and others that resulted in growing criticism of government response. But none of those would compare the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck just north of Kathmandu on April 25, 2015. Overall, the earthquake and its aftershocks would claim 9,000 people and injure 15,000-20,000 along with destroying cities, temples, infrastructure, and resources. Thanks to their already fragile economic state, the country has been barely able, if at all, to recover from the catastrophe.

Pressured by the crisis in 2015, a new constitution, prime minister, and president were accepted in September and October of the year and today still hold their positions. The president, Bidhya Devi Bhandari, is Nepal’s first ever female in the position, a major step towards equal rights for women. In 2017, Nepal held successful general elections for local and national offices for the first time in 20 years, and in 2018 a convergence of the two parties of the president and prime minister resulted in one Nepal Communist Party. However, the fact of the matter is that Nepal is still one of the least developed countries in the world due to its physical and political isolation and its history of turmoil.

Nepal lacks the resources and infrastructure to develop economically, and every aspect of the nation suffers because of it. Much of Nepal’s trade is importing basic materials such as fuel, construction material, fertilizer, and others. Its resources are few and far between with relatively small deposits in various minerals, but even if its minerals were numerous, the country lacks the transportation necessary to maximize its potential. Much of the people in Nepal are in agriculture of rice, corn, and wheat, and the industry constitutes much of Nepal’s exports. However, yields are very low due to ineffective practices and lack of irrigation, improved seed, and fertilizer. Especially in the mountains, towns experience a lack of food between harvests, and, again, the difficulty of travel in the mountainous country makes supplying rural areas very challenging and often unsuccessful. The government also struggles in securing the general health of its people, with diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, cholera, and typhoid still prevalent. Infant mortality rate sits at an average of 26 infant deaths/1000 live births, and the maternal mortality rate is 258/1000 births. For reference, the United States had an infant mortality rate of 5.6/1000 and a maternal mortality rate of 23.8/1000. Horrifyingly, about 27% of children in Nepal are underweight compared to 3.5% in the USA. Can you imagine more than one in four children in an entire country not getting enough of the right food to eat? But, like most poverty-stricken places, education is one of the most paramount factors of the success of the nation, and the education statistics for Nepal reflect the current state. About 76% of males are literate and 53% of women are literate. Not only are these statistics extremely low, but they also show a huge gap in education rights for men and women. Right now, the people of Nepal are having to live with the consequences of their history and the wrath of nature, and the consequences have taken their toll.

Despite all of this, hope is certainly not lost for the struggling nation. Many have seen potential in the river systems of Nepal, and it is likely that if the government were to take advantage of it, they could create a strong hydroelectric industry to provide Nepal as well as India with plenty of renewable energy. In the lower plains region known as Tarai, fertile soil and favorable weather create the potential for agricultural growth if and when Nepal gains the ability to utilize the technological advancements of the modern day. Nepal also provides the gateway to the great peaks of the Himalayas including Mt. Everest, and many hope tourism will continue to grow and bring in more money. Finally, the future holds a lot of promise considering three-fifths of the country’s population is below the age of 30. The only catch is that the government needs to take responsibility for educating this maturing generation. Improvements can even be seen now, as the average number of years for children to go to school is at 12 years for male and female, and 13 for females only. In the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, Nepal shows potential for a future where all of its people live better, happier lives as long as the people of today work towards that future.

Unfortunately, the reality is that the hopes of Nepal mean almost nothing without the future leaders of the country. Nepal, just like any nation, needs to educate its young generations so that they can take charge of the problems and crises that face them. The problem is that the governments of developing nations rarely can or will pay much attention to education. And this is why the work of CGA is so crucial. Thanks to CGA, I won’t just be helping to rebuild the homes still devastated by the earthquake in 2015, I will be helping to lay the foundations of the future for many families to come through teaching. Having all the opportunities to learn here in the United States, I am excited as ever to once again have the opportunity to improve the education of those who desperately need it to break the cycle of poverty. I can’t hope to remedy the past of Nepal, but by doing what I can now, I hope that I can help them build their future.

Nepal Blog #1

This year, I am very excited to say that I will be joining CGA for my fourth consecutive service trip. I am now 15 years old and a sophomore at Eagle Valley High School. Eagle has been my home my entire life, and I cannot believe all that it has given me. Right now, I am the only child at home, but for eleven years of my life I grew up with two older brothers, Ben and David. As much teasing and taunting we give each other, I know that they are one of the biggest reasons I am who I am today, as well as my parents. My brothers have been, and continue to be, my biggest role models, as they are now each at a military academy. My parents have also been inspirational. My mom came from not so fortunate beginnings in Milwaukee, was diagnosed with cancer before graduating college, and beat the disease at the sacrifice of her leg. Despite this, she has achieved more than can be written in a few sentences. My dad is an elementary school teacher who has taught me about anything and everything that puzzles me. I have always been an avid athlete, whether it’s football, lacrosse, baseball, soccer, track, or karate. The ones that have stuck with me through the years have been football, lacrosse, and karate. However, this year I have given up both football and lacrosse in order to compete on a higher level for karate and hopefully make the Junior National Team. So yeah, karate means a lot to me. I also like to play piano, draw, and teach karate.

This year, I am getting to go to the place of books and legends: Nepal. I have always wanted to go to Nepal as a fascination with the land and the mountains. The people, culture, and history is like no other on this planet: the birthplace of Buddha and with it Buddhism along with the traditions of Hinduism, the many different groups and languages that inhabit the country, and the tumultuous and violent political past. I am very excited to see this country and all there is to it, and I am even more excited to learn more of what I don’t know. All these reasons take the back seat to the main reason why I am on this trip, or any trip for that matter. I have the powerful urge to continue helping people. And not just any people, but those who have nearly nothing in terms of material possessions relative to me. People who have lived their lives in poverty and distress have all the reason but do not deserve in the slightest to be ignored. Through the political turmoil that Nepal has seen and the devastating earthquakes of 2015, the Nepali people deserve anything we can give. I don’t know if I realize exactly how lucky I am, but I am starting to get the picture. I plan to use all that I have been given and everything that I already have inside me to provide some kind of support and help for Nepal.

Tanzania Blog July 30th

There are three teachers that I have gotten to share preparatory class with. Their names are Madame Mariam, Miss Catherine, and Miss Dyness.  On the morning of day one of teaching last Monday, these three people could not have been more intimidating. Intimidation dissolves, however, when you sit down to have a legitimate conversation with someone, and as it turns out, Miss Catherine hides quite the tale. Originally from Kenya, she moved to Arusha as a toddler, where she was raised by a man that she calls her brother, but is just the only person who was there for her. Her mother had died, and the father was unable to leave Kenya. In Arusha, young Catherine flew through primary and secondary school and teacher training and began teaching three years ago. She is in her early twenties now. When I first heard this, I needed a few moments to take it in. First of all, Miss Catherine obviously has an extremely high intelligence level. To have finished schooling at such a young age is quite the accomplishment, much more in an absurdly flawed education system like Tanzania’s. Also to have such a turbulent childhood as well is almost unbelievable. I am beyond impressed, and I think that this instance proves the message that potential can come from anywhere, it just needs opportunity.

            By little conversations here and there, I have learned a little bit about the other teachers and staff. For example, Mr. Geoffrey, the most outgoing character at the school, showed us photos of himself in uniform when he was in the military doing splits and other impressive feats. I never would have guessed that he had this background, but I’m glad I know now. Today we visited the home of one of the sisters that helps cook and clean at LOAMO who also has two kids that attend the school. Her home was definitely nicer than other homes we have visited. She told us that she and her husband had saved up money for 15 years, ten of which she spent at LOAMO, just to have enough to move out of the mud home they were living in previously. I love to hear these stories because it puts the people with the essence of the school.

            With the level of development of the human race, you would want to believe that our ability to all live together peacefully is just as advanced. Look at the current political and societal state of many places around the world, and you find we are far behind where we should be. This weekend we visited a town not far from Arusha called Mto Wa Mbu, Mosquito River. The most unique thing about this place is the people, not the mosquitoes. More than 120 tribes live in Tanzania, and in this small town, 120 different tribes are represented. To put this in perspective, less than 20 tribes live in Mozambique, but they have been in constant conflict. Meanwhile, in Mto Wa Mbu, not a single drop of blood has been shed over tribal conflictions. Not only that, but they all shared the same mutual respect for each other. I know I talked about this in my earlier blog, but it is worth repeating to the entire world one million times. WE CAN GET ALONG. Going deeper into this subject, a particular story we heard was about the Makande people. They lived in Mozambique until civil war forced them to leave with no food or water for miles and miles on end. They were welcomed by Tanzania and its people and peacefully and happily carried on their ways in Tanzania even after war ended back at their home. They now continue their tradition of carving wooden sculptures like the one they gave to the first president of Tanzania. This town teaches us that people are people. Why hurt someone over dumb differences when they share 99.999% of your own DNA? I don’t know if humans will ever live in harmony together, but I know that this is not our best.

Earlier this week, I was asked how I’m going to take what I’ve learned here and put it into practice at home. One of the biggest things I have discovered is how hard the students work here. The education system is so messed up that all the kids have to do their absolute best in order to have any chance at a good future. For this reason, I’ve also seen how important education is to the people here; putting it before anything else, even their own health.  Seeing all this, I tie it together with my own perspective. I don’t believe in past lives or reincarnation, so I ponder why we are born into the lives we have. What did I do to deserve being born in the United States to family and friends that care for me and get me anything I want? Likewise, what did any of these students do to deserve being born in Tanzania into such difficult situations? In my option, nothing. It’s what we do in life that tells us if we deserve it, and we have to work hard to earn it. Because the kids and people here have worked hard enough to earn countless lives of happiness, I sill remind myself every day to try to earn the one I have been given by being the best possible me. Overtime, maybe others will catch on, and just maybe something will change.

Tanzania Blog July 27th

By the end of the school day on Tuesday, I had begun to observe some differences between LOAMO School and educational practices of the U.S.A. When thinking of a developing country like Tanzania, one would not first think about well-dressed people, but that is exactly what you get in Tanzania. I have to say, I was embarrassed of my outfit when I first saw the teachers and students. The male teachers wear nice pants with dress shirts underneath patterned sweaters. The female teachers wear long skirts, nice shirts, and cardigans/sweaters with colorful scarves. Meanwhile, there I was, with my khakis and plain old polo shirt. I wish to impress the teachers with my teaching, but I know that it must start with the way I present myself. As a side note, I must also mention that Mr. Geoffrey, a teacher, wore a bright blue and black suit that he actually rocked. The students all wear grey pants or skirts with grey button-down shirts and red ties, finally topped off with blue sweaters.

Obviously, the school mandates the student’s uniforms, but it’s not just the uniforms that amaze me. Every single student from kinder to class 7 hasn’t a speck of dirt on their pants. Not a single student has a messed up collar. To me this sends a loud, clear message. I hear the 316 students saying how proud they are to be getting an education. We cannot begin to comprehend how important school is to these students. I think back to school at home, and I realize how ungrateful my generation is. We show up to school in sweatpants, short-shorts, tank-tops, and other clothing that says “I don’t really care to be here.” It makes me sad that our society is this way, but the LOAMO school inspires me and fills me with the drive to be the change I wish to see in the world, as Mahatma Ghandi professed, even if it is just dressing proudly.

            In every one’s life, there are the epiphanies, the “a-ha” moment when the paradigm shifts. As is the purpose, my experiences with CGA have brought many of these moments, regarding the world, poverty, society, etc. On Tuesday, I had a very enlightening       “a-ha” moment. The way that the preparatory class schedule works is such that the last two and a half hours of the day are dedicated to games/songs/stories either outside or inside. Tuesday’s outside time began well enough, but when my teacher gave Finn and me the reigns to the sea of 70+ children, I panicked and had no idea what to do. Still scared, we made a weak attempt to teach them a song. I was embarrassed like most people would be standing in front of others singing about funky chicken, but this is when I made the breakthrough. I realized, and not without a thanks to Karlie, that it wasn’t working because we weren’t into it. I discovered how incredibly important the teacher’s energy is, not just for my class at LOAMO in Arusha, Tanzania, but for education as a whole. As a teacher, I have to be the most overly absurd, excessively energetic person in the room. I have to put aside any personal fears or humiliation and just go “full send.” My dad is a 5^th grade teacher at Red Hill Elementary School in Gypsum. Every Friday he dresses up in a tie-dye shirt, a Green Bay Packer cheese tie, and some kind of weird pants. It confused me a little bit until I had my breakthrough on Tuesday. Now, I completely get it. If he is not excited at school, how can he expect his students to be excited? If his students aren’t excited, how can anyone expect them to learn? With this new realization, I feel that I may be getting closer to achieving the goal I had set earlier this week.

At LOAMO, there is rarely a kid who does not smile or laugh all day. But behind these smiling faces are stories of hardship and struggling to survive in a country where the average income per day is $2.50 USD. On Wednesday afternoon, I went on a home visit to hear the unique and tragic story of two of LOAMO’s students. Enock and Ebenezer are brothers in class 3, Enock, 13 years old and Ebenezer, 14.  From what I hear, they are both exceptional students, but they are quiet and have nothing about them that implies a rough home life. However, when we walked into the twelve-by-twelve foot room that was their house, it was clear that they had it harder than most of us can even imagine. No running water, no electricity, no bathrooms. Only a bed, a couch a table, some dishes, and a small kerosene stove.

Their father is living some 300 km way, leaving them only with their loving mother, Lillian. It is hard, though, to care for your children when you are 100% blind. Yes, Enock and Ebenezer’s mother is completely blind. Blinded by a disease at the age of two, she got a primary school education (up to class 7), and continued to live on the same street until she met the boys’ father. Soon after the boys were born, the father left them, only to come back to take them away ant the ages of three and four. He raised the boys as cow herders, with-holding them from an education, and beating them if they so much as mentioned school.  Seven years later, they returned to their mother and lost all contact with their father. As one might expect, their mother has not been able to get a job, and the boys are not old enough to work. Where do they get money? The only way they survive is by the generosity of the rare passerby or friends from their church. The boys are fed at school and their mother makes dinner when she can. For this family, having food is as uncertain as the weather. It crushes my heart to think about how hungry they must be for almost the entirety of their lives, but no one hears a peep out of them. So the next time you feel that the odds are stacked against you, think about Enock and Ebenezer and their silent fight against starvation while they continue their education.

In this past week at LOAMO school, I have seen my confidence soar, met new and interesting people, and been bought down to Earth by the horrible realities of the world. At the beginning of the week, I said I wanted to end each day with excited and happy students. With a new-found attitude, I find this easier to do, but I know I can still improve. I also said I wanted to make connection. In keeping with this, I’ve worked up the courage to listen, ask questions and listen to the stories of a few of the teachers, and I am still looking to start long-lasting friendships. This week, though I have been doing the teaching, I feel I have been the one learning.                                                                                                  

Tanzania Blog July 23rd

We are in the middle of Africa. Arusha, Tanzania is the middle of Africa. Or, at least, that’s what Rasta John told us during our tour on Saturday. He explained that the city is right underneath the equator, halfway between Cape Town and Cairo. I believe him, not because I trust that he is right, but because I feel it. It is not simply a geographic status to me, but a quality experienced only by being here. It is seen only by the eyes of someone gazing at the foothills of Kilimanjaro; it is heard only by the ears of someone joining in on a Maasai tribal dance as a song is sung in unity. Not meaning to take away from Toto, but words are simply insufficient.

            I believe we can all learn something from the people of Tanzania. First of all, I don’t know of another language with more ways to say “Hello, how are you?” And here, they want to hear you say “good”, because they actually care. As Nay, the “African Oprah” put it, Tanzanians have much more time, so there is always time to find out how someone is doing. As we walked through the buildings where disobedient slaves were killed on a daily basis, and stood where they were hung, I learned about an incredible part of Tanzanian society. They are forgetting their history of slavery. No, not forgetting in the sense of leaving it out history all together. The people are letting go of the anger and pain, while still honoring the events that took place. Tanzanians are proud to be who they are, and they are beginning to build a new, exciting future for themselves. This is what amazed me the most about the people in the first few days, and I have a growing admiration for them.

            Sunday was one of the most extraordinary days of my life. As we drove through the dust towards an actual Maasai village, I felt a jumble of feelings of in anticipation. When we arrived, those feelings were met with awe, wonder, curiosity, and everything of the sort. The houses were beautifully simple. The cattle, sheep, and goats were…well, disgusting, but intriguing. The people were different in many ways, but admirable in many more. The children were shy and did not make much eye contact. They had strange medicinal practices, like drinking warm cow’s blood, and men only become men after they are circumcised while being awake at the age of 18. Despite these things that would make many outsiders uncomfortable, I found things that impressed me, such as the fact that the children were given the responsibility of looking after the young animals at a very young age. I was also impressed by the cooperation of the people when catching a cow, making chapatti, or preparing a goat for dinner. Our visit ended with a dance with the warriors, which consisted of singing, dancing, and jumping. For some reason still unknown to me, I was really good at the jumping and became a favorite among the warriors. I think it will take me a long time to comprehend that day.    

            The first day at school was very intimidating. I walked into the Preparatory Class immediately feeling like an alien as the students and teachers stared at me. However, as the day went on, I got myself involved in the class, and I began to relax. The best parts of the day were when all 31 five-year-olds would stand up and sing at the top of their lungs about Chinese people and stomach pains. I have silently promised myself and the teachers that this week I will have the best games and songs for the kids. In the next two weeks, I’m hoping to grow personally to be able to have meaningful conversations with my new friends, and make many connections. In the classroom, I want to end most days with an excited and happy group of students.  I know and look forward to being challenged in order to grow through these goals.

Tanzania Blog #3

The current international poverty threshold is calculated at living off of $1.90 or below per day, which can be hard to understand for many of us. Unfortunately, too many people in the world know this first hand day after day. Poverty is a complicated concept that happens in a cycle, which makes it a very hard thing to end. Many different solutions have tried to combat poverty, some with no success, others making tremendous progress. From what I have learned, education at all costs is going to be the world’s key to ending the poverty cycle. First of all, knowledge is not a material object, meaning it can’t be built, bought, sold, or taken. Many have said that knowledge is power, and education is the pathway to it. Education isn’t just a house, food, or supplies, it gives someone the ability to understand and envision greater possibilities like jobs or important solutions. Also, the physical act of children, young females especially, being occupied in school blocks the paths that can lead them back into the poverty cycle. Therefore, to end the continuous circle of poverty throughout the globe, access to education needs to be a driving force.

Being part of a solution is a key part of proposing one. That is a major reason why I am so grateful to be part of these trips. I get to try to make my contribution to the world. Believing that education is key to ending poverty, I have to find ways to do my part of it. In Tanzania the group and I will be teaching classes as the major part of our volunteering, so, I will make sure that I am one of the most over prepared teachers on this trip. I will have lesson plans, games, and activities for each and every class. I know that I will have only so long at the school, which is why I want to do something in addition to just being a good teacher. I am going to find something to give the students to allow them to have lasting access to more education than they had before. I’m not sure what this will be yet, but I am making it a goal for myself to find it.

As I said before, there have been many initiatives with varying success to slow down poverty. One example of such initiatives in Tanzania is an organization there that works with farmers to help them transition from solely subsistence farmers to commercial farmers, making farming a developing and growing industry. They also work to allow both men and women to start their own businesses. This has been fairly successful, because it works to help people help themselves to create their own solutions. On the other hand, in the mid 1970s, the government of Tanzania tried several things to attempt to fight poverty. One of those was requiring every urban resident to work, or be sent back to the rural countryside. Policies like these had very minimal success in reducing poverty, but much can be learned from them. 

Hopefully, one day, there will be a time when few to no people have to wonder when their next meal will be or have to sell the last of their possessions only to lose it the next week.When that day comes, I hope I am around to see it.

Tanzania 2018 Blog #2

I can’t think of many better things to be doing in the summer before my sophomore year of high school than going to East Africa for the sole purpose of helping people. However, with the opportunity comes with the responsibility to be effective as possible. That’s why, for this year’s trip, my goal is to have nearly every class that I teach in Tanzania be able to say they had learned something from the lesson. This is important to me, because I was taught on my last trip that the most effective thing that disrupts the cycle of poverty is education. Knowing skills that can get someone out of poverty can help more than housing built by the government. I also know that I can still improve a lot on my teaching skills. This goal will ultimately motivate me to learn how to be a better leader and teacher.

The history of Tanzania goes back to the roots of humankind about 3 million years ago, but starting at about 5,000 years ago, several different peoples migrated and inhabited the land including the Khoisan, Cushitic, Bantu, and then Nilotic peoples. Trade with the Arabs and Indians made it economically strong. From there, many outside powers struggled over dominance of the land, and, at one point, it was the center of the Arab slave trade. Many European explorers set foot in the country as well. After 1886, most of Tanganyika was split between East German Africa and British-administered Tanganyika. It was later all given to Britain by the League of Nations in 1920 and gained independence in 1961. The unification of Tanganyika and the island of Zanzibar created the country of Tanzania.

The unification of the two governing parties did not actually come until 1977 when the TANU union was merged with the Afro-Shirazi party of Zanzibar. This formed the CCM Revolutionary party. The principles of this party were put into the constitution in 1982 and reaffirmed in 1984. However, the philosophy of Julius Nyerere, the president since independence, had allowed the government to become extremely corrupt. In 1979, Soviet-backed Ugandan forces invaded northern Tanzania, but they were quickly expelled after Tanzania declared war. Since 1990, there has been political unrest in Zanzibar, who have tried for independence. Thirty-five people were even killed in a protest in 2001. Protests have died down in most recent years, however.

The most interesting thing I have learned while researching Tanzania was its history of an economic center. Between the 13th and 15th centuries, the islands and coastal cities were part of an economically flourishing time called the Sharazi Era. They traded gold, ivory, and other goods to places as far away as China. Kilwa, a major trading city, had even been declared one of the best cities in the world. The contrast to now is what makes this fact so interesting. How could a country that was once a major trading hot spot become a country with so many people living below the poverty line? I am very interested in the kind of effects that this has on the culture today.

Tanzania 2017 Blog #1

For the third year in a row, I am going on a service trip with Children’s Global Alliance; this time to I’m going to Tanzania. Growing up in Eagle, Colorado, I have had a very unique life at only fourteen years old. I have two older brothers, two awesome parents, and an even more awesome dog named Kayenta. I play football, lacrosse, and competitive karate, and I like to play piano, camp, and mountain bike. Starting my freshman year of high school has been a little scary, especially because both of my brothers are now out of the house, but so far I am doing pretty well. The part that makes my life really unique is that I have been on two service trips with CGA, once to Nicaragua in 2016 and once to Cambodia this past summer.

These trips have been like nothing else I’ve ever experienced; they’ve taught me so much. Since the spring of 2016 before I went to Nicaragua, I had no idea how fortunate I am, how much different life in developing countries is, and what it means to do something solely for the purpose of helping others. I feel that these trips have made me more grateful and more mature about certain things in life. I can remember at least one instance where one of my friends told me that they had a crack in their phone screen, and their parents would not replace it. The friend automatically jumped to the conclusion that they were so unlucky and their parents hated them, and all I could do was tell them how lucky they were that they had a phone and they had parents that were there for them.  I also think that these experiences have changed my work ethic and commitment skills greatly, having done a lot of physical labor in Cambodia. Who knew that I would get to live like I have lived before I even get my driver’s license.

I don’t think anything in our local lives really compares to the kind of impact CGA makes. It changes the lives of the people we go to help just as much as it changes our lives, if not more. CGA is not associated with any religious group, meaning we don’t go with the hope of changing people’s faith or building any religious foundations in an area where there are none. The organization’s main purpose is to help people who live in extreme poverty find a better life for themselves. This is why many of the service trips are centered around teaching at under-resourced, under-supported schools.While any help makes at least a little difference, teaching can make the biggest impact, because the best way to break the poverty cycle is through education. People can’t help themselves if they don’t know how or why. And even though we’re just a group of teenagers, we have the ability to teach kids in these countries at least a few things that they may never get to learn anywhere else. Specifically in Tanzania, students can only move on to high school if they know English, because at that point all classes are taught in English instead of Swahili, the language that classes are taught in through to the end of middle school. So, just by being there as native English speakers, we can already make an impact. I am very excited to, once again, be a part of a CGA trip to make a difference in the world.

July 9th Blog

The final days in Cambodia have been some of the most challenging that I’ve been through. I’ve faced challenges that have been physical, some have been mental, and some have been emotional. Teaching at the school, finishing some projects at the orphanage, and seeing the slums are just a few of those challenges. Leaving was definitely one of them as well. However, I feel that going through these things throughout the entire trip has helped me become more aware, responsible, and able to see the bigger picture. I can say that Cambodia has helped shaped me into someone that my family and others can be proud of.

                This trip has been a big part in strengthening my ability to accept my faults. In almost every aspect of my life, I struggle whenever I make mistakes, and they end up weighing me down. Over the course of these past two weeks, I can look back at several times when I made a mistake. At first, these mistakes hit me hard and I felt very unmotivated. In one of these instances, I was at the school and teaching the very first class of the day. I made the mistake of coming unprepared, and the second half of the class was a jumbled mess of boring activities. Afterwards, I had felt like I failed the kids, and I didn’t want to teach at all anymore. I realized, though, that a negative attitude would be less helpful than poorly teaching a lesson. So, for my second class that day, I came to the classroom as fired up as someone can be before teaching, but more importantly, I was fully prepared and then some. I had lessons for anything that the teacher wanted me to teach, and I had fun games that I was excited to play with the kids. I not only had a lot of fun, but I also feel that the students had fun and learned something.  Thanks to this trip, I believe that I’m beginning to learn how to make mistakes and use them to improve, which then helps me be more useful to others.

                I know that everyone will say that leaving the orphanage was the hardest part of the trip, and I would agree on some levels. It was a time to say goodbyes as well as a time to reflect on the trip. I felt a nagging sense that I could have done more, that I didn’t give 110% all the time. I also felt sad like most people would, because we had met such amazing people and saying goodbye two weeks later. As expected, the goodbye party on Thursday was gloomy and sad. When a girl named Srey Neath took my hat for the - wait let me count - millionth time, I was in no mood to play around. Again, a new feeling swept over me and I realized that it didn’t all have to be sad. Yes, there was more I could have done (and there always will be), but what I did do had been important. Yes, I was sad to leave my new friends, but I felt that they appreciated that I had been there in the first place. Knowing this, I felt good enough to play one last game of keep-away. Running around the stage and zig-zagging through the crowd, I felt truly happy and free, and I felt comfort in the knowing that the kids were happy, too.

                Everyone has to go through hard times in their lives. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t have the easy and fun times. It’s being able to appreciate the challenges and find ways to overcome them that make us better people. Seeing the way other people have to struggle just to live, and saying final goodbyes to people so impactful has brought me down, but given me the tools to get back up. Cambodia has taught me so much, but the thing that will stick with me the most will be learning about and developing myself.

July 4th Blog

Sometimes, back at home, I get so used to the way things are. I forget that there are places that are nothing like home. I have discovered that places like Cambodia don’t just look different. Places like Cambodia sound exciting, they taste exotic, they feel exhilarating, and they smell… interesting. The most exciting thing that I’ve observed is the influence of Buddhism in the city and village, as it is the most common religion in the region. Everyday, I see more interesting shrines, temples, and of course, monks. Another thing I’ve noticed is the general independence that the Khmer people have. It makes me think about how different it is back home, with all of our social networks and reliance on things like restaurants, cleaning services, and so on. Here, though there is an interactive economy, most people have learned to do everything by themselves. These differences that I have seen have helped me think back to the way I live in Colorado.

                One of my favorite parts of this trip has been seeing the ancient traditions of Cambodia along with the practices and beliefs of Theravada Buddhism. On many of our tuk-tuk rides, we have driven past several Buddhist temples. Seeing the intricate drawings and writings on the walls, the decorative pagodas, and the wise, orange-cloaked monks, engages a childish curiosity inside me. I wonder about how old some of these traditions and buildings must be, and what the detailed writings and engravings mean to the people who worship them. The temples also remind me of places back home, like the churches and cathedrals you can visit in large cities. I am very glad to have this opportunity to see such an interesting way of life.

                One thing that has me both intrigued and saddened is how the children at the orphanage, have adapted to living where they do. I also see some of the same things when driving through the city and village.  On one of the days at the orphanage, I was starting to hand wash a big load of the children’s clothes. Almost immediately after I started, an eleven year old boy named Poa jumped into action. He collected brushes, buckets, and soap, and he showed me how to hand wash clothes like a master. He showed me techniques and tricks that I never would have thought of. Soon, there were three other nine-year-olds washing, rinsing, and drying their clothes alongside me. The same boy, Poa, helped me complete several other chores that day with extreme efficiency. Compared to the children I know in Colorado, it seemed that these kids were almost completely independent. I also realized, sadly, that they didn’t do everything by themselves because they wanted to , it was because they had to. If they didn’t care for themselves, there is no one that will. It makes me upset that while kids at home can have everything done for them, the children here have to be almost completely independent.  It shouldn’t have to be this way, and knowing this fills me with guilt, but it also encourages me to want to make their lives easier.

                As I take in my surroundings, I compare it to life in the United States, and I have fun noticing the little or big differences in life. I love seeing a place so different, because I have never seen any place so different in religion, traditions, and practices. It is also important for me to see the way that people live their everyday lives. Though things may be different, at the end of the day, people are just people. And these people deserve help just as much as anyone else.

June 30th Blog

The start of my Cambodia service trip can be summarized into one thing: unexpected. Before arriving, I had developed my own expectations for the country, the people, the orphanage, and the school. These expectations have quickly been proven wrong. On Wednesday, our group got a much needed history lesson. We visited the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center also known as S-21 and the Killing Fields, respectively, during the rule of the Khmer Rouge. Being there and seeing the still blood-stained rooms where millions of people people suffered and died provoked so many emotions that I had never experienced before. Among these emotions, I felt sad, angry, confused, and a few that are hard to explain.  Most of all, I was terrified: feeling the fear that ruled the lives of an entire country. Although I cannot compare what I felt to the real thing, I feel that I have a better understanding of the Khmer people. Now the next step is to help people with a new understanding.

                On Thursday, I was assigned to teach at the English School. Because it was our first day, our job was to observe the classes and get a general idea of what we would be teaching. For whatever reason, I saw this as a chance to relax. I did not realize how important learning English was to these kids. In the USA, learning a new language is just another boring class that students have to sit through. However, in Cambodia learning English is a vital part to opening up a world of opportunity. With English, students can go on to follow opportunities such as getting a higher education, becoming a translator, or becoming part of the tourism industry. Because I did not choose to understand this, I did things half-heartedly when the teacher asked me to help pronounce words, count to ten, or read a book in English. At the end of the day, the teacher asked me to help students read a book in English. As I did, I realized how hard the students were trying to understand the words and pronounce the words correctly, then I realized how my attitude and behavior was not helping them. At this moment, something inside of me clicked. My attitude changed directions and I became excited to teach. Unfortunately, the day ended soon after, and I did not get a chance to work harder. I feel a huge sense of regret and failure when I think about that day. So, I have made a personal goal to never end a day feeling the same way I did at the school, and I can do that by always finding a way to be more efficient and involved.

                Though it has only been a few days, I feel that I have recognized many important things. I have grasped why it seems that the whole country shares a deep sadness which inspires me to help. I have also realized how important it is to always give my best, no matter what it is that I’m doing. Finally, I have learned that being useful doesn’t always mean you have to be good at what you’re doing; you just have to want to help. I’m eager to find out what else Cambodia will teach me.   

Cambodia Blog #3

     Since January, I have done a little bit more fundraising and my total is now over $3,000. I plan to do more work and fundraising in the following months, but I won’t be doing any large events.

As the trip gets closer, I am starting to have a few fears about it.  My biggest fear is not being prepared, like forgetting supplies or not having a lesson plan ready, and making a mistake that not only affects myself, but the rest of the group. I want to be as helpful as possible while we’re there by making good decisions, thinking clearly, and listening well. Another fear I have is not doing everything that I can. In Nicaragua, my biggest regret was being shy and holding back when I could have been helping other people. I want to make sure that I don’t do that during this trip.

     Based on these fears, I have some specific goals for myself. One of them is to get to know everybody at the orphanage. Since we have about two and a half weeks there, I think that will be plenty of time to have at least one interaction with each person. Another goal I have is to be prepared for each day with everything that I will need on time. If I’m prepared, then there is less of a chance that I will make a big mistake. Finally, I want to learn three things about the culture that I didn’t already know before the trip. I think that it is important to know about people’s way of life in order to help them. 

Though I’m anxious about a few things on the trip, I have confidence that it will go well, and I will accomplish what I hope to accomplish.

Cambodia Blog #2

Since being chosen to go on a service to Cambodia, I have been fundraising and getting to know the group, details of the trip, and the country of Cambodia itself. So far, I am extremely happy with how my fundraising is going. My main fundraiser was selling homemade crab apple jelly that I made with help from my family, but I have also been doing yard work, leaf raking, and concessions at karate tournaments. All of this has raised $2,533, which is $33 past the minimum required to go on the trip. Going forward, I plan on selling more concessions, doing more snow shoveling, and yard work. I also plan on running the coat check at a local play in February.

From about the 9th to 13th centuries, most of southeast Asia was under the control of the Khmer Empire, whose capital, Angkor, was located in northwest Cambodia. Then, after Vietnam and Thailand started closing in, Cambodia became a protectorate of France until it gained independence in 1953. Later, the Vietnam War spilled into Cambodia, prompting a pro-Western military group to take charge. This did not last long, however, because five years later, a communist guerrilla group called the Khmer Rouge took over under Pol Pot. The Khmer Rouge strictly enforced communism and killed about 2 million people, women and children included. Three years after Khmer Rouge took over, Vietnam invaded and occupied Cambodia for about 11 years. Finally, in 1993, the long exiled ruler Norodom Sihanouk returned and Cambodia has since been a constitutional monarch.

Cambodia has an interesting culture that is very different from our own in the U.S. To start, to properly greet someone, one must do a “Chumreap Suor” greeting by pressing your palms together at your chest and bowing slightly. The higher your hands and the deeper the bow, the more respect it shows. the major religion is Theravada Buddhism, and the languages are Khmer, French, and English. 75 percent of jobs in the country come from agriculture, while other industries include tourism, garments, rice, fishing, and wood and wood products. The Cambodian people are very traditional and have deep respect for their religion and culture. Traditional dances, martial arts, wrestling, and kickboxing are popular activities for Cambodians.The people of Cambodia are said to be very nice, and seem like a very resilient people. I’m very eager to do what I can to help them.

Cambodia Blog #1

My name is Sebastian Witt. I live in Eagle, Colorado, I am 13 years old, and I am just like any other eighth grader in this country. I play football, lacrosse, and I am a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. I have loved karate and football since I was 5 years old, but lacrosse is the new thing that I really enjoyed. I also enjoy playing piano and robotics/engineering. I usually spend my free time learning new songs on the piano or building something. My family consists of my two older brothers and my mom and dad. I have learned many things from my brothers’ mistakes and their successes, such as being accepted into the United States Naval Academy and being a world karate grand champion. Both of my parents have worked extremely hard and made many sacrifices to be where they are today, teaching me to never give up and believe in yourself. This could be the story of many kids across the United States.  However, one of the things that separates myself from others is my experience with CGA.

In the spring of 2016, I participated in a service trip to Rivas, Nicaragua to teach at a school for children with disabilities. During the trip, I learned how fortunate I am to live where I live and have what I have, but most of all, I learned that to be happy, someone doesn’t have to have the newest IPhone, skis, etc. Instead, all people want is to know that someone else actually cares about them, and that there is someone out there willing to help. This year, I am preparing to go on another service trip, this time to Cambodia. While there, my group and I will be doing all kinds of work at the Cooperation of Peace Organization Orphanage in Phnom Penh along with teaching and tutoring at several schools in the slums. I chose to go on this trip, because I had have learned some things about its past. In the 1970s, Cambodia’s government was overthrown by a communist regime called the Khmer Rouge. During its reign, the Khmer Rouge massacred countless lives and struck terror into the survivors until 1979. Horrified by this reality, I am also inspired by the people of Cambodia who have still persevered through their lives. I am very excited to meet and help these people, because I’m certain I will not meet many more people as grateful as them. I want to help these people so they have a little bit more hope in their lives. In addition to the service aspect of the trip, I am looking forward to the cultural experience from being in a completely continent with a different language, religion, and history. I am very excited to be a part of CGA for a second year. On this trip, I want to gain more knowledge about what it’s like to be selfless. I want to see happiness in someone’s eyes, and know that they don’t have to think about their troubles for a while.  

Blog 3 on Trip

I believe that one of the best feelings in the world is to teach someone something. It doesn’t matter what you teach them or who it is, but to know that they have learned something and they appreciate it is amazing. I have learned this so far on our trip, and I think that most of my fellow students would agree.

            On Wednesday, I taught in the classroom for students with multiple disabilities. My brother, David, had been in the classroom the day before and told me that I might have trouble with the class and that the students could frustrate me. I found out that that was true and false at the same time. The students would answer and they would understand, but it was hard to get their attention sometimes. I was the only one teaching the class, but I had the help of one of our translators, Mario. At first, I had almost no idea what to do, but once I asked them a few questions and learned their skill level, I figured out what to do. I was really happy to see them look at me, listen to me, and write it down in their note books, because as a small younger brother, I haven’t had very many people learn from me and respect me that way. My lessons were mostly about shapes, colors, and math, although I think they liked math the best. I helped them with simple addition and very basic subtraction by drawing dots and then erasing or adding a few. I’m proud to say that I think most of the students improved their math skills at least a little bit.

            Today, Thursday, I taught in the class for younger kids with autism. The thing about learning with autism is that while people who don’t have a disability can learn really well in

 at least one way (visual, verbal, kinesthetic) and okay in the other ways, people with autism learn okay in one way and not so well in the other ways. So today, when I was working with certain students, I had to find the one way that they learned well. For example, if I was teaching a shape, I would show the shape and say its name over and over again or I would draw the shape and write the name under it. For kinesthetic learners, I would give them the shape to hold and feel and say the name. At first, it made me very frustrated, but once I started smiling and having fun with it, it was much better. The teacher, Nora, was very nice and helped me a lot. It was a very good day and I’m sad that it is our last full day of teaching.

            I’ve met some amazing people on this trip and I’m very grateful. I can’t believe this week has gone by so fast; I wish it could be longer so I could spend more time in this incredible place.