I Am a Humanitarian
My first humanitarian mission abroad.
Recently, I got the opportunity to check off a huge item off not only my own bucket list but also my girlfriend’s. Our mutual item: to take part in a humanitarian mission to a third-world country to help children.
Through a good friend, I became involved with a non-profit foundation my company created that leads missions across the United States and the world specifically focused on aiding children. Soon I found myself on my first missions: fixing up children clubs and support organizations across the country. With that I was hooked. I spoke of my experiences often and with an energy that told people that I had found a passion in my life that I was truly embracing. But not long thereafter, that same friend came to me with a new challenge. The mission: travel to Central America and help in the construction of a children’s school using recycled materials. Challenge accepted.
Over the next several months, we fund raised to meet our goal of getting a small, local team to include my girlfriend down to Central America. The time was well spent as four of us boarded the plane for a long flight south. I really couldn’t tell who was more excited: the other two for just getting out of the country for a while, my girlfriend knowing she was checking an item off her bucket list and breaking in her new passport, or me… with an engagement ring hiding in my backpack.
After a long flight, we were finally in country and at our hotel; meeting the rest of the international team of volunteers and getting briefed on our mission. The energy among us all was vibrant to say the lease. The nature of our purpose, the eagerness to get going, the positive outlook for the tasks at hand; the goodwill of it all… just vibrant.
The next morning, after a hearty meal of familiar meals with local flavor, we began our drive out to the remote village; the whole ride feeling like an eternity in anxiousness to arrive. Then finally after two hours, our local guide says it in the best English he could, “We are here.” As we stepped off the bus, we were greeted with the smiling faces of the local children we were building the school for as well as their parents and teachers. They regaled us in music and dance to praise us in thanks for the work we have come to do and the futures we were helping to provide this generation.
Soon thereafter we were down the hill and gazing upon the crumbling ruins of the old school and the success of the new school thus far from prior volunteers. So we didn’t waste any time. With water bottles full, gloves and boots on, and determination at the ready, we got to work. The volunteers before us got the beams, wall, and roof in place. Now it was our task to finish the walls as well as mix and lay the concrete to serve as the floor. For the next few days, the sun and humidity as well as the work tested our strength and endurance; but the hearts of the righteous proved the victor over the elements every time.
We were now ahead of schedule. So as a treat and vote of thanks, our local guide treated us to a day at the local ancient ruins… the day I was nervously awaiting for. With my backpack and hidden treasure inside, we all began our trip and hike into the ruins to learn of the ancient culture and their architectural achievements. But it was one in particular that I eagerly awaited to see, the twin temples that symbolized the unity between man and woman. Having already quietly gone around the team to tell them of my plan, we eventually made our way to the temples where in front of the whole team; I pulled the ring from my pack, dropped to one knee, and asked my girlfriend to be the peace and strength I needed for the rest of my life. After letting the shock wear-off, she finally agreed with a high-pitched “yes”. Now with my new fiancé by my side, we headed back to the school to finish what we all had come to do.
By the week’s end, we had completed our section of the school and even prepped the areas for the next team that would be arriving in the coming weeks. We then spent the rest of our final day in the village playing with the children; giving them the encouragement and positivity they require at such a young age. But as the sun began to touch the mountain tops, we all knew that we had to start saying our goodbyes. It was hard to hug all those kids one last time and to give a wave as we stepped back onto the bus without getting emotional. It proved even harder when the children started crying themselves and chasing after the bus as we pulled away.
Looking back on this incredible adventure, our lives were all changed for the better: the memories made, the friendships created, the futures brightened, and the outlooks of our living conditions changed when compared to theirs. My fiancé and I are looking forward to raising the funds to go down again and help out with another project. And maybe next time, we can take a few friends from home with us too.
Recently, I got the opportunity to check off a huge item off not only my own bucket list but also my girlfriend’s. Our mutual item: to take part in a humanitarian mission to a third-world country to help children.
Through a good friend, I became involved with a non-profit foundation my company created that leads missions across the United States and the world specifically focused on aiding children. Soon I found myself on my first missions: fixing up children clubs and support organizations across the country. With that I was hooked. I spoke of my experiences often and with an energy that told people that I had found a passion in my life that I was truly embracing. But not long thereafter, that same friend came to me with a new challenge. The mission: travel to Central America and help in the construction of a children’s school using recycled materials. Challenge accepted.
Over the next several months, we fund raised to meet our goal of getting a small, local team to include my girlfriend down to Central America. The time was well spent as four of us boarded the plane for a long flight south. I really couldn’t tell who was more excited: the other two for just getting out of the country for a while, my girlfriend knowing she was checking an item off her bucket list and breaking in her new passport, or me… with an engagement ring hiding in my backpack.
After a long flight, we were finally in country and at our hotel; meeting the rest of the international team of volunteers and getting briefed on our mission. The energy among us all was vibrant to say the lease. The nature of our purpose, the eagerness to get going, the positive outlook for the tasks at hand; the goodwill of it all… just vibrant.
The next morning, after a hearty meal of familiar meals with local flavor, we began our drive out to the remote village; the whole ride feeling like an eternity in anxiousness to arrive. Then finally after two hours, our local guide says it in the best English he could, “We are here.” As we stepped off the bus, we were greeted with the smiling faces of the local children we were building the school for as well as their parents and teachers. They regaled us in music and dance to praise us in thanks for the work we have come to do and the futures we were helping to provide this generation.
Soon thereafter we were down the hill and gazing upon the crumbling ruins of the old school and the success of the new school thus far from prior volunteers. So we didn’t waste any time. With water bottles full, gloves and boots on, and determination at the ready, we got to work. The volunteers before us got the beams, wall, and roof in place. Now it was our task to finish the walls as well as mix and lay the concrete to serve as the floor. For the next few days, the sun and humidity as well as the work tested our strength and endurance; but the hearts of the righteous proved the victor over the elements every time.
We were now ahead of schedule. So as a treat and vote of thanks, our local guide treated us to a day at the local ancient ruins… the day I was nervously awaiting for. With my backpack and hidden treasure inside, we all began our trip and hike into the ruins to learn of the ancient culture and their architectural achievements. But it was one in particular that I eagerly awaited to see, the twin temples that symbolized the unity between man and woman. Having already quietly gone around the team to tell them of my plan, we eventually made our way to the temples where in front of the whole team; I pulled the ring from my pack, dropped to one knee, and asked my girlfriend to be the peace and strength I needed for the rest of my life. After letting the shock wear-off, she finally agreed with a high-pitched “yes”. Now with my new fiancé by my side, we headed back to the school to finish what we all had come to do.
By the week’s end, we had completed our section of the school and even prepped the areas for the next team that would be arriving in the coming weeks. We then spent the rest of our final day in the village playing with the children; giving them the encouragement and positivity they require at such a young age. But as the sun began to touch the mountain tops, we all knew that we had to start saying our goodbyes. It was hard to hug all those kids one last time and to give a wave as we stepped back onto the bus without getting emotional. It proved even harder when the children started crying themselves and chasing after the bus as we pulled away.
Looking back on this incredible adventure, our lives were all changed for the better: the memories made, the friendships created, the futures brightened, and the outlooks of our living conditions changed when compared to theirs. My fiancé and I are looking forward to raising the funds to go down again and help out with another project. And maybe next time, we can take a few friends from home with us too.
41-45, M
