There were a lot of resources and it was organized on the website very well. It’s hard to miss anything which I really appreciated. The local team was very caring. They truly want you to feel comfortable! The kids were truly the best and welcomed me into their lives with open arms. They are kind, resilient, have so much energy and an infectious laughter that filled each day with joy and purpose. Every moment spent with these kids was a reminder of the incredible capacity we all have to uplift one another. The connections I built with the kids, teachers and locals was something I’ll always remember.
The advice I would give to someone joining this program is to take it day by day. There will be days that are hard especially adjusting from being away from home. Be patient with yourself and don’t compare yourself to the other volunteers. The more open minded you are the more fun you will have. I got sick mid way through the program and at first I was really down on myself, I felt like I was missing out and it put me into a slump. Once I changed my mindset and allowed myself to rest, my energy shifted. By the end of the program I didn’t want to go home. Overall my advice is to cherish every moment, even the ones that may be hard because so much growth comes from it.
