Introduction

This all began for me as a solution to the problem of how to travel cheaply. After graduating college I wanted to spend some time abroad, but school debt left me with little money for such a splurge.  Having taken several years of Arabic, I decided to travel to the Middle East to continue studying the language and volunteer.  The volunteering would change my life.

The connection I made with the children in Syrian orphanages and refugees in Lebanon gave me the gift of discovering what I wanted to do in life. I wanted to teach, and I wanted to help.

I've now traveled to over a dozen countries, the most recent being my trip last summer to Peru. I spent my time there working with young girls living in a very modest orphanage in Cuzco. Despite their situation they are some of the most bright and optimistic children I have ever met. Being able to offer them love, support, and encouragement was an indescribable experience to me, one I hope to replicate in my upcoming journey to Ecuador.

After I returned from Peru I began my time at Children's Center of Austin. This past year has afforded me the opportunity to build relationships with my students beyond what I had ever expected. I had no idea how much I would come to love each and every one of them, or how difficult it would be to watch them move up to the next class. But I know this experience will make me better in my future career; counseling children like those in Ecuador who are victims of trauma.

I'm excited by the prospect of being able to build a bridge between the family I have known here at CCOA and the children in Ecuador who need our help. I hope that this project brings better circumstances to those who need them.  I can't wait to show them that even thousands of miles away, there are people who care about them.