Bekah’s Volunteer Trip to Nicaragua

Hello there everyone and welcome friends, family and new friends passing through the page!

For those of you that don't know me, my name is Bekah Jaynes. I am currently a graduating senior at California State University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona). I will be graduating in June with a B.A. in Sociology and I couldn't be more excited and nervous! It has been the most amazing experience here in college, however, as this chapter comes to a close it is almost time for me to start the next one! I have faith that this next chapter is going to be just as remarkable, because I am going to be starting with an amazing volunteer trip in Nicaragua!

As some of you already know, August of 2014, I was able to go on a life-changing volunteer trip in Costa Rica with the amazing organization, EDventure International. I have several of you who are reading this now to thank for helping me make that amazing dream a reality, so thank you again. We spent 3 wonderful weeks, working hard, learning lots and making some unforgettable memories as we worked doing turtle conservation through La Tortuga Feliz and LAST (Latin American Sea Turtle Association), as well as doing some community and conservation work with a local family owned cacao farm, La Iguana Chocolate. It was the most amazing and inspiring three weeks of my life and that trip sent my life down an unexpected road, but one that I am so excited to be going down now. The start of that road is going on another trip with EDventure after graduation, however this time it is to Nicaragua. This time around we will be working with a local project in Playa Gigante, Project Woo, to help implement various health initiatives and programs into the community, as well as, working in the local schools teaching the students!

Due to a poor economy, a fractures political system, an extreme draught and several other issues, Nicaragua remains one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere, which has caused it to struggle to develop as rapidly, and as throughly as many of its neighboring countries. With many of the incomes in the rural communities being heavily burdened by the draught, many have found it difficult to provide for their families, and because of this, education and good health practices have become a real challenge for many of these communities. As participants in this EDventure program, we will be "receiving guidance from local educators in our partner organization, Project Woo, who are based in Playa Gigante, and will provide support for you on how to assist in planning and delivering educational initiatives to promote good health through community workshops, as well as support broader school-based learning in the classroom. Every day, in some way, you will get to provide locals with the opportunity to progress a little farther in their pursuit of an improved way of life and learning."

I personally couldn't be more excited to have this amazing opportunity to work with these local communities and schools. This trip is going to be such an incredible learning opportunity and start to the next year of my life, because after my EDventure trip, I plan on staying in Nicaragua to spend a year teaching English. English is becoming a more and more valuable asset for many Nicaraguans in order for them to grow in their various professions, so I couldn't be more excited to be part of something so awesome. This EDventure program is going to be a great chance for me to practice my teaching skills, as well as, to get a feel for the country before I dive head-first into the next year.

Now, I cannot stress enough how much volunteer trips, especially ones abroad, can help one grow as a person, how much they can positively impact your life, or that the friends you make on the trip can truly become friends that you will have for the rest of your life! You can end up learning far more from the people you are helping than you could ever help them and they really are just the most amazing experience. Unfortunately, however they tend to come with a bit of a price tag that isn't nearly as nice! Which is the reason for this page. Everyone was so generous for my last trip, it warmed my heart more than words can say and I cannot say how grateful I am. Again, I couldn't have done it without you all, and the same is true this time around. So, if you are interested in helping me make this dream of mine a little bit easier to reach, any little bit is appreciated more than words can say! It many not seem like much to you, but it helps more than you could possibly imagine. Plus, there will most likely be some thank you surprises coming your way for those of you who donate!

Thanks again so much in advance for you donation, although any advice, prayers, or good wishes, are equally as appreciated :) Any little bit truly helps more than you could ever imagine!

I hope you have a great day! Thanks for stopping by! Pura Vida!

Warmest regards and best wishes,
Bekah

"You make a living by what you get, you make a life by what you give" -Winston Churchill

P.S. if you want to take a better look at all the amazing things that EDventure is doing across the world, please check out their website. They are an amazing organization, filled with incredible people, doing remarkable things! I highly recommend looking into them if you want to volunteer abroad!
http://www.edventureintl.com/