http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jeridolp/1/1252077854/tpod.html

Volunteer for goGHA.org

A lesson that is being repeatedly pounded into me while traveling:
plans are pointless. Last night was a perfect example. The plan: to
collect, move, and save turtle eggs from poachers and the various
wildlife that drastically reduce their chances of survival. Reality:
something quite different, but equally as important.Five of us left Boquete for a dock just outside of David around 1 p.m.
yesterday. After stopping at the store to pick up supplies for the
night, we arrived at a dock settled into the mangroves and surrounded
by vultures. There our group formed - the five of us, a biologist from
the U.S./Columbia and his girlfriend, and three local Panamanian men.
We loaded our group and our gear onto a modest local fishing boat and
headed out. After a bit of negotiation through the mangroves, we were
out in open water. Beautiful views of the surrounding islands, a
colorful skyline and endless waters surrounded us. If that wasn’t
enough, soon Dolphins were jumping in the distance. With a slight
change of direction, we headed their way. It always amazes me how much
dolphins love to play.

 They swam beside our boat, almost close enough
to touch, surfacing and diving for almost 15 minutes. The biologist
jumped in to play, but the dolphins weren´t interested.Along the way our driver flagged down a passing fishing boat. We
pulled up next to it, passed them a bucket, they filled it with fish,
and off we went. One of the Panamanian men immediately set to
preparing the fish that would eventually be our dinner. After about 45
minutes we arrived at the island that would serve as our home base.
The entire island was comprised of three thatched roof palapas near
the shore, one larger, very rustic structure set back about 200 yards
from the beach, various crops, two dogs, and one older gentleman. We
unpacked the boat and settle into the man’s home – the two story, one
room, rustic, open structure. Soon enough the sun was setting, the
tunes were playing, and the fish was cooking. A car battery attached
to a light bulb hung in a half gallon milk container provided our only
light. After dinner, the Panamanian men set to playing the guitar and
singing while we laid back in hammocks and makeshift beds. A few fell
asleep, but my busy surroundings kept me awake. Just past midnight the
biologist let us know that it was time to go.We headed down to the shore and boarded the boat. After cutting across
the open water, we entered the mangroves once again. Because the
openings were so small, two men navigated from the front of the boat,
yelling directions back to the driver. An almost full moon lit up the
night enough to clearly make out our surroundings. Thick jungle,
mangroves, and forest mixed together around us, often times hanging
down into the boat. We were instructed to dodge everything because of
the dangerous and plentiful wildlife that could be in the trees -
boas, coral snakes, vipers, etc. As we inched through the mangroves
with the full moon shining above, it felt like a scene straight from
an adventure movie.  The boat ride lasted for almost an hour, but soon
enough we arrived at another island.

We left the boat, which was
supposed to pick us up on the other side after a two hour beach walk.
Our walk began at 1:23 a.m.We ventured down the beach with the light reflecting off of the ocean,
excited to find turtles. After climbing across twigs and branches to
cross one estuary, and walking for about an hour we came upon the
thing we least wanted to see – a freshly slain turtle. A poacher had
beat us to the chase, leaving behind only the shell and head of a once
beautiful animal.  We photographed the remains, intending to submit
them to the newspaper upon our return, and sullenly continued.

About an hour and a half later we were still walking – the beach seemed to
stretch on forever. We came to an estuary too wide to climb across and
removed our shoes and rolled up our pants to continue. Once across,
the Panamanian men wanted to burn a stretch of beach drift wood that
was blocking the tree line. They said is hindered the turtles’ ability
to lay eggs. We stopped and laid in the sand while they tried to
ignite a fire. After many failed attempts and many newly acquired
mosquito bites, we moved on. Our hopes of finding live turtles were
dwindling. As the moon set on the horizon, the stars above magnified,
and the night´s complete darkness set in with the same intensity as
our tiredness. I don’t think I have ever been able to see more stars
in the night’s sky, and although we were all exhausted it was still a
magical time. Another hour or so of walking and we all reconvened.
They instructed us to walk quickly through the thick, grass field
ahead in a single file line. Apparently this reduced our chances of
coming into contact with dangerous wildlife. Once we reached the
opposite side, the boat was finally in sight. As we climbed in, I
asked for the time – 5:37 a.m. It had been a LONG night. We were
steered off into the darkness of the ocean, and I began to drift in
and out of  sleep. As the sun rose, we slept – on the floor, in the hammocks, and in beds
made of the tables and chairs. Around 10 a.m., when we all awoke, the
men went out to the nearby crops and picked green beans and corn,
which they used to make a thick soup with rice. The hot sun blazed in
the sky, but the hot soup was filling and much appreciated. Around
noon when the tide was right for our departure, we boarded the boat
once again and headed back. Soon after our arrival at the dock, the
biologist informed us that the news was coming. They wanted to hear
our story.

During our miles and miles of walking on the beach, without a single
egg saved, I felt discouraged. But now I have come to a different
conclusion. We set out to help protect the turtles, and that is what
we did. The main Panamanian news station played our story on the
evening news last night and will likely repeat it tonight. Although we
didn´t save any eggs, the publicity that our excursion brought to the
issue is equally helpful. I´ve learned that the officials here are not
quick to believe stories of  poaching. Our photos and story provide
hard evidence, which I am hopeful will improve the response. Even
though it was a small step, it was still a step, and I´m glad I got to
be a part of it. Rebecca Noreen - Volunteer for goGHA

A GHA Volunteer Experience:
 
A Beautiful Chain - Five Degrees of Separation

 
Yesterday morning I took a bag of clothes to an orphanage just outside
of town. I left them with one of the women who cares for the children.
This morning I went back and found at least five of the children
running around in the clothes from my bag. It was beautiful - seeing
their smiling faces in the clothes I’d brought them. Only the clothes
weren’t from me. They had traveled, from one orphan to another.
 
The bag of clothes was given to me by a friend visiting from the
States. I met him about a month ago in Costa Rica. He was supposed to
return to San Jose to fly home the following day, but after flipping a
coin decided to head to Panama with me. After three weeks of traveling
together, he returned to the States. One week later he decided to
return to Panama. He knew I was volunteering at an orphanage and
asked what he could bring from home. He flew from LA to Mexico City to
Panama City with a bag of his younger sister’s clothes. We carried
this bag with us across Panama to the Kuna Yala Islands in his pack,
and then transferred it into mine, which I carried to Boquete once he
left.
 
If you look back a bit further, the story is even better. His younger
sister is from Russia. She was adopted into his family last year.
His parents flew to Russia to adopt their baby girl, giving
her a new chance and a new life. The clothes his mom packed in the bag
were the clothes his sister had worn and outgrown.
 
Now the clothes that clothed one adopted baby girl are with a whole
new set of orphans. Hopefully, the children who now wear these clothes
will eventually have a new chance and a new life as well. For now,
they have a new set of clothes - from me, from Chris, from his mother,
from their adopted baby girl from Russia. The five degrees of
separation that comprise this chain link one orphan from Russia to a
group of orphans in Panama. Turns out that making a difference can be
as easy as flipping coin.

 -Rebecca Noreen, Volunteer for goGHA

I arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica, after an extremely long day of flight delays. But, all that did not matter now… I was here. What had spurred the dream had come full circle.  I quickly got a cab, and headed for my hostel. My driver did not speak English, and I had not spoken Spanish in over 2 yrs… But somehow we made it work. Instead of the hostel, I ended up at the bus station headed for Panama 10 hrs. ahead of schedule. Little did I know that this is how the rest of the trip would go… ahead of (my) schedule! I later arrived in Boquete, Panama about 27 hrs after leaving LA.

I was greeted by my friend, Tatiana, and welcomed to Boquete, Panama. Everyone here was so eager to introduce me to their ¨Panama¨. I spent the next 4 weeks networking, and getting to know the area, along with the problems and issues that are the reality of so many.  

We explored the surrounding hillsides of the town, and found the extremely primitive lives of the local indigenous.  They live in mere shacks, with dirt floors, and no running water or electricity.  They work the steep fields to make in one month what most of us make each day.  During one excursion, we came upon a young girl… her laundry spread out on a log along the creek, the outhouse - just a hole surrounded only on 2 sides with an old tarp and some plastic bags. She was 15 and with child, I still can’t fathom her reality, but I know that we can make it BETTER ! 

 We spent another day with Casa Esperanza, a local organization that provides supplemental education for the indigenous children, we worked with the Readers 2 Leaders literacy program.  What an AMAZING experience, they may lack money and things… but, they have replace those voids with love and enthusiasm !

Another day, we participated in the Amigos Por Los Ninos program at Casa Hogar Trisker, a government orphanage.  This was a truly humbling experience…  These children were not only without money and things, but also without family.  Children of all ages, from infants to middle school all living together, without.  We spent what little time we had simply interacting and playing with each one, trying to make that day a little better than before.  They are in dire need of facility improvements and outdoor activities.  From this visit, several programs are now in planning.

I had planned this portion of my trip for relaxing and getting myself ready for the rest or the trip… Wow! how my plans changed, preparing me for more than I ever imagined ! 

Join with goGHA.org today to see how your plans will change, and prepare yourself for a BETTER tomorrow for you and for those that you help.

- Robb Pickett  Los Angeles, California

I am so blessed that I have been able to serve in many different ways in Honduras and Mexico. I have been to Mexico on 8 separate trips to build houses in the card board city, and Honduras twice to do medical trips.

My experience in both countries is that whether you are causing excruciating pain by pulling multiple teeth, or building a house for a family that is smaller than one room in most houses, the people are beyond grateful. I have never met a culture as a whole who was so incredible happy with the little bit that they had. They live in the poorest of conditions, their whole houses are literally made of cardboard and they bathe and use the bathroom where ever they can find a pit on the side of the road. Most of there money is taken by dirty politicians. Most of the workers are not guaranteed work consistently, and if they get a job it pays a lot less then minimum wage.

One of the most touching experiences I had was when our team went back to Mexico for the second time. The family that we had built the first home for had remembered us. She very proudly invited us in to the tiny one room home and then proceeded to feed all ten of us that were there empanadas. They had no money and little food, but what they had they insisted on sharing with us to show the immense gratitude they felt for us, who in our eyes had provided them very little, but in there eyes a whole new world with endless possibilities!

I am so incredibly excited for the next trip that touches my heart and I know that that trip will be with Global Humanitarian Adventures! When will you let a whole culture touch your heart?See what a difference just one can make and see how changed you will be after.

- Chelsea Braley, Vail, Colorado

DONATE to GHA

You just never know when you will have a moment in your life that will make you change the way you think and alter you in a way you may not feel comfortable with. The other day I went to go spend some time with the babies at a center for children in Boquete, Panama. When I arrived I was introduced to a sweet baby named Jaqueline. At that time she was six weeks old and only weighed a little over five pounds. She was struggling to keep her life. I asked about the history of this sweet innocent child and I was informed that the mother was eleven years old when she got pregnant by her own father.

Later on that afternoon, a young girl walked up to me and asked me for Jaqueline. She informed me it was time for her to eat. I handed over the baby to her and asked her if it would be okay if I came with her. I wanted to go with her because I thought, I am twenty-six years old and I do not know if I would know exactly what to do with a newborn premature baby in my arms that was depending on me to survive. We walked into the back room and as this child started to breastfeed this baby, my heart was torn. At first I thought, this is not fair! She did not choose this. This is not her responsibility. She should not have to care for this child at this point in her life. She was not even a teenager!

Then I started to think about the benefits that her taking on this responsibility would provide for both her and the child. The baby would obtain a better immune system by having breast milk and it would also help the mothers body go back to normal. I also thought the more time Jaqueline spent in someone’s arms, the more love and acceptance she would feel into this world. I mean the reality was, this was her mother. Her only real mother and we all need the love and support from our creators, no matter what the situation may be.

The reality is life is not perfect. I am not perfect. You are not perfect and life happens. What is important is how we choose to deal with what we have been dealt. This experience with Jaqueline and her mother taught me something very important. It taught me that even though it may be difficult for us to accept, God has a plan for each one of us. God did not make a mistake when he gave life to Jaqueline, nor to any other child that has come into this world. Although this situation saddened me because in my heart I feel what her father did to her was not fair, I am still able to love an accept him because he was not a mistake either. No one is. We are all here for a reason. We all have purpose to fulfill in our lives and sometimes we have to make big mistakes in order for us to learn our lessons.
It is my hope and prayer that each one of you are manifesting your hopes & dreams and believing in the endless possibilities that there are in this world.

It is my hope that you are making good decisions for not only your future, but for the future of others. It is my hope that you have peace and joy in your hearts. That you are all surrounded by love. That you will become who God designed you to be.

Find your passions. Create your vision. Make it happen. The sky is the limit.

-Kaytee Hoverson, Founder & CEO Unexpected Moments of Magic Foundation

“I stopped an old man along the way, hoping to find some long forgotten words or ancient melodies, he turned to me as if to say, hurry boy, it’s waiting there for you.”

Those may seem like mere lyrics to an 80’s song, but when I hear Africa by Toto, it brings a smile to my face because in some way I knew Africa was waiting there for me … and I for her.  In the summer 2005, I was given the opportunity to travel to East Africa to be a part of a short-term missionary team.  The main goals of the team was to assist in the construction of several metal roofs, to provide children’s programs for the local kids and to, of course, build relationships with the people of Africa.  One of our stops was at Starehe Children’s Home in Mwanza, Tanzania.  Unlike America, where babies are “oohed” and “ahhed” over, most of the children we met in Mwanza were seen as inconveniences … not blessings, but burdens.  It was an amazing experience to spend a week with these wonderful children and their tireless caregivers.  We spent our limited time at Starehe teaching the songs and words and colors, but most of all, teaching them that they are loved and important to this world.

Right before I left for Africa, my mom told me about an experience she had with my grandmother, who passed away just months before I was born.  In her last days, she spoke of a dream she’d had of a young girl, holding and surrounded by children of a “darker color.”  My mom and family had no idea what this meant, but felt the need to share this with my upon my depature.  Soon after we arrived back to the states, a fellow team members shared a picture she had taken of me “covered” in some of the children from Starehe.  (I like to call it the human jungle gym.)  I will never forget that day … Kalisa on my back, and all the other children just waiting to be held and played with.  It’s like they’d been waiting there for me all along.  That will be one of the most precious moments of my life.

I was once a part of an African “tribe” of bright young orphans in Tanzania.  I am now a part of GHA … where will it take you?

- Laura Witter

DONATE to GHA

“This will be the worst hurricane in America’s history, with catastrophic consequences,” the voice from the television announced.  At that moment I could not imagine the devastation that was coming.  This storm would change everything.

I wanted to be there, and I wanted to help… but how?  

I decided to join the American Red Cross and was trained in logistical support.  For the next two months I contributed to the American Red Cross efforts in Alabama then Florida. That is when my life changed.

I was speechless as I drove down streets where neighborhoods once stood, now just memories.  Even some of the debris had been taken away by the storm’s force.  There were houses on tops of cars and even appliances on top of houses.  It wasn’t until I witnessed it first hand that I felt helplessness overcome me.  To see it on television was one thing, but to physically be there brought a solemn chill over me.  My sense of reality will never be the same.

However, I wasn’t alone in my desire to help.  There were tens of thousands of volunteers, eager to help make life less difficult for those affected.  We had found a way to help those in need right here at home, and now I have found a way to help those in need around the world as a part of GHA.

- D. Robert Pickett