I don’t want to worry about the future anymore, I just want to deal with everybody else’s problems but my own.
Another break down, another night in tears, all I wanted to do was make him proud, but instead I got a text from an ex.
So I’ll escape, I’ll board a plane to Chicago or Detroit but end up in Atlanta instead, make my way back up to Memphis before settling in Aberdeen for a week, and then I’ll trace my steps back to Manchester.
I’ll take care of her and him and them, try to wear myself out every day, so I can fall asleep every night.
~A.G. 3/2/19
#thegreatoutwards are ready to Rock this #camping #servicetrip @thecampgrace #gratefulgirls #acupfulofgrateful #acupfulofgrateful #fall2018 #familyfun #atladventures (at Camp Grace) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo2q_nql6iy/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=v2lfthszaggu
Kids Giving Back - Incorporating Service Into Your Family Travel
Family travel is about more than acquiring stamps on passports, posting Pinterest - Instagram worthy pictures and bragging rights as the most traveled - cultured folks. Kids Alive International service team trips allow families to personally make a difference in the lives of at-risk children in countries around the world. They currently have locations offering service opportunities in:
Kenya,
Zambia,
Haiti,
Peru,
Guatemala
and the Dominican Republic.
The goal is work together to accomplish a specific service project at a Kids Alive Site. That may include minor home repair, construction, medical – dental care, child care, education including camps (music, art, drama), tutoring, training and workshops. While the official Kids Alive minimum age for participants is 13, my family participated in a personalized service team with our four children whom were all under 13 years of age at that time and our youngest was just 3 years old. Coat is a major obstacle to families participating is community service while traveling. The kids Alive website cost per person is from $840 - $1200 (not including airfare) for in country costs (projects, food - lodging and local transportation). Sightseeing can be arranged at additional cost. As our family traveled with toddlers, we coordinated our trip directly with the staff at the Constanza site and our cost was reflective of a team with 4 kids. Kids alive worked with us to make this trip affordable for our family, while still making a huge impact on their work.
How we raised funds:
As a family of 6, we realized that we would need to incorporate fundraising in order to make this trip a reality. I created the “Love Does” T-shirt’s pictured below and shared with family and friends whom were interested in supporting us. They were a huge success.
In addition, I created an amazon wish list which included over the counter medications, school supplies and sports equipment. Family and friends purchased the items online and they were shipped directly to us.
What we did while there:
Kids alive also works to help the children in their orphanage heal from trauma and abuse. They’re Trauma Competent Caregivers (TTC) and are given the tools to be more than just compassionate toward the children that they are serving, but rather be completely competent in understanding and raising children with a history of trauma, neglect and abuse.
We used our individual talents to provide support and training at the Kids Alive location in Constanza, Dominican Republic. As a psychiatrist, my husband provided workshops, support and training to the Kids Alive House Parents. The kids and I taught English as a Second Language, taekwondo lessons and played games with the kids. The seven days that we spent fully immersed in the rural mountains of the Dominican Republic is our kids favorite family travel trip. I can’t recommend this trip enough. Our family was forever changed by our time at Kids Alive Constanza.
If you wait until you feel ready to take go on an international service trip, you will never go. I urge you to just go. You won’t regret it and you’ll never the the same.
When we traveled: as homeschoolers we were able to take a week off in the middle of the school year and traveled in the early spring which meant more affordable fights for our family of 6.
How we go there: We traveled from CT to NYC and took a direct flight from JFK to Santo Domingo which is the capital of Dominican Republic.
Transportation: Our host family picked us up on a Saturday in Santo Domingo and we drove about 3 hours to the mountain town of Constanza. I traveled with two kids in car seats and the van was able to accommodate their seat belts.
Language used: the primary language of the Dominican Republic is Spanish. While I’m fluent in Spanish, by husband and children are not. Our hosts were fluent in both English and Spanish and our children had no problems communicating with the other children in the school and orphanage.
Where we stayed: The Kid’s Alive facility in Constanza, DR has a house that is used by service teams. Our family stayed in the team home which is located in the community. This provided a full immersion experience for our family and allowed us a quiet place to rest and plan for the next day of service.
Why we incorporate service into our family travel plans: Our kids have been traveling since they were each infants. While I enjoy a relaxing family vacation as much as the next person, giving and service are an integral part of our family values. By giving our family vacation time to serve others, we were able to provide our children with a sense of empathy, compassion and understanding that will shape the way that they see, interact and perceive the world.
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Market this morning! Went on a “walk” into the main town which turned into a strenuous hike that lasted nearly 2 hours. Learning so much about how people in different places live in different ways.
It's #WorldWaterDay and we want to help you, help marine life. If you apply to volunteer with AEI today you get $100 CND off your fees. Just like that! . . . . . . . #liveyourdreams #waterfornature #natureforwater #discount #water #waterlust #travel #cleanwater #conservation #turtles #dolphins #love #serve #missiontrip #servicetrip #turtles #marinelife #marine #sealife #marinebiologist
So excited to reunite with these teen leaders this weekend! I can’t believe our Peru 🇵🇪 trip was last summer and we’re almost back at ACR already! 🤯 See y’all soon!! 🗻🏕 #2019U #tenphotosdoesnotdoitjustice #NationalLeadershipCouncil #NLC #DiscoveryBound #DBNLC #Peru #servicetrip (at Buena Vista, Colorado)
