In only ONE WEEK I will embark on a 13-month adventure in Honduras! I have been waiting for MONTHS to leave..chilling with the parents and sisters.. I could not be more ready, or more sad, to say goodbye. In the last week I have been cramming in spanish lessons with mi amiga y profesora Maria Esther, stocking up on sunscreen, playing laser tag with my sisters and eating all of the food that I will miss so dearly: scotcheroos, costco hotdogs.. and preparing for the beans, rice and Honduran water meal plan.
I am ecstatic to finally begin my Central American experience and look forward to sharing everything with everyone back home: pictures, stories, and thoughts about my year away. PLEASE WRITE TO ME TOO!! (my address/email is at bottom of post). The title of my blog, "yes is a world", comes from one of my favorite e.e. cummings poems (at the bottom of this post if you wish to read it). My goal for this volunteer experience, this year, and my life is to say yes to the world: to challenges, to experience, and to serving others.
WHO I am working for: Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, a catholic organization that provides a permanent home for abandoned or neglected children who live in extreme poverty conditions. The fundamental purpose of the organization, with 8 different homes across Central and South America, is to provide a stable foundation of love, education, healthcare and spiritual formation. Check out nph.org (and feel free to ask me questions about this really amazing organization!).
WHERE I will be living: about an hour outside of the capital of Honduras, Tegucigalpa, on a huge ranch. I have a stash of potent bug spray, and will most likely be a machete master upon my return. The NPH Honduras home, which holds over 550 kids, is located on the 2100-acre Rancho Santa Fe! (But NPH also has facilities in Tegucigalpa for children with severe mental and physical disabilities and a daycare center).
WHAT I will be doing: my official job title is Communications Officer. My day job will consist of photography of daily activities and events, writing newsletters, updating donors, etc. I am stoked for the opportunity to take pictures for my job- make sure to check out all my photos! But I am most excited for my "hogar" or household of children that will become my family throughout the year- through eating meals together, working on the ranch together, and becoming friends on our adventures. The volunteer experience is a total lifestyle commitment: fulfilling my job requirements, serving as a mentor, and being available for all of the kids at all times.. I can't wait!! (although I am definitely concerned about my spanish conversation skills- I'm hoping they are impressed by my ability to point and name all of the food at the dinner table).
WHY I am doing it: to put my French degree to use, to get a high paying job.....right! I am thrilled to learn a new language, understand a new culture, meet amazing people, and of course to travel on my time off. But I truly am looking forward to volunteering abroad, to working with children who are building new families and discovering their potential, and to LEARN as much as I can.
So excited for this journey and to share it with you all. Please stay in touch! Come visit! You are in my thoughts :)
Love,
Hailey
haileyrad3@gmail.com
skype: hailersrad
(address for letters)
Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos
Apdo. Postal 3223
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Central America
| love is a place & through this place of love move (with brightness of peace) all places yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skilfully curled) all worlds -e.e. cummings |
Yep, I'm crying. Miss you Hails. -Chels
ReplyDeleteHailey,
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you are settling in down south. The bugs sound awesome!! Keep up the good work and be careful.
We miss you,
The Schmarrs