5 months and 20 days later my fundraising for my
trip to Morocco is complete. Thank you all so much for your support over the
past 3 years to help me meet these goals!
The times I have been scared in a foreign country have never been because of any “danger” I have felt, the fear expressed by my family and community. The
misconception of 3rd world countries being dangerous is one of the
reasons why I continue to travel with CGA to break this stigma strung them. My
fear surrounds failure. I fear in Morocco to not be a good enough teacher,
leader, friend, or peer; to not be the best that I can be to the kids who
deserve it most. Fear can prevent life.
It takes away moments that could be magical but are never experienced. For some
it prevents them from doing this; stepping out into the unknown, exploring an
unfamiliar world. For me, my fears have taken away the pleasure and simplicity
of living in the moment. There is always a certain level of anxiety experienced
when you are outside of your comfort zone. In previous years this anxiety has
prevented me from coloring outside the lines and enjoy the beauty of being a
teacher while learning more than the students. The ability to appreciate these
lessons, embrace the unknown, and accept change is one of my goals for this
trip.
With that, confidence
is what I aim to embody. Throughout the years I have learned that
self-confidence is the key to success during these trips. To be able to stand
up in front of a class full of students who don’t speak English, don’t have a
sense of respect for you, and teach them a lesson without confidence is
impossible, but with it everything is possible. Being able to express this
trait throughout these trips has allowed me to gain confidence in uncharted
territory and present the best version of myself. Not only do I aim to be
confident in myself but to have confidence in others. Being a part of the first
Morocco trip means that my team will dictate its future. In order for this trip
to continue we will all need to trust each other, know that each of us will do
our best to maximize the performance of our group. We need to have the ability
to face and conquer challenges together. Trust will be the foundation of this
trip, and with it we will be able to build an incredible program. Trip to trip,
some things have remained the same. The sheer joy that fills the atmosphere
when we first meet the kids, the enduring love that grows with every day, and
lessons I have learned is what makes these trips extraordinary. I can’t wait to
continue this journey with Children’s Global Alliance in Morocco.
