Yes, they can!

As I sit here, 30 hours after landing in Nicaragua, my mind swirling with new knowledge and experiences, I am literally speechless. I have spent 100s of hours on the preparatory work leading up to our departure, and this is it, we are here, our student volunteers have been hard at work, and the love beams from the hearts of those special individuals at Escuela Especial.

My role with Children's Global Alliance is active and requires ample critical thinking, the ability to multi-task, and yes, the beauty of motherhood, even with its challenges. We have such a beautiful group of student volunteers, all contributing their special talents, yet all exhibiting areas for growth, which excites me, because it's what I'm passionate about-empowering students rather than enabling them. Strange as it sounds, I love this age group, I love what they have to offer the world, even with the typical adolescent quirks, and to witness them in action is truly a blessing. Our 11 student volunteers are making an impact, they are thinking critically and analyzing the world around them, they are making connections, physically and emotionally, and who would've thought? (besides us) They ARE capable of changing the world, making a difference in others' lives, and I'm so impressed with how they've stepped up to the plate. They, too, are empowered, a little more each day, from organizing our "family" dinners to making home visits with a social worker, where their emotions are rattled beyond one's wildest imagination. It's my job to know when to hold their hand and when to let them go, and when I say "let go," I simply mean "let them go out into the world and live up to their potential."

Okay, so I'm not speechless, but this short & sweet post was from my heart. I encourage you, yes you the reader, to do something extraordinary today, and again tomorrow, and continue this trend forever and always. Strive to be a better person than you were the day before. It's possible.

Much love & gratitude,
Jen