My dream trip is actually happening!

In two weeks I will embark on what I consider to be my dream trip: Enriching with Esperanza. I say this with excitement because when I think of giving back I of course take into consideration all communities but more specifically communities where I have had first hand experience living in. This is how I feel about being able to volunteer in Dominican Republic. This beautiful country represents my entire family. It is where both of my parents where born and raised and where I lived for one year when I was six years old. I have always felt great pride in being Dominican. The culture, the atmosphere, the geography, the people, the list goes on and on. I attended First grade in Dominican Republic so I got to experience the education system in the small town of Moca first hand. To say that is so different from the education system in the United States is an understatement. To name just a few minor differences in first grade I was only allowed to write in cursive and one of my classes was learning how to sew. I could go on with differences but the point is I am glad I got the experience even if it did take me a while to adjust. It was in High School that I decided I wanted to be an educator for the rest of my life, and it was in High School that I started to think that one day I wanted to go back to Dominican Republic to do more than just visit my family. I wanted to go back to give back to a country that has done so much for my family and I. More specifically I knew I wanted to do something that involved education and schools , because man do I love the kids! I am so grateful to say that is what I will be doing in two weeks. It excites me even more that everyone going on the trip has never been to Dominican Republic. I cannot wait to share my love for this country with everyone!
-Melissa Rosario

"No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it." Albert Einstein

When tasked with determining my 'dream ABP trip', I began to think of places I wan to travel to and social issues I have yet to work with. I reflected on my past trips and thought about what made them so impactful. I then realized that it is the transformative experience that occurs within each participant which truly distinguishes an Alternative Break trip. 

We journey together to an unfamiliar community, eager to be agents of change, but not quite fully understanding what that means. We are immersed in a new space, simultaneously giving and learning. Our team's resiliency is often challenged as kinship develops within the group and with the outside community. As we learn about systems of oppression, meet individuals facing social issues and ally with organizations doing good work, something changes. Our consciousness is heightened, and we realize that our week long volunteer trip means more. We're taught to abandon previous assumptions and are left questioning what we once accepted at face value. Alternative Break isn't a week off but rather a week on. 

My dream trip doesn't involve traveling to a specific destination or working with a new, innovative nonprofit. My dream ABP trip involves a heightened of consciousness developed after a week of building relationships and learning from a community we have served. It is through this increased awareness that we can reapproach social issues and work towards creating solutions. 

Dream Trip

My dream trip in volunteerism would be to travel to South Africa and volunteer within any impoverished communities. I would like to go there for 6-12 weeks and provide food aid. It would be awesome to work with an organization that is able to provide food to those in need in some of these communities. I would like to speak with people in these communities and learn more about their lives and professions.  I want to take an interest in their life so that they recognize that many people in the world care. Hunger is such a major issue and it greatly affects many people. I want to have some effect on this issue.

Additionally, during my time I would like to help figure out ways that we can help the community to be sustainable and have businesses that can provide income to those in the community. I want to have an effect on their livelihood for the rest of their lives not just during the time that I am there volunteering.

My Dream Trip

There is something so moving about organizations that work with victims of human trafficking. It takes another kind of mentor, another kind of individual, another kind of change agent. These people have seen it all. They have faced the utmost of victimization. They still have a glimmer of hope to continue moving forward. I would love to help women who have escaped the sex trade create their own businesses, opportunities for their families, and new lives for themselves. This is my dream. This is my trip. 

With love, 

Casey 

ABP is Incredible

Alternative Break Program is an awesome way to volunteer and connect with others. I have had the chance to participate in two trips and lead a trip. I'm looking forward to participating in my third trip as a participant this Spring. There are many great events that ABP puts on each year before and during trips that allow us to be a community as well. This is an opportunity that should be considered.

Having Fun

My mom gave me some great advice a couple of years ago. She told me to “have fun.” This seems extremely simple and like something that you would easily want to do but as you get busy and stress, sometimes you forget this simple, important part of life. Having fun builds memories, reduces stress, and brings laughter. Fun can be lunch with friends, watching a movie, playing sports, telling a joke, or going to a theme park. Sometimes we have to find time for fun in life because it makes experiences richer.

Having fun in so many good ways is a great part of life.