The First Step of my Journey

My name is Karlina Feduschak and I am an 8^th grader at Eagle Valley Middle School.  I have traveled with Children’s Global Alliance (CGA) once before to Nicaragua. I learned so much about myself and life from the children in Nicaragua and the country itself. I appreciate everything I have so much more than before going on the trip. The children barely have anything but all they need is love- to be happy and providing that for them was beyond words. The children didn’t care that we were from a different county and that there was a language barrier between us. They were just ecstatic that they had visitors and people who cared about them. For these children, every day is a new challenge and a struggle. But no matter what, the children always persevere and find the best part in every bad situation. These children are so ( use incredible or/and amazing here), they are so much stronger than any of us, just by living. I have chosen to travel to Cambodia in 2015 because I want to broaden my understanding of who I am and who I want to be, I also want to help other children living in different conditions and do everything I can to make them feel loved and cared for.

I am very athletic and love being outdoors. I play soccer for Vail Valley Soccer Club and Nordic race with Ski Club Vail.  I love hiking, rafting, climbing, skiing, kayaking etc. in the mountains. I am committed (redundant) in things that I am passionate about and persevere through challenging and difficult times. With these qualities I believe I can help the children in Cambodia and hopefully change their lives. I am open to try new foods, learn about new cultures, and experience a whole new life style. This is why I am so thrilled to be traveling with CGA to yet another unbelievable country.

Happy, Sad, Angry, Content

I have so many emotions going through me right now, it is unexplainable how I feel. The past few days have truly been some of the best in my life. One moment that will live in my heart forever is when a little boy named Jose-Andreas didn’t want to leave me. I was in the preschool room on Thursday and played with the kids the whole day. It was nearing the end of the day and I knew I had to walk Jose-Andreas to the bus. Instead, his mother came and was trying to get him to leave. He was practically in tears when his mom tried to pick him up. As she was carrying him out the door, he was reaching back for me. This moment plays back in my mind continuously like a broken record.

            Saying goodbye to all of the children yesterday was incredibly sad. My heart actually felt like it was going to crack and shatter. The deep connections that I have made with these kids have made it that much harder to say goodbye. I had no idea that these children would change the way I saw the world, life, and myself. I am so much more thankful and appreciative for my family, friends, food, water, home, and health. Compared to these kids here my life is a fantasy. I believe with all my heart that these kids, who some Nicaraguans think are burdens, are put on this world to teach us about love, life, and trust more than any other normal person. After saying goodbye yesterday, we cleaned up and left the school shortly after. We are now staying in a large beach house for 2 nights. Despite the beauty, beach and ocean I would rather spend 3 more days with the children then stay here.

Love is the most Powerful Medicine used for Healing

                Love is the most powerful medicine for healing. I’ve learned life lessons since I have arrived in Nicaragua, how I see the world is completely different. I had always known that people lived in harsh conditions but hearing it and seeing it is definitely different.

Countless unforgettable moments have occurred already. Just yesterday I was playing soccer at recess with four boys who are disabled. It was incredible because all they had was a flat basketball, a basketball court and a small soccer goal with no net. Yet they found a way to play with such passion and happiness. Then I realized that this is all they know. They have never played with a real blown up soccer ball or never played on grass, with a net, or cleats. They don’t care, because their love for the game is stronger than any soccer equipment. Despite what little they have, and that it is only recess, they are very competitive. They act exactly like the boys in my grade at recess. They get upset and mad when the other team scores, they are very strict on fowls and celebrate when their team scores. I love that two totally different countries could have the same love towards soccer and commitment to the game. While I was enjoying myself playing soccer I noticed a girl walking towards me.  She was extremely skinny girl with big hair who walked with her arms out to the side of her coming towards me. I recognized her because I had said, “Hola,” to her a few times and hugged her as well. I then realized she was coming over to me to give me a hug. I started walking to her, so I could meet her half way. I was about 7 feet away from her as the flat basketball come hurtling towards her. She just keep walking and didn’t seem to notice. I opened my mouth as if to say something, but then closed it as the ball flew past she and barley touched her arm. I stood there trying not to look stunned that the ball didn’t pummel her, but she gave me the biggest hug I had ever seen anyone give someone. I wrapped my arms around her neck and stood there for a moment feeling incredible. The hug felt like I had just saved her life. She let go of me after a few moments and I just looked at her in disbelief. I didn’t even know her name and I was pretty sure she didn’t know mine but she still decided I was the one she wanted to hug at that moment. I later found out her name was Suluma.

I had unforgettable moments today as well, but the most profound one was the time I spent with a little boy named Victor. He is in kindergarten and has Down syndrome. I didn’t know him before today; I had only remembered him because he was the first kid who hugged me. He is such a happy kid and loves to play. I have so many happy fun moments with him but I remembered a few specifically. It was a while into the day, after lunch and reaching the end of the day. We had played outside for a while, read books, kicked the soccer ball, and drew. I didn’t know what else to do so I picked him up and swung him. I will never in a million years forget the little smile and giggle as half his body flew through the air in a circle. I was feeling so emotions at that moment. I was, of course, extremely happy that he was happy but also made me wonder, does he get this kind of love at home? Then at that exact moment is when I realized love is the most powerful form of healing.

By the way mom and dad, HI and I have lice!

               

Clase Dever Tedo

            I’ve heard a lot of great stories but never quite knew what to expect. I was standing at the school waiting anxiously for the students to arrive on the bus. My heart was pounding and I couldn’t think straight. The only thing I could think about was that I had waited months for this life changing experience. I knew I was anxious but didn’t know if I was nervous or excited. I guess I was both but I wasn’t worried about my feelings right then. I turned back around to the street and saw a bus filled with kids pulling into the school. My palms started getting sweaty and my heart started beating twice as fast. The bus stopped right in front of us and a man opened the door. I was astonished by how many kids were piled in, as there were students on one another’s laps, some on the floor, and a few just wherever there was space. They all rushed out to hug the closest volunteer. I stood there for a moment still trying to believe this was happening but a small boy hugging and poking me immediately interrupted me. I looked down and noticed his hair. It looked like one of the three stooges hair. I laughed a little and bent down to hug him. I introduced myself and asked what his name was, although I don’t think he heard me because he quickly went and hugged the next volunteer. I said hola and hugged the rest of the students and then went to my assigned classroom. Picture this…I walk in and see two boys in a wheelchair a 17 year old and a 7-8 year old. I later found out that the 17-year olds name is Darwin and the 7-8 year olds is Antonio. I look over and see 6 other students 5 boy and one girl. I go around introducing myself and learn everyone’s name. The smallest boy is Royner, then Pepe, Yimi, Joseph, Yeronia (girl), and Moises. I then introduce myself to the teacher, Norah. I then talk a little with the teacher through a translator. We get started soon after and I get instructed to help Moises and Antonio draw. First I go to Antonio and see how well he can hold the marker. His motor skills were under developed so I helped him hold the marker. After a little bit I go over and help Moises do the same. He doesn’t look up at me, but just keeps his head down. I try everything I can and nothing I do is successful. He finally draws a few shapes on his paper with my help. I try to be as kind and understanding as possible because I have no idea how hard it is for him and was a little in shock by how undeveloped his brain is at his age of 15.

The rest of the morning was the same thing. I want back and forth helping them draw squiggly lines. After the students snacked they came back to the classroom. I was told earlier in the day that the teacher’s daughter was sick and was leaving in the afternoon. I was also told that the principal would be filling in for her but to my delight she didn’t show up. I was in a classroom with children who didn’t understand me and I had no idea what to do. Luckily Whitney (a chaperone) came in and helped me take back control. She left after a few minutes. I was asking the students, “Which number is greater (Cual es el nemoro mayor).” After a while the students started getting out of control again. I tried to focus their attention back on me, but I was unsuccessful. I was soon in the middle trying to break up a fight. I split it up very quickly. After about 10 minutes Samantha and Megan came in to help me. We started teaching addition to the children through a translator. The three of us finished addition and for the rest of the day read books to the children and the children read books to us. They left after a fun and interesting day. Just after those couple hours in a classroom I already understand how differently these children live and are educated.

 

Question 1: Who are three people who inspired who? How did they inspire you and effect your life?

 I honestly don’t know how to begin with this question or how to explain it at all but I guess I’ll try my best. One person who has had a great impact on my life is my sister, Marika. She has had the biggest impact on my life out of anyone I have ever met. She does everything she possibly can to support me and help me out. She helps me with my homework when I need it, supports me in soccer, Nordic, kayaking and always gives me the inspiration to do something new or something that I don’t necessarily want to do. I can go on and on of how many times she has helped me but that would take me my whole lifetime to write, so I’ll just write about a few. Marika is the main reason that I am playing soccer and love it to this day.  My mom signed me up when I was about three and just rolled in the grass, but Marika pushed me to actually try and play and she is always giving me tips on how to improve. My sister also inspired me to start to kayak. My dad was trying to get me into it but I was always scared of flipping and not being able to perform the wet exit. After she got into it I always wanted to go out with my dad and sis, I think it was part jealousy and part of the fact that she pushed me to do it and I felt comfortable with her there with me. Additionally if she hadn’t brought up the idea of going to Children’s Global Alliance and if she wasn’t going to Cambodia then I defiantly wouldn’t be going to Nicaragua. Not just that but she has helped me a lot through this process and keeps pushing me to practice my Spanish words more or do more research on the history of Nicaragua. Finally just the other weekend I had a Nordic race and it was my first one. I was not very confident in myself and honestly thought I would be one of the last kids. Of course Marika was standing right there with me at the start telling me that I was going to do great, explaining to me all about the course and giving me tips on what speed I should go out in. During the race when I was very tired she was yelling at me to keep pushing and finish the race. Sure enough Marika was right I finished the race in first place and probably couldn’t have done it without her support.  I have no ways of explaining how amazing and inspirational my sister is and even though we argue a lot more than many siblings do I can tell you that I love her very much and I could never ask for a better sister.

The next person who inspired me is Abby Wambach. She is a professional soccer player who plays striker and was one of the best women strikers in the world. She has won two Olympic medals in all of her soccer career both of them gold. She claimed the gold in 2004 and led her team to victory by scoring the game winning goal in 2012 against Brazil. The amazing forward has played in three world cups. Starting at age 23 she played her first world cup in 2003. She did not win the world cup title but played her way into third place. The next world cup was in 2007, again they lost in the semifinals but busted there confidents up by winning the third place game. Then finally in the 2011 world cup they beat France 3-1 in the semi-finals. They were playing Japan in the finals and were heavily favored to win. After overtime they were tied so the game continued on to shootouts. They lost in shootouts so Abby came up short of her world cup victory. Even though she never won a world cup she is still considered one of the greatest women strikers in the world. Although her soccer career was very successful she faced many challenges that she had to overcome. In one game she got kicked in the head and left the game for about 10-15 minutes before returning with seven stiches in her head. That determination and commitment is the reason I look up to her and she is one of my idols. She never gave up even in the hardest situations. When I am playing soccer and I can’t get a move or I am having trouble with a certain play I think of Abby Wambach and how hard she worked to achieve what she did.

 

The third person who inspired me is John Wesley Powell. He was and adventurous man who explored all down the Grand Canyon and further covering the Colorado River and the Green River, going through Colorado, Arizona, and Utah on his journey. Before his exploration took place he was a major in the civil war. In the Battle of Shiloh his right arm was amputated losing it forever. Although he had no right arm this never stopped him from exploring unknown rivers. He and nine other men headed off down the Green and Colorado in 1869. They were heading into unknown rapids with wooden boats no quick dry clothing and no lifejackets. Within three months Powell had lost one boat and four men had abandoned the exploration never to be seen again. They were running low on water and food and many men were urging Powell to leave to expedition. But John Wesley Powell refused and continued the adventure down the treacherous rivers. Despite the setbacks Powell had faced on his exploration he never turned back or gave up, and even if it meant to lose his life he was determined to finish the voyage. One year after John returned from his expedition he set off again following the same path as his previous trip. Unlike the other voyage though John Wesley Powell mapped the river and named most of the rapids. His commitment, bravery, and determination is a huge reason why he is one person that inspires me. I am adventurous, outgoing and not afraid to take chances partly because of him. Not only has he effected my personality but my family goes on rafting trips all the time down the Green River and Colorado River and it is one of my favorite summer activities. John Wesley Powell’s exploration makes me always want to be adventurous, brave, and take chances.

 

 

Question 2: If you could be any animal what would you be and why?

If I could be any animal in the world I would be a cheetah. This is because I love to run and feel the wind through my hair and hear the pounding of my heart as I sprint even faster. Cheetahs are the fastest land animal. They run lots of times to catch their prey. Also the magnificent creature are at the top of their food chain that is except for humans. They are fierce when catching their prey and do not give up easily. I see this as outgoing and determined which are some of my most dominant characteristics. That is why I would want to be a cheetah.