Price
expensive plane ticket
more souvenirs than I should have bought
way too much food due to an expanded stomach
Priceless
gained 3 new sisters a brother and a second mom
many friends forever
wonderful changes in my perspective from this beautiful culture
learned how to love unconditionally, to over 50 kids
been told 'I love you and will never forget you' by all of those kids
seen how much the kids loved me by their tears and pleas not to go when I left.
received a note from Victor David (my 12 yr old best friend) saying I am the best friends he's ever had and poems he wrote me about never forgetting me. He says he will wish every night that I return to the Aldea someday...a treasure beyond value
*most of the kids are in the pictures of their houses. Some are missing, mostly the older girls.
 |
| It doesn't get any better than Tia Carla. She is truly and angel on this earth. |
 |
| Casa 1 divas for sure, but the cutest ones out there. Exhausting, but loads of fun |
 |
| Antonina She gave me a death grip hug and wouldn't let go begging me not to go. Almost broke my heart. |
 |
| Casa 2 by far the cutest house in the Aldea. These boys are precious! |
 |
| Victor David. I don't have words to describe the relationship I have with this kid. Best friend is close, but doesn't seem like quite enough. If anything just the relationship I was able to develop with him was enough to make this trip amazing. He will be forever in my heart! |
 |
| Jose He will melt your heart in a second. That is a fact. |
 |
| Casa 9 A mystery. You never know what to expect from this house. Everyone is fighting over who gets to take Lucho home. |
 |
| Casa 10 There is no description for this house. Energetic crazy house. You always had to watch your back for a sneak attack from these wild girls. 6 of the 11 eggs on my birthday came from this house... |
 |
| Casa 8 Sweet. They are all so sweet in this house. They definitely weren't shy about showing their love for you and doing all they could to make sure you were taken care of and welcomed. |
 |
| Casa 5 My second home. My boys!!!! (minus a few who were being bums and sulking because I was leaving and refused to get in the picture) I LOVE these boys! They are hilarious!! I spent most of my nights hanging out in their house goofing off with them. They gave me a hard time a lot, but were also really protective of me and didn't any of the others mess with me. So many good times with my boys! |
 |
| Miguelito kept insisting I was his girlfriend. then again would also argue anyone who doubted he was a cat...very precious. Has walking and mental disabilities, but that doesn't make his heart less loving. Loves to mess around with the boys. |
 |
| Classic! Doesn't get any better than this. To make it clear Miguel was laughing a second later and proceeded to leave his pants hoisted up high until someone fixed them a long time later against his protests. Ruben-the wedgie giver- is the biggest stud on this planet. That is all there is to say about him. |
 |
| Yunior An amazing guy. He is 16 years old, a very hard worker, and has the kindest personality I have ever seen. He is always going out of his way to take care of others and to make sure everyone is happy. I would look forward to when he came home from work every night so I could go and talk to him about anything. He has the best laugh I have ever heard, I didn't hear it once without it making me laugh. He didn't really know very many of the past volunteers because he works and is gone most of the day, I am so grateful I took the time to get to know him and become close with him. He has blessed my life tremendously. He is one of a kind. |
 |
| My boys This is about as normal as it will get for a picture with them. I can't even begin to describe how much i'm going to miss my boys! A blast every second with them. |
 |
| Juan Carlos I don't really know how to put this one into words...Similar to Victor David, best friend just doesn't seem to do it. Younger brother to Yunior he has similar qualities, but with a more spastic flare. My last few days at the Aldea he refused to talk to me and completely ignored me because he was so upset that I was leaving. He finally came around the last night and broke down and told me what was going on. It was so touching to see how much he cared. He kept telling me not to worry because it will only be 3 years until he turns 18 (the age they have to leave the aldea) and then he is coming to the United Sates to find me. I wish that could happen more than anything! Similar to Yunior he works a lot and hasn't gotten to know a lot of the past volunteers, and would tell me how glad he was he got to know me and that I cared enough to get to know him. Getting to know him and being able to help him understand how to be a better person and live a good life was extremely rewarding. I can't imagine what it would have been like without this great relationship. |
No question that the price I paid to come was easily outweighed by the priceless benefits I've received. Best decision I could have made. No regrets, no doubts. I recommend this to anyone in a heartbeat!
