Hola amigos!

I’m writing this letter from a frog-free room in Havana, overlooking the Malecón. Although I’m enjoying some downtime, I can’t help but miss our time together and our whirlwind trip around Cuba. Our mornings beating the breakfast crowd at Hotel Vedado, journeys on the homebus, amazing views in Vinales and beachtime at Cayo Levisa: what a memorable trip!

Thinking about our time together, there are many moments that stand out to me. I’ll never forget seeing Sam and Andrea salsa dancing on the last night. Watching Claire, Liam and Rafael play volleyball like beasts on the beach was a highlight. I recall Celie’s dark jokes and Soraya narrowly avoiding getting crushed by a dead palm branch at Cayo Levisa. Anna weeding ALL of Muraleando and Oliver’s stellar maraca playing continue to inspire me.

Every GLA group is so different, and each year I find myself saying things I’d never thought I’d have to say. I’ll always remember asking Daniel to please stop spanking Harry, and insisting that Gavin get his head out of the gutter. I remember reminding Milo to wear shoes when in restaurants and to remove the toothpicks from his beard.

Your group was unique. I rarely see a group that large bond the way you all did, evident in the weird humor you all shared (“same goes!”) and the even weirder pictures you’d airdrop each other. I was impressed by the deep friendships you all formed so quickly, and the respect and compassion you had for one another.

As you all continue your personal journeys, I wish for you flexibility to take things as they come (scary thunderstorms included), humor to overcome obstacles (acid bath), and curiosity that motivates you to keep exploring and learning.

“Chiki chiki, move,”

Amanda and Jenny

 

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To my dear 21/28 day Champions!

We did it! I really enjoyed our third week together as a smaller team. You were all such troopers when we switched home bases, went on multiple hikes, and managed tons of tiny humans at the English Camps. You all taught me so much and Chris taught us all about some of the worst ways to die. We are the pioneers of a new GLA program and your commitment to learning the French Language and growing in your capacity as leaders was inspiring. I know the days were humid and the work wasn’t easy but you dug in deep during week three.

Olivia gave us all insights about the homestay experience while Aylin kept us laughing with her hilarious word swaps “I have a conclusion!”. Pierce entertained Sergey with lots of Bo Burnham songs and Sergey taught some of you how to play the ukulele! Talyne was a constant source of positivity. Madison was the book plug and a source of wisdom. Sophie rallied after that rough bus ride and Sarah led the way on our hiking adventures.

You all contributed various strengths to the program and were willing to learn from those around you. I personally enjoyed watching you interact with local teens at the language exchange and loved cheering you on when the days were long. Never doubt that you made a difference in the lives of the children you worked with and the family you supported with your help at the garden. The impact of your service will be felt and appreciated for years to come.

I hope you look back on your time in Guadeloupe fondly and remember the lessons you learned. Keep challenging yourself to grow as leaders and as humans. After our discussion on race relations I have a renewed sense of hope for our future. Do your best to inspire those around you to see leadership opportunities, challenge the system, and make a difference in their communities.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead (cultural anthropologist)

I will never forget our time together.

-Amber

 

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Bonjour!

We hope everyone’s school year has started off well! Can you believe it’s been so long since we were all together in Guadeloupe? We can still remember those early mornings, eating french baguettes and appreciating the view from our hostel. We hope you are still practicing your French and that you are proud of the work that you did in Guadeloupe.

Madame Sylvestre was delighted at all of the progress we made cleaning up and repairing the family garden. Likewise, so many local children have happy memories of learning English and playing games with all of you. Most importantly, you carry newfound knowledge with you now that will impact your communities for the rest of your life. We learned so much about our environment during our last week on the island, from the lasting impact of plastic to the beach pollution caused by deforestation.

Your French teachers saw what hard-working students you are and hope you will continue on your path to learn French. We will always remember the fun weekend we spent together zip lining, hiking to the third Carbet waterfall, and snorkeling at Bouillante/Reserve Cousteau as France won the World Cup! Each of you pushed out of your comfort zones and grew so much on this program. We are so proud of each of you!

You each made a lasting impact on us and on one another, and we will always remember your unique personalities and what each one of you brought to the program.

A few memories we will never forget:

-George’s great dance moves helping us warm up for service or wind down after mentor groups.

-Using a rope to repel down a rock wall to see the beautiful 3rd Carbet Waterfall.

-Cheering on Les Bleus at a beachside restaurant as France claimed their first World Cup victory in twenty years!

-Finding delicious crepes, ice cream and artisanal trinkets at local markets.

-Oli’s bravery when he was bitten by a centipede!

-Coming together as a group for the Appreciation Circle on our last night in Guadeloupe.

À bientôt!
Libby et Aarti

 

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Can you believe it’s already been so long since your time in Fiji?

Dream away again with the sound of the ocean just sitting at your bure. Put your feet in the sand and than look at that amazing blue water right in front of you. It feels like yesterday when we were snorkeling in the lagoon. Looking at all those pretty colors and the curious little fish!

Oh and how about having all those tasty baked muffins and cakes for tea time at Oarsman’s Bay. After a day of hard work coming home to all of the goodies. Wether it was a lovo night or a early morning. We loved our fiji food!

You are probably back home now, getting ready for school or starting your next adventure! We would like you to remember that you always have a second home in Fiji. You are part of the family here. Family of Nacula, Oarsman’s Bay, Nadi Bay and Vinaka Fiji. Home is the place where memories are created and love is present. We will always be waiting for you to come back here. To come back home. Isa Lei

Although you have been here for only 14 days, you did truly make a difference. The impact will last longer than you think. Weeks after you left the children from Nacula village, they were still singing the coral song and are not stepping on coral, as you taught them 😉 Thanks to the Local Managed Marine Area and the surveys you did in Nacula, the data wil help to protect the coral reef and will help to rebuild the population of marine life. Fish houses will find their tenants. Coral you have planted will help the reef to grow. Roots of mangroves will reach deeper than you think, serve as shelter and nursery and will help to protect the coastline. Trash holes you’ve made will be used in the village to better manage their waste. We simply hope all the knowledge you have gained will be put to work and can help you in planning your own projects in your communities. Having you on our project was bliss! Your team building and commitment were noticed and much appreciated by not only us, but the locals too!

Oh and the fun we had! Kayaking the gorgeous waters, group games on the beach! The amazing race! Oh my, scraping those coconuts, weaving the baskets, playing volleyball and finally getting that tan on. I recall our maffia games with amazing storylines. Thank you all for your amazing input. Can you remember how many times we dove into the unknown and at the end it just felt easy to be outside of our comfort zone. We learned how to live on Fiji time and be flexible. Like that time at the mud pools when stepping into the pool and having no idea what the bottom would feel like. We shared some great laughs there!
Or like that last day at the village dancing with the Nacula people saying our farewells and tasting the kava!

It was all such fun because we got to share it with you guys- the 2018 GLA Fiji Marine Conservation Group! Thanks for making these special moments in an unforgettable place with us!

Some special moments from our trip:
-Watching those amazing sunsets!
-Learning about the waste plastic bottles create and making trash bins.
-Digging deep to better waste management. We saw some serious muscle work!
-Getting to see the amazing Garden of the Sleeping Giant and therapeutic mud pools
-Hiking up to the top of the Nacula mountains while chanting “I am Moana!”
-Learning about Marine species, coral, mangroves, and waste management from Gabby and Moses
-Amazing Race on the private Blue Lagoon Island (Thank You Elle!)
-Watching all the fish and coral as we snorkeled in so many different places
-Celebrating with the village with traditional kava and lovo ceremonies
-Dancing the night away under the stars
-Wearing our colorful sulus in style
-Presenting your hard work to the village and performing the wonderful Coral Song
-Chanting during the boat rides wanting to go faster and faster!
-Spotting wildlife all around us with a definite shout out to the bioluminescense on the beach

Bula Vinaka and Sota Tale!
Martyna and the GLA & Vinaka Fiji team

 

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Hello students!

Two weeks, here and gone. Elephant pants, leech kisses, and Thai teas were an integral part of this journey in Northern Thailand. We will never forget our times together. From singing “Country Roads” in the vans on our way to adventures, to playing fun games like Evolution (“I’m an egg!”), to Birdie on a Perch, we continue to think of these times fondly. The sounds of elephant trumpets and school kids laughing plays in our minds when we think of you all. We saw moments of greatness and growth both in your leadership capabilities as well as each of you personally.

We wish each of you the best of luck on your coming adventures! Whether you’re off to explore more of the world, finishing up high school, or starting in college we know that you will take with you the lessons you learned about yourself and the global communities you interacted with wherever you go. Sawatdee kha/khrap!

Best wishes,

Brendan, Diana, Suzannah, Flat Ears, KFC, and Peanut

 

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