Letters to You from Meagan

June 13 – June 26, 2015

In the first program session, Joe was always pranking Ambre and myself. So we began thinking of ways to get back at him and started asking students for ideas. We brainstormed for a few nights but nothing came of it. On our last night in Xela while Joe was out of his room, Alex, Xavier, Natasha and a few others stole his mattress and sheets. The mattress they put in the girls’ room next door and they hid the sheets in one of their rooms. Joe got his mattress, but they wouldn’t tell him where his sheets were. Xavier led him on a hunt throughout the hotel telling him “You’re really hot. Almost found them” when really he was no where close. In fact they were on the first floor whereas Joe’s sheets were on the third floor. The entire thing went on for like 45 minutes. I don’t know who finally gave him his sheets, but hearing “Where’s my sheets?! I want my sheets!” became the joke of the summer. All three other groups tried at least once to prank Joe by stealing his sheets. (Only group 3 did it successfully. Haha)

-Meagan

 

June 30 – July 13, 2015

In the second group we played a soccer game. Almost no one knew how to play which was fine, other than the fact that three staff got hurt (not seriously though) and mine was most hilarious.  but it was still fun just to get outside and run around. Only, myself, Joe and Nayo all got injured in some way. I (Meagan) was goalie and Madison kicks the ball so that it shoots upward and hits me in the face. I leave and go check my face and when I return, Joe is on the floor because he apparently slipped and fell on his tailbone. He’s just lying face down like “Gimme me a minute”. We resume the game without him, and not five seconds in, Juana kicks the ball so that it hits me right in the mouth. I started crying because I was in pain still from the first hit, but also laughing because I couldn’t believe I had just gotten hit twice within less than five seconds re-entering the game. In the midst of all this, Olivia is taking photos pf everything-including my ugly crying face! I’m still not happy being hit in the face, but thinking about just makes me laugh.

-Meagan

 

July 16 – July 29, 2015

The third group, Sinclair’s birthday was in the middle of the program. We bought a piñata, set up the party, and told everyone to distract her until it was time for family meeting. When she comes down for her surprise, she was shocked but happy. She took the first shot at the piñata and the agreement was that everyone would take a swing. Instead, after two tries she takes off her blindfold and yells “Now I see!” and breaks it releasing the candy. She fell a few times while blindfolded. Then as we get ready to present her cake, Ambre whispers to me “We should push her face in the cake. Bring a little Mexican tradition to Guatemala.” So I raised the cake and told her I wouldn’t push her face in, but she just needed to take a bite with no hands. Instead, Sinclair smashes her whole face into the cake and pushes in herself. Then she pulls back and says “I always wanted to do that.” We were thinking, who wants to do that? Really? Everyone died laughing but that moment was absolutely one of my favorite moments of the summer.

-Meagan

 

August 1 – August 14, 2015

In the last group, Lundon and Gabby wanted to run to the store and on the way we passed a piñata shop with Dora the Explorer in the window. Gabby runs into the shop screaming “Lets buy a piñata! Lets buy Dora! Can we?” I told her it would be out of her pocket but she could and it could be an end of the summer celebration. The three of us buy Dora and sneak it around the back of the house so no one sees. The next night (our last night) they brought it out and we hung it outside for everyone to take a swing. Everyone is giving directions (some right, others wrong) about which way to swing. I cant remember some of the chants they gave but at the time they were all hilarious. Gabby even kept Dora’s face after we finished it to keep in her scrapbook. But other than her face, nothing could be saved.

-Meagan

June 11 – June 24, 2015 – Letter from Krobo Staff

Remember when you all did amazing squats and made 22 bricks! I am so proud of you ladies working hard in the heat to leave behind a wonderful gift to the Krobo community. Thank you all for your respect and commitment, not only to the GLA program, but to each other.

Sixxxx! I literally cannot say the number 6 without thinking of our never ending evenings playing Ludu. When you weren’t consumed by Ludu, you managed the classroom with such ease and maturity and even taught the students some great dance moves and songs. Daddy Shark…do do do do do. They were still singing it after you left.

You all had such amazing energy throughout the program, whether hiking to Boti falls and the top of umbrella rock, wrangling Kote at the park, or shoveling sand to make bricks. Thank you for being such an easy and fun group to work with and I hope to meet you all again soon!

Mama Kendall

 

July 30 – August 11, 2015 – Letter from Krobo Staff

This group was truly the girl power group. 15 lovely ladies arrived at our cozy homebase in Krobo. I must admit I was very nervous about the prospect of an entire girl group but you were all some of the sweetest, kindest, and funniest teenagers I have ever worked with. You left your experience having been fully initiated as Krobo women, you learned all the customs and expectations of that role. If there is one thing you all seized the opportunity to do, was shop. From crafts to fabric to beads, you stocked up on Ghanaian souvenirs. We shared every meal together and you guys tried everything from peanut stew to lots of yummy tomato based dishes. We devoured the fruits, especially watermelon and mango and some of you learned that you love plantains and yams, while others did not.

You went to service site, it was no easy feat but you worked hard. Some of you chose to go to the nursery, while others opted to teach the older students. We first learned how to be cement bricks, the exhausting task made you all appreciate how much work goes into some of the structures you see everyday. You followed that up with teaching English lessons, songs, dances, and even some yoga. I was so impressed by your maturity, poise, and ability to connect with the students even through a language barrier or disability. I know some adults who wouldn’t have been able to handle the classroom and nursery experience as well as you did.

You had such positive attitudes throughout our 2 weeks together. Even during the great water shortage of 2015 you bucket bathed like champs and some of you even preferred it! I will never forget being serenaded Taylor Swift before lights out, listening to you all share relationship advice, and watching you all wrangle the 30 or so children who came to spend the afternoons with you in the park, especially my favorite Kote. I have no faith you will all continue on in a life of service and adventure and I am so happy to have been a part of that journey with you.

All the best,

Kendall

Special Anloga Photos from Henry

            

June 27 – July 10, 2015

To my strong women and gentleman from GLA Building Healthy Villages 2015,

I hope that this letter finds you well and that is it a lovely break from college applications, studying for class, or just a nice reminder of our time together this past summer. I can’t believe it’s been 6 months since we were hanging out in Dzita-Agbledomi constructing a sexy composting toilet.

It feels like just yesterday we were jumping into that giant pit to dig out sand while fending off the children who thought you were live jungle gyms. Despite that minor distraction, you all managed to complete the toilet a day ahead of schedule! You even had time to complete a mural and your artistic ability shone through and you left behind a beautiful treat for Meet Me There’s guests

I want to thank you all for your positive energy and enthusiasm and for being open to all of the amazing learning opportunities around you and all of the new friendships you were able to forge. I was so impressed with the level of maturity you all had and the intelligent conversations we shared as a group whether talking about water and sanitation or Disney princesses. You all showed such respect for one another that I have great faith that you will all go on to do great things.

Working with you all was such an honor this summer and I am so happy I got to share this experience with you.

I hope to meet you all again soon!

Mama Kendall

 

July 14 – July 27, 2015

Julia, Jouke, Yili, Jack, and Matt. You successfully completed the construction of a composting toilet for a family in the Dzita community and that is a pretty big deal. Your ability to integrate with the local community impressed us and was much appreciated by everyone on staff.

You all were excellent at sports(wo)men and it was a pleasure to spend the afternoons tossing around a soccer ball or embroiled in what sometimes became heated volleyball matches!

Thank you for showing such respect and maturing during cultural events whether showing your artistic ability making batiks or dancing at a funeral

I have faith you will go on to do great things and thank you for sharing this summer with GLA.

Kendall

Letters from Alexa and Taralynn

June 10 – June 23, 2015

The summer kicked off to a great start with an amazing group of people. Mentors, Directors, and students were keen to explore what Ecuador had to offer and to have a strong start to the service projects as a team.

And what a team we were! We had Romulo’s cheeky grin and Wilson’s quick-witted comments.

We had deep conversations sparked by Allen’s intellect and cohesive team motivation lead by Ross.

We all learned the power of the Galapagos sun from Lizzie’s painful burns, but she toughed it out and made some great friends.

Who could forget Romulo and Wilson trying to carry those plants up the mountain on San Cristobal? Or the scene-by-scene movie conversation that lasted for ten kilometers! Or “Lizzie’s Lagoon?”

Egyptian Ratscrew surely kept every person in every village awake until the game was over, and by the end of the trip we could play Ninja in our sleep!

Everyone arrived being a little nervous, not knowing what to expect. We learned together as a team the power of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and supporting each other no matter what.

-Alexa

 

June 26 – July 9, 2015

What an amazing second session! A small session in numbers but it was big in leadership, community and family.

From Morgan learning how to ride a bike on a 7 MILE round trip bike ride through sand and hills with a huge smile on her face to Thomas’ spar with a rock divider (no idea what the real name of that tool is) to our happy times on the hill in San Cristobal, it was all wonderful.

Gwyn and her impression of an old Russian villager names Yuthka that almost made all of us choke on our own laughter!

Jaime and Elizabeth’s infectious energy gave us all a boost when we needed it!

Hakan, Thomas and Fabricio tumbling rocks down the cliff side to smother invasive plants was amusing for all of us to watch.

Who will ever forget “Daddy” written in red letters in that abandoned building and then being scared out of our minds when Hakan jumped out from behind a door!

Our meals together, our discussions, the highs and the lows, were all worth it. We were able to make significant impacts in each of the communities on Isabela and Cristobal and changed the lives for the wildlife and ourselves, forever.

I hope you never forget your amazement and wonder each time we were able to snorkel with sea turtles or get up close to a seal lion or work with Galapagos tortoises. Each of those moments will be memories for the rest of your lives.

I hope that you are inspired to continue to travel and to have a positive impact on the world.

-Taralynn

 

July 12 – July 25, 2015

Halfway through the summer and there was a lot of work to be done on the service projects, good thing this was the largest session of the program!

We made some real progress with these projects, from carrying massive rocks across Campo Duro for the tortoise lagoon, to putting in some intense machete time to combat the mora and create a cultivation area for native species.

There was some seriously cool snorkeling, with the sea lion pup stealing Cam’s shoe, and the amazing sea turtles everywhere we went! Good job standing up on that kayak, Kevin…practice makes perfect.

Thank goodness the boys brought their hammocks for that great spot to relax on San Cristobal (and spend the night). Star gazing on the islands is like nowhere else in the world.

Of course, there was that one day on the beach on San Cristobal, with a rogue sea lion, intense waves, Fabri trying to distract the sea lion so people could get out of the water, and Allison realllyyyyyy wanting to know what time it was. Despite the convergence of chaos, it was still Haley’s favorite part of the whole trip.

Eighteen students and loads of new friendships! Ups and downs and twists and turns; everyone learned so much about each other, but most importantly, themselves.

-Alexa

 

July 28 – August 10, 2015

Our time spent together in the Galapagos will have an impact on endemic wildlife and the communities we served for years to come.

Your group of twelve was a force to be reckoned with, accomplishing so much in such a small amount of time. I was so happy to see such a big smile on Wilfredo’s face! You made him and his tortoises very happy.

From impromptu soccer games with school children and nights filled with laughter, it truly was a memorable trip.

Ryan, Olivia, Natalie and Thomas racing ahead on our crazy 10 mile volcanic hike! Hannah taking care of everyone and handing out granola bars.

This was a group of many natural leaders who stepped up when we needed it with a smile, an encouraging word, a shoulder to lean on.

Don’t forget Claire’s funny voices and impressions or Lil’ Alexa’s excitement and joy for a new adventure or Ben’s first trip out of the U.S. which we all played a part in making it something he will never forget.

The BBQ on Cristobal was a highlight. How many of you remember the homemade hot sauce? It was delicious! That time spent together with the family was some of the best times on that trip.

It was everything we could have asked for; community, service, lifelong friendships being formed and most of all it was fun.

Thank you all for making the session a memorable one. I hope you stay in touch with each other and continue to be who you because you are all amazing.

-Taralynn

 

Letter from Lauren with Special Memories for Each of Her Sessions

Dear Galapagos Adventurers,

It’s hard to believe a few months have passed since our time together in the Enchanted Islands! It seems like just yesterday we were collecting fruit for marmalade and eating off the trees at Campo Duro. You all are off on different adventures at this point (even college, some of you!!!) and you’re probably up to your eyeballs in schoolwork, jobs and activities.

This past summer was truly amazing. The beauty of the islands far exceeded my expectations, and our close animal encounters will be forever etched in my memory. One EARLY morning at the harbor while we were waiting for the boat (those boat rides, tho!) to Floreana and San Cristobal, I was struck by just how unique and special the islands are. As the sun rose, I watched sea lions playfully chase penguins while dozens of diving boobies and pelicans fished alongside observant cranes and iguanas. It was a chaotic yet harmonious scene, and caused me to pause in a moment of true gratitude.

The hard work each of you put in this summer is truly a labor of love for this special place. Though tedious (and pokey and itchy!) at times, all that weeding, digging, planting and chopping directly works to preserve the natural habitat of the Islands. Each time we returned to our service sites, Nicole and I felt so incredibly proud to watch the weedy field become a resting place for Isabela tortoises and how strong and upright the trees were growing on the hill overlooking Hacienda Esperanza. It’s our job to protect such special places, and you should all know that you left the Galapagos Islands a better place than when you came. Continue asking yourself how you can do the same in your daily life back home, whether collaborating with a school club or by simply watching your water usage at home.

Thank you for helping me make awesome memories in a wonderful place. I will never think about the Galapagos without thinking about our guides, all the other wonderful local people we met and also each of you.

Thank you all for a great summer,

Lauren & Crew

Galapagos 2015

 

June 18 – July 1, 2015

• Cooking together in America’s kitchen (arroz con leche with Stefan!)
• Late-night talks with Felipe at Hacienda Esperanza – Matt and Maya
• Going to the top of the tower at the Basilica in Quito
• Planting with the kids at the school above Campo Duro
• Swimming through the mangroves on the bike day
• Standing on the lip of the volcano crater
• Hammock lounging at Campo Duro and Hotel Sandrita
• Swimming with baby sea lions at Las Tijeretas
• Eating passion fruit off the tree at Campo Duro
• Catnaps and good music on the boat rides
• Those awesome volcano day empanadas

July 5 – July 18, 2015

• Dolphin spotting, Natassia!
• Swimming in the mangroves with sea lions on our bike ride
• US Womens Soccer win on that first night
• The great turtle escape!
• Nighttime s’mores, games and dance parties
• Many ice cream breaks, and that yummy homemade ice cream spot on the beach
• The nesting turtle midday…amazing!
• Standing on the lip of the volcano crater
• Hammock lounging at Campo Duro and Hotel Sandrita
• Swimming with baby sea lions at Las Tijeretas
• Eating passion fruit off the tree at Campo Duro
• Catnaps and good music on the boat rides
• Those awesome volcano day empanadas

July 21 – August 3, 2015

• Soccer and swimming with Jorge
• Hammocks on the Sandrita rooftop
• Early morning swimming on Isabela
• Nighttime s’mores and games
• Many ice cream breaks, and that yummy homemade ice cream spot on the beach
• Cooking together in America’s kitchen
• Swimming through the mangroves on the bike day
• Standing on the lip of the volcano crater
• Swimming with baby sea lions at Las Tijeretas
• Eating passion fruit off the tree at Campo Duro
• Catnaps and good music on the boat rides
• Those awesome volcano day empanadas

August 6 – August 19, 2015

• Dolphin spotting from the top of the boat (lucky boys!)
• Crazy rain on the volcano hike
• Mixing cement-now we know how!
• Nighttime s’mores and games
• Many ice cream breaks, and that yummy homemade ice cream spot on the beach
• Cooking together in America’s kitchen
• Swimming through the mangroves on the bike day
• Standing on the lip of the volcano crater
• Hammock lounging at Campo Duro and Hotel Sandrita
• Swimming with baby sea lions at Las Tijeretas
• Eating passion fruit off the tree at Campo Duro
• Catnaps and good music on the boat rides
• Those awesome volcano day empanadas

Time Capsule Letter from Tim for GLA Fiji (July 5 – July 25)

“The school year is well under way and we’re all equally busy with life! Over at GLA headquarters we’re getting ready for another exciting summer of programs! In Colorado the weather is  getting cold and we’re already sliding downhill on skis. Often I find myself wishing I was on the boat getting soaked, in sun and salt water, listening to Max sing a Taylor Swift song. Fiji had a huge impact on my life, and from staying connected to so many of you, I know it was profound for you as well.

Reflecting on our time on the Yasawa islands makes me think about barefooted running during Briley’s extravaganza of competition, hammocks, smiling little kids in tiny clothes, soaking wet sarongs, bucket after bucket of sand, lots of sweating, sleepy-bumpy boat rides, and the sound of a drum and MANTA RAYS! It also makes me think about how many GLA students came to those islands and helped inflict positive change. We all worked on projects that have a lasting impact both to the community and to ourselves.

GLA Fiji – June 11 – July 1 and July 29 – August 18

Our staff have some incredible adventure photos below from your sessions to share with you. So many great memories. Enjoy!