Hey everyone,

I’ve only been in the states for two months, but I’m already itching to go overseas again. I imagine Drew needs a restock on Inka Kola… GLA is sending me to China in a few weeks to look into next summer’s programs – I can’t wait. I wish I could take Lucas with me to laugh at all of my jokes. I’ve taken time to reflect on our visit to Peru and how much of a growth opportunity that it was (and can continue to be) for all of us. Many, MANY good memories fill me with pride and admiration for you guys and some bring up feelings of confusion and disappointment. All are worth recalling.

Collectively we built eco-fridges in 12 houses and pathways in 14. According to Sandro (that hair…), the community was very happy with the work that we did and his hoping to continue the project during the rest of the year. The community president of Mancco, Santos, and one of the more active community members, Emilio, say the nicest things about our exchange. That work was tough, but the Papa John’s at the end of the day made it all worth it. I still laugh about the battle that Ryn and Elizabeth got into about stealing a pig from its mother! I’m glad Ryn won – GLA does not condone forced adoption of animals.

I wish I could transfer back to Andahuaylillas for a few days. Maybe we can do a reunion tour for the town anniversary and go dancing with all the aggressive old women? Sambath, you in? Although boat hopping in rapids and hiking through pre-Incan ruins was cool, my favorite time was spent chilling at the home base, talking trash with all of you. I was so impressed by Laura’s drawings of nature (even her log was good!) and couldn’t believe the summer reading you guys were crushing while on the trip – I think Sacha and Megan finished 10 books between the two of them!

I do my best to align my actions with my principles, so I did a few things as soon as I got back: I stopped eating beef, I switched to a credit union, I grocery shop almost exclusively at a farmers’ market and I started researching local organizations where I can volunteer my services as a public health educator. These are all things that I think are good for my community and are DEFINITELY within my time/money/skill limitations. I’m curious to know what changes you guys have made. What has stuck with you? What are you worried that you’ll forget?

You guys always amazed me – keep it going.

Eric, Director

Don’t just relive your summer abroad. Experience GLA in a whole new way next summer, in a country you’ve never been to before.

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Mambo!!

The morning air is crisp here in Portland, Oregon. I just arrived back from my summer work travel. I was on the road 14 weeks and it feels good to be home. As I arise to crisp dark mornings, mild sunny days, and star filled nights I am reminded of my time in Tanzania—minus the sunrise rooster crowing and banana plants in the garden!!

Just this week I put on my favorite Tanzanian skirt and began teaching a service-learning course at Portland State University called “African Children in Portland.” Its focus on supporting English Language Learners and 1^st generation immigrant children in the school system will keep alive my time with all of you. It will tie my summer experience into life “back home.” This bridging of my summer and fall didn’t happen overnight—I’ve been building it for years! It’s been worth the effort! As I write to you, I’m curious about what you might be doing to bridge your GLA Tanzania experience to your local life.

Together the class and I will create a space where they will be of service and explore complex social issues all while trying to get to know themselves better. They’ll ask the same big questions our Tanzania team asked you—who are, who do you want to be, what are your hopes and dreams for the world, what’s your part in making that happen? And just like you, they won’t have all the answers to all the questions because it isn’t a one time graded quiz—it is an ongoing conversation. What a relief!

As with so many of you, my University students will mention feeling uncertain about where to begin to make change happen. Some will wonder if now is the time. Some will argue they don’t have enough time, talent, or energy. Still others will throw caution to the wind and jump in with both feet. Then throughout the term all of them will reflect and together they will recognize that change is happening already and they simply need to commit to being a part of it. Passion, excitement, and joy will be accompanied with doubt, fear, and boredom. Together the class will find inspiration to create meaningful long term relationships and commitments to serve the common good. I’ll tell stories about you to inspire them. I’ll invite them to be brave, passionate, inspiring people in ordinary ways AND I’ll be thinking of all of you as I do it. I’ll be remembering hard work, belly laughs, tears, and hugs. I’ll be remembering hikes, games, new ideas, story telling and everyday efforts. I’ll let them know that others have already accepted the call to “Be the Change.” All the while I’ll be wondering—what have those GLA TZ 2014 teens been up to? What little and big things have they been doing to stay connected and inspired as they daily create the world they want to live in and pass onto the next generation?! And I’ll be hoping to hear from you so my curiosity will be satisfied, my own sense of connection will be strengthened, and the relationships we began will continue to grow.

That’s all for now—it was a privilege this summer to be a small part of your epic life journey. If you find yourself in Portland one of these days the coffee is on me!

-Jenna Padbury, Director

Don’t just relive your summer abroad. Experience GLA in a whole new way next summer, in a country you’ve never been to before. Then check out Jenna’s favorite memories below, and mentor Paulina’s letter to her students from this summer.

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Jenna’s Favorite Memories:

• Epic games of team charades and Body Body!
• Quiet moments on the third floor balcony
• Waking up at Maasai weekend and seeing everybody sleeping outside
• Cheering wildly at the pick-up soccer games with cows and goats and children wandering through the playing field
• Hearing the question during every session, “Why do we talk about girls and women’s issues so much?” And recognizing that wasn’t the teams original intention but a sign that we were welcoming the local community’s most pressing social and political agendas into our programming.
• The awe filled and breathtaking experience of winding down into the Ngorongoro Caldera through the morning fog.
• Squeals of delight at the first animal sighting followed by moments of silent appreciation on each safari
• Dressing hands with blisters on them from shoveling dirt to plant trees—recognizing in that sacred moment that the true meaning of service is planting a tree you don’t plan to eat from or sit under

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Most pictures say a thousand words. Your photos say a million. Check them out!

Don’t just relive your summer abroad. Experience GLA in a whole new way next summer, in a country you’ve never been to before.

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Alumni of Elephant Village Initiative,

For many of us the fall colors are showing, the temperatures are cooling, and the newest school year is well on its way! A few months ago (can you believe it?), we were itching to absorb any moment possible, in an air-conditioned car or building; over in the scorching and sticky Thai summer. Now we’ve fanned out across the globe and are back to our “normal lives”.

As I’ve spent time thinking, processing, and absorbing the projects we were involved in this past summer it brings me a sense of elation, harnessed by pride in you! All the work you spent your sweat to complete, is not easily forgotten by me or the people and animals you all affected. We painted schools, trashcans, scrubbed moldy floors, taught Thai students, washed elephants, fed them, and harvested their food! All of these things are special because we got to experience them together and because we were ambassadors for GLA, our home countries, our families and our selves.

In Thailand you helped create memories for GLA students, other local people, and all of us staff that will be etched into minds forever. That means something to the future of the Elephant Village Initiative because you all were pioneers during GLA’s first year there and you laid groundwork that will be apart of GLA’s future work there! Anyone miss Mangosteen fruit yet? How about motorcycles? Some Thai curry?

I know I’ve had my mind on the remarkably intelligent, friendly yet wild, beautiful, elephants we got to meet and hangout with. As I’m sure is true with you, I’ll never forget the time we all spent in their company! Going forward in this year and the many more to come, keep your mind on who you are, where your going, all you’ve learned and be the leader and ambassador to the world I know all of you are!

In the spirit of service and with respect for all of you!

-Tim Easley, Director

Don’t just relive your summer abroad. Experience GLA in a whole new way next summer, in a country you’ve never been to before. Then check out Tim’s favorite memories below.

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Tim’s Favorite Memories:

-Mangosteen fruits til you drop

-Elephant eyes peering into our souls

-Poisonous Toads (though to be a cute injured frog)

-Bug-spray in the mouth

-Anyone want to get a coffee?

-Lanterns sailing our worries into the skies

-Saying “HOW” very loudly with no result!

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August 2

After Taylor and I landed at Liberia airport, we were able meet a lot of the other people from GLA including some of the mentors. I was happily surprised to find out that a girl in my Sports Service group was from the same town as me, even though I had never met her! Once everyone had arrived at the airport we all took a bus ride to Ecoplaya, our homebase for the trip. The view was always amazing, no matter where we were. After stopping at a supermarket and driving for about one and a half hours we arrived at Ecoplaya, which is spectacular! I didn’t know exactly what to expect since I had only seen pictures, but the pool, thatch roofed dining area, and beautiful palm trees definitely exceeded anything I had imagined. Taylor and I met our other two roommates, Brooke and Abby, who seem super nice! I am so excited for the rest of this trip!

August 3

Today we had orientation and met our family groups/leaders. Since the sports service section is pretty small, we are all in the same family group, and Mateo is our leader. We did a scavenger hunt, but instead of finding items on a list we had to do things like dancing on the beach and jumping into the pool. I can’t wait to see what all the other groups did! Later that night we went to a nearby beach to watch one of the most amazing sunsets I have ever seen!

August 4

Today was filled with adventure! We got an early start to make sure we had time for all of the amazing activities that were in store, including zip lining, horseback riding, and whitewater rafting. Since it was my first time zip lining, I was really nervous at first, but the nerves quickly went away and I had so much fun! Horseback riding was also really fun, especially when we stopped at a cliff and all took turns jumping into the water below. We continued the adventure with rafting. The water was surprisingly cold, but it was great nevertheless.

August 5

Today was our first service day. We began painting the community center and played with the kids who were super friendly! We also got to walk around the community a little bit. We saw some families and a building that a previous GLA group had painted. That night we learned more about Costa Rica and later listened to some scary stories.