Able to make a difference in someones life...

   Here's is two more notes from Sage High School students, Olivia and Hannah. Inspiring to me and I hope to you. There is hope for this future generation beyond just phones and keeping up with social media...

  "When I think about the impact this trip has had on me the first thing that comes to mind is the constant laugher I heard while playing with the kids, the only word that can describe it would be magical. 

   Most of the elders I worked with on this trip had lost hope, given up on finding happiness in their lives. But I saw something different within the children. They smiled wide with their little hearts filled with dreams. 

   The first day we met the kids I asked a young boy, maybe 9 or 10 years old, who was sitting alone to play soccer with me. He was extremely shy and I couldn't tell if he was having fun. We passed the deflated ball back and forth to each other in the dirt field and as time passed he started to smile. He would show me cool tricks and I taught him how to do my favorite move. Every time he would mess up or fall he laughed and got right back up, with a thirst to become better. Some of the older boys started to join in and even though we didn't speak the same language that didn't stop us from understanding each other. 

   After we finished playing the youngest boy ran up and gave me the warmest hug I have ever received. I will never forget that moment, holding his small frail body. Later that trip I found out this boy was abandoned by his parents on the beach. It was so hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that these children had nothing but somehow they greeted me with a smile every time I saw them.

   Not only were my eyes opened this trip to the people living in poverty in Vietnam and how little resources they have, but my heart aches for the children who will never be able to achieve their dreams. The children who won't have access to education or clean water. This trip has not fulfilled me but sparked a need for helping others. Going on this trip and hearing the heartbreaking stories of so many people changed my life and made me realize how lucky I am to be able to make a difference in someones life."

Sincerely; 

Olivia Lowe 

   "My experience with GIBTK exceeded any and all expectations i had. when we got off the plane we were greeted with warm smiles and flowers and everyone was genuinely happy to see us all. our second visit with the kids included pre-planned activities such as painting pots, popsicle mazes, kite flying, and more. during this part of the day it was hard to connect with the kids because everyone was doing there own thing, and i was worried i wouldn't find that special bond i hoped to have. however, after those small separate activities a bunch of us played this one game where we hold onto each other's waists and the person in front tries to tag the person in the end of the other line. 

   I have never laughed more in my life than when playing that game. the losing team had to do a crazy dance in the center and everyone was chanting each other's names and it was such a great feeling seeing everyone so happy. after this activity we went outside and played soccer and basketball and i felt like i had known these students for years. there was one girl braiding one of her friends hair and i asked her to braid mine and her face lit up. she was so excited. it was such a warm feeling that something so small could bring two people together. after dinner, this same girl decorated a balloon and gave it to me.

  I was so touched by this gesture that I even popped the balloon when I got back to the hotel so i could pack it in my suitcase and take it home with me. the next day we went to the pool and beach and it was so much fun watching the children look so happy with their friends and they were so excited to have us there. watching the smiles on their faces stretch across their whole face when they saw us really is something I will never forget. watching them made me feel so appreciative of everything I have and not to take any of it for granted. 

    When we were in the pool playing monkey in the middle, robert told a few of us that the little girl standing next to me had had many surgeries, and was a fighter. i would never have known what this little girl went through if robert hadn't told me. she was always smiling and always eager to play games. these children are so strong and seeing this makes my heart ache. not out of sadness, but out of love and admiration. when it was time to go, the same girl that gave me the balloon, held my hand all the way to the car. then she gave me the biggest hug and put her bracelet on my wrist for me to keep. at first I told her to keep it, but she wanted me to have it so badly, and this moved me to tears. 

  I didn't realize how much I had of an impact on in her life. when it was time to leave she said to me "see you next time" and I will never forget this. I hope one day to reconnect with her to thank her and to give her a bracelet or something in return. these kids are all so appreciative of what they have and clearly love robert. I will never forget this amazing trip and will never take off the bracelet.

thanks!

Hannah Herin

www.gibtk.org
Robert Kalatschan
Giving It Back To Kids