Okay…It’s been a minute. More than a minute, ten months to be exact since I wrote my last blog post. I am a little disappointed about that too because I have so much more I want to write about my trip to Tanzania. This year, work became busier than ever. Also, I was going to school full time and bombarded with senior projects. With all of that, it was hard to think about writing more just for fun but that is over and I’M BACK. Now, I am getting ready to volunteer abroad again. T-24 days to take off!
2019 Mission to Mars! Jk…The Philippians
It is late in the game this time around, but I finally have my next trip plans laid out. I wanted to pop on and share what’s happening. If this is your first time checking me out, welcome! I am a banker by day, a foodie by night, a parent, and a solo traveler. I really enjoy traveling but a few years ago, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and started flying solo…literally.
Volunteering Broad
The last couple of years, I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to use all of my PTO in one bit to take an extended trip to different countries and volunteer abroad in projects that matter to me. These experiences have undoubtedly changed who I am. I have been working in human trafficking non-profits and visiting credit unions in other countries. I went to Thailand, which was specular and emotional. It was hard hearing the stories of these girls who have survived unspeakable abuse. Check out Foundation for Women in Bangkok, just amazing women helping other women.
This last September, I was in Arusha, Tanzania working with an organization called Faraja Center for Women. This one was hard. Not only were there teen girls who had survived terrible situations, but they were mothers with young babies and toddlers. That put me right over the edge. I just wanted to adopt everyone and take them home. It’s a hopeless feeling, so I found myself doing things to help me stay focused on what I could actually help with. Some days that meant I was just going to be able to make someone smile or cuddle babies. Other days I was teaching classes and helping with the non-profit administrative duties I am more familiar with from my professional careers. Volunteering abroad is very rewarding but sometimes, its just devastating too.
As a member of the World Council of Credit Unions through my normal job, I also had met Credit Union leaders from Kenya. We stayed in touch and I had the opportunity to also visit credit unions in Nairobi. I helped with their business development, community relations, and marketing efforts. There are advancements in USA Credit Unions that have been implemented to ensure our survival. However, there are credit unions around the world still facing challenges with this. It was a great experience to be able to share expertise and help with this in Kenya.
Get to the Point
This year is going to be a little different. It was not my plan but due to strategy changes of the organization who usually coordinates my trips, they are unable to plan a human trafficking project for me. I was running out to time to plan a trip and was not able to dedicate the time I would have needed to vetting organizations and doing the leg work on my own. I knew I still wanted to volunteer abroad and make a meaningful impact. I also knew I wanted to be able to use my skills and professional experience to empower women who have had tough circumstances. I am officially going to the Philippeans and will be touring credit unions for three weeks. However, as a member of my local Global Women’s Leadership Sister Society, I have partnered with the Sister Society in the Philippians to work on professional development and strategic planning for these young women in the credit union industry. My understanding is that because of culture, educational accessibility, and industry history, it is still not common for a female to be a leader in these organizations.
There are other environmental challenges for women in the Philippians. Sexual abuse, rape, and molestation reports are higher per capita than anywhere else in the world. They are a major trafficking hub with pirating and drug smuggling issues. Professional job training, leadership development, and strategic planning seems like the perfect way to combine my professional experience with my passion for women’s equality into one project.
I will have one week of traveling around, relaxing, and sunburning. More to come on the specific itinerary and island hopping planning. I am fortunate that some of the credit unions and sister societies just happen to be next to some of the most beautiful beaches on earth. I am hoping to get lost on those during the evenings and weekends.
More to come! Cheers!
