My apologies for the break between updates. I fully intended to post weekly but between speaking, travelling, and my classes there has been little time for blogs. I have created an incentive system where my reward for completing all my homework is to post on here. That being said, if you want more updates feel free to text or message me and remind me to do my homework. Now onto the fun stuff...
We have officially started our tour! And it has been INCREDIBLE thus far. In the last 10 days we have spoken at 4 schools in a total of 12 presentations to over 600 students of all age/grade levels. I cannot find the words to express just how inspirational it is to see these young people hear our message and respond. Each day has its own stories of remarkable young people answering the call to action and using whatever they have to make a difference. Here is a brief recap of our first week on tour:
The first school we visited was Holy Trinity in San Pedro, CA. It was a gorgeous, sunny day in this Southern California city. We delivered 3 presentations. I spoke to both the K-2 and 6-8 grade audiences while Katie talked to grades 3-5. We were definitely nervous since it was our first school, we were alone, and had to deliver 40 minutes worth of information from memory. But it could not have gone better. The 6th grade class had already researched Thirst and was planning to do a service project based on our work and were hoping that our presentations would get the rest of the school involved. I have since heard great reports on the success of their project and continued work with the water crisis.
Just as inspirational was the response of the young children. I was nervous to deliver our presentation to such small children because the material is pretty intense. How would 150 kids respond to stories about AIDS, dysentery, and death? How can I make this material relevant without terrifying them? And what could they really do with this knowledge? I was shocked and amazed at the response. We had kids coming up afterwards to donate or ask questions.
Incredibly one of the 1st grade girls went home that night and with her parents' help, started a website to raise money. To date she has raised over $1200 for the water crisis.... in just 10 days!
We then travelled to San Francisco, Sacramento, and Northern California to speak to students in that area. We were so incredibly blessed by the teacher, administrations, and students at every school we visited. Everyday I get new emails from students that approached us after the presentation and want to do something. And everyday I count my blessings to be a part of such an incredible work. One day I got an email just 4 hours after school let out from a student that I spoke to that morning. She had already talked to local businesses about donations and started an awareness event on her campus...just HOURS after our talk.
I could go on for pages and pages about the incredible people I have met of all ages that are eager to do something to help. But I will save some stories for later. Overall this trip has vastly exceeded my expectations and everyday I am impressed and amazed by what I see. It is also incredibly fulfilling because every time I speak, I share not only the stories of people in other countries but my story as well. I have been able to use the most challenging experiences of my life in encourage and inspire students not only to get involved in water relief but also to believe in themselves and overcome obstacles. It's unbelievable.
We have officially started our tour! And it has been INCREDIBLE thus far. In the last 10 days we have spoken at 4 schools in a total of 12 presentations to over 600 students of all age/grade levels. I cannot find the words to express just how inspirational it is to see these young people hear our message and respond. Each day has its own stories of remarkable young people answering the call to action and using whatever they have to make a difference. Here is a brief recap of our first week on tour:
The first school we visited was Holy Trinity in San Pedro, CA. It was a gorgeous, sunny day in this Southern California city. We delivered 3 presentations. I spoke to both the K-2 and 6-8 grade audiences while Katie talked to grades 3-5. We were definitely nervous since it was our first school, we were alone, and had to deliver 40 minutes worth of information from memory. But it could not have gone better. The 6th grade class had already researched Thirst and was planning to do a service project based on our work and were hoping that our presentations would get the rest of the school involved. I have since heard great reports on the success of their project and continued work with the water crisis.
Just as inspirational was the response of the young children. I was nervous to deliver our presentation to such small children because the material is pretty intense. How would 150 kids respond to stories about AIDS, dysentery, and death? How can I make this material relevant without terrifying them? And what could they really do with this knowledge? I was shocked and amazed at the response. We had kids coming up afterwards to donate or ask questions.
Incredibly one of the 1st grade girls went home that night and with her parents' help, started a website to raise money. To date she has raised over $1200 for the water crisis.... in just 10 days!
We then travelled to San Francisco, Sacramento, and Northern California to speak to students in that area. We were so incredibly blessed by the teacher, administrations, and students at every school we visited. Everyday I get new emails from students that approached us after the presentation and want to do something. And everyday I count my blessings to be a part of such an incredible work. One day I got an email just 4 hours after school let out from a student that I spoke to that morning. She had already talked to local businesses about donations and started an awareness event on her campus...just HOURS after our talk.
I could go on for pages and pages about the incredible people I have met of all ages that are eager to do something to help. But I will save some stories for later. Overall this trip has vastly exceeded my expectations and everyday I am impressed and amazed by what I see. It is also incredibly fulfilling because every time I speak, I share not only the stories of people in other countries but my story as well. I have been able to use the most challenging experiences of my life in encourage and inspire students not only to get involved in water relief but also to believe in themselves and overcome obstacles. It's unbelievable.
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