So why boots in my photo? Well I just had to share the two cutest pairs (of many!) that we’ll be taking to women, men and children on our upcoming trip to Nicaragua. When you have extra baggage allowance…you take advantage!
So let’s start at the beginning. All during my corporate years there was very little, if any, time for volunteering. So what does one do when an organization tugs at your heart? You write a check. Fast forward to today and with my love of photography…well let’s just say I’ve found an organization that allows me to give back using my passion, as well as writing that check!
Let me tell you a little about Esperanca, whose mission is to improve the health for people in the poorest communities. Just last year, Esperanca sent 14 volunteer surgical teams who performed over 1,000 free surgeries…treating severe burns, cleft palates, injuries, deformities, etc., mainly in rural Nicaragua. All the medical teams pay their own expenses and donate their time, but the folks at Esperanca make it all happen.
Many of the patients are children, often traveling many miles to where the hospital is located in Jinotega…a small city in north central Nicaragua. Typical surgeries for them include fixing cleft lips and palates as well as burn scars from injuries sustained from falling into cooking fires. Many of the children have never experienced being away from their village, much less in a city like Jinotega or being in a hospital environment. As one can imagine, this can be a very frightening experience for the children and their families. So how do the families know that a doctor is coming to town? Word gets out by community leaders who will distribute the necessary information to the small villages. Families will use all types of transportation to arrive in Jinotega…and for those who can’t? Patients will be collected from villages by a “cayuco”, a motorized wooden longboat, stopping at villages along the Coco River, in some of the most remote parts of Central America.
Guess who will be in that “cayuco” on the Coco River? Guess who will be sleeping in hammocks with mosquito netting for a week? Yep, and then after we collect as many patients as possible…the following week will be documenting the families and their surgical needs, as well as the actual surgeries. As time permits, some excursions will be made to see how Esperanca is making a difference in small villages by building community wells, water systems and latrines. And of course, I so hope to experience a coffee plantation as Jinotega produces 80 percent of the coffee Nicaragua grows.
So as one can imagine…I have a lot of different emotions happening as the departure date of February 19th closes in. A big thank you to friends that have given shoes, clothes, toys, sports equipment for us to take in that extra baggage allowance. I know it will be appreciated by the people of the villages we will visit!
And yes, I do know that the Coco River has alligators.
Have a great weekend! gg
Aren’t we priviledged? Priviledged in the sense of being able to go out there to help those who are in need? I have a huge amount of respect for all those volunteers who give their time and money to improve the lifes of people who otherwise would not get the benefit of medical care education etc. We in return to learn to be more humble and not to take everything for granted.
Your trip sounds exciting ( apart from the mosquitos) and I am looking forward to all the great pictures you will bring back!
Beware of the crocodiles….they like gringas!
Totally Karen! And your point about learning to be more humble and not take everything for granted is spot on! That is exactly what I get out of giving and travel! LOL…I have heard that crocodiles love gringas! Oh my! Thank you my dear! xo
Amazing work being done by many hands…. You, and all the people making this happen, are Angels! I can’t wait to read all about this trip. Keep your hands in the boat Frissy… XoXo
I will – trust me! LOL! Thank you…so much! xoxo
excellent shot. and a big thumbs up to your endeavour.
Thank you so much for your visit and comments Ayush! Much appreciated!
So THIS is why you’re going to Nicaragua! I can just imagine the excitement and anticipation, Robin, as you endeavor to make a difference. I love who you are and who you’re continually becoming in this world of ours, where so many have “nothing” in comparison to what we have. Actually, they have more than we realize because their lives are not built around possessions but around family. Still, their quality of life can be enhanced and you will be there to play your part of Giving. Thank you for going there on the behalf of all of us who wish to make a difference.
Yes!! Your comments are precious…thank you so much! To your point about lives not being built around possessions…that’s exactly what I LOVED about Myanmar…there was so much joy in what little they had…just melts my heart! We have so much to learn from others! xo
This is just beautiful. I feel your excitement. To be able to make a difference, even on a small scale. It does not matter how many people can be helped, each one counts.
Love the picture, great DOV.
Love and hugs.
Thanks Astrid! Yes, very excited…especially with the unknown! Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? xoxo
My Dear Robin,
Such adorable boots! Ah, now we know why the mystery anticipating this exciting trip! That’s wonderful that you are allowed the extra luggage to take these useful donations. I wish I would have known, I would have sent you something but I’m sure this will be your 1st trip of many like this and there will be other opportunities to donate.
What an exciting and wonderfully adventurous journey this will be! I cannot wait to see the photographs and read the stories you will come back with.
Your heart just gets bigger with each passing year, dear Robin! I am so proud of you and so excited for you!
My surgeon in NY I’ve been seeing has been doing this same thing – donating his surgeries to those in other countries. His office is filled with beautiful photographs of the people and children from around the world. He just started a heart program as well. For every vascular heart surgery he does on a patient in America, he will travel and perform a surgery on another person in need in another country.
His name is Dr. David Greuner (in case you ever run into him. You can’t miss him, he’s gorgeous inside as well as out!) and totally lives by the “pay-it-forward” philosophy, such as yourself.
Bless you, sweet Robin for all the difference you make in this world and all the lives you affect. You’re a beautiful soul.
PS – Sorry I’ve been AWAL for awhile making my usual long comments but I have not missed one post and enjoyed each one, as always.
Do be careful out there. Angels auch as yourself are protected from those dangerous and pesky insects and creatures such as alligators. Just stare those alligators down and give them that, “I’ll make a nice purse, boots and belt out of you, Baby” look. And let them know they’ll be part of the donatables on the next trip. They’ll cower right back down under the river! Mosquitos, not so sure about – I’m sure you know what works best. Maybe Avon’s Skin So Soft is still the best after all these years, LOL! They have bracelets, little fans, all kinds of repellents you wear on yourself. They do carry a lot of diseases but like I said, you’ll be protected, as you are truely an angel.
Love you! Safe, happy and exciting travels!
XOXO
exciting…wondrous…and somewhat scary all at the same time, lol! THANK YOU always for being so supportive!!! xo
Robin, You put your heart and soul into everything you do! I love that you practice camera kindness and will serve with your passion . . .your compassion and willingness to give come from the heart with no expectation of return . . . this is simply who you are. Your photo of the boots is a perfect compliment to your message today and will surely be the first of an unfolding portfolio of your trip. Stay safe and bring home stories.
Donna, you are, by far, the most articulate person I’ve ever encountered. You are truely gifted to express so eloquently, in such few words, such powerful feelings. Such grace! I envy you and wish to be your Grasshopper.
I so agree Lisa!! I wanna be her grasshopper too!
Love this picture! And yes, we are that privileged … having enough to eat, a safe home and shelter from the cold. I just gave money to a friend who collects for Ukrainian people. They starve to death, and a dinner costs 5 cent for us. That’s the world we’re living in …
So true Katrin…thank you…
As you get closer to your departure date, you must feel excitement. I feel grateful for your big heart and for the images you will bring back to share.