There are an estimated 150-200 Million orphans in the world. Every 15 seconds a child loses a parent to an AIDS related condition. I would assume if one parent has it, normally the other will as well, causing this number to climb at a heartbreaking pace. The 2011 earthquake in Haiti left 300,000 children without their parents. The current Syrian war already has 8,000 orphaned children leave Syria. These are just a few of the hardest numbers I have seen as I have researched this. We have a terrible problem, there are so many babies out there struggling to survive at an age they shouldn’t even know what the word “survival” means. Do I have your attention? If you have started to read this, I ask that you read all of it. Don’t skim to the end, listen to what I am telling you, let the numbers sink in, and definitely turn on that empathy.

The last 3 months I have really struggled with this blog. What is my purpose for it? How will I make a positive impact the documentation of my travels? The most computer illiterate person can google any place in the world and there will be a blog describing that destination. I love keeping everybody informed with what I am doing where, but I have an internal conflict because it all feels… well… shallow? Last night driving to a missionary meeting it just clicked. I am so excited to transform this into not just a travel site, but a site that can be a benefit. My travels now have a purpose. Before I go into that however, let me jump back to this crisis that is getting worse. I can’t help but think how many “15 seconds” have gone by just while I am typing this.

PHILIPPINES

The most recent statistic I could find stated that there are 1.8 million orphans there. Stop and let that sink in, 1.8 MILLION children! It breaks my heart! In 2015, Filipino population was 100.7 million, of that number 26 million remain poor and 12 million are living in extreme poverty unable to feed themselves. So nearly 1 in 3 is struggling to eat.

INDONESIA

Indonesia is ranked #6 in the world for orphan population, with 4.8 million. In the last 4 years, over 140,000 Indonesians have lost their house due to national disasters. 28,364 homeless gives Jakarta the 6^th highest homeless population in the world.

I name these two countries because in exactly a month, I will be boarding a plane and my destination will be these two countries. While these numbers knock the breath out of me, I also see a huge opportunity for this little blonde girl to make a positive footprint on these beautiful countries. What is that?? I am now ready to explain the new purpose of this little website I have created. I have a love for travel and a tender heart for the less fortunate and I can finally combine these for the best trip yet! I have been in contact with a couple orphanages in both countries and am looking for a school and a shelter. I have set up a gofundme account for donations and all the money donated I will use to purchase the supplies that each place requests. I want to be VERY clear; I am paying for my trip. Every single penny of these donations will go toward the different organizations that I pick; none of it goes to myself. Now it gets a little more exciting. These orphanages, shelters, schools, and every munchkin they support are what I will write about! Once I have selected where the donations go, I will write a little profile of each of the places I pick. Then, when I actually drop off the materials I will spend a day there and be able to tell you about the facility, something about different people there, and hopefully a way for you to donate/keep in touch in the future. Guys I am so excited, I will be donating as much as I can personally, but I want anybody that is interested in helping be able to. Even better, you then see the exact orphan your money bought shoes for, or the orphanage that was able to buy that fire extinguisher they haven’t been able to afford for 3 months. Pretty cool right?

So this is my big exciting news. I hope I haven’t rambled too much and forgive my grammar; I am in a rush to post this and am also so full of excitement it makes logical sentences difficult! I leave in a month and throwing this in has added a lot of work. It’s going to be a quick goodbye now, I got things to do! Love you all! 

P.S. Look below for the link to the gofundme 🙂

https://www.gofundme.com/my-call-to-action 

“The journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step”

                                                                                                                                          –Laosi

Well, it’s been two months since I last sat down and put my thoughts on paper. So much has happened, I feel like the time is flying by. I am overwhelmed with everything that has to be done, but I also have optimism, as slowly I am able to mark off different agendas that put me one step closer to August and the big leap. When I made this decision, I perceived the responsibilities which require me to stay home, but also knew that they will always be here. While they may not always be the same, some similar branch of each excuse will always exist. What I didn’t completely comprehend was what all needed to be done, right now however, I am right in the middle of them.

Exploring Tulum

I currently rent a single bedroom house and share it with my two fur babies, Boss and Delfina. This sentence has basically taken over my life in this last month. Ironically, the week I made the plan to put my American life on pause and do some continental hopping, I received a call from my landlord. She called to inform me that the house I live in had been sold and June 5th would be my last day. Well, that was a little stressful, considering my plan was to leave in August, what do I do for those months in between? I had arranged temporary homes for my animals in August, but now, well, I have to find something for June?

I calmed the panic and got to work, I have since found a room to rent for those  2 months. The nice thing is that this will be significantly cheaper than rent (and the bills that go along) that I was paying at my house, so more money to stow away! Delfina’s godfather, the person who will be taking her while I am on my excursion has also agreed to take her in June, instead of the agreed upon August. Then what about that dog of mine, well, I am pretty excited to say that he will be coming with me to the house I am staying at. First big hurdle taken care of, and even better, it will be more financially beneficial.

Delfina giving me her best face

In my first blog I briefly addressed my family life and being the baby of 7 and how I was extremely nervous about my parents’ reaction to my choice to be a wanderer for a few months. I have made my decision, however of course it would be much easier if my parents are as excited as I am. Unfortunately, ecstatic wasn’t exactly their reaction. They were happy for the opportunity, but nervous about all the possible dangers. While some parents in this world suggest travel, mine are not that sort. They have found their little bit of paradise and don’t see a reason or need to travel out of their perfect, little corner of the United States.  I guess with this, time will only tell, maybe as they get more used to the idea they will warm up, maybe not, but we continue on.

Taking Boss for a hike

The final significant hurdle that I want to talk about today is my job. I currently have two. My main job being a receptionist for a small manufacturing company, your typical Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM “cookie cutter” job, but I absolutely love it. My second job, which is basically there to fund this trip, along with any other endeavor I go on, is a server at a restaurant. I normally only work 2 or 3 shifts a week, so I am not overloading myself, it allows me to have that extra money to put away, but this does makes my life very much scheduled. My plan originally was to quit both jobs and jump a plane and head out with no strings, except my two animals of course. When I told the owner at the manufacturing company that we needed to have a meeting, I think he knew the path this “meeting” was going to take, so he avoided it… for a month! Finally I cornered him and we had the long put off discussion. He listened to what I had to say, with a few questions/input here and there and finally, when I was done, he told me that he would reserve my position for two months. They can’t wait forever, but if I shortened my trip, I could come back to a job. Crickets, the restaurant, has also told me that they want me to come back when I return from my travels. So here is the dilemma, I am beyond flattered that they both like and appreciate me enough to want me to return, but my original plan was no less than three months. My internal battle becomes; is this a blessing, or a compromise?

Boss’ 3rd Birthay

So, this is where I currently stand, in one week I will technically be homeless. All of my precious possessions in storage, no longer sleeping with Delfina… homeless. Which was the plan, but it’s a little bit early! It is amazing to me, that when I made this decision, I mean really put it in stone and took the first step, fate has also stepped in and shoved me forward almost as if to say, “This is what you want to do? Good, no backing out now!” It’s curious to me, the hand I have been dealt these past weeks makes it almost easier to travel than stay here. It is a crazy thought, but for me, right now, it is my reality and I am starting to get really excited! 🙂