About a year ago, I was made aware of an opportunity to fly across the world and change the lives of orphans. An organization called Children's Global Alliance had taken 5 students from Stone Creek Charter School the previous summer to Cambodia and this time they were expanding the program to my school. I thought about how great of an idea this was and eagerly applied, but I never thought I'd actually be lucky enough to go or even imagined that I could be in such a wonderful situation. And months later, after so much hard work and anticipation, I found myself in Cambodia doing something that made me the happiest I've ever been.

Tonight, I got to witness some of the student volunteers for this summer's service trips begin their journey the same way I did at the informational meeting. It's amazing to think of how different they will be in a year, how much this experience will change them, and all of the experiences coming in the future. Of how they will become part of this CGA family and be able to share all of the things that my teammates and I felt and experienced this past summer. I am so excited for them to embark on their journey, both physically to Cambodia or Nicaragua, and mentally.

I want to tell anyone who happens to read this blog that there is no exaggeration when student volunteers say this trip is absolutely amazing, and it will be life-changing. The growth that I have seen in myself and my friends who went with me stunned even me, and I am proud to say that every one of us is a better person because of it. Students, I encourage you to apply for this trip and know that you won't regret it and you will fall in love with every one of the children you work with. There is nothing that I have ever experienced that is quite as rewarding as working so hard to go on the trip and continuing to work hard during the trip, and seeing how much happier you made those kids and how much better their lives are now. And how they touched your heart and changed you, too.

I wish the best of luck to this year's applicants, and please believe me when I say this trip is something you will never, ever forget!