El Salvador - 2019
This was our second trip to El Salvador. Ashlyn and I made the incredibly fulfilling trip along with 16 other volunteers (parents and teens) to renovate a deteriorating school in desperate need of some TLC... San Alfonso School near La Libertad, El Salvador. Equipped with shovels, hammers and paint brushes, we were able to give this school a complete makeover in just four short days: new bathrooms, a new kitchen, a new computer classroom, (with air conditioning!) landscaping and so much more! Ashlyn, now armed with 4+ years of Spanish, was invaluable as an interpreter and facilitator.
We were also able to furnish the school with toys, sports equipment and of course the school supplies they so desperately need. This kind of work is the mission of One Kid One World... to make a difference in the lives of children in need around the globe. Renovating schools like these gives the kids in the area access to education and the chance to build a better life for themselves and their families. Their success is the world's success.
As a dad, it was refreshing to see my teen unplug and willingly dig in, get dirty and engage with the kids and families at the school. Ashlyn's kindness and compassion are unrivaled, a model for us all. Between some pretty intense work in the stifling heat and humidity, I'd steal glances of Ashlyn, in her element... tapping into her innate ability to connect with people and forge quick and lasting friendships.
We're incredibly proud to work with One Kid One World. It was always one of Sky's favorite organizations, and one our family has been a part of from the beginning. Trips to schools like San Alfonso, where you can see the transformation and impact firsthand, are life-changing. Hopefully this short video will give you a small glimpse of that. And hopefully you will feel moved to continue to support the incredible work One Kid One World does not only in El Salvador, but around the globe.
So, if you can, please consider donating. Our goal of $5,000 is ambitious, but we believe attainable. All money raised will go toward paying for the work we did at San Alfonso school in La Libertad.
***UPDATE***
An incredibly generous anonymous donor has agreed to match dollar-for-dollar up to our goal of $5,000! We're incredibly grateful for this offer and hope to reach our goal soon! Thank you all for your incredible support!!
Lastly, let me know if you're interested in joining us on a future trip. In the mean time, you can visit the One Kid One World Website here:
Thank you! Love, Mark and Ashlyn
