August 2014 – June 2015:
I just got back from a two and a half week humanitarian trip from the Philipines. I had the opportunity to be an adult leader for Reaching Out Worldwide (ROW). There were about 25 high school students from all around the Salt Lake valley who joined us. We all prepared over a year before we went by having monthly meetings and many different service opportunities at places such as as Habitat for Humanity and Boys and Girls Club.
I have traveled many places but the Philippines made a huge impact on me. Not only was it the people I went with but the people waiting there for me to meet. The school my group attend was called Igpanolog Elementary school. This was the most humbling experience to attend this village and school for a week. The people are truly amazing. Serving and playing with these Filipino children has been the best experience of my life! I’ve never been so tired, dirty, hot and sweaty, soaking wet, and yet I enjoyed every moment of it.
One of the days we hauled gravel to a work sight. We had to shovel gravel into bags and move them downhill. As we started, almost all of the kids at the school began helping. The work ethic taught at this school is phenomenal.
Everyone needs to go to the Philippines. I recommend going with ROW. Check out this for more information. http://www.reachingoutworldwide.org. If you can’t travel there in person, you still can help by donating money. That money will be used by to purchase a pig that will be donated to a Philippine family to start a business.
In the future, I hope I can return to further help this organization. They helped me become a better leader to those around me. I learned skills of patience, to lead by example, delegation, service, humility and love.
Laci Tagge 