Together, we felt like we were making a difference in our local community once again.
While we were in Vietnam, we were lucky enough to travel all across Asia, visiting Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Nepal. Nepal was our favorite country, and we even went back a second time—spending a total of 4 months there!
Throughout our travels and time in Asia, we both began to realize just how privileged we are to have been born in one of the most developed countries in the world. We also began to realize how much opportunity, as Americans, we have been gifted with our entire lives—namely, the access we have always had to strong public education. In fact, we now believe that education is the world’s most powerful tool for change.
After learning so much about ourselves and growing as both individuals and as partners, we decided that it was time for us to give back to new communities, in new parts of the developing world. And so, our dream to visit South America was born.
Now, nearly a year after that initial dream was born, we are volunteering with a nongovernmental organization (NGO) in the small village of Jupapina, Bolivia. This organization, called Up Close Bolivia, will be our new home for the next three months. Up Close Bolivia began nearly 15 years ago, and it was started by Emma, an ex-volunteer from England, and her Bolivian husband, Rolando. At the core of Up Close’s mission is the concept of reciprodad (reciprocity). Reciprocity is about exchanges that benefit everyone involved. Every program that Up Close facilitates for the Jupapina community is all about giving back. It’s about contributing in a way that enriches both the person who is giving and the person who is receiving, equally.
