Member Judy Huff loves to combine travel, service, and parenting. She describes a wonderful experience with her youngest daughter.
As the national crisis of being addicted to our phones continues to reach children younger and younger it is more important than ever that we help them learn about truly connecting with others in person. Service projects, nationally and internationally, are a great way to achieve the goal of increasing children’s awareness of others.
I have supported Soles 4 Souls nonprofit for ten years in many capacities. My favorite is traveling with S4S to distribute new shoes in countries such as Honduras, Guatemala and Dominican Republic. My first trip was with my two oldest children when they were teenagers in 2014. We went to Haiti and learned about a whole different culture and country that prompted endless questions from the teenagers. The first time you are exposed to that type of extreme poverty the images stay with you. Ten years later the memories are still vivid.
In June 2024, it was my youngest daughter’s turn to go on a trip…to the Dominican Republic this time. (Although almost all the children we served were Haitian. That’s a whole different very sad story). I was worried she may be the only teenager on the trip, but she was joined by an American Haitian teenager from New Jersey whose father organizes relief programs in the DR through Soles 4 Souls. The two girls had a wonderful time working together and helping size shoes for over 700 children – some their own ages
When the trip was over the group leader asked each travel participant to write why they had come on the trip. My daughter said, “My mom asked me if I wanted to go and I was excited to say yes. I liked the idea we would be doing it together.” One of the highlights was how sweet the children were that Maya helped serve. After one little girl received a new pair of shoes she handed her old pair to Maya in thanks. Maya was truly touched by the loving spirit of the children.
Want an incredible new way to bond with children/grandchildren, consider an international service trip.
