Amanda turned a major life moment into a question of “how can I truly live my best life?” and it led her to Humanity and Hope!
Why did you choose Humanity and Hope?
I had been looking for different organizations that you did not need to be a part of a specific school or church to join and my friend had heard of H&H and suggested I look into it.
When I turned 25, I had what I like to refer to as my 'quarter-life crisis.' I was struggling a lot with who I was and questioning myself, as to whether or not I was really as happy as I could be and living my best life. I have always been very shy but I wanted to do something that would help me step out of my comfort zone, to help further discover who I was.
What was the most eye-opening thing you saw or experienced in Honduras?
One of the most eye-opening things to me was being able to recognize the impact H&H has had across the different communities. It was evident from the moment we stepped off the bus in La Coroza that this community has been with H&H the longest. The people there greet us all with smiles and hugs, and treated us as family. They also just recently acquired electricity in La Coroza which is so wonderful! Hearing music playing from the homes really made my heart happy. It's the little things like this that we take for granted at home here in the states. To know how far La Coroza has come in only a few years has me beyond excited and hopeful for La Cuchilla, the newest H&H community.
Amanda’s favorite part
One of my favorite moments of the trip was announcing to the people of La Coroza that H&H had raised over $200,000, enough money to purchase The Grand Farm. Owning this land will secure jobs for so many and ensure stable income for generations to come. It still gives me the chills thinking about the moment we told them, seeing them cheer and cry tears of joy; it truly was a blessing to be a part of that.
Any advice (or encouragement) you'd give to someone who is thinking of joining us on a trip?
If you're even thinking about joining for a trip, do it! Personally, I can be very indecisive and I bounced back and forth a lot between going or not, mostly because I was afraid of not knowing anyone or not knowing what would be expected of me but I am so happy I decided to go! From the first day of meeting everyone in the airport, it was an instant connection. We bonded so easily because we were all there with a similar calling.
How has your trip impacted your daily life post trip?
A friend once said, "we are all here on purpose, for a purpose." This is a quote I carry away from this trip, along with the experiences I had, the friendships I created, and the immeasurable value I feel this opportunity has added to my life.
