Macedonia 2007

My first trip: Skopje, Macedonia.

Before departing for the month I had a lot to prepare for. Firstly, I had to get to my team. We met every week for updates,ice breakers and socials and took the time to build friendships before spending an entire month in small areas. My leaders were the 3 most inspirational, phenomenal, outstanding individuals that I had ever met. The rest of my team was AMAZING and I could not have been more thrilled. Lots of paper work, vaccinations and fundraising later...... WE FLEW OUT!

We had a lay over in Budapest, almost got arrested for mis-using their transit system and then carried on. We arrived in the capital city of Skopje ( Scope-ee-a) to the smallest aiport I have ever seen. There was miscommunication and our contact wasn't there to pick us up! Not going to lie, I was frightened.... very nervous about the whole experience.

The month was filled with working in woman's shelters, orphanages, handing out clothing in villages, learning in large extent ( too much extent) on sex trade and working with children from both Christian and Muslim backgrounds. I learned more than I could have ever imagined. I learned my love and compassion for children, which I knew I had, I just didn't know the depth of it.

Coming home from this trip was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I loved my team, the country, the people, the different religions, the weather and the sweet sweet pastries.

I learned so much about how to apart of a team, how to stay positive and how to be self motivated. I believe that this was a great stepping stone to being a positive asset to an organization