Jennifer Wyffels a teacher of 12 years at Geneso High School, started teaching about the global water crisis four years ago in her Spanish 3 and 4 classes. Her goal was not only to teach a new language but through the readings of the assigned textbook she decided to make her students aware of the…
In a small, remote community in Guatemala, twelve-year-old Theresa lives among her relatives and neighbors in Barrio Nevago, an indigenous community. Barrio Nevago has historically had little interaction with the local church and an aversion to Christian beliefs. Instead of engaging with the church, the people here often practice rituals to the founder of their…
I used to really, genuinely dislike St. Patrick’s Day. I didn’t get it. We all have to wear green or people will go around pinching us, I went to a St. Patrick’s Day party once and it was awful, and I just didn’t understand the appeal because it seemed like such a lame holiday to me.…
According to the United Nations, “No other single intervention is more likely to have a significant impact on global poverty than the provision of safe water.” By now, most of us are aware of the Global Water Crisis- a crisis that is affecting over 1.8 billion people in the world and causing a child to die…
Healing Waters International was never designed to be a disaster relief organization. Rather, we focus on long-term, sustainable solutions that transform life on several levels for communities. One of our core values is that we strive to serve 1,000 people for 10 years instead of 10,000 people for one year then fail. We believe that…
One of my favorite quotes ever is by the ever-hopeful and inspiring Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The quote goes, “When I was a boy and would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” When I think about this…
You know, the day after Christmas is probably my least favorite day of the year. Especially as a kid, I really disliked it and dreaded it. The reason I disliked it so much was probably because all the joy, excitement, and expectation that filled the months preceding the holidays were gone. As a child, I vividly…
Well, friends, ‘tis the season: the season of joy, the season of thankfulness, the season of love, the season of peace. . .it’s Christmas time! Honestly, Christmas is my favorite time of year. It’s a time for friendship, family, and reflection. I specifically love to reflect on the beautiful, crazy, radical love that came in…
Occasionally, you meet people who—without knowing it—completely change your perspective and help you reevaluate your purpose. This summer, I met someone who did that for me. Her name was Merce. She originated from Spain but moved to the Dominican Republic to make a difference there. Merce first visited the country at the ripe age of nineteen…