This past June, I joined my Alianza team members and traveled into the lush cloud forests of Nicaragua for my first time. Along for the adventure came a group of Alianza advocates.

One of those included a sweet, young girl, Calypso (pictured, far left).

I was quick to notice how comfortable Calypso felt on our daily visits to different schools, with the Alianza team, and the entire visit itself around Nicaragua. She was warm and the kids embraced her with excitement and affection.

New to the Alianza team, I soon learned that this wasn’t Calypso’s first time to Nicaragua. So I decided to sit down with her to tell her story (by “sit down” I really mean exchanging photos and messages over email and Instagram).

Welcome to Calypso’s Story.

Misty, Project Alianza: When and how did you first hear about Project Alianza?

Calypso, Alianza Advocate: I first got involved with Project Alianza when I was only 12 years old. My parents found out about Alianza through my dad's coworker, Chris. My parents wanted me to have an immersive experience to practice my Spanish, so I went on my first Advocate's Trip with Project Alianza in 2017, accompanied by my childhood babysitter, Adriana, who is Colombian and taught me to speak Spanish.

Misty: So tell me about your trips to Nicaragua! I’d love to hear about the special connections or moments you’ve had.

Calypso: I’ve been to Nicaragua three times now, and when I get to visit in the summer, that’s one of my favorite times of the year. I learn more every time I go there, and I love visiting the schools because I think it really brings me out of my shell.

There is one school in particular, Santa Enriqueta, where I have made a real connection with the kids who go there. It was the first school I ever visited on my first trip, where a group of girls took a liking to me and we became friends. When I went home, they sent me handwritten letters telling me about their lives and we were sort of like penpals for a bit. Now that we are all older, we follow each other on social media and message each other to catch up every once and awhile.

Misty: Why have you continued to travel with Alianza?

Calypso: I continue to travel with and support Project Alianza because I think that the work they're doing is really important and that it's helping a lot of people. It just feels good to be involved in something that's truly impactful on people's lives, because I think most people don't get many opportunities to experience that. I also always have fun on every trip, and I get to make new friends and visit old ones.

It’s stories like Calypso’s that fill our hearts with gratitude.

Our supporters have a strong role in the work we do to create educational equality across Latin America. Our Advocates Trips are the opportunity to connect with the impact and most importantly, with our community.

Join us on our next Advocate’s Trip to Latin America! Choose the trip of your choice between Nicaragua and Guatemala, and we’ll send you more information.

TRAVEL WITH US

Written by: Misty Lopez, Project Alianza team member who loves a good story!

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