Watching
the students’ excitement grow as they became involved
in a global curriculum encouraged me to take the next step.
Why not experience traveling with the expedition to make classroom
lessons more realistic? My chance came that summer when I
rode Jason’s bike from Pueblo, CO to San Francisco, CA.
His legs had been badly broken nine months earlier so I volunteered
as a ‘pack mule’. However, I had never ridden a
bike more than five miles. Six weeks and 1600 miles later,
we were standing in the shadows of the Golden Gate Bridge,
thus completing his trans-US inline skate trip.
Four
years later I was asked to accompany Jason in pedal boat Moksha.
This expedition leg comprised 1,100 miles of open ocean from
the Solomon Islands to Australia. Although I’d never
been to sea before, the idea intrigued me, imagining the possibilities
for our educational programs. It became one of the most difficult
mental challenges I’ve ever faced. It was also one of
the most rewarding.
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traveling
is enticing, but there are maintenance requirements in running
an expedition. As global educational coordinator, my responsibilities
include cross-cultural exchange activities. This involves
networking kids connected to our global penpals program, coordinating
photo album exchanges between schools and addressing teacher/student
inquiries concerning what we’re about. In addition, as
secretary/treasurer of the expedition I help keep the business
end of things running.
Although
we have had many companies and individuals donate equipment
and services to the expedition over the years, we are still
independently funded, often struggling to make ends meet.
Weekends offer me the opportunity to supplement expedition
income by working for a local newspaper, cleaning houses and
horse stables, then, seasonal work for a local tree farm.
It takes a bit extra to keep it all moving forward!
Initially,
my work and travels with the expedition were challenged by
friends and family. As a single mother with a daughter, I’ve
found that altering traditional roles in today’s society
can be difficult. Becoming involved with the expedition six
years ago helped direct my personal and professional focus.
On a personal note, there is incredible strength to be gained
in taking control of your life. More importantly, however,
is the work I do with children through the expedition. They
are encouraged to accept their role as world citizens, focusing
on similarities as well as differences. The greatest reward
is in their excitement as they see this concept unfold!…
...It
is always a risk to swim against the tide, but we’re
here only once…live fully the experience and become stronger
for it…then use it to make the world a better place…
>>
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