Funding my voluntary service in Thailand

Julia Gabriela Strack Diaz Start Date: May 3, 2019 - End Date: May 2, 2020
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My Travel Story

by: Julia Gabriela Strack Diaz Start Date: May 3, 2019 - End Date: May 2, 2020
An abandoned bunny who is left alone with his feelings, a poor girl who gives away all of her belongings and a bear whose natural habitat is being destroyed, these were some of the plots I wrote about when I was a little girl. I wrote about what I observed and would try to think about the weirdest ways to solve these problems (with many of them involving magic and candy as an answer). But we will get to my solutions later, first I think it is important to explain where I come from, and how this influenced the stories I told.

I was born in Bolivia, a beautiful country with many cultures and languages, gorgeous views and a lot of history. But that is only what the tourists get to see. When you take a second look you will see the injustices that this country carries. Some people own way too much money while others are starving to death. I was lucky enough to have wealthy parents who paid the bills of an elite school giving me the chance to have a proper education, and I am very thankful for that.  But I began to notice these little differences that set me apart from my neighbors. Like how they did not have as many colored pencils as I had, or how the next day after breaking their toy they had really bad bruises. I wanted to do something, change something, but I was just a little kid. I was told I could not do anything. So instead of doing, I began thinking. I started writing short stories, I guess as a coping mechanism, and I always gave everyone a happy end. (With the help of the magic powers I mentioned earlier) But as time went by, my thoughts got more and more real. I began to see the problems real people had, to recognize what the root of all that sadness was. My friend’s parents do not have a job. Teachers are mean. The streets are too dirty. My friends do not have enough colored pencils! So my search for solutions began. (Of course at the time I was a little girl, so do not expect promising answers). My dad should become president and give everyone free stuff! He later explained to me that he had not enough money to do that, I was devastated and it was hard for my parents to explain to me that the world does not work in that way. But between all of the naive ideas there was one that later on would change the plans I had for my future. I was convinced there was one thing that could solve all these problems. That thing was volunteering. I thought as Germans are so orderly they could come to Bolivia and pay attention to the observance of the laws. Pick up the trash, fine people, be teachers or spend quality time playing with the kids, give us free toys. I believed I had made a groundbreaking discovery, of course without knowing that it was already a thing, at least in a more realistic version. But that made me happy, change was occurring.

I told you this story because I want you to see who I have always been. I am a writer, a little bit of an idealist. I am an optimist and I am still that little girl that is hopeful to make a difference. And now I have a chance to not only think about solutions but to actively engage in them. So I would be very thankful if you took me into consideration.
  • Tailandia