Saving Our Envrionment and Protecting Endangered Species!

Kayla Strayhorn Start Date: Dec 27, 2019 - End Date: Apr 4, 2020
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Missionary Service
  • Volunteer Trip
  • Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

My Travel Story

by: Kayla Strayhorn Start Date: Dec 27, 2019 - End Date: Apr 4, 2020
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Missionary Service
  • Volunteer Trip

Hi everyone! My name is Kayla Strayhorn and I am a sophomore college student from Long Island, New York.

Currently I am studying speech-language pathology at Adelphi University and I have just finished interning for a non-profit organization called the Long Island Native Plant Initiative. As an intern I worked to restore the biodiversity and landscapes at various locations on Long island and the five boroughs. In addition, I also learned about invasive species and removed a couple of them as well as over the summer while developing strategies to raise awareness to help protect the native habitats of our environment.

Ever since I was a little girl, I have always had a green thumb and love for all of nature's beauty. Nothing makes me happier than waking up to birds chirping and the smell of fresh coffee. Unfortunately, climate change has impacted our ecosystems and continues to affect the habitats of several species that force them to adapt or migrate to more favorable areas. Luckily my school has offered a trip to help combat this global problem by having students like myself build homes to restore the endemic tortoises feeding grounds, work alongside conservationists with planting trees, explore nesting areas of various Galapagos Penguins/sea birds, and offer a form of therapy utilizing animals to help kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder called hippotherapy. This trip will be an experience I will always remember, and I am so thankful that I can help contribute to saving our Earth and provide therapy to children in need.


Throughout my life, I can say nothing, but good things occurred during my childhood till now. My family would always go on weekend adventures such as visiting the aquarium or going out sledding. Life was great and still is…however recently my mother would undergo the biggest surgery of her life which was a partial nephrectomy. A partial nephrectomy is a surgical procedure involving the removal of a renal tumor on the kidney. Recently, my mom was put under a laparoscopic machine that would remove 60% of her kidney that would ultimately change her life forever. The procedure was done at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in Manhattan where they discovered the tumor that caused her tremendous pain.  This news would shock my entire family because we weren’t sure what to do or why God would let something like this happen to my mom. We were stuck… my twin sister, my brother, and I would have to be there for my mom the minute she got out. Unfortunately, I quit my job to help my mother while my sister had to continue to work at her job to provide food for us all while my mother was out of work which meant I would have to stay home to take care of her. Due to these unforeseen medical circumstances, my mother is unable to afford the financial services for my trip including the passport, airfare, travel insurance, and food. My mother is the strongest person I know, and she would do anything for me to attend this trip if she could. Being a single parent with three children is not an easy job however, my mother is looking to start back working next month after taking almost a year off to recover. Although this would be a challenge living off my sister’s paycheck for months my mom grew stronger and healthier. 

My constant motivation is what drives me to accomplish my goals. I never felt more confident, optimistic, and joyful in my life.  Giving time to people in my life who are encouraging reminds me how much I have to offer whether it be information or just advice. Any donations will be greatly appreciated to help fund my travel to the Galapagos Islands. Speech and nature will always be the key to my heart, and I know that this trip will allow me to help others and make my mother proud. As an aspiring speech pathologist these two passions motivate me to make a difference in many lives and our environment.

 


  • Galápagos Islands, Ecuador