IMPACT JULY 2015
A group of sponsors visit a community in Guatemala where Unbound works. Each year, hundreds of travelers see Unbound’s programs firsthand by going on awareness trips.
ADVENTURE
COME AND SEE F
or Unbound sponsor Jesse Fabian, going on an Unbound
“I said to Cecilia afterwards, ‘You know, this is the best
Awareness Trip was the last thing he wanted to do. But
trip that I’ve ever been on,’” Jesse said. “I said, ‘I could not
his wife, Cecilia Spearing, was persistent about visiting
go to a 5-star hotel and be fulfilled as much as I am now.’ I
their sponsored child Princess in the Philippines.
went home, I looked, and things were different. I had much
“I said, ‘I don’t need to go there; it’s a mission trip,
more appreciation for what we had. I said, ‘We can sponsor
they’re going to try to put a lot more religion down my
more children.’ At the time we were just sponsoring one.
throat,’” Jesse shared. “I didn’t want it, and she kept
But it was so important after we met the people.”
saying, ‘No, let’s go.’ And it changed my life.” The couple’s first awareness trip was in 2010. They
Unbound’s awareness trips are different from most mission trips. Our trips focus on the people we serve.
have since gone on three additional trips, visiting Kenya,
Travelers not only meet the person they’re helping, but
Uganda, Costa Rica and, most recently, Guatemala. But
gain a better understanding of the challenges of poverty
that first trip stuck with Jesse.
their sponsored friend must face.
(continued on back)
GET READY FOR ADVENTURE
BE ACTIVE FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Have you thought about traveling on an awareness trip with
Thank you to the 100-plus Unbound Trailblazers who walked or ran in
Unbound but wondered, “What would I do on the trip? What
the 5K, 10K and half marathon events at the Hospital Hill Run June 5-6 in
would accommodations be like? How would I prepare to
Kansas City — raising awareness and funds for Unbound’s work around
travel internationally?” Our print materials and our website,
the world. If you enjoy walking, running, cycling or similar activities, you
unbound.org/trips, are excellent resources. We also have
can be a Trailblazer, too. Visit
team members available to answer your questions and
unboundtrailblazers.org
guide you on an adventure of a lifetime. Contact us at
to find out how to get involved
(800) 875-6564 or trips@unbound.org to learn more.
in your community.
THE TRIP
Kenya
OF A LIFETIME Unbound Awareness Trips give you an experience you’ll never forget. With more than 27 trips going to 13 countries in 2016, there’s bound to be an adventure that’s right for you. Read what other travelers have said about our trips.
"I now have a much better understanding of the way of life for people in Kenya — their unique difficulties and triumphs." — Denise from Montana
Bolivia “I felt that I saw a lot more of Bolivia than I ever could as a regular tourist.” — Ann from Indiana
Guatemala “It made my giving more meaningful and I think forged a stronger connection to my sponsored family.” — Louise from Kansas
Philippines
“There is no way to describe the impact we have on the lives of the kids and aging without going there and seeing it firsthand!” — Chad from Wisconsin
(continued from front) Francisco Chavajay is the awareness trip coordinator for the Hermano Pedro office in Guatemala. He has been in the position since 2011 and has witnessed hundreds of meetings between sponsors and the people they support.
Sponsor Jesse Fabian is greeted by children sponsored through Unbound on a visit to Guatemala.
“It’s very hard to point out a single thing that makes these trips so special,” he said. “I believe sponsors appreciate the fact that our people invite them to step into their life and become part of their family, and vice versa. We [staffers] can talk and explain things to sponsors, but when they visit their [friends’] homes and ‘see,’ there’s no better explanation than that.” Awareness trips also hold great meaning for the sponsored friends and their families. “I can’t explain the joy that we feel when we have our sponsor here,” said 13-year-old Antonia from Guatemala, whose sponsor, Dave Asher, has visited several times. “It’s something special to see our sponsor in person. We have talked through letters and pictures, but it’s not the same as being with him, talking and sharing, and that is a great joy for us.” Though traveling to another country might seem daunting, going on an awareness trip creates deeper connections and understanding among all parties. “There’s a part in the Bible when Jesus is asked, ‘Where do you live?’ and Jesus replies, ‘Come and see,’” Francisco said. “I believe it’s fundamental for sponsors to ‘come and see.’ Come and see your sponsored friend; come and see the things that Unbound is working on with families; come and see how lives are changed; come and see how your donations work. I believe you will return home with the thought that your donation efforts are worth it.”
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