From Washington With Love
A collaborative Washington and Idaho mission to Oaxaca, Mexico, takes shape. By Julianna Verboort Photo Courtesy of Megan Olson
Middle school teacher Megan Olson is on a mission to bring hope and healing to those thousands of miles away. On October 10th, she and six volunteers from Living Water Lutheran Church in Clark Fork, Idaho, as well as team members from Gig Harbor, will fly over 2500 miles to Oaxaca, Mexico, bringing helping hands to the ministry Trigo Y Miel.
Gig Harbor resident Karen Bush and former Gig Harborite Amy Larsen are also on the team and hope to make a positive impact through this very special collaboration. Forward Edge International of Vancouver, Washington, matched Megan's group with Trigo Y Miel. Forward Edge recruits ordinary citizens for on-the-ground volunteer experiences in humanitarian organizations.
Oaxaca's population is among the poorest in Latin America and 75 percent of those who live in the community lack adequate food, water, shelter, health care and education. Oaxaca's people are diverse; many adults speak a tribal language first, Spanish second. Children are significantly malnourished and fewer than 14 percent complete 8th grade, typically leaving school to help support their families.
The Living Water volunteers will help with Trigo Y Miel's water system, teach English and math, and provide basic dental care since one of them is a dental hygienist. "We're asking for donations of chewable multivitamins, the kids really need them -- not the gummy kind because those won't go through customs," Megan said. "Lice kits, dental floss, toothbrushes, travel-sized toothpaste would all be really helpful."
Translating to "Wheat and Honey," Trigo y Miel is a "holistic ministry working in four areas: physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual," equipping children for a brighter future by providing them with enough food to eat, with love and acceptance, education, and health care. The ministry supports mothers too, working to break the generational cycle of poverty. Trigo Y Miel started a bakery as a means for women to generate income; it has grown into a fully functioning business where women learn baking, sales, and business skills.
Megan's group also wants to bring joy and has packed uncommon treats like nail polish for Oaxacan women and even fun surprises for the kids. Megan was delighted when her cousin in Gig Harbor, WA, said "Oh, do we have supplies for you!" and promptly delivered dozens of new soccer jerseys and shorts, socks, and 30 pairs of new cleats. Her cousin, who wishes to remain anonymous, had been given the equipment to donate on her next Mexico vacation. "But Oaxaca has a lot more kids, and soccer is huge," Megan beamed. Soccer balls will round out the donations going to Oaxaca and Living Water Lutheran Church enthusiastically accepts donations toward the cause.
Since all supplies are funded through donations, volunteers pay for their own airfare and expenses. This will be the first mission trip for Living Water, but, "We hope it might become an annual tradition," offered the motivated Megan.
To donate:
Living Water Lutheran Church
P.O. Box 406
or
317 E. 2nd Avenue (for package delivery)
Clark Fork, ID 83811
tel: 208.266.1282
