first day in uganda: post by team 6 leader suzanne

"Destination: St. Mary Kevin Orphanage

Hours Traveled: 36 +

Bags Checked: 6

Jennifer and I started our journey to the Pearl of Africa with eight bags, 6 checked all weighing in at the maximum allowed 50 lbs. Although, don’t tell anyone, we were definitely over the weight allowance. Who thought squirt guns weighed that much.

The first leg was on a Boeing 747-400 with 415 of our closest friends to Amsterdam. Seven hours later we landed only to board the second plane to Kigali, Rwanda and then an hour later to our final destination Entebbee, Uganda. As we descended into Entebbe the quarter moon was swinging low in the sky, twinkles of light dotted the hills and you could see the thunder & lighting clouds doing their dance. Fiona, Catherine and Melissa were waiting patiently for us as we cleared immigration and gathered all our bags. Familiar faces and hugs for weary travelers.

We made our way to SMK with Melissa acting as tour guide pointing out various highlights along Entebbe Road. The Lodge awaited us and the simple pleasure of being horizontal was our reward. Our first day at SMK was just hours away.

It is now day two and we have started many art projects, played soccer, read books under the shade of a banana tree and held hands. We await another member of Team 6, Natalie who will have her first day at SMK on Tuesday. The kids are excited to welcome her.  Stay tuned for more on the happenings at SMK from Team 6!"

- Suzanne

first day in uganda: post by team 6 member jennifer

"OLYOTYA!  ('Hello' in Ugandan)

What a first day! After a very long journey, we finally made our way to SMK mid-morning. The walk to SMK is beautiful—lush greenery, hills and contrasting red clay. Along our walk we are often called 'Muzungu'— along with waves from the children along the roadside.

Finally, entering SMK we are greeted with hugs, smiles and kids wanting to constantly hold our hands.  The children are very curious and love to have their pictures taken. Nothing could have prepared me for the outpouring of love and happiness the children displayed!  A memory that will stay with me for a lifetime.  The first day was spent meeting some new children to SMK, along with me being introduced to some children that have been at SMK for many years.  Fiona, my Fashionista as I’ve nicknamed her, gave me a tour of SMK, and the afternoon was spent doing a few crafts.

It’s near 9 pm, Day One almost over….Wow….. that’s all I can say."

- Jennifer

may they rest in peace

CHARLOTTE BACON, 6
DANIEL BARDEN, 7
RACHEL DAVINO, 29
OLIVIA ENGEL, 6
JOSEPHINE GAY, 7
ANA G. MARQUEZ-GREENE, 6
DYLAN HOCKLEY, 6
DAWN HOCHSPRUNG, 47
MADELEINE F. HSU, 6
CATHERINE V. HUBBARD, 6
CHASE KOWALSKI, 7
JESSE LEWIS, 6
JAMES MATTIOLI, 6
GRACE MCDONNELL, 7
ANNE MARIE MURPHY, 52
EMILIE PARKER, 6
JACK PINTO, 6
NOAH POZNER, 6
CAROLINE PREVIDI, 6
JESSICA REKOS, 6
AVIELLE RICHMAN, 6
LAUREN ROUSSEAU, 30
MARY SHERLACH, 56
VICTORIA SOTO, 27
BENJAMIN WHEELER, 6
ALLISON N. WYATT, 6

birthday girl

My daughter celebrated her 32nd birthday today. Abbie is seven months pregnant, so I doubt there was much partying going on. But what an exciting time in her life, with a two year old and second child due soon.

Abbie was a little artist and an early talker and reader. Her love of all things musical began at a very young age. I think she had "The Wizard of Oz" memorized by the time she was three! She loved to sing, and that passion continued through high school and college when she sang in a cappella groups. If we nudge her hard enough, she'll sing for us now, but she usually saves her voice for young Henry's lullabies.

Abbie rarely got into trouble. The one time we had to actually send her to her room was when she thought it'd be funny to rearrange the removable keys on the keyboard of our very first computer. Looking back on it now, I think it was actually a pretty funny prank.

I gave Abbie her first camera when she was two or three. It was cool to watch her shoot as a young girl, just as I had. Her Instamatic quickly became an extra appendage, and she made some really interesting photos. I taught her how to print, and sometimes we'd work alongside one another in the darkroom, the red glow of the safe light on our faces. We took a road trip to Santa Fe one year to do photo workshops, and when she was a senior in high school, she and I attended a workshop taught by Mary Ellen Mark in Oaxaca. I treasure those memories. She even went on to major in art (an emphasis on photography) in college.

Abbie, Mary Ellen and me

Abbie and Henry

Abbie's kind and gentle ways have made her a wonderful friend, daughter, teacher, wife and now mother. Henry and the little one in the oven are very lucky children. And I'm one very lucky mom.

sticking with a dream

Leah, 10 years old

Leah, 13 years old

I can't stop thinking about Team 6. They're busy packing and trying to control the butterflies that have probably made an appearance in their stomachs by now. While I try to imagine what each volunteer is feeling, I keep coming back to Leah, our thirteen-year-old team member who has been wanting to go in this trip for three years. Her dream is just about to become a reality!

This morning I went through the blog archives to find an oldie-but-goodie that featured Leah - "a very compassionate ten-year-old." This was posted on June 16, 2009.

My neighbors and friends, Jane and Josh, brought their ten-year old daughter to our annual CTT fundraiser. Jane told me that Leah has been reading about the Holocaust already. In fact she reads everything she can get her hands on and even recently watched “Schindler’s List.” She has a big heart and a knack for understanding other people’s pain. She’s only ten, I keep reminding myself.

Several people who have young children asked me if they could bring them to our fundraiser and, more specifically, if the movie would be appropriate for them to watch. Parents do what they have to do – some protect for a good long time, while others let their children go ahead and learn about the real world.

We had a sign-up sheet for people who would like more information about going to Uganda with the next Change the Truth Team. Guess whose name I found about half way down the list? Yep. You guessed it: Leah.

I called her yesterday and asked her to write a few words about the Friendraiser/Fundraiser. About an hour later, I got this incredible composition. Neither of her parents were at home, so I know this came strictly from the heart, soul and hand of Leah:

“Gloria has done something good-hearted. She has given children something to make them feel like children. These children now feel loved, nurtured, even pretty happy. The children in Uganda die from sickness, poor living conditions, and war. Gloria has gone to Uganda with a group of people and helped those children. She gave them music, sanitation, love, art, comfort, blissfulness, and much more. Gloria and her group want to spread what they’re doing, so Gloria wrote a book with some help. Someone made a movie, and Gloria took pictures. First I’m going to share what I thought about the movie.

The movie basically reached into your heart and pulled out everything stored inside. Everywhere around me were people. In all those people’s hearts were understanding and compassion. In all those people’s eyes were tears. On the screen were so many kids who were dirty and undernourished, who had been traumatized when they were young. They stored their memories in and then on the screen their stories poured out with words, drawings, and tears. So many tears. But today they are almost all the way stitched up and on their way to recovery. Now, less people are dying from disease and more people are happy. Now I’ll tell you something about the book.

In the book are Gloria’s amazing pictures, drawings the children made, quotes the children wrote, and dreams the children had. All the photographs were of these children. One really reached out to me. There were lots of children, reaching out for something. I think they are reaching out for food. I loved this picture so much, my mother bought it with the special-edition book. One of my favorite drawings is one of roses, probably drawn in pastel or crayon.

The book and the movie moved me so much, that I would like to go to Uganda. There is a twelve-year-old doing it, so can’t a ten-year-old? I think anyone can. Anyone can do something good. Everyone should do something good. And Gloria and so many others have.

Leah”

more kids who know how cool it is to help others

I was a Girl Scout back in the day. I actually still have my sash of badges to prove it!  Read below about a very cool Girl Scout troop from Virginia. These girls (the Daisies) decided to make Christmas 2012 extra special for the kids at the orphanage! I don’t think my troop ever did anything this awesome. The account was submitted by Carrie, mom to Daisy Ava.

“Twelve girls from Daisy Troop 98 and a sister troop from St. James Catholic School in Falls Church met on April 29^th to assemble craft kits for the boys and girls at St. Mary Kevin Orphanage.  The Girl Scouts began the meeting by watching a few videos about Change the Truth and the work it’s done with orphans in Uganda.  After seeing the pictures and hearing the stories they had lots of questions, but were eager to start their project. 

 The Daisy Scouts assembled two packages: 

A kit for the girls at St. Mary Kevin to make a bracelet which includes colored beads and letters to spell out the word ‘sisters.’  The colored beads represent the colors assigned to the Girl Scout Law.  The words of the Girl Scout Law were included in the package to outline the meaning of the bracelets.  Each Daisy was asked to draw a picture of something that makes her happy.  Copies of these were made, and one picture was included with each kit.

        A kit for the boys at St. Mary Kevin to paint and assemble a wooden race car was put together by the troop.  Paint, brushes and glue were donated so that the boys in Uganda will have all the materials needed to complete their project.

The idea for this event came out of a meeting held earlier when the girls discussed the idea of helping their communities.  One of the Daisies had just received a Christmas card from Suzanne Garr with a picture of Suzanne and some of the children from St. Mary Kevin.  After learning more about the children and their needs, the Daisies brought up the idea to make gifts for Suzanne to take to Uganda the following year.

Troop 98 earned their rose petal for making the world a better place while the St. James troop earned their violet petal for being a sister to every Girl Scout.

The Girl Scout Law

I will do my best to be 
honest and fair,
 friendly and helpful,
 considerate and caring,
courageous and strong, and 
responsible for what I say and do,
 and to 
respect myself and others,
 respect authority, 
use resources wisely, 
make the world a better place, and 
be a sister to every Girl Scout.”

Daisies: YOU ROCK!!! Thank you for doing such an awesome project. Everyone at Change the Truth is so proud of you. And the children - your new friends from the other side of the world - will be so happy to receive your thoughtful gifts. The world needs more people like each of you!

kids helping kids

Open Air Studios is a children's art school on the west side of Los Angeles, dedicated to enriching children's lives through the visual arts and encouraging each child to grow creatively through personal expression. This year, children eight through eleven years of age used their love of art as a means to give to others.  Several service project ideas were discussed, and after watching a video from the Change The Truth website the children decided that they wanted to make dolls for the younger children at Saint Mary Kevin Orphanage. The doll making project began in September. 

Each doll is made out of a variety of different fabrics and is an personal expression of the child who made it. Elaine Armour, founder of Open Air Studios and her students are excited to send the dolls to Uganda next week: they will be packed in Suzanne Garr's duffel bag for special delivery!


Elaine came to CTT through her sister, Julie, who has already done so much for the children. Last year Julie made beautiful felt necklaces to send over to the orphans for Christmas. This year she is assembling journals for the children. CTT is lucky to be gaining these talented and generous women as friends. Welcome to the CTT family, ladies! We're happy you found us.

congratulations to henry and to change the truth!

One of Change the Truth's first sponsored students was Ssemanda Henry. In fact, he was one of the first children I met at the orphanage in 2006. He struck me as a good soul way back then. He has proven himself to be just that. Henry also grew into a respected leader and role model at St. Mary Kevin. He's a soft spoken, serious, hard working, kind and gracious young man, who can break out into an overly dramatic hip hop song and dance, cracking up anyone who lays eyes or ears on him.

It is with great pleasure that I share that this diligent young man has completed his Certificate Program in Electricity from Nakawa Vocational Training Institute. Henry passed his final exams on December 4^th. Nakawa arranged for Henry’s first job interview in Busia, near the Kenyan border.  He is there now.  

Before departing, however, Melissa was able to snap this photo of the proud 20-year-old graduate. It goes out to all CTT donors. You have helped provide an education for a deserving young man - an orphan who had nowhere else to turn but to us for his survival and his future. Be proud of Henry, but be proud of yourselves, as well.

a portrait photographer with some new pastel drawings

When I was in Seattle, I got the very special treat of being able to work in my sister's studio. What a beautiful, light-filled, well-equipped and meditative space... with gorgeous, loyal Wally-dog at my feet! I could have stayed in Seattle for a month, retreating to this place from sunup to sundown.

Here are some more of my new drawings. These, along with many of the others I've made since August, will be on exhibit in my "open studio" (which will really be an "open condo") and will be offered for sale. If you have not received a notice about this event and think you might like to attend, please let me know. I'll happily provide you with the details.

a more serious side

This morning my mind's been hovering over the treetops at St. Mary Kevin. I'm pretending I'm able to watch the children.

Probably one of the reasons I became a photographer in the first place is because I do like to watch people. I like to be in a my own safe space - quietly just looking. Situating myself behind a camera is a pretty good way to do this.

As I've gotten to know these children in Uganda better with each visit, they've begun to feel more comfortable letting me watch (and be with) them even when they are not in a happy place. I am lucky to be well trusted by them. It allows us to get even closer and develop deeper relationships.

Here are four of my very special young friends: Patiency, Tony, Oliva and Rosette. I'm thinking about them, especially, for some reason on this gray, dreary Kansas City morning.

a fun night!

Thanks to our devoted CTT friends and supporters, the event at 10,000 Villages was fun and successful. And on a personal note... I got all my holiday shopping done. YES!

Barb and store volunteer Irene (who has worked our event for three years running)

Ellen and her mom Mary

Gloria and Kjersten 

Harper

Tracy and Jill

buy fair trade items and lend a helping hand!

Tonight is the fifth annual Change the Truth fundraising party at Ten Thousand Villages. This is a beautiful store with lovingly made fair traded items from all around the world. From 4 - 8 PM, 15% of all sales will be donated to CTT. This is one of our favorite events of the year. We'll have light refreshments, some Ugandan jewelry and CTT t-shirts and totes.

Please stop in and say hello! You may just find that you can cross off some things on your holiday shopping list, and you'll be helping the children at the orphanage at the same time! Not a bad deal.

Ten Thousand Villages is located in old Overland Park at 7947 Sante Fe Drive. Hope to see you tonight!

birthday boy

I post about a lot of kids on the blog. Most of them live in Uganda or go to Operation Breakthrough here in Kansas City. Many are kids I photograph in the studio, clients if you will. And of course, there are always pics of my beloved grandson Henry.

A couple kids I have not talked about lately are the ones I gave birth to at Research Hospital many moons ago. Today my baby turns 24, and I'd like to dedicate today's post to him.

He came into the world past his due date. His big sister, Abbie (who'll get her own post on her birthday in nine days) wrote this message on my tummy asking him to come out already. After he was born, we named him Jeffrey. When he was five, he changed his name to Max, and the name stuck. When he turned 18, he changed it legally. So, when I think of him as a baby and toddler, he's Jeffrey. When I recall him post kindergarten, he's Max.

Whenever I think about him, though, he's wonderful.

Max hasn't lived at home since he left for USC as a college freshman. He's now in Boston, where he lives and works at a soup kitchen, takes post-baccalaureate classes, works for a mobile medical clinic and volunteers in the emergency room at a hospital. He manages to find time to call or text fairly often, so we definitely keep up with one another. I smile whenever I hear his voice. He's a really good guy.

He was interested in so many things as a kid: trains and legos, music (he started playing drums in first grade), then horses, then computers, then cars, then philosophy and neuroscience, and now medicine. He plans to spend the next few months studying for the MCATS. (Fingers crossed, everyone!!) But whatever he's been into, he's always been a mensch. In fact, I'm pretty sure the last time I looked up the word in the dictionary, there was a big picture of him included right there on the page.

Max and I have lots of fun with each other. Of course, we've also experienced sadness together. One of the most meaningful times we've had was when he came to Uganda with me. I saw him there in a way I'd never seen him before.

He is a very devoted son, and he is also a very dear friend to others. He values his relationships and nurtures them with loyalty and compassion. 

I am most proud of the fact that as a young adult, he has become a true humanitarian. Happy Birthday to one of the best. (I think you can tell I'm pretty crazy about him.) May you have many, many more happy and healthy ones, Max Moses.

meet team 6: leah and josh

Following are the bios I received from my friends Leah and Josh. I’ve known their family for many years and could not be more excited that they are going to St. Mary Kevin Orphanage as part of Team 6. This has been a dream of Leah’s for three years now. I’m so happy for her that her dream is coming true, and that she will be able to share it with her awesome dad.

"Leah Sosland is 13 years old and attends school at the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, where she has been a student since kindergarten. Leah is currently in the 8^th grade. Every summer, Leah goes to Camp Ramah in Wisconsin for two months. Leah has made some lifelong friends there, and the camp has also helped her expand her interests and education. She enjoys art, music, and especially literature and books. Leah has been playing piano since a young age, and loves to read. She also plays sports such as basketball, tennis, and soccer.

Leah first learned of Gloria’s work when she was 10 at a CTT fundraiser. She became very interested in CTT and was moved by Lynne Melcher’s beautiful film and the wonderful work of Gloria and many others. She decorated one of the banana dolls for the CTT fundraiser, making hers a piano teacher, standing beside a wooden piano. For her Bat Mitzvah project last February, Leah decided to raise money for Change The Truth Foundation. 
           

Inspired by everything Change The Truth does, Leah became interested in going on one of the teams to St. Mary Kevin Orphanage in Uganda. She and her father, Josh, decided together to volunteer to serve as a members of Team 6 and are very excited to share in this experience."

*******

 "Josh Sosland has been an editor for 29 years at Sosland Publishing Co. in Kansas City, writing primarily about the wheat foods industry in the United States. The principal magazine published by the company for the last 90 years is Milling & Baking News and deals with issues that include global food production and nutrition. Earlier this year his work took him to Haiti to write a feature article about the country’s only flourmill, destroyed in the devastating earthquake of January 2010.

In addition to his work in journalism, Josh has been involved in community affairs throughout his adult life. For more than 20 years, he was a director of the Community Blood Center of Kansas City, serving as president of the organization from 2000-04. He also has served on the boards of numerous arts organizations and has been active in the Jewish community.

Josh has known Gloria for nearly 20 years, first because she was his neighbor in Kansas City. It was while attending a Change the Truth fundraiser that Josh saw Lynne Melcher’s beautiful film about St. Mary Kevin Orphanage and learned about Gloria’s great work. Josh’s wife Jane and three children also were greatly moved by what they learned. It was the passion of his youngest daughter, Leah, that inspired Josh to volunteer to serve as a member of Team 6."

meet team 6: anna and holly

Anna and Holly are a mother/daughter dynamic duo headed to Uganda for the very first time. They are one of two parent/child teams that will be part of Team 6.

Speaking from experience, having taken my son Max to the orphanage when he was 19, I can safely say this will be an unforgettable and powerful experience for the these parents and children. Sharing a journey like this is huge on so many levels.

Anna is a senior at Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kansas. She is a captain of the swim team and runs cross-country.  Anna is visiting colleges and is interested in Kansas State University and the University of Arkansas.  She hopes to study International Relations, International Business or pre-law.

Holly is a labor and delivery nurse in Topeka. She teaches clinicals at Washburn University School of Nursing. She will complete her nurse practitioner masters in May. She enjoys running, biking and swimming.

Holly and Anna learned about Change the Truth from Holly's parents after they attended the annual Friendraiser/Fundraiser in 2011. They were moved by the children at St. Mary Kevin Orphanage, the struggles they face and the efforts of CTT to help provide assistance. Holly and Anna are in the process of collecting needed supplies for the medical clinic and are excited to meet the children! 

meet team 6: natalie

Ok. You are about to be introduced to one of my favorite young friends. If you don't personally know this woman, and you live in Kansas City, you should make an effort to meet her. You can find her hanging out at the Nelson, because that's where she spends her working hours doing a fabulous job as the photography department's coordinator.

Natalie is smart, energetic, sweet and funny. She values a well baked cake, a good Packer's game, photography, kids and basic human kindness. Whenever I see her, I feel happy and hopeful. When she told me she would like to come to Africa with me sometime, I was elated. Too bad it worked out that I am not going on the trip she is actually going on, but something tells me we'll do a lot of CTT work together once she returns from meeting and falling in love with the children at the orphanage.

I just wish I could be there to see her face when she gets her first hug and when that first little hand slips into hers. 

In Natalie's own words:

"I had the good fortune of meeting Gloria Feinstein my very first week of work in the photo department at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. We were at her home and she passed around a plate of Oreos to the group that had gathered to look at artwork. I knew at that moment that I was going to really like this person.  I had no idea how right I was.

Over the past four years I have gotten to know her through her work, sharing stories about the University of Wisconsin (where we both attended college), our mutual love of baking and football. However, I really began to understand who she is when I listened to her talk about the children at St. Mary Kevin. The passion she exudes for the children at SMK is intoxicating.  

I knew, upon hearing about Change the Truth for the first time, that it was an organization that I needed to be a part of. I can remember walking down the hallway at work one day, recounting a story Gloria had shared with me to a coworker and wondering out loud if she would ever consider taking me with her to meet these beautiful children. It took me years to even bring up the idea to her. For some reason, the reverence I have for what CTT was accomplishing made me question my own ability to make any sort of impact. Imagine my joy when I was invited to come along.

So here I am, four years later, ready to make my own journey to Uganda. The 'wouldn’t it be awesome if I could' dream has become a reality for me. I guess that is what this organization is really all about. Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could just change the truth for these few children?   I am excited, scared and thrilled. But most of all, I am grateful. Grateful because I feel like I have been given a gift by being welcomed into the CTT family and because I haven’t even left yet and feel like this experience has already changed me for the better." 

meet team 6: jennifer

This is the first time in several years that each member of the team (with the exception of Suzanne) is making his/her first trip to Uganda. All six "newbies" are counting the days at this point, and I don't blame them. They have quite the adventure to which to look forward!

I have had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer Schoenwetter only twice, but I can already tell her heart is full of compassion for the children at the orphanage. Jennifer had made the trip from her home town of Milwaukee to Kansas City for the past two Change the Truth Friendraiser/Fundraisers. She even pitched in and worked at the most recent one. Her friendship with Suzanne Garr is what led her to CTT, but her love for the children is what will keep her in their corner. 

In Jennifer's own words:

"Over the past couple of years, I've had the lovely chance to become friends with several great team members and supporters of CTT. I'm so excited to be part of the team this year!  If it wasn't for Suzanne, I never would have been blessed enough to meet Gloria and other members of CTT. Everyone has said the experience has changed their lives, and I'm welcoming the experience with open arms and heart.  Lots of hugs and smiles are in order for the children! Additionally, I hope to help with reading, crafts, math, writing, gardening and anything SMK needs. My full time job has me working as a development coordinator, and I'm also an adjunct instructor at a University.  I love teaching and sharing knowledge.

Outside of work, I love to travel, read, cook and spend time with friends.

I’m looking forward to meeting everyone at SMK, my fellow team members, Melissa… and seeing the beautiful country of Uganda."

meet team 6: suzanne

There will be something very different about the team this year. I won't be leading it.

Team 6 will be headed by Suzanne Garr, a long-time friend to Change the Truth. Suzanne definitely meant it when she first told me she wanted to get involved! She has held fundraisers in her home town of Milwaukee, given presentations, rounded up countless donated items to take to Uganda and written enough pen pal/love letters to fill a mail truck. Simply stated: Suzanne has been a godsend to CTT and the children in Uganda.

Suzanne is a self-taught photographer/artist originally from Pennsylvania. Her experiences with kids is vast, having worked as a camp counselor for disadvantaged youth, a reading tutor, a volunteer at Wisconsin Children’s Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House and a Sunday School teacher. She has traveled to Ecuador, Kenya, Nepal, Thailand, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Bhutan, working as a volunteer and/or photographer. Suzanne also serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations. She earned her degree in journalism and marketing from St. Bonaventure University. Her career started in magazine publishing as a writer/editor and then ventured into print production.

I asked her to write a little something about her previous experience as a CTT team member (she was on Team 4 and 5) to share here on the blog. Following is the heartfelt missive that arrived in my inbox:

"It’s often a sad day when the team leaves SMK. Tears flow and hands get interwoven with one another. The children know when that day is coming, they start to ask you if you are coming back next December. Your heart automatically says yes, but you hesitate because you have to be sure if you are so as to not disappoint the children if you can’t.

Each year as it gets closer to that decision time to go or not, I always think to myself how can I 

not go and hear their laughter, hold their hands and just be there. This year, Gloria and the 

board asked me if I would consider going and co-leading the Team with Melissa. It was not a 

difficult decision because my heart is always there whether I am physically there or not. It just 

seems natural for me to be there in December. There is nowhere else I rather be.

So, in just a little more than two weeks, I will embark on my journey to the children of SMK. 

I envision seeing their smiles and holding many hands and having my heart overflow with love 

once again. 

I am beyond excited for the Team this year. We have many fun and new things planned for the 

kids. It will be different without Gloria at the helm and I know I will miss her guidance, but I am 

confident that Melissa and the Team will forge new bonds, explore new avenues of fun and 

create lifelong memories. 

So when the day comes for the Team to leave, tears will fall, hearts will ache but the imprint of 

the days spent at SMK, the laughter shared and the love given will not ever be forgotten.

I look forward to sharing our journey with you all through blog posts and, of course, photos!"