I cried in the airport bathroom before takeoff.
They weren’t “pretty” tears. They were ugly, shaking, “what-if-I-fail-these-kids” tears. This wasn’t a vacation; this was the moment I finally stepped forward to keep a 20-year promise I had made to myself and my roots.
The weight of that responsibility felt crushing until the moment our wheels touched the ground in Nicaragua. Then, the fear vanished, and the work began. I didn’t rest until the mission was complete.
72 Hours of Purpose
Returning to my old school and neighborhood was overwhelming, but we had a mission to execute. Along with my mother and our family, we hit the ground running in Rio Grande and Estelí. We arrived with a list—the names of over 200 children in desperate need of school materials and basic hygiene items.
We went from store to store, street to street, collecting everything we could find. In just 72 hours, our team:
- Purchased brand-new backpacks and full school supplies for every single child on our list.
- Assembled 400 hygiene kits, ensuring that young girls received the sanitary pads they need to stay in school.
- Provided one clean-water bottle per child to ensure they have a safe way to stay hydrated.
A Gift from a Stranger
While we were collecting names at a school in Estelí, I experienced a moment that I will carry with me forever.
A 12-year-old boy, a complete stranger to me, walked up to me the moment I entered the room. Without a word, he wrapped his arms around me in a hug. Then, he reached into his pocket and handed me a rosary bracelet—a thank-you for our efforts.
In that moment, the tears I shed at the airport felt a lifetime away. My heart was finally in a good place. I wasn’t failing; I was fulfilling my word.
Why We Do This
This mission was personal, but the need is universal. At Compassion Beyond Border Foundations Inc., we believe that no child should be held back because they lack a pencil, a notebook, or the dignity of basic hygiene.
I kept my promise to Nicaragua, but our work is just beginning.
