In a typical year, PWW is able to offer multiple volunteer service trips, enabling people to join our teams in Honduras and Haiti and take part in delivering life-changing safe water and sanitation programs to families living in rural, underserved communities. These weeklong trips provide ample opportunity for volunteers to learn more about PWW’s work and to see, firsthand, the effects that come from lack of access to clean water and sanitation. Volunteers are able to actively engage with local families, while they work with the PWW team to implement water and sanitation solutions that will last for generations to come. Trip volunteers frequently refer to their experience as “transformational”.
With the current pandemic restrictions, we are unable to offer trips this year. In lieu of a trip, past volunteers are taking a walk down memory lane and sharing their stories.
Today we are featuring volunteer, Angela Grant, who has traveled with PWW to Honduras for two separate trips.
When did you travel to Honduras?
June 2018 and October 2019
How did you end up hearing about and deciding to go on your first trip?
My first trip was actually a work sponsored trip. I worked for a company that built water treatment plants and they sent 5 of us. My 2nd trip I did on my own. I worked at a different company, but still loved everything about my first trip. Pure Water for the World, the people, the workers and the families that we were able to meet and connect with held a huge place in my heart.
What was your most memorable experience?
I actually have 2.
On my very first filter of the 2nd trip, we were installing a filter for a family with 2 small children. And for those that know me, know that I love the little ones. My Spanish is not very good, but when the mom of this little boy asked if I wanted to hold him, I absolutely said yes. He was such a sweet boy and very loving. After a little while of holding and talking with him, I started talking with others in the group and after about 10 minutes he was sleeping with his head on my shoulder. Oh yes, I melted to say the least.
My 2nd memory was when we were at a school installing the filter. We had set up a few tables and chairs to do temporary tattoos and paint the girls nails. This is another fun day because the whole community comes out and you get to interact with so many people. I was painting nails and when most of the girls were done, I saw a few of the moms who seemed interested. Since my Spanish isn’t very good, I knew that a smile (and love) is the universal language and gestured asking if they wanted their nails done. With a smile I was able to get them to let me paint their nails. As a mom, I know how it feels to make sure that your children are the ones taken care of first, but us moms need to stick together. I showed the ladies pictures of my 3 sons, “tres hijos”, and then we all hugged!
What advice would you give future trip goers?
Take in the culture, enjoy the people and take tons of pictures! Share your story with friends and family!