It’s truly happening! I am embarking on a transformative week-long journey to El Salvador, a trip that resonates deeply with my long-held passions. This incredible opportunity comes courtesy of Unbound, a humanitarian organization I’ve admired wholeheartedly for many years. Initially, I drafted a standard introductory post, eager to share fascinating details about El Salvador, its vibrant culture, delicious national dishes like pupusas, and the innovative ways Unbound partners with communities globally to address poverty. But as I wrote, I realized this trip is stirring something much more profound within me, prompting a shift from a purely informative tone to a more personal reflection.
This journey isn’t just about travel; it’s about connecting with a part of myself that has yearned for this kind of engagement for over a decade. If you had asked me ten years ago what I envisioned for my thirties, food blogging wouldn’t have been on the radar. Instead, I saw myself immersed in humanitarian work, specifically alongside Spanish-speaking communities facing poverty. My dream was to live and breathe within these communities, building meaningful relationships, raising a family, and understanding the nuances of sustainable development. I wanted to study humanitarian trends, learn best practices, and collaborate directly with local people – moving beyond the traditional “expert swooping in to help” model, towards genuine partnership to create lasting change.
Oh, friends, this is the kind of work that truly quickens my pulse and ignites my spirit. It was the clear direction I was heading after college, but life, as it often does, presented other compelling opportunities. This amazing blog emerged, allowing me to pursue another passion: food, photography, writing, and community building, which has been incredibly fulfilling. The goodness of it all has consistently exceeded my expectations. Yet, despite the joy this blog brings, the thought of setting it aside to dedicate myself fully to ground-level humanitarian work, perhaps even living abroad, crosses my mind multiple times a week. It’s a persistent calling, a whisper that urges me to just pack up and ‘go.’
This isn’t a whimsical notion from a starry-eyed twenty-something eager to “save the world.” My reflections are grounded in considerable experience and realism. I’ve spent significant time working in developing countries and have volunteered extensively with numerous local non-profits over the past fifteen years. I have close friends deeply involved in humanitarian efforts both domestically and internationally, and through them, I understand that this work can often be slow, frustrating, disheartening, and at times, deeply unsatisfying. However, I also know, with equal certainty, that it can be profoundly rewarding and life-changing.
If my thirty-one years have taught me anything, it’s that life often presents us with the opportunity to choose an “and” rather than an “or.” For this season of my life, I envisioned my “and” as a combination of local non-profit volunteering, continuous study, and active support for global poverty alleviation efforts, all while continuing to build my blog from Kansas City. This was, and still is, a wonderfully fulfilling “and,” allowing me to pursue both passions without choosing one over the other.
However, this spring brought an unexpected and exhilarating turn of events. First, another local non-profit approached me about a collaborative project. Then, just a week later, Unbound extended an invitation to join their inaugural bloggers’ trip. It was a lightbulb moment. Perhaps this form of engagement – using my blog as a platform to amplify the voices of organizations and people I deeply believe in – could be an even more impactful way to merge these seemingly distinct passions. While the long-term future of my full-time career remains an open question, for now, I’m incredibly excited to devote this summer to blogging about this heartfelt dimension of my life and highlighting truly impactful initiatives around the world that you, too, can get involved with.
That said, if you’re visiting this blog today primarily for delicious recipes, please feel free to browse the over 800 stellar dishes available on the site – I highly recommend them! But for those interested in joining me on this journey through the winding roads and into the welcoming homes of good people in El Salvador with Unbound, I would be truly honored to have you along. This trip represents a unique opportunity to explore pretty cool ways all of us – yes, even you and me – can partner with these communities. I’m eager to share more about how we can make a collective difference.
Alright, let’s delve into some of the exciting details about what lies ahead…
Discovering El Salvador: A Central American Gem
Let’s begin with a few essential facts about El Salvador, the vibrant nation I’ll soon be calling home for a week. I have to confess – do you know its exact location? I had to consult a map myself! (Slightly embarrassing, given I once lived in Costa Rica and volunteered in Guatemala, which is literally right next door.) El Salvador is that distinctive red speck on the map, nestled between Honduras to its northeast and Guatemala to its northwest. It holds the distinction of being the smallest country in Central America, comparable in size to Massachusetts, yet it is home to a robust population of over 6 million resilient people.
The official language spoken throughout El Salvador is Spanish, creating an immediate linguistic connection for me. Its bustling capital is San Salvador, a hub of culture and commerce. Conveniently for travelers and locals alike, the official currency is the American dollar. Economically, the average annual income is approximately $3380, and about 30% of its population lives below the poverty line – a stark reality that underscores the importance of organizations like Unbound. We are currently in the midst of the rainy season, so my trusty poncho is already packed! Above all, I am most excited and deeply honored to meet the people of El Salvador, to learn from their stories, and to witness their incredible spirit firsthand.
Unbound: Fostering Dignity and Sustainable Change
Now, a brief introduction to Unbound, an organization whose impactful work I’ll be sharing in much greater detail throughout the week. In essence, Unbound, previously known as the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA), is globally recognized for its powerful sponsorship programs. These initiatives provide crucial direct financial support and invaluable encouragement to children, youth, and families navigating the challenges of living on the margins of society. Operating in 21 countries worldwide, Unbound currently serves over 300,000 individuals, thanks to the compassionate support of more than 270,000 sponsors. Beyond its renowned sponsorship model, Unbound distinguishes itself by maintaining dedicated teams on the ground who work collaboratively with local communities to establish and run vital community-based support groups, innovative microlending programs, and many other empowering initiatives designed to foster self-sufficiency and dignity.
While numerous excellent non-profits offer amazing sponsorship programs for children around the globe, one particular aspect drew me to Unbound years ago: their comprehensive approach extends sponsorships not only to children and youth but also to “aging friends.” This commitment to supporting elderly individuals, whom I genuinely adore, truly sets Unbound apart and reflects a deep understanding of community needs across all generations. This holistic approach ensures that vulnerable members of every age group receive the care and support they deserve.
As I shared earlier in my list of “31 things to do this year,” sponsoring a child in a foreign country was a goal after my previous sponsored child in Africa graduated from her program. I was fully prepared to move forward with that plan. However, remembering Unbound’s unique “aging friends” program, I decided to sign up instead to sponsor an elderly individual ($30 a month for those interested in joining this meaningful initiative). And then, in a beautiful twist of fate, this incredible trip to El Salvador came into being, aligning perfectly with my renewed commitment to Unbound’s mission.
My Humanitarian Journey: What to Expect from This Trip
Call it serendipity, destiny, or simply perfect timing, but for quite some time, I had been discussing with my friend Sara, who works at Unbound, my deep desire to join her on a work trip to experience her incredible efforts firsthand. Then, just a few weeks later, she shared the exciting news that Unbound was considering hosting its first-ever “blogger trip.” Naturally, the rest is history, and here we are, less than 48 hours away from departure! My anticipation is immense.
We have a thoroughly engaging itinerary planned, and I’m particularly looking forward to spending quality time cooking and sharing meals with several local families. I’m especially crossing my fingers that they’ll teach me the authentic way to make papusas, so I can then share that culinary magic with all of you! But what truly amplifies my excitement is the extraordinary opportunity to finally meet my “aging friend,” Josefa, in person. I was discussing this with friends the other night, remarking on how wonderfully “backwards” this process feels. Typically, when friends sponsor a child, they communicate for years through letters before a potential meeting might occur much later down the road. With Josefa, however, I get to meet her within my very first month of sponsorship. It’s an incredibly cool and deeply personal connection, and I eagerly anticipate this being the beginning of a meaningful friendship that will hopefully flourish for years to come.
As I mentioned, I depart on Sunday, with a rather early start at 3:45 AM – a true testament to my excitement! It sounds like we will have some wireless access at our accommodations, so I am optimistic about uploading photos to my Instagram (be sure to follow the hashtag #BlogUnbound for real-time updates) and hopefully even sharing a blog post or two during my time there. This will be a fantastic way to share the journey as it unfolds.
Phew! This has been quite a comprehensive post, filled with excitement and deep personal meaning. Thank you so much for following along and for your genuine interest in this significant chapter. If you have any questions about Unbound, the trip, or any thoughts or words of wisdom to share about the things that genuinely make your heart beat with purpose, I would absolutely love to hear them in the comments below. Your engagement means the world to me!
Hasta luego, amigos! I look forward to sharing more soon.
Disclaimer: As transparently noted, these posts are part of a sponsored blogger trip facilitated by Unbound. While Unbound is generously covering my travel costs, I want to emphasize that I am not being compensated financially for my writing. All opinions expressed throughout this series are 100% my own, as always, reflecting my authentic experiences and perspectives. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and the chance to travel and connect with communities as part of this dedicated group.