Bobbi Bosch
Featured in: @ChristelHouse Fall 2013
"Family".
. . . Visitors and students alike say they "feel like family" at
Christel House. Creating a strong sense of belonging is an important component
of our model, and that includes warmly welcoming guests from around the globe.
In addition to experiencing the "Christel House magic" firsthand at
our schools, visitors are also offered the opportunity to travel into the
communities where our students live. Nothing can more clearly depict challenges
that must be overcome than standing in our children's homes, talking to their
parents or siblings.
Next year, Christel House supporters
will be able to join us for visits to our schools. We also encourage anyone who
is visiting a country with a Christel House (India, Mexico, South Africa and
the U.S.) to spend part of a day with us. You will not soon forget your tour of
the school and community, or your interaction with the kids and families.
"When you
visit a Christel House, it is then that you see the extraordinary effort the
students must make to escape the poverty and despair into which they were
born," said Don Knebel, Christel House International Board Member.
"You see that Christel House really does work transformational magic in
the lives of its students. Jen and I have visited Christel House schools around
the world and have experienced that magic first hand. We hope you can have the
same experience."
JOIN US IN 2014
We
are organizing visits to Mexico in March, South Africa in May and India in
November. Each trip requires a minimum number of participants, so please
contact Bobbi Bosch at bbosch@christelhouse.org by December 1st if you are interested
in learning more.
Labels: Christel House, Christel House India, Christel House Mexico, Christel House South Africa, guest visit, visit
By: Culver Academies India Trip 2013
Some of the members of the Culver Academies Christel House 2013
India Trip team have taken time to reflect on their experience:
Thoughts from Morgan
about the visit at Christel House:
"This experience has been absolutely incredible. Words cannot fully
describe the immense impact this visit to India has had (and will have) on me,
so this simple summary is my best attempt. When we arrived at Christel House, I
was somewhat nervous about the ability of our group to make connections with
the students in such a short amount of time. We were paired with one or two
students (mine was Pavheetra), and this one-on-one time quickly allowed us to
make lasting connections. Through working with the students, watching them paint
intricate designs on our collaborative murals, listening to them sing songs,
and seeing the smiles on their faces, I've truly learned what it means to have
hope and strength. The visit to the residential village brought me to tears,
and my eyes were truly opened to how seemingly impossible and unfair life can
be; and it just made me further realize how incredible and amazing these
students are. This experience and the people involved have inspired me to go
beyond my limits and be the best that I absolutely can be. I've learned what it
really means to 'be the change.'"
Thoughts from Paola about the visit at Christel House:
In South Africa everything was already planned and scheduled, which was fun,
but this trip was more natural. Its been easier to get to know the children
here. Though both trips are great, I feel like I’ve gotten more out of this
one. They’re different. South Africa is more Americanized. This trip has forced
many of us out our comfort zone. Also, its nice to be able to connect with a younger
group of students.
Thoughts from Lauren about the visit at Christel House:
As a first timer, its hard to have anything even close to compare this to. I’ve
never been in a situation that has forced me to think about life in such a
different way. Its awe inspiring to see how these children and their families
not only surviving in these conditions, but keeping a smile on their faces.
There’s nothing like the conditions we’ve been exposed to in the past few days.
The children are adorable and just as excited for us as we are for them. Its
been a wonderful trip that has exposed me to new amazing people and has caused
many tears to be shed.
Mr. Behling's Moment (surprisingly it was not
awkward it was cool): Mr. Behling did a wrestling demonstration for the students
of Christel House. He successfully dominated the Christel House physical
education teacher and surprised many of the 12th grade boys with his basic but
powerful moves.
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Labels: Christel House India, Culver, Culver Academies, Culver Academy, guest visit, students
By: Meaghan Burns, Culver Academies India Trip 2013
Participant
 |
| Above:
Arpitha, Meaghan, and Daniel |
The past four days at Christel House has been an experience that
has changed my life. I thought I understood the power of a smile and what it
meant to the be truly happy, until I met Arpitha and Daniel. Arpitha is a young
7th grader with a striking smile. She doesn't talk much, but when she does it's
worth listening to. She speaks with the wisdom of a mother and turns every head
with her smile. The impact of that little girl's smile will stay me forever as
I will always remember little Arpitha. Daniel is an 8th grader who was blessed
with the opportunity to receive a three year scholarship to Culver Summer Camp.
Last summer was his first summer in the states. We immediately hit it off talking
about all of the beautiful spots on the campus and our mutual friends.
Throughout the entire four days I spent with Daniel, I never saw him without a
smile on his face. He was always radiating with happiness. I learned from my
two new friends that the greatest thing in one's life is pure happiness. This
is an experience that I will never forget. I have been so touched by my
experience at Christel House that I am hopefully going to come back in 5 years
when I graduate from Cal Poly and volunteer as a teacher here to give back to
the school whose students have given me so much. I am truly thankful for all
the adults who have made who made this trip possible, Ms. Fulton, Papa B, Mr.
Watts, and my parents for making this experience a reality!
Labels: children, Christel House India, Culver Academies, Culver Academy, guest visit
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