KIDS' PAGE

Sixteen year old Kyle Hunt shares his thoughts about visiting Russia.  A short interview with a very sweet and profound ending.

Chloe, 7, was born in Guatemala. She and her adoptive mother traveled with Guatemalan Ties in search of connections. Read Returning to Her Roots

Inner Soul – Chloe, 15 years
My inner identity has been discovered
As my shadow has traveled to a new place.
My hair is still dark.  I am still short.
Yet something has changed, it's different.
A new piece of the thousand piece puzzle – found!
I know who I am by looking above
I am Latina, I am Jewish, I am Mayan
Looking at the stars from the window
Looking at the stars from Antigua
My identity has chased itself in one big universal spin and twirl.
I can be both parts of the day.
I can be the sun or the moon.
I can be a bird or a fish.
I can be Latina and Jewish.
But what I have come to discover
What I have come to realize
Is that in reality I am only one thing
I am unique, I am me.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Like Chloe, many kids who travel with The Ties Program feel that their "shadow has traveled to a new place."  Sometimes the journey inspires kids to discover ways they can make a difference in the lives of people in their birth country.  Read about how some kids have become involved and consider supporting their efforts. 

Do you know a past Ties participant who is passionate about a cause? If so, email info@adoptivefamilytravel.com to share their story.

Instruments for Students in Ita, Paraguay
Zoe Rosenbloom and her mother, Claudia Boynton, traveled with Paraguayan Ties 2007.  They, along with others in the group, visited Escuela de Musica Herminio Gimenez, a school where Celso Bazán is head master.  Located in the small town of Ita, Paraguay, this school was founded to bring music education to an area of the country where it did not exist.  In additional to a traditional academic education, students at this school receive vocal and instrumental music education.  Currently lessons are offered only on string instruments, many of which are made by students and staff.  Celso Bazán and his staff hope to expand instruction to include other instruments as they become available.

In response to visiting Escuela de Muscia Herminio Gimenez, Zoe along with classmates involved in Buxton Out-reach Coalition (B.O.R.C.) intend to send instruments to the school along with a cash donation for additional supplies.   Zoe writes, “Bringing music education to rural parts of this country will help keep kids off the streets and in school, and bring communities together.”   Read more about Zoe’s efforts, including a benefit concert, at http://buxtonyouthmovement.blogspot.com.