Now Boarding! As of this time tomorrow, I’ll be back in Latin America and kicking off what will prove to be my most intense travel adventure yet!
I’ve been back in New York all summer, enjoying friends, family and wedding season, but now it’s time to get back on the road and travel deeper in a new country.
This next adventure has been a year in the making and I’m so happy that everything has come to fruition and I can finally announce the big news.
If you haven’t watched the announcement video, or didn’t understand something because you got so excited, let me explain the plan… [Deep Breath]
This evening, I will be flying to Guatemala City, Guatemala where I’ll catch a bus to Sololà, Guatemala to setup shop for the next 3 months.
In Sololá, I’ll be representing the Kiva organization as a Kiva Fellow to work with local partners and loan clients to help train, facilitate and manage loans made through the Kiva.org site.
How Kiva Works?
I’ve spent the last week in San Francisco training at the Kiva headquarters to prepare for the latest mission and I think I’m ready to get started. The mission of Kiva, their culture and their global impact is truly inspirational and I can’t wait to be a part of what they’re doing.
This adventure will put my Spanish ability to the test as I will be the only Kiva representative in the country and will be working with microfinance institutions and entrepreneurs to improve their businesses, entirely in Spanish! Time to improve my Spanish financial and business terms.
As usual, I’ll be keeping you all in the loop through the Tourist2Townie.com site (which will have a new look very soon) and I’ll also be hashing out all my thoughts and adventures on the Kiva Fellows Blog, so check that out.
On top of more regular updates, I’ll also be pushing to bring you more videos via YouTube and uploading more candid photos via the T2T facebook page.
What else would you like?
Anyway, lots of information but I’m super excited to jump outside my comfort zone again and travel deeper in Guatemala!
It should be interesting…
12 Responses
Watching the video, I about fell out of my chair right after the word Guatemala … Nevertheless I’ve now collected myself enough to say way to go man! Congrats on the placement, and I’m eagerly following this latest Townie adventure.
Ryan recently posted..Three Powerful Hacks To Learn Any Language
Thanks Ryan, I was excited to see how excited they were about me coming, haha! Hope you’re enjoying Brazil.
Nice, let me know how it is. I’m flying to Costa Rica on the 20th and have no plans on leaving the area unless I get an enticing email.
Safe travels!
Rob recently posted..SHABL Turns 3 Years Old – Big Thanks to ALL of You…
We might have to make something happen Rob.
I AM SOOOO EXCITED FOR YOU. THIS IS KRAZY. Lovelovelove Kiva. Good for you. Again, HOW do you do it? Also, someday, I am going to have you meet up with or talk to my hs bff Laura. She basically builds schools in Africa and Haiti with hs students. Congratscongrats! Guatemala already loves you.
Barbara Ellen recently posted..Love. Bobs & Jars: Reuse, Recycle, Reclaim, Refurbish, Relove, Refabulous.
Wow, thank you Barbara! I’d love to catch up sometime, and it sounds like your friend Laura does amazing work in Africa and Haiti. Anyone helping to advance the world is a friend of mine. : )
Awesome! Way to go Gareth! Kiva is a wonderful organization and glad you will be so involved with them. Very cool.
🙂
Lisa | LLworldtour recently posted..Coimbra Photo Essay
Thanks Lisa, I’m pretty excited about the opportunity and hopefully snag some solid videos in the process thanks to you : )
I was very excited when I heard that you were going to be a part of Kiva, because I love that organization!! And it reminded me that one of my Kiva loans just got repaid, so I need to loan that money to someone else 🙂
Annette | Bucket List Journey recently posted..A Honey Tasting at Savannah Bee
It’s incredible the amount of people who have heard of and work with Kiva. I feel so silly that I had no idea who they were up until a year ago. It’s amazing the impact you have through those loans. Keep it up and thanks for the comment!
I ave always wanted to do something that will change some on’s life for the better. Thanks Gareth for introducing me to Kiva, much appreciated. Would also look forward to hear you experience in your travel adventure.
Congratulations on your upcoming adventure, Gareth! Your commitment to working with Kiva in Guatemala is truly inspiring. Wishing you the best as you immerse yourself in this new experience. Looking forward to following your journey on Tourist2Townie and the Kiva Fellows Blog! Safe travels!