Darla's Post- January 6

Hi, I am Dr. Darla Shaw, professor of education at Western Ct. State
University. I had never been to Cambodia so decided to join Jeanne
and her students on this winter break trip.

On the plane to Cambodia I read an article about Global Souls. The
article was about people who travel, not as tourists but as learners
and helpers to the people most in need in third world countries.
Today, on my first day of the trip, I already saw several examples of
the amazing work that these Global Souls accomplish through their
selfless work. These people spend their lives networking to allow
other global souls to perform such necessary deeds as adoption,
education, health care, job placement and training, and giving of
unconditional love.

The first woman I met was anthropology professor, Jeanne Hatcherson.
She has inspired her undergraduates to come half way around the world
with her, on several occasions, to see how truly one person can make a
difference in our overly materialistic world. Each one of her
dedicated students has been totally transformed by her humanitarian
trips. They see first hand how global issues are not something one
reads about in the newspaper or sees on TV, but are a reality where
one can have an impact.

Jeanne could have chosen a much easier life of teaching in her local
hometown, but has chosen instead to take medical groups and her
students on challenging trips that benefit all involved. Using Jeanne
as a role model, her students have started a Humanitarian Travel Club
on campus, a club with a true purpose.

Next I met Chris Wagner who has also spent her life with medical teams
but is also working with orphanages and day care centers to set up
model programs for the masses. Chris does this while working as a
nurse in her native George and raising three children.

When people whose lives she has changed see Chris, they embrace her
with tears of gratitutde in their eyes and a strong love in their
hearts. Chris is the "real deal" and has put helping humanity ahead
of many of her personal needs. Like Jeanne, Chris is a tireless
worker whose mind and body never stops thinking about possibilities.

In addition to all of her other work, Chris is also able to spot
people with potential along the way,. When she sees someone in an
orphanage, a hospital or a day care center that she feels she can
bring to the cause, she nurtures that person for life. Through her
gift of insight Chris has been able to bring many seemingly "lost
souls" to a much higher station in life that others thought possible.

The third compassionate person that I met on my first way of the trip
to Cambodia was Dr. Monica who runs a dental clinic in one of the
worst part of the city. In addition to taking care of the dental
needs of 15 to 20 children each day, she spends her free time working
with schools and orphanages all over the city and in the small
villages. Dr. Monica is a Mother Theresa like character that comes
with oranges, bananas and bread and an excess of love for humanity in
her heart. It is truly a thing of beauty to see Jeanne, Chris and Dr.
Monica working cooperative to benefit those most in need in the area.

While spending an incredible first day with these three women I knew
they never questioned: Is the task too large? Do I have the time?
Is funding going to be a problem?
Am I doing the right thing or how is this project going to affect my
personal life? Their vision for projects are clear and forthright and
they are all on a tireless mission.

As almost a 70 year old woman I want to give back to the world and I
am willing to do all that I can to make my own small difference. On
the other hand, I am not a Jeanne, a Chris or a Dr. Monica who eat,
sleep, and breath good will around the world. These three women were
blessed with a special gift to understand that happiness comes from
the "we" in the world and not the "me." I am so happy to have these
global souls as my role models. I am so happy that our students also
see this type of humanitarian woman who does not take "no" for an
answer but finds a way to constantly make things happen where future
generations can reap the rewards.