Reto Juvenil Internacional (RJI) and Other Updates ^__^

Several weeks ago, I received a welcoming postcard from the youth volunteer organization, "Reto Juvenil Internacional" (RJI) [Youth Challenge Costa Rica]. I found out today through Jane (YCI's wonderful volunteer liaison person) that RJI is actually a partner organization with YCI. So we'll be working with RJI once we get down to Costa Rica. The organization has been setting up projects for local and international volunteers for more than 15 years now. It has taken part in over 150 environmental and community projects so far, providing over 1800 volunteers (from around the world) a chance to contribute their voice and skills. It's going to be fun working with them. Get to meet people from different parts of the world!!! I hope to work on an environmental project (*fingers crossed*), but I am willing to take on any project in Costa Rica :)

For the past month or so, I have been fortunate enough to get acquainted with several of the other participants who will be going to Costa Rica with me!! All of them are very nice, and we met on facebook. I feel as though a bunch of (what used to be) one-man islands are converging with each other to form one whole land - rich and strong! Communication and collaboration are such wonderful things to have, especially while preparing for something as worthwhile/meaningful as this volunteer project. Just yesterday, I met up with Elspeth, a fellow volunteer who's also living in Montreal! She's such a warm and friendly soul :) We are hoping to get some fundraising done together in this city before we head to Toronto!

Guess what? I finally have all of my flights booked (thank you JH at Medallion Travel)! Now, almost everything is set -- making things seem closer and more real. The only things I have yet to do are finishing my second batch of vaccinations and buying several more items to include in my backpack :)

In meanwhile, I will continue to work hard as a caregiver in Montreal to save up enough money to support my project and future ones! Have to take one day at a time :P :P