“After beginning my commitment to provide shoes, I wholly embraced the idea and opportunity to travel with this wonderful organization to bring hope and light in a dark world. Every child I have encountered has melted my heart and strengthened my resolve to do as much as a can with what “little oil” I have. I have friends who have questioned my choice to schedule “vacations” to do work (they’ve said, “You already do so much work and provide so much help, take a vacation to a tropical island and go lay on a beach!”). But they really don’t comprehend (and I find it difficult to put into words they can understand) the passion that is ignited in me every time I step off a plane with Soles4Souls and their Global Experiences “missions” work.
And it’s not just the kids, parents, or community leaders that we meet in these distant locales; it’s the people I meet who are co-travelers with me who share an equal desire to meet the basic needs of others.
I have cried on the plane on my return trips to the States because sometimes I just want to remain in these distant locations and do the work I feel compelled to do: to bring joy and light into darkness.”
-Dr. Bernadette A. O’Leary (S4S “Lifer”)