One might think that almost everyone in the world owns a passport, but it’s not so! Come to think of it, it’s pretty much a privilege to own one. This is the story of six girls from the United States of America who have never owned a passport, never traveled to an exotic place in the world, but thanks to the Passport Party Project they have obtained their first passport and have gotten their first travel stamp from our beautiful Belize.
The Passport Party Project is grassroots initiative providing online global awareness training and first passports to underserved American girls between the ages 11-15 in an effort to help create responsive and responsible global citizens. Phase 1 of The Passport Party Project™ was fully funded by the world’s largest online travel company – Expedia® – and was able to successfully gift 100 underserved girls with their very first passports during a nationwide traveling campaign that began September 2011.
Six girls (out of the 100 that received their first passports via Phase 1) won an all-expenses paid trip to Belize, Central America to get their first passport stamps and to start their journey to global citizenship. Ambergris Today met with the six lucky girls Viviana, Lyanna, Soleil, Shannon, Daizia and Jazmyne and their group leader Tracey Friley at Ramon’s Village Resort (Host Sponsor) and saw how delighted and enthused they were from their adventures in Belize; they were eager to let us know what they have all been up to.
Thanks to the Passport Party Project they had quite a busy schedule during their week-long stay in Belize. The fun was never ending as their days started off early each day, heading out to the mainland and enjoying amazing trips to the Belize Zoo, Cave Tubing and Zip Lining, a visit to the Lamanai Archeological Site, Snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve/Shark Ray Alley and a special visit to the Liberty Children’s Home.
When asked what was their favorite part of their entire trip they all answered that visiting the children at the Liberty Children’s Home in Ladyville, Belize was an experience they will never forget. The girls had the task to raise $100 each to present as a donation to Liberty Children’s Home and it was personally delivered to the Director of the home, Mrs. Agatha Valentine. The ambassadors had fun bonding with the children, playing basketball and volleyball and even made pen pals.
One thing that is for sure is that these lucky girls had an amazing first experience out of their country and have started to learn more about the world around them. We are happy to know that their first stamp in their passports was that of Belize and that a world of opportunity has now been opened for them. We wish them sweet dreams about Belize and many more happy travels.
