Extend your love to Jamaica!
Donation protected
Greetings supportive and curious reader!
My name is Kristina Aslyozova. I am a massage therapist and an herbalist by trade, and a healer at heart. I became a massage therapist because I believe touch is an essential part of healing and happiness, and that humans are designed for contact. Beyond strengthening the immune system, massage can relieve stress, anxiety and depression through the release of endorphins, and the love hormone oxytocin. That is why babies need to be held and an embrace of a loved one feels so comforting.
I fell in love with herbal and food medicine when I realized that in nature a remedy can be found for every malady. The most beautiful part is that it can be accessible, with some education, to anyone in the world.
My biggest passion of all, the drive behind my education and work is children. There is a distinct sense of elation when one understands the purpose of his or her life. That’s what I felt when realized I was made to care for children. Their pure, unconditional love seems to inspire superpowers in me, and the will to volunteer.
I last volunteered for Children With Hope http://www.childrenwithhope.org/ in Kenya, where I worked alongside the locals to care for twenty three infants and toddlers. My duties ranged from potty training to Swahili lessons, from administering medicine to fixing toilets, and everything in between.
It’s been a few years since that trip so the urge has built up for me to take action again. That is why in three weeks, on June 17th, 2016 I will be traveling to Jamaica for fourteen days.
The purpose of going to Jamaica is to visit some non-profit organizations to lend a hand for a few days or longer, if need be. Granted, a few days may seem ineffective, but I know it’s helpful for a couple of reasons. Firstly, volunteer organizations are often under-staffed, thus extra pair of hands can mean completing a vital project and completing it on time. Extra help can also allow someone in need a day off. Secondly, I’ve found it necessary, from personal experience, to familiarize myself with not only the organization’s administration, but the operation on site as well, should there be future commitment to a longer volunteering trip.
Another type of establishment I intend to visit is a hospital nursery or an orphanage that cares for abandoned infants and spend some time simply holding the babies. As a massage therapist and from previous work with infants I understand the importance of a healing, loving touch. Besides feeding, holding an infant is the most nurturing act one can provide. In fact, it can be lifesaving as abandoned or untouched babies may die from marasmus, or wasting. Marasmus mostly occurs due to malnutrition, but can be a result of touch deprivation, even in adults.
Lastly, I am interested to research the islanders’ access to natural and herbal medicine, such as availability and cost. I intend to visit a couple of pharmacies, as well as survey the locals about their need to see whether my knowledge can be of help in the future. Those are my main goals and purpose of visiting Jamaica.
Here is where you come in: I need a little help funding this trip. The organizations I will visit are located outside of urban areas and are scattered across the island, therefore it is imperative that I have reliable transportation to get around. I will also need lodging, simple but secure enough to leave my belongings. I have already got the round-trip airfare so the trip will happen, but how much I can accomplish depends on the support I get.
Specifically, your donations will cover:
Economy car rental $565
Fuel $200
Modest accommodations $700
Total $1465
And that’s it folks! I will cover everything else such as food, vaccines, documents, fees and miscellaneous costs. Any amount raised above the set goal of $1,465 will be applied toward the latter.
This is not an “all or nothing” campaign, which means the funds will be available and tremendously helpful whether or not the financial goal is reached. EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS and will be used appropriately! No amount is too small or shameful and will propel me closer to the babies in need of love and projects in need of completion.
If you are in a pinch and cannot spare any money you can still help – by sharing this campaign! Please share it on your Facebook page, twitter or email it to your friends. EVERY SHARE COUNTS and will bring me closer to extending your love to Jamaica!
If you’ve never donated through GoFundMe before - don’t fret - it’s an easy card transaction. Even international donations can be made. If internet is not your style – cash or offline donations can be made. You can even donate from your phone!
I am grateful for your support and the time you took to read this. Supporting this campaign means exercising personal power to impact the world as an individual and affect a positive change as a community. Because of your support a child may feel love instead of fear, or a parent may get much needed rest. I am here to extend your love and help to others on your behalf. I have just under a month to raise the funds for this volunteer trip. Please donate and share and together, let’s make this happen!
My name is Kristina Aslyozova. I am a massage therapist and an herbalist by trade, and a healer at heart. I became a massage therapist because I believe touch is an essential part of healing and happiness, and that humans are designed for contact. Beyond strengthening the immune system, massage can relieve stress, anxiety and depression through the release of endorphins, and the love hormone oxytocin. That is why babies need to be held and an embrace of a loved one feels so comforting.
I fell in love with herbal and food medicine when I realized that in nature a remedy can be found for every malady. The most beautiful part is that it can be accessible, with some education, to anyone in the world.
My biggest passion of all, the drive behind my education and work is children. There is a distinct sense of elation when one understands the purpose of his or her life. That’s what I felt when realized I was made to care for children. Their pure, unconditional love seems to inspire superpowers in me, and the will to volunteer.
I last volunteered for Children With Hope http://www.childrenwithhope.org/ in Kenya, where I worked alongside the locals to care for twenty three infants and toddlers. My duties ranged from potty training to Swahili lessons, from administering medicine to fixing toilets, and everything in between.
It’s been a few years since that trip so the urge has built up for me to take action again. That is why in three weeks, on June 17th, 2016 I will be traveling to Jamaica for fourteen days.
The purpose of going to Jamaica is to visit some non-profit organizations to lend a hand for a few days or longer, if need be. Granted, a few days may seem ineffective, but I know it’s helpful for a couple of reasons. Firstly, volunteer organizations are often under-staffed, thus extra pair of hands can mean completing a vital project and completing it on time. Extra help can also allow someone in need a day off. Secondly, I’ve found it necessary, from personal experience, to familiarize myself with not only the organization’s administration, but the operation on site as well, should there be future commitment to a longer volunteering trip.
Another type of establishment I intend to visit is a hospital nursery or an orphanage that cares for abandoned infants and spend some time simply holding the babies. As a massage therapist and from previous work with infants I understand the importance of a healing, loving touch. Besides feeding, holding an infant is the most nurturing act one can provide. In fact, it can be lifesaving as abandoned or untouched babies may die from marasmus, or wasting. Marasmus mostly occurs due to malnutrition, but can be a result of touch deprivation, even in adults.
Lastly, I am interested to research the islanders’ access to natural and herbal medicine, such as availability and cost. I intend to visit a couple of pharmacies, as well as survey the locals about their need to see whether my knowledge can be of help in the future. Those are my main goals and purpose of visiting Jamaica.
Here is where you come in: I need a little help funding this trip. The organizations I will visit are located outside of urban areas and are scattered across the island, therefore it is imperative that I have reliable transportation to get around. I will also need lodging, simple but secure enough to leave my belongings. I have already got the round-trip airfare so the trip will happen, but how much I can accomplish depends on the support I get.
Specifically, your donations will cover:
Economy car rental $565
Fuel $200
Modest accommodations $700
Total $1465
And that’s it folks! I will cover everything else such as food, vaccines, documents, fees and miscellaneous costs. Any amount raised above the set goal of $1,465 will be applied toward the latter.
This is not an “all or nothing” campaign, which means the funds will be available and tremendously helpful whether or not the financial goal is reached. EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS and will be used appropriately! No amount is too small or shameful and will propel me closer to the babies in need of love and projects in need of completion.
If you are in a pinch and cannot spare any money you can still help – by sharing this campaign! Please share it on your Facebook page, twitter or email it to your friends. EVERY SHARE COUNTS and will bring me closer to extending your love to Jamaica!
If you’ve never donated through GoFundMe before - don’t fret - it’s an easy card transaction. Even international donations can be made. If internet is not your style – cash or offline donations can be made. You can even donate from your phone!
I am grateful for your support and the time you took to read this. Supporting this campaign means exercising personal power to impact the world as an individual and affect a positive change as a community. Because of your support a child may feel love instead of fear, or a parent may get much needed rest. I am here to extend your love and help to others on your behalf. I have just under a month to raise the funds for this volunteer trip. Please donate and share and together, let’s make this happen!
Organizer
Kristina Aslyozova
Organizer
Grand Junction, CO
