As my children become young adults and start living independently, I find myself reflecting on my time as a parent. While I think of various things I could have handled better, I also appreciate certain aspects of my parenting journey. One of my proudest achievements is raising children who have grown into kind-hearted adults.

Unlike a baking recipe, there isn’t a definitive guide to ensure your children develop empathy and kindness. However, I discovered that volunteering can be a great way to give back and instill these values. Volunteering has always been a significant part of my life, and I hoped it would influence my kids as well. I was surprised to find that a family trip would set my daughter on a lifelong journey of service.

House Exchange in Mexico

The summer Madeleine turned 12, we swapped our New York City apartment for a house in San Miguel de Allende, a charming small city in central Mexico. Our house was in a neighborhood next to the Santa Julia Orphanage, home to several dozen girls, from toddlers to teens, cared for by nuns.

In this unfamiliar town, my lonely daughter would often watch the girls from the orphanage play in their courtyard through our temporary home’s window. One day, a few of the girls shyly called out to her, inviting her to join their playtime. They spoke a little English, and she understood some Spanish; both were fascinated by each other. The nuns encouraged Madeleine to come over every day to play.

At the end of our month-long stay, true friendships had blossomed. There were tears when the girls said goodbye. Madeleine was determined to keep those friendships alive. When school started in September, she organized a monthly bake sale, donating all the proceeds from cupcakes and brownies to the Santa Julia Orphanage. She also played a key role in creating a pen pal program, pairing students studying Spanish at her school with girls at Santa Julia who were learning English.

Reading Road Trip at Beaches Resorts in Turks & Caicos

When Madeleine was in high school, we vacationed with our extended family at one of the Beaches Resorts in the Caribbean. What teenager wouldn’t love an all-inclusive family resort on the stunning Grace Bay? Madeleine had just become certified as a lifeguard, making the beach and pool activities even more enticing.

My worry was that, since everything was all-inclusive, we might miss out on experiencing the local culture. However, one of the resort’s activities offered was a Reading Road Trip, where guests could visit a local primary school and read to children. Madeleine was enthusiastic about joining in, and with my background as a preschool teacher, I was eager too.

We took a bus to the nearby Enid Capron Primary School, one of the institutions supported by the Sandals Foundation, which focuses on child development and education in the Caribbean. My daughter and I spent a wonderful morning in a first-grade classroom, reading Dr. Seuss’s books to a group of eager kids.

Our brief time commitment resulted in lasting memories, and the smiles on those children’s faces remain unforgettable.

Creating Genki Balls in Hawaii

Now, as an adult, my daughter lives far away in Los Angeles. Recently, we got together in Honolulu for a mother-daughter vacation. I envisioned us enjoying the beach and sightseeing, especially since we were staying at the impressive Renaissance Honolulu in downtown, complete with amazing swimming pools, a wellness center, a relaxing spa, and delicious dining options. I was tempted to stay there the whole time, but my daughter had other ideas.

A team of local specialists known as Navigators was present in the lobby. They not only provided traditional concierge services like booking restaurant tables but also helped guests discover and plan a variety of unique experiences. Madeleine expressed to the Navigators the impact of the 2023 Maui wildfires, highlighting the need for a more sustainable Hawaii. During her short stay, she aimed to take action that would benefit Hawaii’s fragile environment.

The Navigators arranged for us to spend a morning with the creative non-profit organization, Genki Ala Wai Project, at the Ala Wai Canal. While this waterway seems like a tropical paradise, it has suffered from urban runoff and pollution for many years. We participated in a volunteer effort to create and toss Genki Balls into the canal. These balls, about the size of a tennis ball, are composed of dried mud, rice bran, water, and a mix of Effective Microorganisms, which are beneficial bacteria and yeast.

This approach offers a straightforward solution to a significant issue. As the Genki Balls settle at the bottom of the canal, they begin to break down and consume layers of pollution, debris, and sludge that have accumulated over many years. The Genki Ala Wai Project has made strides in enhancing water quality and aims to make the canal suitable for fishing and swimming by 2026.

Volunteering While Traveling or at Home?

It’s possible to volunteer in your local community as well. Getting involved in volunteer opportunities while on vacation can encourage similar actions back home. For Madeleine, her journey began with voluntourism in Mexico and transformed into participating in volunteer work locally, as she personally knew the Santa Julia girls and sought ways to support their lives after returning home.

In my family’s experience, we often found it easier to volunteer while away from home, escaping our busy work and school commitments. It also provided a valuable opportunity to understand significant challenges affecting specific regions. Such experiences enriched my daughter’s understanding of the world, helping her become a global citizen aware of its vast diversity and complexity.

How volunteering on vacation helped my daughter grow into a compassionate adult originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.