Water and Sanitation Projects with BLUE Missions

I had the most amazing week with BLUE. Disconnecting from my stressful life and being in nature with new people brought me more peace than ever. Meeting people in a different place who don’t live in the greatest of conditions but are so happy inspired me and made me feel so connected to the friends and peers I traveled with. I will never forget the fun I had and how full my heart was by the end of the trip to know that BLUE made such a difference for so many people!

I had the best time in my life during my trip with Blue Missions to Dominican Republic. I learned to be humble, to empathize with other's situations and to put in order the priorities in my life. As a teenager I valued a lot material things but after this trip I know my priorities are back where they should have been. I made connections with the community i will never forget and even if I though this trip was to help them, I feel I received much more from them than what i was capable to give them. I will recommend this trip to all my friends.

I feel as though words aren’t enough to describe what one week in the DR truly was for me, but I will try my best. For 7 days, immersed in simplicity, I was surrounded by over 20+ strangers that I’d never met, in a country I’d never been with little to no cell service. You would think I would feel scared or uneasy, but easily within the first few days that country became home and those strangers became family. It is there where i realized the beauty of the campo. A place free from social, cultural, economic and political barriers. A place where there is no room for superficial love, electronic distraction, meaningless conversations, anxieties, or loneliness. Instead it’s filled with community, kindness, friendliness, teamwork, laughter, music, dancing, bonding, bucket showers, mosquiteros, slapping down dominoes, living in the moment, real true love and a lot of hardworking people all trying to achieve one important goal. Blue missions truly figured out the secret to a perfect service trip.

I'm beyond glad that my first ever service trip was with BLUE Missions. Overall, it was a quite humbling and eye-opening experience. With my track record in community outreach, this type of mission was something I always wanted to participate in. Connecting with the community, locals, and volunteers/BLUE staff; helped me understand our greater purpose. Not to mention made the entire trip come full circle. The trip chaperones were very professional & enthusiastically lead the group day in, day out. The BLUE Staff/construction team demonstrated great camaraderie. By day three of the trip, I was convinced that I wanted to participate again. I can easily recommend a BLUE Missions trip to anyone I know. Excited to see what happens next year.

This trip was extremely eye opening and reminded me of how grateful I should be for everything that I have. I would love to intern in the future and be able to volunteer with BLUE more often. I felt truly moved by this experience and I only wish the best for BLUE's organization so that it can grow and more people can experience what I have.

Going in this trip for the second summer in a row was one Of the best decisions I have ever made. I made became really close with a bunch of girls I never thought I would become friends with. Also knowing that I was helping so many family’s get something we here take advantage of all of time made me feel amazing and like I was actually doing something.

Blue missions taught me to be neat and resourceful. I loved everything about blue especially the social connection between the campesinos. If I were able to go on more than one trip I so would. I love the food the living conditions, it really helps people learn to survive.

Going on a blue missions trip was probably one of the best decisions I’ve made. In only 8 days I learned many different things. This experience was definitely an eye opener to appreciate everything we have back at home.

I’ve been on two blue missions trips. Both of these trips were amazing and helped me to grow closer with my friends and open my eyes to different cultures and ways of living. My leaders were amazing and engaged with us. We all became close friends and are still in contact! I made such amazing connections with the BLUE workers who live in the Dominican (which is crazy because I don’t speak any Spanish), especially, Lolo! I had an amazing time and can not wait for my BLUE trip this summer.

No matter how many times anyone expresses how amazing a BLUE trip is, there’s no comparison to when you actually live it. Never would I have thought that I would find myself wanting to lift up a pick-axe, or hike up a mountain, or get my hands dirty, but after being received by such a loving and grateful community, the final goal always seemed more than worth it. The drive and ambition that BLUE showed me is something that I cannot repay in any way; in those 7 days I learned how to pickaxe, how to glue pipes together, how to work together, how I want to spend the rest of my life, how to love, and even some magic, but most importantly how important it is not to take things for granted and to give back whenever you can, because something as simple as a smile or a hug made the people of the Altos de Guaranal community happier than you could imagine. The second they saw the water spill out of the pipes, that our work had been fruitful, their joy was indescribable.

Had the time of my life. I Loved everything about the trip. BLUE took care of everything so I was able to live in the moment and appreciate the experience. I will definitely be going again next year.

This trip taught me a lot about life. I learned to be more appreciative with what I have back home and to live in the moment. I made amazing new friends and had a time ill never forget. My Blue Missions trip was definitely the best trip I’ve ever taken.

I have been going on BLUE's mission trips for 3 years now, and they continuously blow me away. Each trip involves deeply engaging in a community of the Dominican Republic, not only bringing them clean water or proper sanitation, but also getting to know the people that live there and their daily needs. These trips open my eyes to existing issues in the developing world such as the clean water and sanitation crisis. They push me to serve others not only while I am there, but to continue to do so in my daily life. BLUE is very successful in not only changing the lives of thousands in the Dominican Republic, but also shaping thousands of future leaders of the world instilling in them a desire to always serve those in need.

BLUE Mission's trips have truly shaped my life path. The way the trips are structured and the leaders they place on trips makes the trip one that is inspiring and culturally immersive. I feel that I have made a huge impact. I've been lucky to have been on both sanitation and water trips and both are once in a lifetime experiences. We stay in a school with Campesinos who cook and take care of which allows us to get to know Campesinos on a personal level. Kids will come to play and hang out with the group during our breaks which was so much fun getting to disconnect from what's going on back home and play with local kids outside. The work is hard but so worth it, as we work the community is working alongside us making it even more inspiring because as we're working to get these locals clean water or build a bathroom we're getting to know the community we're helping and seeing first hand how we impact them. BLUE does a really awesome job at making the community a priority as well as our reflection time to process what we're doing. BLUE showed me that service can and should be fun.

I loved my Blue experience for the most part. There were a few things that bothered me on the other hand. My group was not able to have a party with the locals the last night and we took many pictures on our leaders camera, but she barely posted the ones of us with the locals.

Best trip of my life! Made new friends, memories, and had the most incredible time. The leaders are by far amazing and I cant wait to do it again! Forever grateful for this amazing opportunity through Blue Missions for Building Love Uniting Everyone

I cannot put into words how life changing the trip was for me. As soon as we arrived in the campo, a sense happiness overcame me. Seeing all the families in Los Guayuyos have smiles on their faces showed me that we take a lot of things for granted. “Live in the moment” is a motto that I will never forget and it has taught me that a simple life is a happy life. I feel that I am a totally different person when I am in the campo, the best version of myself. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything and I hope to join BLUE Missions again next year.

Extremely humbling experience. Teaches you how to serve others and not always putting yourself as the primary concern. I loved this trip so much. I enjoyed meeting the people from the community and making the latrines. The happiness on the people’s faces brought me a lot of joy and made me feel like I did something really good for people who don’t have as much as we do. Kids day was super fun and I had a lot of fun with the kids. We danced, colored, and sang songs. The bond I made with the people on the trip is so strong and will always be something I will look to to bring me happiness. I’m so happy I went on this trip with my friends and also the people that I met and got closer to. I really hope I get the opportunity to go again because it was a life changing experience that I will remember forever.

Blue missions was a life changing experience. I loved it so much. It taught me so many things and showed to be grateful for the things I had. I also taught to me help others and how people can be happy with such small things. Can’t wait for next year!

i absolutely love the trip and would recommend to all of my friends. I had such an amazing experience and loved the whole trip and would never have gotten the same experience anywhere else. I loved being with my fiends and it made us bond so much more. The campo magic was the most amazing thing and my leaders were honestly the best people ever and we still keep in touch to this day.

Definitely changed the way I see life on a daily basis. The vibes that I got from the campo are ones that i will forever remember and would like to feel again. It was overall an awesome experience. Clementine was cool too.

My experience in Altos de Guaranal with Blue Missions was incredible and the amount of fun I had is unexplainable. I became friends with the greatest people and everyone in the village is so welcoming and grateful for everything they have. I am incredibly grateful for being given this opportunity to help while learning about hard work and community. Seeing everyone waiting behind the gate when we arrived and they’re faces when the clean water arrived brought me so much joy which I had never felt before. My time in the DR was unforgettable and it has forever changed my perspective on my life and of the world.

I loved this trip so much. I enjoyed meeting the people from the community and making the latrines. The happiness on the people’s faces brought me a lot of joy and made me feel like I did something really good for people who don’t have as much as we do. Kids day was super fun and I had a lot of fun with the kids. We danced, colored, and sang songs. The bond I made with the people on the trip is so strong and will always be something I will look to to bring me happiness. I’m so happy I went on this trip with my friends and also the people that I met and got closer to. I really hope I get the opportunity to go again because it was a life changing experience that I will remember forever.

I would recommend BLUE to anyone who is interested I had so much fun & it was just the best experience! The people are amazing & there is nothing else like the campo. I wish I could be there right now,, thank you blue missions for this life changing trip. I will definitely be back next year!

Blue mission made my realize that I shouldn’t take anything for granted. I love that they let me experience some things the communities did, like taking a hike over the 8 mountains that the people in the community did, just to get the freshest water, and going down the 300+ steps to one of water source they had. It was the best thing I ever experienced.

My BLUE trip was probably one of the best things I've ever done. Meeting so many people, experiencing so many new things, and most importantly, providing water to 76 families was so worth it. I loved my trip and I can't wait to do it next year.

Blue was the best thing that I could’ve done this summer. I was able to go to a community and provide clean water with some of my best friends and other people I didn’t know, but have now grown so close with. I was able to learn so much and interact with so many people. I can’t thank Blue enough for what they’ve done.

Throughout this trip I learned the meaning of true happiness. I had an amazing time in and out of the campo and I will remember this experience forever. I became very close to many Lourdes girls I thought I’d never even be friends with and we all created a special bond with the people living in the campo.

BLUE Missions definitely gave me a place I can call home and brought me to a place that makes me feel more alive than ever. This being my second summer with BLUE in the Dominican Republic, I was able to meet so many new people on my team and especially within the community of Los Altos de Guaranal. The water trip was absolutely unforgettable and I loved being challenged mentally and physically throughout the trip. The meals are cooked by wonderful volunteers in the community and are some of the best food I have ever had in my entire life. The simplicity of living in the campo encourages us to live a more grateful and minimalistic life, focusing on what's most important, which is something we, as volunteers, tend to forget in our privileged day-to-day life. The views are breathtaking and living and working within the campo fills you with such adrenaline and life that makes you wish you could stay forever.

My most recent trip taught me to connect with myself and create happiness for other people along with myself. I’ve been on two blue trips and each one has a different lesson for everybody involved on the trips. Everybody finds they’re way and there’s never a dull moment.

I loved this experience! I was very nervous because of the work load, but I ended up trying new things I didn’t know I could do. The community was wonderful and I forgot all about the outside world and became immersed in the community. I saw it as letting go and just living in the moment. I will never forget seeing the communities face when they saw water for the first time! Amazing!

I loved going on blue missions. If I didn’t go, I would’ve missed out on a once in a lifetime experience. I would highly recommend going all 3 years of high school. You need to speak Spanish if you want to communicate with any locals. If you don’t speak Spanish then you need your counselor to translate everything or a friend to translate which can get annoying.

I loved my blue trip to El Siete! My leaders were amazing and showed us not only how to build bathrooms but how to live in the moment and appreciate the little things in life. The locals were so kind and welcoming. I also formed a close bond with the girls I went with. I’m so grateful to have been able to experience BLUE and hopefully I’ll go back to the DR next year !

I had an amazing experience learning how to work with my hands and also interacting with the community. I made friends with the little kids and they were so loving and open to us. I still text one of the kids that I met in the DR even though i gotta use google translate.

I loved the trip it was such a humbling experience. I’ve never felt so good about myself and my overall living situation. The trip was an amazing learning experience and it helped me learn more Spanish.

I went on my first BLUE trip during 2019 summer. It was one of the greatest things I’ve ever done in my life. Not only are you helping others, you are interacting with the locals and making friends with your fellow volunteers. I highly recommend going on a BLUE trip especially the water one.

An experience of a lifetime and so grateful for this opportunity. Looking forward to go next summer. Live the moment, and never forget, you get to are lessons that I will forever live and learn by. Every day that passes I miss “el campo”.

I'm so glad I made the decision to go to a BLUE missions trip. I met the most amazing people on this trip and definitely made the best memories. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to go on a BLUE trip and will definitely be going for years to come.

i had so much fun on my trip. interacting with the community really helped me understand the people and the reason why i was there on a deeper level. i made so many new friends and got close with the people of the community as well. i loved being able to disconnect from my hectic life in Miami. It is always good to take a step back from and gain perspective about different things.

Went on my second trip this year and my first water trip ever and i absolutely loved it. could not have asked for a better week. Loved interacting with people of the pueblo and gettin' to know their stories. Especially loved water day it was so special!

Going on blue missions was probably the best choice I had ever made. My sister didn’t like it so I thought oh I won’t either but in reality it was the best experience ever. The kids having a smile on their face always made me want to keep smiling with them, all though we were all drenched in sweat and dirt. Being there made me feel like even though I was far from home all the people that lived in the community had such a warm welcome that I felt as if I were at home. No matter how far my real home was. It made me forget so much about what was going on back in Miami and the issues I was dealing with that it just felt amazing to be there. That campo was my home away from home.

Our leader Mariana was amazing! She helped bring the group together, lighten the mood, and show us all about living in the moment. As this was my 2nd trip, I did somewhat already expected it to be similar, but it was not. Being on a water trip completely changed my view on life. It made me so much more grateful and appreciative of the life I live. Having clean water so easily in my house is such a blessing that I never even noticed. I learned every day from those people in Piedra Azul to just live in the moment and always wear a smile on my face.

I went on this trip from June 21st to June 28th. I had an amazing time. My campo was El Siete. I went on this trip from June 21st to June 28th. I had an amazing time. My campo was El Siete. I went on this trip from June 21st to June 28th. I had an amazing time. My campo was El Siete. I went on this trip from June 21st to June 28th. I had an amazing time. My campo was El Siete.

This was a life changing experience. i did it twice and i would love to do it again. i learned so many new things that impacted my life back at home. nothing compares to the feeling and environment on this trip. i shared so many stories with my friends and family. the people in the Dominican are so different that it takes you out of your bubble you open up your mind to the entire idea of how others live and are raised. honestly one of the best choices i have ever made was to go on this trip.

I spent 8 days in the community of Mariano Cestero building 16 latrines. Every day that would go buy i would be amazed by the joy and pure happiness that would come from the people of the community. This trip has impacted my life and i couldn’t be any more grateful. Thank you blue missions for giving me the best experience of my life.

I love BLUE missions. The work we do in the community is so much fun and I feel the great impact we make on the Dominicans. The trip makes me feel so grateful for everything I have and allows me to forget about all complications back home. Love going on these trips.

I attended a BLUE Missions water trip a week before school returned for me, and it could have not been a better way to end the summer. From feeling like one of the very locals, to bonding with my leaders, to becoming close to girls from my school I never expected to get to know, BLUE provided me with the experience of a lifetime. We stayed in a school in the community of Los Mangos in the DR and helped build pipes from a water source, to the tank (which we also built) to even the homes of 70 loving families. The locals welcomed us with open arms and didn't even want to see us leave in the end. I also learned two incredibly important things on my trip: how to live in the moment and what my "why" is. Living in the moment proved to be challenging at first, but by the end of it, I never wanted to reach for my phone or waste the value of now ever again. I also was fortunate enough to find my why, which is a sense of devotion to service and a passion for the world around me. My life was completely and utterly changed by this experience, but it's all thanks to the amazing organization that plans it all. I hope everyone considers attending a BLUE trip at least once in their life.

Definitely made memories that will last a lifetime! I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to go on a BLUE trip. This trip was, by far, the best experience of my life. I met so many new people and am lucky to now consider them as family. Thank you BLUE missions for giving me the chance to experience the happiness I felt on that trip.

My BLUE Missions trip was everything I wanted it to be and more. I absolutely loved my trip leaders, the community, and my campo sisters that I was so lucky to have experience this life changing trip with. The first two nights were the worst because it was extremely difficult to adjust to the lifestyle over there. But after that it was all amazing. I am so excited to go on my 2nd trip next summer. Best experience ever!!

The water trip that I was part of drastically changed the way I view life. I’m eternally grateful for having the opportunity of being part of this trip. Being part of a team that was able to provide a community w access to clean water is something that I will never forget and will always remind me to be more grateful for what I have.

I’m writing as a parent to say how great it was to see how humbled my son was by the trip. He said it’s one thing to hear about poverty, but quite another to see it first hand and to know he was contributing and making a positive impact to an entire community. He loved the experience, the people and really admired the team leaders. He can’t wait to go back next year and that says it all! Thank you, BLUE Missions for making it such a positive experience for Oliver!

When I first joined the trip, I was always not taking what I had for granted. Now that I saw the community, I want to help people in any way I can. This was the best experience I ever had. The volunteers are nice and I always feel very safe. You bond with different people around your age and kids alike. Will truly recommend to others.

I loved it. My group and campo was amazing. The campo was extremely thankful for us being there and they received us with open arms. They loved giving back to us even though we were the ones helping them. It was truly an amazing experience and something I would love to do again.

At Blue everyone was so welcoming and it was easy to adjust to. It was a great feeling to see how happy everyone was after we finished building at their houses. It was also amazing to connect with the kids and the adults.

Both my sons have traveled with Blue Missions on a project and both have said that the trips were life changing experiences. They fell in love with the locals and the core values of the mission. My youngest, who is still in High School, will be participating again next year. They were both humbled by how happy the people were and how appreciative they are. The Blue staff is organized, professional and take very good care of the kids. Would recommend this to everyone who wants their child to experience how it feels to give back to the ones in need.

This trip taught me so many life lessons, but the main one was that happiness comes from the little things. You never realize how poor a individuals living situation is until you see it with your own eyes, and blue gave me a first hand experience in seeing this. I’m so grateful I was able to go through this journey and the amazing leaders, especially Nati, who made it possible.

I had an amazing time in blue missions and it was my first time out of the country (especially alone like with no parents). I had an amazing chaperone (Doris Alvarez). She honestly made me feel great like she was beyond nice and she made the trip even more special.

It was just the most amazing week of my life. I loved everything about it. I loved the campesinos, my leaders, and my group. I am totally looking forward to doing the trip next year. The food there was also very delicious and I loved being able to sit all together with my group and just be able to share all our stories.

Great experience, looking forward to next year.. May the Lord help and keep all the villages safe. Great people, happy kids and content with the little they have. May the services we provided help them as a community and give them a little comfort.

My two trips with BLUE Missions have been the happiest experiences of my life. I still struggle to find the words that accurately describe how great of an impact being in the campo has left me. The leaders, volunteers, Dominican workers, and the families of the campo all contribute to my hope of returning to work with BLUE Missions in the future.

This trip was one to remember. It truly touched my heart. I made many friendships and those will last forever. I made many different bonds with people there. I was truly sad that we had to leave I would miss the kids we became friends with and the ladies who cooked for us who also helped us when there was lice. The Dominican workers are people who I will never forget Lolo made us laugh and cry and I will miss him. This trip taught me to appreciate the little things in life and even though it sounds repeated it’s true it teaches you or more like reminds you to like in the moment.

Everyone tells you how amazing the Blue Missions experience is, but you can’t fully understand it until you experience it yourself. Seeing how the people in the communities live not only made me that much more grateful for everything I have in my life, but also taught me something that I will never forget. It taught me that you don’t need much to be happy. The people in the communities were the kindest, most welcoming, and happiest people I’ve ever met yet they have so little. It is then shocking to think how I could ever complain about anything in my life in Miami. I also love the morning meditations. My favorite one was the one called “Get to” which talked about looking at everything as though we “get to” do it instead of have to do it. As if the experience wasn’t fulfilling enough, the incredible leaders and being surrounded by some of my closest friends made all the memories we shared so special. Seeing how much we impacted the families that we built latrines for instilled a sense of service in me that makes me want to volunteer more and more.

Incredible experience that truly brings people together. Had been to 4 or 5 missions trips prior to blue, but blue was different. Blue impacted not only the locals, but us too. Meeting the locals and seeing how something like a latrine or a fixed door could mean so much to anyone was amazing and life changing. Changed the way I see every-day life.

When I was out there I didn’t worry about tomorrow only the now. It was a beautiful experience in the campo; with nature and the rest of the people in my group. It is something I recommend to everyone I know.

Blue and my trip to El Catey was an amazing experience as a whole. I sincerely feel that I helped me grow as a person and impacting with the community was an incredible educational experience. After working with Blue I have a different outlook on life which is why I hope lots of people decide to go.

I had such a good time I loved everything about the trip. Our leaders were awesome, the people in the the town were amazing and I didn’t even care about having to use the toilet after a while. The food was so good, I honestly ate better in DR than at home and Mariana and Palta were the best. So were Cori and Sean. All the stuff we did was super fun and the location was incredible. Especially when we went up the mountain, that was so pretty. I can’t wait to do it again next summer!! I loved it so much!!!

Thank you to the community of Loma Vieja for teaching me the true meaning of community, pure happiness, a smile without a filter, our worlds beauty, faith and simplicity. This past week I got to stay in the campo with the best campesinos, I got to wake up every morning to the sound of chickens and frogs, I got to take bucket showers everyday, I got to experience our earth’s beauty both day and night, I got to meet new people and make new friendships, I got to smile everyday due to pure joy, I got to learn new things that I never thought could be learned, I got to see life in its simplest form and I got to touch the lives of those who deserve it most. I GOT TO do all of this alongside the best group of girls and I wouldn’t go back and change a thing!

It was a wonderful experience that showed me what truly matters in life. I lived it so much snd it helped me open up to people who I never thought i would open up too.

Returning to the campo for the third time with the BEST group of people, BLUE, was a blessing. This was my first water trip experience and It was nothing short of life changing. The people, the community, BLUE’s workers, and the leaders made this trip one that has solidified in me what I want to do and pursue in my future. BLUE aims at making service fun by Building Love and Uniting Everyone.... no better example of that than on this trip! So much love for my BLUE fam!

It was a reality check and it made me appreciate what I had and that you can be happy even with the littlest of thing and it was genuinely a life changing experience and missed it the moment i left. Everyone I met impacted me in some way and I really learned how to live in the moment and thank to BLUE i want to start a non profit and I can’t wait to go back next year.

BLUE was nothing like I had experienced before. From digging trenches to playing with local children, I had the time of my life, and experienced pure joy. I learned that joy and happiness does not come from possessions or making yourself happy, but from helping those who truly need it. Happiness is indeed contagious, the smiles on the face of every campesino/a made me extremely happy. I hope to go on another BLUE trip next summer!

It was an amazing and memorable trip that expanded my knowledge, compassion , and so much more. This was my third trip and every year it still amazes me and brings me back to that first time. I absolutely love this organization and it’s mission.

I was blessed enough to participate on my second BLUE trip this summer. I was able to build 16 latrines with amazing girls from my school, alongside wonderful leaders and Dominican workers. BLUE proves time and time again that by disconnecting and living in the moment, you will have the best week you could possibly have.

There were some discomforts: Sleeping in a cot, the hot, the bugs, the bites, the bucket showers. But none of it mattered. Everything was completely worth it. I wouldn’t trade the week I had for the world. I was so happy the whole time. The connection we had with the community was indescribable. Yes, we built 16 latrines and I was so happy to give the gift of sanitation, but there was so much more to the trip than just building latrines. I loved talking with the locals, playing with the kids, laughing, DANCING (we had multiple fiestas). It was hard for me to make connections with the locals because I didn’t speak Spanish, but just by giving the kids piggy back rides I felt like I had become their friend. Some Spanish speaking volunteers FaceTime the locals still. It was the hardest goodbye. Lots of tears (from the volunteers and the locals). I promise you will not regret going on this trip. I learned so much about myself and how people live.

It was an amazing trip and I loved every moment of it. The leaders were absolutely amazing!! Blue is a life changing experience for anyone that goes and I cannot wait till my next trip. All the leaders were always attentive and took the best care of my group and always had fun with us

Although some of the living conditions and whatnot weren’t that great, the impact Blue had on my life was unforgettable. The people that I met and helped are unforgettable. The connections I made and the laughs I shared were something that someone can get nowhere else. Blue was such a great experience for me.

I learned so much from the people of the campo. Living in the moment. I loved the experience and look forward to participating again next year. I enjoyed disconnecting from social media and life back at home. The people of the campo were so welcoming and genuine. Blue missions was a life changing experience.

Blue gave so many opportunities for the volunteers to bond and to immerse into the culture of the community. It was amazing to be able to see how the community we are living in is impacted at the end of the trip and how truly grateful they are. I was also surprised as to how an entire group could become a family in just 1 week through building the bathrooms and sharing experiences.

This year was my second time around with BLUE, and this trip was just as life-transforming as the first. This year in La Aguada, we built 17 latrines for the community. We would get up with the roosters, work in the hot sun, eat our rice and beans, and play with the kids all afternoon. Like they always say, you won't have wifi, but you'll find connections.

I could go on an on about what BLUE does as an organization and what it strives to accomplish every day, but it also serves it justice talking about the fantastic friendships you’ll form while working at the campo. While a portion of the focus of the trip has to do with the sanitation and water projects, along the way, everyone will experience what it’s like to live the simple life first-hand. Some will end up in tears when they have to leave all the welcoming families who have treated everyone with immense love and hospitality on the last day. If I were to talk about every detail of my experiences while on one of these trips I’d be writing for hours. All in all, BLUE trips are a perfect opportunity to live in the moment, to disconnect and de-stress about home, to form long-lasting friendships with people you would have never met otherwise, and to experience Dominican culture and tradition in its entirety.

After 15 years going on mission trips to the DR with LIFO, I was sure these rough experiences of helping the poor campesinos were behind me. No more bug infested outhouses nor waking up at 3:00AM with a cackle of roosters. Now my limited vacation time was dedicated to relaxing on family trips. Then my eldest daughter expressed that she would love to go on a BLUE Missions trip with her school. I was thrilled by the news as I saw it as her continuing a family legacy as well as a desire to connect to something so special to me. However, my more sensible wife made it clear that since she had just turned 15, that she would only attend trip if were to go along as well - “so figure it out” she said. With such a stance, I chalked it up to my daughter going in a couple of years. Providentially, a chance encounter with Danny Rodriguez, CEO of BLUE allowed me to casually share my wife’s comment and he told me that I could go as a “Chaperone”. Chaperone - What did that mean? It did not matter and jumped at the opportunity of making my daughter’s dream of a mission trip this year a reality. I applied for the role, used all the mission lingo from my 15 summers helping organize these trips and was swiftly accepted to Chaperone a trip of 20 high school girls. What seemed like a great idea at the time, slowly but steadily turned into a dreadful expectation as the departure day approached. Here I was going with a group of 20 high school girls for one week - seven days - to the remote hills of the Dominican Republic to live in sub-camping conditions. The only male on the trip and at the age of their parents; on a trip where none of the girls wanted to be reminded of males, much less of their parents, and with none of the comforts we have all grown used to. As I purchased my supplies, I kept asking myself why I had come up with this crazy idea? It had seemed so brilliant at the time. At the airport, my dread only grew exponentially. Why again was I going on this trip? Was it too late to back out? The other Chaperone was half my age and I was sure she could handle it on her own as she was already a teacher at the school. I knew a couple of the parents and they too expressed their wonder as to why I was going on this. My only consolation was that I was with my daughter and felt that she was taking as much care of me and I was of her. Then, upon arrival to the campo, the two female leaders looked at me, made their first impressions and it was clear on their faces that this would be a long trip. However, this trip turned out to be quite a gift to myself. I finally learned the meaning of BLUE. This experience “BLUE my mind” on what a positive week this was for me. I dare say that it was the best mission trip I had taken in my now 16 summers of this work. Not because I was able to share this special time with my daughter. Not because I was older and (I think) wiser - But because it was what I needed at this point in my life. For the campo does not give you the trip you want, but it gives you the trip you need! The campo offers you gifts that you cannot begin to imagine for your life journey. If you get the gift of a Chaperone trip, consider yourself very, very lucky. This was also a very special group of girls. The group of which I was so ambivalent about at the departure airport turned out to be such a blessing. They have taught me things that I would not have expected and I have grown from our shared campo experiences. Their big hearts and warm smiles made them a special addition to the trip. Their ability to savor new experiences with such gusto and be so present in the moment, are lessons I shall never forget. I could go on and on, but I’ll stop. One final recommendation: Make sure to shake hands with everyone you meet in the campo and remember to feel the roughness in the campesinos’ worn, callused hands. You can then savor how lucky you are in your life back home by comparison. But take a moment to look into their eyes. You will find the most amazing heart felt smile - proof that while the locals may appear poor, they are rich, in fact, very rich with hope, faith, and love. Things we seem to lack back home that cause such anguish in our lives. For the campesino, love just burst from their heart - You will be able to touch that and take a bit back with you for sure. That seed can blossom back home if you foster and allow it to grow. The BLUE trip may give them water and sanitation but they give us a gift one cannot buy - love.

My group was 25 girls from a school in Miami, FL called Our Lady of Lourdes Academy and on the trip we built 16 latrines for people in the community of El The experience was amazing and I wish I could be there right now but sadly my trip has ended. I am sure to go again next year and can’t wait to see what other impact I can have in the many different communities in the Dominican Republic.

Volunteering in the community of Atabalero absolutely took my breathe away. I was immediately shocked at the happiness of the people there even though they did not have a lot. The people of Atabalero taught me so much and I cannot wait to go back next year!

This year was my second year going on a Blue trip and every year it amazes me. Blue makes you appreciate every day and what you are given in this world. The bond with the community is amazing, and the experience overall is outstanding. Every year going I've learned something different. This year after talking with some of the older kids in the campo, I realized that they do the same things that I do at home. We were very much alike, and it led me to believe that everyone is the same and just like me, it's just a matter of luck that I was born into a family more fortunate. But when I say fortunately it is by material terms, but other than that, another thing I learned is the real meaning of rich. To me now, rich does not mean having a nice car, or lots of clothes, but having love, support, nature, exactly what the people of the campo had. Blue always is a reminder to me of what I have and the real things that are important in life. Family, happiness, and love. But the biggest lesson I have said to myself every morning from my first Blue trip was " you don't​ have to, you get to. I realized that the campesinos don't have to do anything but they do everything they possibly can to live a happy life with love and happiness. Meanwhile, in Miami people wish for more and don't want to do the things we have handed to us, but its a matter of getting to. We get to wake up in a nice home, knowing we have food, knowing we are going to get an education, and knowing we will be successful. Blue Missions to me is more than just making latrines, its the bonds and realization of life and finding you why and your purpose in the campo and beyond the campo.

A truly unforgettable experience, one that I will always treasure and helped me make decisions today. BLUE was a life lesson that I couldn’t have gotten any other way. It shaped my views of the world and how I live in my own community. I realized how my own worries and fears were obsolete compared to those in La Piragua, and it changed my perspective on what really matters. Materialistic things consume most of our lives, while many people are struggle to get a cup of water. My BLUE trip was filled with people who I will never forget, and I am so grateful I was able to be a part of something so life changing. I’m filled with remorse that I won’t be able to return again this summer, but it’s bittersweet because I am thankful I got the chance last summer.

I absolutely loved this trip and i look forward to doing another one next year i learnt a lot. from being with locals to building latrines from scratch. i realized so many things and how beautiful and amazing life is. forever grateful for blue for making me realize that.

I saw the beauty in simplicity and was able to really immerse myself into their culture and way of life. I saw how these campesinos were so happy with so little of their basic needs met. I wish I could go back to that little town of La Cueva and see the children I met there with their big smiles and hearts. I miss them so much every time I see pictures.

I’m going on a water trip next summer and I’m BEYOND excited all of my friends have gone and have told me all these amazing stories about interacting with the locals, and taking hikes, and the reaction of helping the community. I’m so so so excited for next summer and the trip.

This was my second blue trip and it was so amazing. I made so many new friends that I still talk with today and created amazing bonds with the kids in my campo. The only problem was that the bathroom was terrible. Every time I work with blue I learn so much about myself and push myself to try new things.

I had an amazing and life changing experience here ! I met an obscene amount of people who are willing to help and change the world one step at a time. These people have so much confidence and aren’t afraid to talk to one another. I love the confidence and pride that these people have !

Spending a week in the campo in the Dominican Republic was the best part of my year. Blue Missions allowed me to find my purpose and discover so much about myself and the world. Growing up with access to water and proper sanitation, I never realized how pervasive the problem really is. This trip opened my eyes to a global dilemma that often goes unnoticed and gave me the opportunity to do something about it. It was so much more than just a service trip — I immersed myself with a completely different culture, I was able to leave everything behind and just live in the moment, and met so many amazing people whom I still talk to. I will definitely be going back.

I am grateful every day for having the opportunity to have gone on BLUE. During my time in the Dominican Republic, we not only gave a community access to water, we also closely connected with the locals and formed bonds that have changed my life.

Blue Missions truly changed my life. It opened my eyes to new cultures and experiences. I learned to “Live in the moment” during my trip and I have continued to live by this phrase in my day to day life. Blue Missions gave me the opportunity to spread love and kindness to people that I would’ve never known before this experience. By helping others in the campo, I also grew as a person. I realized that serving others is a main reason why we are on this earth.

BLUE Missions' service trips allow volunteers to fully immerse themselves in lifestyles starkly different from their own. This type of engagement grants newfound perspectives that leave a lasting impact on the way life is viewed and appreciated. The world would be a much better place if all fortunate individuals from developed societies could learn what I learned from my BLUE trip; our world would benefit greatly if we could all build love and unite everyone at the same time.

BLUE Missions changed my life and made me appreciate the little things in life. I also met so many new people that I still keep in contact today. With blue missions I was able to help the less fortunate and impacted their lives just as much as they impacted mine.

Life changing experience that will last a lifetime. This program gives you a chance to make the world a better place and the experience is truly unique. Blue missions is making a difference in the world and deserves more recognition.

Blue Missions is a wonderful service that provides high schoolers and young college students the ability to explore and leave their comfort zone. To experience the world that is so unnatural to them yet allow them to realize that life continues in many different ways that they are not familiar with yet there is a common thread that still unites them with the locals they are meeting.

Fell in love with the campo, my brothers and sisters, and staff. Amazing experience that helped me expend my awareness on the global sanitation issue and changed my life. From the campesinos to the American staff to the Dominican staff, everyone was very kind and had a good heart. Traveling with BLUE again this year!

Stepping off the bus at my campo, I was terrified and wondering why I had even wanted to do this. I almost wanted to fly back, but as the days went by I remembered I wanted to find my why in life, and I did. Meeting the camposinas and being with my group for a whole week, and I learned things about myself that I never new about. Blue Missions was the best experience of my life even though it was tough in the beginning. I am so glad I pushed through and was able to make the best out of it all. I loved my trip and my campo, and I am so thankful that Blue Missions is around.

Not only were my eyes opened to the water crisis happening in the world, but I made bonds with those I worked with and those who lived in the areas we worked in. This is an experience I will never forget and I encourage everyone to experience this at least once.

I got into a horrible car accident with my grandfather as a kid and it made me scared of driving, so I put it off as long as I could. I couldn’t find the courage to start driving because it was too hard to get over this fear. It wasn’t until I returned from my BLUE Missions trip to the Dominican Republic that I decided to get my drivers license and face my fear. I worked alongside other teenagers to build latrines that would bring sanitation and respectability to the inhabitant of the small Campo community, La Piragua. I realize that driving and building latrines may not have any correlation, but for me that experience brought me strength. The people of that community have very limited resources; no Netflix, no iphones or even cars. Interacting with them provided me with a sense of security and confidence. I realized on this trip that I am very blessed and I have many privileges back home; driving is a privilege, and not taking advantage of this privilege seemed ungrateful. Going on this trip gave me the strength I needed to drive and grow up from this childhood fear. Blue gave me a purpose; I helped a community, while helping myself.

I learned so much from this trip all around and it is an experience that I will never forget. Bringing water to a community that you have never met before, but at the end of the trip then being family to you is the most rewarding feeling ever.

Going on Blue Missions was a life-changing experience. I got to learn about so many different things and I enjoyed making an impact in that community. I saw the struggles that everyone had in Los Pedros to get water and yet they were all happy. This trip inspired me to not take things for granted and to appreciate everything I have as well as to live in the moment.

Spending a week in the campo with BLUE Missions was one of the greatest and most rewarding experiences of my life. Being surrounded by such an open and beautiful culture that is so different from our own taught me so much and really made me see the world from a new perspective. I think it's so important to immerse yourself in cultures outside your own, wherever it may be, so if you're considering this trip, I highly, highly recommend the experience.

Blue Missions opened my eyes on the way to live. I went on this trip not knowing how lucky I am for everything I have, water, my family, my friends, a home, and much more. I learned to love serving others. When I first arrived to Carrasco I never expected to have as much fun as I did and I never expected to miss something so much and want to go back. If there is one thing Blue Missions has taught me it is to live in the moment, don’t take anything for granted, and learn to love everyone.

I attended an open high school service trip in June and did not know what to expect. My experience was so amazing and eye-opening. I met the most loving people in the Dominican Republic. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to go on a BLUE Missions trip.

One day on our mission trip we decided to go on a small hike. Everyone thought it would be nice and easy. In reality a few of us almost fell off the mountain but, we picked each other up. Every obstacle from branches, trees, vines, bugs, rocks, and thorns were defeated. We reached the top of that mountain and it was a release. By climbing that mountain with my blue sisters I knew that there would always be someone in my life that will pick me up in my times of need. BLUE taught me how to overcome mountains in my life and how to approach them.

I’ve been on two trips with BLUE Missions, and they are what I look forward to every summer. I love everything about them. From waking up in the morning to the happiest music, to interacting with the campesinos, and just surrounded by love and happiness... there’s not one bad thing about these trips.

While I was on BLUE I had the experience of a lifetime. I was able to interact with new people, help the less fortunate, and truly live in the moment. I can’t even express how much BLUE means to me in words. I believe that this experience and organization has helped me become myself and find my passion for helping others.

I had an amazing time on my BLUE Mission trip! It was definitely eye opening and life changing. By the end of my trip I was close with all the girls I went with, and I will always hold El Puerto close to my heart!

The best experience ever. Have never had a better week in peace with my friends and new campo friends. The community members were very welcoming and the leaders are the best. Food was good and living arrangements were good.

Going on BLUE trips is a forever impacting experience. To get completely immersed in a culture and community different from your own is unique, and blue does a great job of making you feel completely at home and comfortable. You have a chance to meet and build relationships with locals in the community that change your way of thinking, and positively mold the person you are going to become!

BLUE Missions not only changes the lives of those who they bring water to or build latrines for, but they change the lives of their volunteers. Through lots of love, patience, and hard work the BLUE leaders taught me how to live in the moment. They taught me that you don’t need anything to be happy. Just those you love and those you care for. I am extremely thankful and blessed for the 7 days I spent in La Guama with Nicole, Natalie, Mariana and Lucy and for the girls I spent my trip with. I am so excited to go back this summer and find my why. Thank you BLUE for all you do.

Going on BLUE was one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever gone on and I can’t wait to be able to do college trips to get away from chaos. It’s amazing and I’m so glad that this mission group exists.

La Yayita water project was my first volunteer project with Blue Missions, but it will not be my last. The experience far exceeded any expectations I had. The community was situated outside of Santiago surrounded by luscious mountains. The villagers made us feel welcomed from the moment we arrived to the end of our journey. The leadership set the tone and mood for others to follow. They lead with enthusiasm and a sense of humor. “Live in the moment” was the motto regularly repeated. Music was played daily at the camp sight and laughter was a frequent occurrence. We carried PVC pipes, laid them down and glued them together. We dug trenches standing side by side with the men from the village who were also working on the project. We mixed cement and helped construct the water tank. Seeing the expression on the villagers faces when the water was turned on was unforgettable. One week of our lives participating with Blue Missions improved the quality of life for all those that were affected by the water project. Bonds were formed between the young women participating in the project and the children of the village they engaged with. Those bonds will remain imprinted in the minds of those children for the rest of their lives. New friendships were formed. My life felt enriched by this experience and it would be my privilege to work with Blue Missions again.

The BLUE Missions trip is a truly life changing experience for both the volunteers and the community. From beginning to end the BLUE staff does an incredible job of preparing you to fully immerse yourself into the experience. Reading the living conditions questions a smile arose on my face b/c it's not the luxuries or A/C that make the conditions special. Rather it's immersing yourself fully into the experience, living in the town you're working in, that provides a start contrast to the luxuries we are spoiled with back home on a daily basis.

This trip impacted me in such positive ways. Not only did we help to bring the dignity and health of sanitation to a community, we worked alongside the community. We got to know them. Our service trip members formed a close bond and grew spiritually. Don’t miss this trip. It’s physical and it’s uncomfortable.... I’ve gone twice and I can’t wait to go again this summer. What a privilege to help people in such a meaningful way.

blue is my favorite week of the year for the past 2 years and i hope im able to go next year! It’s an amazing experience that i learn so much about myself and others! The leaders are one of a kind, they have amazing hearts and honestly want the best for us either on the trip or even after the trip they always keep in contact with us! The campos we’ve been too the last 2 years have been more than amazing. I’ve done water and latrines and both are super impactful.Honestly the saying “hard work pays off” really does when your building doors or hiking to take pipes up to the tank, but then you see the outcome and the faces of the families that you’re helping and at least to me that’s the best feeling in the world just seeing the smiles of the little kids and mother’s. It makes me realize that i don’t need material things to be happy it’s just the little things in life that we need to appreciate. I know wcs misses the campo and our leaders #vivechakka can’t wait to go back!!

After blue I realized to always live in the moment. This has been the best Experience. I learned not to take anything for granted, to live happy always, don’t let time go to waste, and to accept everyone for who they are. I want to be able to one day continue to work with Blue missions and see the happiness on all the campesinos faces who don’t have anything.

Great experience. Anyone looking to help Others immediately sees the joy brought to the needy. I felt like my sacrifices were nothing compared to the quality of life and progress we brought to our village.

My son was happy because he knew another culture and other needs that people from other countries have. He made many friends and the most important thing was that He could put a little sand to improve their lives. I hope to send him again, very soon !!!!! Thank you, God bless you for this great work.

BLUE... I see, hear, and think of this organization and the word I react with is “happiness”. Why does it make me happy? Why do I love BLUE? I look back at my experiences in this organization and I think about all the moments when I felt this happiness. I realize that I first felt it when we simply showed up and gave the people of the campo new faces to see. I felt it again when we simply introduced ourselves, struck conversation, and started making memories with them. I felt it again when we simply hammered nails, dug trenches, and brought clean water and sanitation to these people who didn’t have it before. What is it about some of these simple things that actually made me happy? Each of these things I was doing made people feel love and they brought out such big smiles! Simple, yet so powerful! Being in the campo, this is all done so effortlessly. And I question, why? Why is it that we’re able to be so humble, loving, and HAPPY in a place that has so little? Thanks to BLUE Missions, the answer is always that we’re able to live in the moment. Because of BLUE, I had the opportunity to expose myself to life in the campo. Because of BLUE, I was able to put away my phone and embrace and contribute to what was in front of me. I realized that the people in the campo don’t lack any more than we do. Just as we have all these material needs that we’re able to give, they’re able to give the richness in love that they have. As simple as that, it’s made me learn exactly what the world was created to be. A home for us all. A place to build love, uniting everyone. So thanks to BLUE Missions and the beautiful lives in the campo, I have not only learned how to be happy in the campo, but I have learned that it’s meant to be spread throughout the entire Earth. Being apart of this organization and receiving these experiences have challenged me to let these lessons learned transform my life and work through me EVEN back home. I now know that we are born to share the blessings that we have. It is our purpose in the world and that is ultimately how we will all be our happiest. CHOOSE to live in the moment, magnify the good that you can engage in, and contribute to from wherever you are in the world. Even if it’s Monday.. it’s a new week, a new day, a new moment! We get to learn or work to enhance our lifestyles. We get to be surrounded people. So it’s all a choice to make it a happy Monday if we want it to be. Simply bring out your own smile to bring out someone else’s smile. Change up the ordinary tasks for the day and bust a move.. who knows if someone will join in and laugh too! Thanks to BLUE Missions, I now know that this is living. And living doesn’t mean existing, it means choosing to love anyways, which means choosing to give anyways. A smile, a question of how someone’s day is going, any helping hand to show that love is present in the moment. Live. Love. Give. They all mean the same thing to me! Often, what many people want and need is right in front of their faces, and there are many who don’t see it... "No one can snap their fingers and make someone happy. What you can do is help people to see what is useful for them to see. What you can do is point and hope they look.” Now, being an intern, I was able to point and hope the volunteers looked. And when they did, I was able to help them give of themselves. This was the best part of my experience this summer. It was a feeling like no other when I got to see them reach clarity with the lessons that the BLUE experience is all about. I realized a form of giving I am capable of. Bringing out what makes us passionate and simply ourselves. Doing that every moment of every day. Giving it to those around you, whether it be knowledge, talents, or even just a positive attitude. Be the one start the ripple of giving what we have to offer to the world. I couldn’t think of anything more awesome than this organization and the people in it. So as many times as I’ve said “thank you BLUE”, I can’t say it enough for making a simple water drop picture be a reminder for me that each day of life is precious. Thank you for being a family open to all, waiting for the entire world to be bold, say yes, and join in on your mission.

This trip was the best experience of my life and i would not trade it for anything. Everyone was so nice and helpful and i felt very safe the entire time. It was a great experience overall and i would definitely do it again and recommend it to anyone who is interested.

Round two of being in the campo and all I can say is this... wouldn’t wanna spend my summers any other way. BLUE is awesome! The environment, people, day to day life, and vibes just make everything and everyone feel included and comfortable. Currently wishing I was in the campo instead of in Miami... major everyday blues :( BLUE continues to grow into an amazing organization... keep up the AMAZING work!

I’ve never felt the happiness that I did. It’s another level of experience and another level of joy that I will never be able to express in words or pictures to anyone. There was something in the air of Carrasco, that made me fall even more with life and the people’s smiles were just a small reminder that this truly was time of my life.

This is one of the best service trips I have ever participated in. I had the chance to meet new people, make friends, and especially I got to make a change. Everything, from the food to the staff, was amazing.

BLUE was an amazing experience for me as it allowed me to not only make such an impact on the community of Los Pedros, but also gave me the opportunity to interact with so many people and form friendships that will last a lifetime. My leaders were all amazing and truly showed me what it's like to be confident and hardworking. I hope to one day be like them. While on the trip, I learned so much about myself and found my "why." I am so grateful for the experience and hope to one day go on another mission trip with BLUE.

This has been my second BLUE trip and it was just as amazing as the first one. There is something about the campo that makes me want to return. I am so grateful to Blue missions and the amazing leaders I had to have such a great experience.

Amazing opportunity. Amazing people. Amazing adventure. I could not have gone on a better trip with better leaders or with a better nonprofit. Everything about this trip was above and beyond expectations- food, people, community, work. This was absolutely the most amazing experience of my life.

Amazing trip, life-changing. It puts life on perspective, and helps us defines the real priorities. So great to be so disconnected from the Miami busy life. The Campo environment is perfect, complete peace and harmony. The people of the community were extremely thankful, helpful, and welcomed us with open arms.

Volunteering with BLUE Missions was a dream come true I never even knew I had dreamed of. I had the privilege and opportunity to give water to the community of, La Yayita. It was the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had and even more so, sharing it with new friends whom now I call family. Before going on this trip, I thought I would never make it through a week without a phone, social media, or any electronics whatsoever, but I could never have been so wrong. BLUE Missions has taught me how to #liveinthemoment and to always #BeBold. Now, having been almost four months since my trip, I still live by those words. Being able to have gone through that journey is something truly extraordinary. It has changed my life in such a positive way and I am beyond grateful. BLUE can definitely count on me joining their team again next summer and ever one after that.

As a newbie in volunteering on a mission trip I didn't know what to expect. I had never even been on a plane. All I have to say is that it exceeded my expectations and the organization of the entire trip was above and beyond. The project went as planned by BLUE missions and it was just an awesome collaboration between the locals, BLUE mission workers and us foreigners. I can't imagine myself working for another nonprofit organization other than BLUE Missions. I would highly recommend.

Thank you Blue missions for the labor you do for all of the people of the Dominican Republic. Your volunteers bring not only improvement to the locals everyday lives but you bring the intangible of hope and faith that they are not alone in this world. Bring Dominican ice always tough my daughters to visit family every year. We’ve witness the poverty and hopelessness they live every day of their lives. For my daughter to have the opportunity to do deep into the campo and share the time, day in, day out the same lifestyle the have it’s humbling and eye opening. My daughter learned to live in the moment, it changed her completely. She wants to back to continue to help out people.

I had a great time so happy I went on the trip. I got to interact with the locals and made new friends. I really learned about the living situations that people have in the Dominican Republic. I loved seeing their faces when we brought water to them. Nothing will ever compare to my experience on Blue Missions.

I had the most amazing time at blue missions this past summer. I got to interact with all the locals and great special bonds with the girls in my school. The BLUE bond is like no other. Whenever I see the girls that I went to blue missions with, we always smile at each other or laugh with each other because we have created amazing memories. Overall, I have never been in such a life changing trip in my life.

There are very few words to describe the amazing experience this was in all fronts. From getting to know other fellow volunteers, to working along side exceptional people who care to make a difference in the world, and being taken care of by locals who cooked for us and ensured we had the best overall experience we could possibly have. The sense of community and fulfilment is really priceless. I highly recommend participating in a BLUE Mission trip, it'll change your life and your perspective on how you live.

Going on Blue Missions this summer was an amazing opportunity. I love to help people and make the world a better place each day, and doing that everyday was outstanding. You get used to the campo really easily and it felt like home immediately. I loved meeting new people and bonding with new friends. The volunteers couldn’t have been more helpful. They were all amazing and that is something that is very important when you are with them 24/7 on a week long trip. I couldn’t have asked for a better summer and I’m so glad I participated. Although, I miss the campo!!

Blue missions was honestly one of the best things I have ever done. It made me go out of my comfort zone and serve like never before. I had never felt so at home away from home. They gave me the amazing opportunity to help those in need and see the world in a different light. I am truly thankful for the experience and I can not wait to go back and volunteer more next year.

I loved BLUE Missions. That was my second time going and it still amazes me at the impact it instills in me. This organization has helped me open my eyes and showed me what I may want to pursue in life.

Blue mission is easily the best experience of my life. Blue mission taught me so much such as having a better lifestyle and being much more compassionate towards others. This trip left me a wanting to help everyone in need. Even though we had so little materials I was the happiest I’ve ever been. Definitely recommending to all my friends!

My three service trips with Blue Missions have been some of the best experiences I've ever had. Not only did I work to benefit the lives of others, but I also had the opportunity to improve myself as a human being. My life hasn't been the same since. I never thought I'd help build two aqueducts and 17 latrines in three rural villages in the Dominican Republic. I have a deeper respect for living in the present and a greater appreciation for the things I own. I grasp that time spent with others, even strangers, is truly precious. I learned important life lessons from people I would have otherwise never met. I understand the importance and value of clean, running water and access to a clean restroom. And I made memories that will continue to guide my choices and shape me as a person throughout my life. If you would like to make a positive change in your own life and in the lives of others, then I wholeheartedly recommend spending a week in the campo with Blue Missions. You won't regret it.

Extremely rewarding, and eye opening trip! Would recommend to everyone looking to get involved and make a difference ! I learned a lot about the community we were aiding while also learning a lot about myself as a person. Living in the moment and finding my “why” has become the new mantra of my life. I would never trade this experience for anything.

My summer in the Dominican Republic with BLUE Missions was the greatest summer of my life to date. From day 1, BLUE instills a sense of power that you didn't know you had before. They cultivate your ability to make a difference in the world, and the impacts of hard work are seen firsthand. Living this "campo" lifestyle is simple, yet it is so rewarding. There were so many life lessons learned throughout my time in the Dominican Republic, and I couldn't thank BLUE enough for all that they've done for me.

I highly recommend Blue missions to everyone I know! Every day a leader shared a story or a quote that set the tone for the day. It got us to think more intentionally about what we were doing and to remember to live in the moment! Every leader and Dominican worker were really engaging and fun to get to know. The locals were friendly and thankful to have us there.

This summer I had the opportunity to join other high school students on a mission trip to La Cueva, Dominican Republic. This is a small campo where many live their lives many of us could never imagine living. My mission and goal with a team of 18 was to build 16 latrines for locals who did not have the blessing of a clean toilet we use daily. We spent 8 days vigorously working, living like a local, and eating the diet they had available and harvested. Throughout the days, my team and I learned that true happiness comes within and the perspective of life all depends on the way you view each thing that happens in it. The experience is priceless and I’d rather spend all Summer helping than being in a luxurious place in Paris.

While this was my sixth year volunteering/ interning abroad with BLUE Missions, this summer did not cease to amaze me even more than my last years working with BLUE. I come home with a renewed love for the Dominican campo, respect for our team & volunteers, & amazement at the impact that BLUE has on the communities it visits.

I love BLUE trips so much!! I wish I could live in the campo forever. I’ve been going on trips every summer for the past five years and I have no intention of stopping. There is nothing else I have done that gives me such a pure feeling of joy and purpose. I can’t wait until I get to go back!!

Blue Missions has changed my life forever. It is an experience i will never forget. The memories i have made in the last 3 year on the service trips are beautiful, and everything overall has been such a good experience.

I have been on four mission trips with this amazing organization, one as a volunteer and three as an intern. Each trip surprises me which how much I learn from it, and what I get out of it. I have completed two water trips and two sanitation trips. There is nothing better than seeing the beautiful faces of the dominican people light up when clean water reaches their town or when they receive their brand new latrine. The people of the Dominican Republic are the most amazing, generous, welcoming, and caring people, and they treat all of the volunteers as family. It is eye-opening, humbling, and inspiring to see how they live with so little possessions but so much love. BLUE missions is devoted to not only improving the lives of those in need but also helping volunteers find their purpose and passions. These trips make you realize that there is nothing more fulfilling than serving others, and that all you really need is water and people to love. #AguaEsVida Reach people's hearts and change their worlds by giving them clean water, sanitation, and lots of love with BLUE missions!

I saw the world in a different way. Most teens live in Miami have the daily life of going to school coming home and doing homework or studying for tests if their biggest problems. In addition to drama between friends or relationships are usually the biggest problems in a teenagers life. This was me, and when I went on Blue Missions, I realized that these people had so much less than me and their biggest problems were their needs that they had to meet. Nonetheless, none of them showed anger about the way they were living, they were so appreciative of us for building a bathroom for them. That was something that hit me the most and I will carry that memory with me forever.

My experience with BLUE Missions was the most amazing experience I’ve ever had. Being able to immerse myself in the culture of my community of La Guama was amazing. People say that you are going in to change the lives of that community, but really, they changed my life more than I could ever imagine. We built 16 latrines for this community.

In a week, we were able to help many communities in the campo and we were able to get to meet the people. We were able to experience their lifestyles and they opened their homes and hearts for us. The work was a bit hard at first, but we got the hang of it. The trip was so much fun and life changing

This trip was amazing. The way that Blue organize things is just incredible. They actually changed my life in only a week. I would love to come back next year. No words to describe how happy I am because of this trip. DR always in my hart. Thank you Blue.

I spent the happiest week of my life laughing non-stop and chasing chickens in El Puerto. i do not have 1 complaint for blue missions, just eternal gratitude. i cannot wait to go on blue missions again and i hope next summer i will get put on a water trip.

I can safely say that I have learned so much from the sanitation project on Blue. The people there are so grateful and so happy and I was extremely satisfied and grateful that I had the opportunity to meet them.

I spent a week in the community of El Puerto in the Dominican Republic building latrines for families. I have never been so consistently happy and overjoyed for an entire week. I’m so happy that I was given the opportunity to impact the lives of these families and will definitely be returning to the Dominican Republic with BLUE Missions next summer.

I loved every second of this trip. The leaders, the group and the community made this trip unforgettable and amazing. I never felt so at home in a country thousands of miles away. This was truly a once in a lifetime experience and I can’t wait for my next trip.

I’ve never been more grateful to go on this trip to Carrasco and experience the life on the campasinos for 7 days. Thus experience was everything I could ask for and more. My leaders guided me through the whole trip helping me learn what blue is all about. We go to build 11 latrines for 11 new families. My favorite experience throughout the trip was the bond between not only my fellow Lourdes girls and I but the families of the town. I never thought going into this trip that I would never what to leave the town and be heart heart broken when having to sad goodbye. This is an experience that everyone must experience in thier life time more than once. I am counting down the days until I can return to the campo again. Than, you BLUE missions for teaching me how to live in the moment. Forever grateful.

Honestly, I believe that my BLUE trip will be one to impact me forever. I knew going in that we would be helping the community at Cano Azul, but I did not know how much the trip was going to help me. Through hiking and dance parties with the local kids and through hours of hard work I think I've #foundmywhy (the BLUE mantra). I can't really describe it, because that's for each of us to figure out as we sit under the Dominican sky.

I went in thinking that I was going to change the lives of a community, but I left realizing they changed my life. All thanks to BLUE. The way BLUE organizes every single detail, is amazing, always doing all they can to make sure you make the best of your trip. I am counting down the days until I can sign up for another trip.

My perspective on life has completely changed. I feel so fulfilled and at peace with who I am.

Being completely in love with my first BLUE trip, I returned a second time this summer for a water project. My first trip set the bar so high, being the best week of my life, and this second trip was even better than the first and I am already planning on attending again next summer. BLUE Missions allows teens and young adults to truly change the world, one campo at a time, with a history-making impact on each family we meet. The BLUE team, working to provide this experience, is made up of the most caring people I know, who prioritize the safety of each and every participant. The 8 days I get to experience on my BLUE trip are the best of my life, filled with the best food, people, and the best feeling in the world. I am forever thankful to BLUE for the impact it’s made on my own life.

I never thought that this trip was gonna be so much fun and that I would connect with everyone so fast. This was by far one of the best trips i’ve ever been on. The leaders were amazing and so was the community. This was a life changing experience seeing how families lived in Dominican Republic and not using and electronic device for 1 week wasn't so bad after all.

One of the most amazing trips in my life. It has taught me so many things and has opened my eyes to different options. It has taught me that people in different parts of the world have nothing and that we are lucky enough to be living in a safe place. The community helped us with the project and made us feel at home.

Great counselors, great kids (campo). Great experience overall. I will come back, with my sister next year. I want her to experience my journey. I hope next year they do not have some high schools with clicks, we can do better if we can get away from our area of comfort.

Absolutely incredible experience. BLUE Missions has nailed it; without hesitation, I would recommend this to anyone willing and able to go. I definitely want to go back! I can't speak enough to the personal value I've taken away from such an immersive experience. You can hear or read all about how other places are, but you'll never actually know until you're physically there. I met many amazing people I would've never otherwise met. That alone was worth everything. Beyond that, the opportunity to help others in need (at least in some small part) was invaluable.

This was my first water trip but my third blue missions trip, i did sanitation for my first two and the difference in working is a significant amount but it is even more rewarding to have completed the water project and to see the difference that I have made to the people in that community was absolutely amazing.

This trip is really an amazing experience and one that really impacted my perspective on the water crisis and the ability to change my life for the betterment of the communities like the one I visited and assisted in.

We ended the mission trip having built 17 latrines for the town Santa Maria. I established relationships and friendships with the people in the community and my peers. I learn that an act I thought would be challenging, resulted in being easy, and effortlessly going home, would be difficult. When I returned to Miami, I became emotional. I saw my family, and came to remember all the things I have that makes me so fortunate.

Deciding to go on Blue Missions was easily one of the best decisions I've ever made. It not only allowed me to become even more thankful for everything I have, but it allowed me to see life through another point of view. The phrase, "Live in the moment," has never been so real to me. I learned how to put others first and how important it is to give back to those who don't have equal opportunities as people here in Miami.

Being able to live the life of the campesinos for a week was such an incredible experience. I loved being able to help them improve their sanitation while also receiving so much in return emotionally and spiritually. This organization provides everything you need for the cause to be completed and amazing leaders to help make the experience unforgettable. BLUE missions helped me discover my passion and lit a fire inside me that is ready to spread. To me, BLUE is an exceptional organization!

I knew from the day I signed up for BLUE Missions my life would change but I did not think it would have impacted my life as much as it did. It has changed my outlook on everyday situations and has given the phrase, "Live in the moment," a whole new meaning.

My entire life, I have lived devoted to service- to making a difference in someone else's life by helping them when they need help most. Everything I thought I had ever known about what it is to help another person has been completely changed by BLUE Missions. The community of El Puerto is filled with some of the most beautiful souls I have ever had the privilege of meeting in my lifetime, and those 9 days that I spent surrounded by the beauty of the island and the simple joys of the people taught me so many lessons about myself, and the gift that life is. The 9 best days of my life started by waking up in the morning to Caro Consuegra's awesome playlists, and hearing Dani Consuegra's cheerful "Good Morning Everyone", to then sit down for breakfast to try to figure out the best way to eat a peanut butter and guava cracker sandwich (poptart style was the winner). Then, our work day would officially start by going to our first home for the day to either start or finish a latrine, and meet, or say goodbye to another beautiful family. After a morning hard at work, we'd be off to our five-star lunch, created by the masterful campesina chefs. With satisfied bellies, siesta time would start, and depending on the day, we would either go off looking for adventure, fruits, or a nice spot to take a nap. After siesta time, it was back to work, which would be followed by a glorious bucket shower, play time with the campo-kids, and another magnificent meal. Night time activities consisted of games of mafia, cards, and staring at the brightest most beautiful stars I have ever seen. These perfect days, and my amazing leaders taught me that all I need to be truly happy in my life, is to choose to be happy, to live in the moment, and make each moment count. I learned that I have the power and the potential to actually change someone's life - in a BIG way. I know now that little by little, campesino by campesino, I CAN change the world. BLUE Missions helped me find my purpose in life - my "why" so I can tell you wholeheartedly and completely that when anyone asks me "why was I put on this planet?" I can tell them that it is because I am meant to help people. I am meant to make a difference in this world. So all I can say is thank you Caro and Dani Consuegra, thank you to my amazing teacher who told me about this trip, thank you BLUE, and thank you El Puerto, for helping me find my "why".

It was an absolutely life changing experience. Amazing volunteers, effective and impactful projects, fun activities, incredible communities, and perfectly run. You make a massive impact and take away more than you can imagine due to both the communities visited and BLUE's perfected algorithm.

Last summer, I had the opportunity to visit Naranjito, a remote, rural community in the Dominican Republic, with BLUE Missions Group. It had been many years since I had been on a mission. I fell in love with the sights and sounds of the campo, once again. My experience was everything I hoped it would be and more! I spent nine days working with the other volunteers and locals, building latrines as part of a sanitation project. The people welcomed us with open arms and were filed with joy and hope, despite their incredible need. While we hammered together, we chatted about our way of life, and theirs, and shared stories that bonded us, despite our differences. By the second day, I was completely oblivious about the lack of electricity or cell reception, or even ice. The food, mostly vegetarian dishes of rice and beans and delicious plantains, yucca and fresh fruit never, ever disappointed! For those nine days, I was free from the distractions and hustle and bustle of city life. I found clarity, peace, and perspective! A few months later, I was blessed to climb Pico Duarte on an adventure trek, and what an adventure it was! The first day was by far the most challenging, climbing eleven miles in just about nine hours! But, it was almost the most rewarding! When we arrived at base camp after a full day of climbing, I knew I could make it to the summit! And I did! If climbing is on your bucket list, but you're not ready for Kilimanjaro, this is the climb for you! The landscape is spectacular, it's only three days of climbing, and you will feel challenged in ways you never have before. But YOU CAN DO IT! You WILL make it to the top! And all.. for a GREAT cause...to end the global water and sanitation crisis.

Blue Missions is one of life's experiences that I just won't ever forget. It changed my life as a freshman in college, allowing me to indulge in the Dominican culture and work alongside them in both water and sanitation projects. Every time that I go on a trip, it ignites a fire in me to go out and be a better person in this world.

I pointed towards my foot and pronounced the word “shoe.” Twelve campesinos repeated the vocabulary word back to me, but theirs sounded more like “shoe?”. We continued this back and forth exchange until I ran out of things at which I could point my finger. Standing next to a narrow stream, the work of building a small dam began to slow. The true Dominican craftsmen were still at work fine-tuning the architecture, allowing the rest of us to wait bankside for more instructions. I had only met these men 48 hours before, when I arrived in their campo with a group of fellow classmates. We were in Palmar Grande, a small community on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, to build a water sanitation and delivery system. With it being my second trip to the DR for this purpose, I was familiar with the process. These were not the first Dominicans I had ever met, but for many, I was the first American they had ever met. Their gazes followed us as we walked to and from the worksite each day, some of us brave enough to share a “Buenas” in greeting. We had come to provide a service, to help them deliver clean water to their homes, but the secondary mission was to provide a space to exchange culture. Over games of dominos, breakfasts of chocolate caliente y pan, and the sounds of bachata over the radio, I grew fond of my new friends. Growing up in a family of baseball lovers and big jokers, I found I could relate very well to the Dominican traditions. Each community I stayed in became a home away from home. Every year I am drawn back to this country because of the cross-cultural connections I have made there, and every year it is one of the hardest places to bid farewell. I led my university’s trip to the Dominican Republic the first year. I spent many months prior to departure planning logistics, organizing fundraising, and educating my peers about the experience we were about to have. Sitting in a classroom once a week, I taught them about culture shock, the issue area and how to work together. No amount of pre-trip meetings could have prepared us for the life-changing week we were about to have. The love and gratitude I felt for the campo for opening up their homes to us, and the love and gratitude they felt for us helping them to receive clean water caused many tears to fall on the plane ride home.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I signed up for my first BLUE trip this year, even though my best friend had been speaking marvels about her trips for the past five years. At first I did not know anything about what BLUE stood for, what their mission was, what they did, but decided to give it a shot anyways. Nothing has been the same ever since. I discovered parts of myself that I did not even know, and as a twenty year old, it was a sense of adventure of one's self that is indescribable. During the nine days we spent at "el campo" I created strong bonds with people I had never met before, something I deemed impossible. I was able to step into the shoes of many campesinos and see life through their eyes, something that taught me, not only about themselves, more about myself and what my outlook on life should be. I used to look at life as a mission filled with obstacles you had to overcome, and with this trip with BLUE I now am able to see life as this grand adventure with experiences and gifts along the way towards your better self. With my shovel and pick-axe, I was able to unearth my real "why" in life, my objective, my motivation to help other's along my path towards a better human in this world. These days in the campo were truly an experience that you cannot understand until you live it, something I learned and hopefully now, I can be like my best friend and persuade someone else to attend a trip like this and ultimately discover their very own "why".

I can hands down say that BLUE was one of (if not the best) experiences of my life. Traveling to a new country and being immersed into a new community and culture was extraordinary. Not only did our community in DR make us feel welcomed, they will now be with me forever. Knowing that you are helping these families attain such basic necessities (water and latrines) that weren't as easily accessible before is one of the best feelings imaginable. And not only are you providing for them, you are getting to know people in the communities and your volunteer group that make life-long impacts as well as friendships. Every day was a new adventure and nothing short of exciting and fun, whether we were sawing, laying concrete, hammering, spending time with the campesinos, playing games with the kids, or bonding with the members of our volunteer group. Our leaders really made the experience one of a kind by relating to us and making every minute of the day one filled with laughs all the while being extremely responsible and making us feel safe in any situation. I will be participating in BLUE Missions next year and am hopeful to be with them for a long time.

I worked for BLUE Missions this past summer as an intern helping to lead trips. All interns are university students who volunteered their time for free over the summer for no pay. I would do this again in a heartbeat. Every day was a new adventure and I loved every minute of it. This was my third year going on a BLUE Missions trip and I plan on going again next year. If you haven't tried it and are on the fence about going, don't stay on the fence. Go. You will not regret it and will love every minute of it.

If you have a chance to participate in any Blue Missions service trips I highly recommend it. It was definitely one of my highlights of this past year. I thoroughly enjoyed participating and helping the communities of the DR and I would do it again with no hesitation.

Overall, I enjoyed my BLUE trip. It was a great learning experience but I feel like they have to expand to different countries, give more freedom and give opportunity to other people who have not experienced a mission trip because many of these people are returning and it doesn't make the experience as fun if most people know each other.

BLUE Missions trips surpass my high expectations every time. I went on my first trip expecting to change many lives yet feel relatively unchanged. This assumption and my staid demeanor crumpled upon arrival to the campo, and every other since. I honestly consider myself addicted to this mission. Every project I've contributed to has been a unique and inimitable experience filled with adventure and love. It's the only vacation I take where I leave feeling more refreshed than how I arrived. After each trip, I feel a sense of craving that can only be satisfied upon return. I crave for more of the love and unity BLUE builds. Although every trip has been incredibly different, the joy and fulfillment I felt on my first trip has been overwhelmingly present in every other trip too, which has maintained my desire to return. These water and sanitation projects provide the expected service to those in need, and an unexpected, impactful service to each and every one of the volunteers. I truly believe in BLUE's mission and am anxiously awaiting my opportunity to return again and partake in another inimitable replica.

BLUE Missions never fails to bring a smile on my face. I look at pictures everyday from my previous trips and I can't wait to go back. The people are amazing; both the BLUE leaders and the townspeople. 12/10 kind of a trip!

This year I decided to go out of my comfort zone and attend a Blue Missions trip completely alone. I chose Blue Missions because they had a Young Professionals trip so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to not only give back, but meet new people. The leaders and staff of Blue are so kind and extremely organized. They are responsive and provide so many different tools and resources to get you the post prepared without expecting any surprises. The locals are what made the experience for me, and you truly will never take any advantage of what you have back at home after leaving, and the memories will live on forever. I highly recommend this trip, especially if it's your first time doing a mission trip, this is by far the best organization to prepare you for it.

This was an amazing and rewarding experience to give back to the community and to meet the people of the campo! I enjoyed every minute and I can't wait to go on another mission trip! I loved being able to help the community and seeing life through their eyes. Although we came to serve them, they taught us valuable lessons that I will always remember and hold dear to my heart. I will always remember to appreciate the little things in life and to always live in the moment. I recommend this mission trip to everyone because it is truly such a great experience. I wouldn't trade the time I spent in the campo to be anywhere else.

Waking up before the sun rise, hiking through unbelievable mountains, sweating until we were drenched, laughing until we cried, smiling until it hurt, and everything else in between, BLUE taught us that you can work hard and play just as hard meanwhile falling in love with volunteers and communities. From campo to campo we were able to meet countless men and women who just completely blew us away with their endless compassion and their beautiful perspective on simplicity each time impacting us more and more profoundly... and these were all just the cherries on top. Growing up I was always told the things you take for granted, someone else is praying for. I never truly understood the meaning of that until I interned for BLUE Missions. It was through these experiences that I was able to meet countless men and women who completely blow you away with their endless compassion and their beautiful perspective on simplicity where you're able to learn so much. The way they spread their love and joy to complete strangers left, and continues to leave, such an impression in my heart. My appreciation for life, my family, and the little things in this world —such as clean drinking water—has made my heart grow and absolutely love the work we are able to do for them and these communities. BLUE is an acronym that stands for building love, uniting everyone, and that itself is one of the many reasons why I find myself saying yes. every. single. time.

This past summer I participated in my 4th mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Although each trip involved the same type of physical work, they were all unique in their own way. I think it has to do with what stage you are at in your life when you choose to register. This year I was not expecting to attend a trip with BLUE Missions, until the day before when the opportunity arose to do so. It is probably one of the most memorable trips to date. There is definitely something to be said about the little things you experience on each trip which allow you to "live in the moment" and completely disconnect from life back home.

Although the 9 days I spent on my BLUE trip came and went way too quickly, they were the most meaningful and fulfilling days of my life! Stepping off the bus and meeting the campesinos, I instantly noticed the excitement and delight in each of their faces. From that moment on, I got a glimpse of the miracles that were about the happen on this journey. I had always heard that there was something about listening to music in the morning that brings you a good day. I'm thrilled to now be a strong supporter of this belief, thanks to my mornings in the campo. Waking up to the sound of excitement brought an instant smile to my face. I was able to start each day on the right foot, confident in the fact that there was a brand new day ahead of me to find out what I was made of. What they don't tell you is how much of an impact the experience will have on yourself. Each day I learned something new from either the Dominicans, the leaders, or entire group as a whole. Starting with the truth that there is always a reason to be smiling, to then realizing the gift of life while I was currently living it. I will forever be humbled by the simplicity and happiness of life in El Catey. The smiles I was able to see were always so genuine and surely contagious. Whether it was the breathtaking views that God laid right in front of our eyes to see, the laughter we were able to hear from a bit down the mountain, or the chills we felt as we danced all together in the campo streets, I was taught that everything in life is precious, no matter how big or small it may be. What I will always so vividly remember the most were the feelings that I was incapable of putting into words. The journey I got to embark on, (B)uilding (L)ove (U)niting (E)veryone, reminded me to be extremely grateful for my past, encouraged me to be excited for my future, but ultimately inspired me to live in my present. It was relieving to learn that when life gets tough, it is nothing but another chance for us to open our eyes towards the continuous moments we still have to live and grow. God wants us to discover what he made us to be. He challenges us to #BeBold and step out in faith. Thanks to God and Blue Missions, I have found my “why” and am overjoyed with excitement for my future with this beautiful organization.

This past summer I went on a BLUE missions trip to build aqueducts to bring clean water to a poor “campo” in the Dominican Republic. On the trip, my mission team and the wonderful people of the Dominican Republic really showed me what life is about and what love looks like. On top of the heartwarming care I watched all these people share with each other, this experience also opened my eyes to a major issue in developing countries that I never had to think about or see directly -- insufficient access to clean water and sanitation. This mission and the trips it organizes give their participants a sense of purpose and a realization that change can start with the individual, and that individual could be you. My trip was one of the best experiences of my life, and I cannot wait to go on another one next summer and every year after.

We had lasting impressions tonight and I decided my why was empowerment. Us being here and us being girls empowered the campesinas through women's day and through example. In a male dominated world these women don't always see their worth or their capabilities and capacity to be independent, to be a woman, to be a mother. And the younger women saw us as a model for their future. They can be anything they desire. There was a little girl who was following me around all week. At one of the casita sites I asked her if she wanted to hammer, she hesitantly agreed and while the boys around looked skeptical, she did it! She was able to punch the nail into the wood. Her smile was priceless and today when I was talking to her I asked her what she wanted to be when she grows up. She told me she wanted to be a teacher. My heart swelled with happiness. Was I able to show her what a strong and happy woman looks like. One who is capable of anything she puts her mind too. I truly found my why over the past two days. Today we built our last 3 casitas ate lunch and packed up. The women are preparing a big dinner, with chicken... I think! And they set up many chairs and tables for the whole town. We'll eat and dance the night away. And in the morning we'll go on the bus and drive away from the campo to the city and get on a plane and fly away from the DR back to reality... but the image of the girl smiling after she hammered that nail will stay with me forever. And the memories of the people of el Puerto will continue to fill my heart with joy. Our mission in life should be to build love together and see the humanity we all share.

After my first trip, i knew it wouldn't be my last. it was a tough adjustment to such a different lifestyle yet so beautiful because of the experience. the leaders were empowering. the trip itself was impactful. the memories will last me forever and the community i worked with will be forever in my heart. so glad i got to work with Blue

Such an eye opening experience with amazing volunteers! They are the reason the trip was so fun. Feeling so blessed to have spent 10 days with all the people from the community of Altos Del Pílon. The trip was very organized and gave everyone an opportunity to work hard while also enjoying all there was to offer. The food was DELICIOUS!! I never knew basic meals could taste so good! Truly one of the best trips of my life.

Loved it all !!!!! This experience opened my eyes to another way of living. One with little materialistic aspects, but full of uplifting attitudes. Warmed my heart to see the smiles of everyone in the campo.

Last year I participated on a Blue Missions trip, where we were able to build 18 latrines for families that really needed it. This was one of the most memorable and impactful trips I've ever been on. Seeing the smiles on their faces as we would build their latrines meant the world to me. We formed close friendships with the people of the community, while helping them out. I gained a lot out of this trip and I'm grateful I was able to help these families. I can't wait until next summer so I can go again!

I had the privilege of going on my second trip this summer. I reminded me how much I love this magical place all all the people that live there. Through these trips I have made many new friends that I hold close to my heart and I have learned so many life lessons through the people in these communities. The BLUE Staff continue to be role models for me in the campo and at home and I absolutely adore every single one I have had the pleasure of meeting. I would recommend going on one of these trips because they are true eye openers of life and culture.

BLUE missions has been the key to so many great memories, experiences, and lessons in my life! Being in the DR in those conditions isn't hard at all because everything else makes up for it maybe the first day or the first shower but you'll never forget your first bucket shower. When I'm in the DR I never wanna be on my phone or do I even think about what's going on with my friends at home. My two trips have truly taught me the true meaning of happiness and selflessness. I hope I can continue doing trips for as long as I can. Love love love BLUE missions:) !!!!

I had a great experience on my mission trip with Blue Missions. I participated in a sanitation project where we built 18 latrines for the community and not only did we serve the community but we interacted with them and formed close bonds that I will never forget. This trip taught me a lot and I am grateful I was able to participate in one and I can't want to go again in the future.

Amazing and great experience for everyone to have one day. I enjoyed every moment and everyday. i would love to go back one day. my leaders were amazing and engaging! shout out to Caro and Dani Consuegra and Caro Debeche!

I volunteered on my first BLUE Missions trip the summer of 2016 and in just nine days of being in the campo, i fell in love with the town, people and the organization. This past summer I had the opportunity of a life time to intern with BLUE Missions. In this internship I was able to help lead water and sanitation projects in three different campos. I was lucky enough to spend six weeks in a country i fell in love with in the summer of 2016. The experiences I have had with BLUE Missions have been extremely incredible and words cannot describe the thoughts and feelings that i have experienced while being on these trips. The bonds that I have created with the BLUE team, the Dominicans and the volunteers have been nothing but amazing. By the end of this past summer, I am proud to say that I have completed four BLUE trips and will most definitely continue my journey with BLUE Missions in years to come.

BLUE Missions provides volunteers with all of the necessary tools to complete a successful project, while giving them plenty of opportunities to immerse themselves in the culture of the DR and become socially aware citizens of the global community.

I 1000% recommend Blue Missions. They are a grassroots-led, sustainable organization that cares deeply. The leadership at Blue Missions is impeccable. We were led by an amazing young woman who navigated relationships with the local people with love. I learned so much. The rural village where we helped build latrines welcomed us so kindly and warmly. It was an unforgettable experience that left us all changed for the better.

During this trip, I didn't think I would do half the things I did. I bonded with people i never thought I would and I learned life lessons that I will carry forever. I think BLUE is so,etching everyone should experience because it makes you open minded and broadens your view on life overall.

After going on my first trip I knew I had to go on another one. And I was not disappointed in doing just that. My second trip I would say was even better than the first and I would recommend any person not sure about going on a second trip to go without hesitation. Truly it is something you do only a few times in a lifetime and is well worth the time and cost.

I had a wonderful experience. It felt very rewarding building latrines so that these people may have more sanitary lives. I learned a lot about the campesinos. The women's day was very moving and the children's day was very entertaining. I would very much like to go back and do it again.

Not only was I motivated to work and aid the Dominican locals due to an exceptional atmosphere our group as a whole possessed, I was also inspired by this experience to continue this work and charity even after the trip. I have witnessed that this selflessness can take forms in various ways, and BLUE missions has helped me to not only recognize these circumstances, but to act upon them. For this, BLUE has my highest recommendation.

The BLUE Missions Trip was probably one of the most eye opening experiences I've lived. I saw how many people lived in these poor communities in the Dominican Republic and was able to experience their reality for ten days. The satisfaction after we finished the mission trip is indescribable and we formed a very strong bond with the community for the little time we stayed. The people there treated us as part of their family, offered us everything they had despite just meeting them. The BLUE Missions team was well organized and prepared for our stay in the campo. They helped our group of about 20 high school students construct more than 15 latrines. I definitely want to come back on another trip and help many more communities that are living in poverty.

I definitely would go again. It was the best thing I've ever experienced and so eye-opening that I appreciate everything I own and realize there's so much one can do in this world to help. Little by little, we change the lives of people who don't have the simplest things in the campo. I can't wait to go back again next year and hopefully become a mentor!!

This was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever been through. I learned something new about myself and about life every say. I love talking about my trip to others and I think about its impact on my life every day. No words can describe how eye opening this experience was for me. I for sure want to return next year. I am so very grateful for getting the opportunity to go on this excursion!! :)

Great Experience. Recommend to anyone who is looking at the program. If you are up for a serious program with an immediate impact you should look at Blue. Everyone was super cool and got to interact with the locals a ton.

My trip to las rosas was eye opening and life changing, the living circumstances were below average and the smiles they kept were inspiring. I'd love to go back and experience it again, meet the campesinos and learn and grow more.

For me this mission trip was the best experience i have ever been through. It opened my eyes to the true poverty that there is around the world and how much we can do to make a difference for these families. It really put life in perspective for me and allowed to to realize how blessed i truly am, to see the campesinos full of so much love and happiness with the bare minimum really moved me. I will most definitely go and continue to go on many more Blue Mission trips.

Absolutely fantastic experience overall I really enjoyed the atmosphere that was shown there, the leaders of the trip were very good at instructing us on what to do, I loved the whole live in the moment aspect of it where there was no schedules to follow and we did not know what was happening most of the time.

I never thought spending 9 days in a third world country would teach me so much. I learned a lot about true happiness and values. I made memories and met new people who have impacted my life forever. This was such a rewarding experience and through giving to the people of this community I was able to gain so much. I woke up every day excited to get to work and spend time with the campesinos. Not only did I learn from the people who lived in the community but also from my leaders. They taught me about living in the moment and showed me how lucky I am to be there. It was an amazing experience that I can't wait to do again

When. I first arrived and saw that i was going to be staying in this tiny shackles full of large insects while the other volunteers were staying in a school , i was pretty upset. The first 3 days were some of the slowest and worst days of my life just because i didn't wasn't to be there because i wasn't used to it. And not to mention that the adults of the village weren't the nicest individuals. Yet, once i got to hang out with the kids and see how happy they were even though i saw that they had nothing, it really made me realize how blessed i am. And I'm proud of myself for doing this, and I'm glad i was able to have such an experience where i not only met so many guys from my school who id never known, but also the people of the villages. Amazing experience

On June 2nd, 2017 I got the amazing opportunity to go on the Gulliver blue missions trip. This was the first time Gulliver went on a blue trip and I was so grateful to be a part of it, and to be the youngest one going out of my group. We stayed in a church up in the mountains in a beautiful campo called Guanabano. When we first arrived at the campo it was already dark. Many people from the campo were waiting for us in the church and greeted us with music and dancing. We built 16 latrines in Guanabano. One of my favorite moments was when we finished building this one latrine and the woman we built it for began to cry because of how happy she was to see she now has a bathroom with a working toilet. Overall, the people there were amazing and so were my leaders, Caro, Bella, Richard, and Puma. Everyone from the campo were all so welcoming, polite, and always wanted to help us build. The kids were amazing, I loved talking to them and playing games with them. Going on this trip made me realize how privileged I am and I couldn't be more grateful to have had the opportunity to experience something so wonderful. From this trip I definitely took back how to live in the moment and how to not take the little things in life for granted. I am currently a sophomore now and will be going on another blue missions trip this summer. I am also taking a lead on blue missions at Gulliver to keep it running. My 9 day stay in Guanabano was something I will definitely always remember. -Sara Ferrer

There is no need for me to elaborate on this amazing experience because I can describe it in two words... life changing. This was an eye opening trip and I wake up every morning wishing I could see the faces of the campesinos again. I eat rice and beans now in Miami and I say "Damn, this was not as good as the ones the Dominicans made". I reminisce on BLUE and the campo everyday, wishing I could "clavar un clavo de 4" just one more time. Thank you BLUE for showing me that life isn't about the big things or the material things, but about the little things in life. A simple litrine changed the life of a campesino during my BLUE trip (OLLA 2) but a small campesinos gesture of a smile towards me has changed my life forever.

Have to go on! Amazing missions trip not only with volunteers but also with local Dominican communities! Felt great helping those in need, positive energy and life lessons for nine straight days! Bit scary at first living in what seems to be very poor conditions but you soon learn these communities are rich in heart. Highly recommend!

My trip started kind of rough, but it only took me a few days to adjust and become comfortable. After I became comfortable, the trip was so amazing. I would highly recommend it to anyone I know and I plan on attending the trip again next year.

It was an amazing experience overall, working hard with the Dominicans and other volunteer made me feel very accomplished and happy for the campo (community). I've gone three times over my high school career and I'll definitely consider going again with a college group.

Best trip really life changing can't wait to go back next year. Seeing how little they had and how happy they were was unbelievable because we don't appreciate how much we have and all we do is complain if our water is too cold or we don't have a new iPhone. It made me realize that I should appreciate everything I have.

Before BLUE Missions, honestly, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. People would usually ask me where I was going to college, what I wanted to study, and where I saw myself in ten years, but I came to a blank. When I signed up for BLUE, I was hoping to learn a little more about myself through service and others, because ever since I was little I was taught that through service God would reveal himself to you and will show you the way. As my trip was getting closer and closer, I became even more excited and nervous, not knowing what I would get out of this experience. However, the first full day we discussed about "finding your why" and "living in the moment" because life shouldn't be taken for granted. Over the next few days, I made memories, friends, and learned so much about love, God, and happiness. Not one day went by that I didn't take full advantage of my time there because I knew it would end soon, and I really didn't want it to. On one of the last days there, one of our leaders had talked about living in the moment again, she went on to say that the best way to live a happy life was to incorporate helping others some way and somehow into your daily routine. That, and all the tears shed on the last day, made me realize that helping others is exactly what I wanted to do for as long as possible. More specifically, I would like to continue my journey with BLUE for as long as possible. I never knew how attached you could become to people and places until BLUE and I will never forget my time there because it didn't matter how long I was there for, it was about who was there and what they taught me. Thank you BLUE for helping me find my why.

BLUE Missions has impacted my life tremendously. Not only have I found an organization that has helped me to discover a passion for community service but has shaped the way I view service, not just as a requirement but as a lifestyle. Every experience I've had on a summer immersion trip, leaves me inspired to do more for my community back home and spread the responsibility I feel to take action wherever I can, no matter how small. I'm grateful to have been apart of water and sanitation projects with BLUE because I witnessed an injustice firsthand and was able to serve alongside the women, men, and children who suffered from its consequences. For me, the powerful impact of a BLUE Missions immersion trip comes from one-of-a-kind encounters in the campo that are encouraged by the project's recipients, fellow volunteers, and leaders who inspire me to live in the moment. I look forward to where BLUE Missions will teach me next!

Blue missions is a 10 out of 10 experience for sure. I always find myself talking about it to people at my university and even trying to recruit people to go on their own trips, whether it's consciously or subconsciously. I made many friends on my trip that I still keep in touch with. There wasn't a single moment where I sat there and thought "why did I do this to myself", so anybody going can be sure that they are going to have a great time. The most impactful part of the trip is definitely the way we live amongst the people of the town we are helping and we partake in their every day lives. Getting to meet the people of the town and work side by side with them every day is a humbling experience that has definitely affected me in the rest of my life back home. To anybody having doubts about going, I say go, plain and simple.

"Because of you, we don't have to carry buckets [of water] on our heads." How do you describe the incredible?! The number of laughs we shared. The number of hours we worked. The number of times I said, "No sè." The number of new friends I have. The number of tears I cried. The number of times I thought I'd never leave the arms of my new brother- Pedro Luis. This past week, 92 families of El Limòn gain the access to clean water and no longer have to carry buckets on their heads. This past week 14 of my newest and greatest friends found what it means to live our best life and live in the moment- each moment. This past week I fell in love with my authentic self and it's changed my life forever. This past week, I was truly left speechless (and as a Communication Major- I always have something to say)! El Limòn, you gave me so much more than I could ever express; I love you. Thanks to Florida State Alternative Breaks and BLUE Missions for a life changing spring break that could never be compared to!

I have been on three BLUE trips ( and counting!). These experiences and the time I have spent living like a campesino changed my perspective. My perspective on life. My perspective on people. It changed the way I went about every situation I came across, whether positive or negative. It taught me to appreciate the little things because they are, in fact, the big things. It brought to light the blessings I have, and it taught me to appreciate them while I have them. BLUE Missions Immersion Trips are a priceless. They introduce every volunteer into new people and immerse volunteers into a new culture. The best way to live is living to serve and I will continue living and serving with BLUE Missions.

I never had to worry too much about my safety so I was able to just enjoy myself and take everything in. I loved my leaders they made me feel so comfortable and the group of people I went with was awesome too.

I loved my experience volunteering with BLUE Missions in the Dominican Republic. I learned so much about what it means to be an active citizen in my community and what it means to spread awareness for issues such as the lack of water that most people from higher socioeconomic statuses in the US are unaware of. The actual work in the Dominican Republic was not too demanding as the locals were a big part of building the latrines for their community. We were well trained by the BLUE staff, who were fun, down to earth, and very knowledgeable individuals, and we were well accepted by the community. Overall, BLUE and the community in the DR taught me so much about service and more. Thanks!!

I had the pleasure of joining the first ever BLUE "Young Professionals" Trip. It was one that I had been anticipating and was extremely nervous about. The excitement of being with a bunch of friends helping others sounded like a great idea, but I had no idea what I signed myself up for. Needless to say it was one of the greatest moments of my life. From the preparation meetings, to the moment we got to the Dominican Republic, the staff and leaders of the group had made me feel so comfortable and were so helpful that they eased and calmed my nerves. I have never been on an a mission trip like this before, but in the future I hope that any other trips I attend outside of BLUE Missions, are as organized and helpful as they were. They really set the standard high. There's always concerns when you sign up for these trips on whether it will be safe, what are the living conditions, what happens if you injure yourself while working. First off, their first priority is the people attending the mission trip and before you even sign up for the trip they take months of prep work to see if the community is one that is safe. They take a trip a year prior to study the area that they plan on going to. They look to see if it is a place that has a welcoming community, if there are any dangers, and to see if the people are open to having outsiders come in and help. They educate the community on what it takes to build and maintain an aqueduct/latrine. All this is done prior to ensure that the attendees of the trip have a quality and safe experience. While you are there they have an entire team that is catered to you and the other trip members. They are there to teach you how to work together, how to handle all the tools and duties that you are given, and most importantly to make sure you are safe. These are key factors that the BLUE team takes seriously. Even when you are back home the members of the BLUE team still keep in touch with me and make sure that everything is going well in my own life. The team is filled with truly loving and caring individuals and I cannot express the gratitude that I have for them for making such a great trip. I look forward to returning to the campos one day and taking another trip through BLUE Missions because they are working on their number one mission which is to Build Love and Unite Everyone. Thank you guys for an amazing trip

I know rating a trip all 10s seems a little excessive but it honestly was the best week of my life. I've been on service trips with different organizations before but Blue Missions surpasses them all. You get to help make sustainable change while also becoming a part of the community. Blue Missions taught me so much from how to live in the moment to how to serve a community in a sustainable way. With blue Missions the focus is on the community, not the volunteers which is a trait hard to find in today's age of volunteerism. I would recommend this trip to anyone who is looking to be a part of sustainable change and anyone who is open to learning more about a different way of life.

I can't thank and credit BLUE enough for giving me such an amazing experience and opportunity to do something good in my life. The return I received from serving in the trip is enough to fuel my drive to continue serving in the communities of the DR and the rest of the world for that matter.

My experience with BLUE Missions will forever stay with me. Participating in two trips has changed my life in more ways than I could have imagined. The relationships I formed with my fellow volunteers as well as with my leaders positively impacted my life. Spending about 10 days in a Dominican village, I grew more appreciative for all the blessings in my life. I learned how to live simply, how to enjoy every day to the fullest, and how we have so much to be grateful for.

Would not want to spend my summers anywhere else! Volunteering with BLUE Missions has shaped me into who I am today and changed my perspective and outlook on life. My experience ignited a keen interest in global health, especially that of children. I want to be part of the equation that helps reduce the number of individuals worldwide who lack access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation.

I am so glad I got to volunteer with BLUE Missions! Throughout the week, I learned more about myself, my peers, and most importantly how to work alongside the community. I felt so comfortable in a country different than the United States, because of the organizational strengths and incredible leadership from BLUE missions. I will never forget the people of El Limon or the time I spent there.

I had the amazing opportunity to help provide 17 Dominican families with latrines. This experience was truly impacting and made me realize that so many people in the world need our help. I think the cause of providing others with clean water and sanitation is important because they are two basic needs that every human should have. My experience was truly eye opening and inspiring. It was also very special to work with the people we were helping. Families would watch us outside and help build the lateines right alongside us. Their positive attitudes towards their quality of life and their happiness are inspiring. I am returning again this summer to provide another town with sanitation and I couldn't be more excited!

Very seldomly in life does someone get the opportunity to make a significant difference, no matter the size, in a strangers life. Those odds begin to decrease if I were to say that someone would be able to experience that opportunity consistently year after year. The tenure that I have been privileged to enjoy for the past 8 years volunteering for BLUE has been the greatest joy of my life. Being able to return time and time again to the Dominican Republic to assist and live along-side the amazing native and volunteers is an experience indescribable by words. Picture fail to capture the sheer unfiltered and untouched beauty of the Dominican countryside. And the work that it accomplished over an entire trip may be physically exhausting but is a divine detox for the soul. I highly recommend to anyone that has a yearning for helping others and adventure to take the chance in volunteering with an organization like BLUE Missions.

Life changing, eye opening, and family are the first words that come into my mind when I think about my experience with BLUE Missions. Although my time was short my memories will last forever, and BLUE has made a large impact on my life. When you volunteer with BLUE Missions you don't just give back to a community, because the community gives back to you as well. You see real change and how basic commodities, which we tend to take for granted, such as clean water and sanitation make a real difference that is indescribable. Live in the moment, Live BLUE (Building Love Uniting Everyone).

The trip was overall amazing, to meet new people and interacting with everyone was amazing. I never thought I would love a group of people so much like I love the people I went with. This type if activity really brings people together and makes us better people as a whole. I wish the whole world could be able to live this life changing experience. I will definitely be going on one of these trips again.

BLUE Missions gave me the opportunity to go to the DR with a group of young adults that all had one thing in common: the urge to make a difference. We learned how to live in the moment and appreciate the simple things around us. Through says spent with the children and women we were able to leave our mark on each and every one of them by reminding them that they play an important role in the community and that although they are woman and they are children that they are strong and can make a difference by saving water and using it correctly! After my 9 days in the campo I was relieved to know that the people now had faucets close to home and no longer had to climb and hike miles high to get water. I recommend this trip to everyone! There's something about putting others first and giving them such a basic thing we take for granted, water, that makes the trip worth it! Can't wait to go back.

Going on a blue trip was one of the greatest decisions I have ever made, I learned so much about myself and what I wish to do with the rest of my life. It really is an incredible experience and I recommend everyone to go.

Blue Missions truly changed my life. Before knowing the incredible experience I had on this mission trip, I begged my mom to not let me go and "miss" the flight. My mom telling me no and to tough it out was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. Not only did I meet incredible capensinos, I made amazing friends and I created a new appreciation for life. I am forever thankful for this beautiful experience, one that I will remember and be a part of forever.

No words can describe what it's like to participate on a Blue Missions trip. This trip is sure to change your life and inspire you to want to make a difference in the world. Before I went on my first trip, I was freaking out. I was worried about my living situations, my safety, and what I was going to eat, but the minute I got there, all my worries went away and I was eager to plan my next trip. Being in the campo puts you in a mood that you can only receive in the campo. You feel a sense of extreme calmness take over your body and all of a sudden, nothing that you are worried about matters anymore. The campo is the only place where I can wake up at 7 am and not only not care that it was so early, but I would willingly wake up earlier to see the sunrise to "live in the moment." The men, women, and children that I met in the campo are some of the happiest/most inspiring people I have ever met and they have far less than any of us do. It is so easy to not realize what a blessing it is that you can walk 10 steps in the morning to the sink to brush your teeth, but after going on these trips, it is something that I no longer take for granted. Lastly, it still amazes me how close you can get to people on a 9 day trip, but I can assure you that you can and will. I started off both my trips alongside 15 strangers and finished it with my BLUE family.

I went on my first trip the summer going into junior year. I had no idea what to expect, and as the trip got closer my anxiety only grew. Finally the day came to leave and my nerves were at an all time high, but I knew this trip was going to be an experience I wouldn't forget. When we finally got To the campo I had already bonded with the girls on my trip, and I felt comfortable with them. When we got off the truck I remember seeing the smiling faces, and the warm welcomes for the beautiful people who lived there. During those nine days I experienced a change in my life and I felt the change I was making in the loves of others, and I feel in love with service, and with blue. I can never thank BLUE mission for the amazing experience, and I don't plan to stop going on trips any time soon it truly was a time i'll never forget.

As each year rolls by I always find myself looking forward to my summers more than any other time of year. The main reason being that I get to volunteer on BLUE's immersion trips. BLUE has become something that I find therapeutic in nearly all aspects: physically, mentally, spiritually, etc. Dedicating my time to serving others is not something I would have thought to become a passion of mine, but BLUE taught and continues to teach me that there is more to this world than what we are accustomed to in our first world society. Being an acronym of Building Love Uniting Everyone, BLUE has truly taught me just that, how to be a more caring person toward my environment and resources, to be selfless and care for others.

I was introduced to BLUE by my school. In the beginning of my sophomore year, all my classmates were always talking about BLUE, so I joined the club and decided to try it out. I got to know a little bit about it so I signed up for a trip. If you know me, I am an outdoors person so when I would attend the meetings and hear about the trip I got so excited. Summer came and it was time to leave. As I was saying bye to my family, yes I was sad but I was just so excited to help others. We landed and I felt like I was in a different world. I felt out of place. We hopped onto the bus and during that two hour car ride is where I started to get to know those other 22 girls in my bus. Finally, we arrived to Blanquito. And little did I know that that small community after nine days would become my home sweet home. We set up our cots and mosquito nets and had our first meal. As time went by, more and more families started to introduce themselves to us. They only spoke Spanish so it took me a while to comprehend them but I got it. The next eight days consisted of work, fun and laughter. My trip consisted of strong, hard working women so I knew we could get the job done. Having the children and Blanquito community help us too was amazing. We worked but we had fun with it. Playing with those little kids was just enlightening. Hearing their laugh and seeing their big smiles just made happy. As days went by, I become more accustomed to the Blanquito community. I felt like I was another Blanquito campesino living life. They made me feel at home. Throughout those nine days, I grew a special bond with each and every one of those people. I felt loved. Those nine days flew by and I soon relaized I was leaving my home. I was leaving my happy place. While we were leaving all they were saying was "gracias" for all we had done but I feel like I should of been the one to say "gracias." They made me into the woman I am today and I can not thank them enough. Little did I know that those other 22 girls that I had just met on the plane and bus would soon become my sisters. Without a doubt I signed up for another trip. Even though I probably will never be able to see my Blanquito family again, they will always have a special place in my heart. Blanquito is now my home sweet home.

BLUE Missions was an incredible experience that will always be a great topic of conversation. This trip will forever impact you that you won't stop talking about it. When talking about it with friends and family it will never fail to bring a smile to your face and will leave you asking yourself, "When can I go back?" It's a wonderful way to serve those who need it the most. The people of the towns have left an enormous impact on you, but you have also impacted them by giving them love and the things they need.

During our time in the community of El Limon we were able to work side by side with the members to provide an aqueduct that would supply 92 families with clean water. While we were there we spoke with community members and were able to play dominos with them every night. The community became our family in that short span of 7 weeks, they welcomed us with open arms and it was a beautiful experience. El Limon is now my new campo home. BLUE Missions does an excellent job at using their motto "live in the moment."