Some people cannot see a dog without feeling the overwhelming need to pet it. Personally, I don't really care for dogs. My weakness is adorable old ladies. Not that I need to pet them, they just melt my heart the way a puppy would for most normal people.
Read MoreEveryone who’s been on a BLUE Missions trip has gotten to bond (and fall in love) with our Dominican boys: Lingo, Moreno, Edwandi, and Tato.
But how well do you actually know them? Take the quiz to find out!
Read MoreWe don't just build water and sanitation systems, we plant seeds of empowerment in communities so that they may build a better quality of life for themselves.
Read MoreLike all newly emerging mosquito-related illnesses, the Zika virus has been the cause of concern for everyone traveling to the affected areas in South America and the Caribbean. With the safety of trip participants in mind, we sat down with Dr. Mavunda, head doctor at the International Travel Clinic, to learn more about the Zika virus.
Read MoreMy favorite quote comes to mind almost immediately when I think back to the kind faces and humble community of El Piché and how they've impacted my life. From our first morning of work, I understood why the campo is such an impactful place of peace where everything is inspiring: the nature that surrounded me, the culture I was exposed to, and the wholly happy people I encountered gave me a different perspective on life. I realized that being submersed in a place where love was made visible through ordinary acts of work developed a sense of purpose in me. So much of what I took away from BLUE Missions has to do with what I witnessed in the passionate volunteers, leaders, and community members. I learned that building love and uniting everyone is a goal that can be achieved through small acts of service and human connectedness. I learned that I can convey BLUE's message without having to use words if I'd be so bold. Special moments in particular taught me the most effective and powerful deeds often come in the form of silent, selfless acts of kindness.
Read MoreWaking up in the morning with a sense of purpose is an amazing feeling, and something that I had sort of forgotten. As cheesy as it sounds, being blasted to your feet at 6 a.m. by “It’s a Beautiful Day” by U2 is somewhat inspirational. It gets to you, I promise.
Read MoreClick here to read Gaby Garcia's list of DOs and DON'Ts in the campo.
Read MoreWhen it comes to “surviving” in the campo, the actual concern of fending for your life is not necessarily the predicament that concerns us. The campo is an incredibly livable and enjoyable place to reside in for 10 days (enough to the point where I didn’t want to come back home on my first trip).
Read MoreBLUE Missions was created on a simple principle; a principle that is the bedrock foundation of everything that we do as an organization. It is even the meaning of our name. Our mission first and foremost is to Build Love and Unite Everyone.
Read MoreIn a virtual reality where anyone can make their Disney Cruise to the Bahamas look like an adventure straight out of “Survivor”, it’s easy to confuse the #wanderlust with actual, soul-quenching, travel. It might all look the same on Instagram, but there is a world of difference between traveling and tourism...
Read MoreThe Power of She program is focused around a five-day mission trip to an individual campo in the Dominican Republic. The three main focuses of The Power of She are feminine hygiene related to their menstrual cycle and sexual health, maternal health including the steps necessary to ensure both the mother and the children's well-being, and informing women of domestic violence and what steps can be taken to seek a safe environment.
Read MoreWe are so proud of one of our BLUE Alumnus, Alejandro Barroso, for being a Gold Key Portfolio Finalist at the 2016 Scholastic Art Awards. His portfolio was inspired from his time in the Dominican Republic while serving on two BLUE trips in 2014 and 2015.
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