Ask Lima Ridge Elementary teacher Lauren Skaggs about how she spent her summer vacation–she has a pretty unique story.
The fourth grade teacher traveled to Tanzania, where she taught at an early learning center in Arusha–the nation’s capital–went on safari and studied Maasai culture. Her trip was funded by the Licking County Foundation’s Tibbie Leslie Travel Grant, which supports international travel for Licking County teachers.
Skaggs traveled through IVHQ, an international volunteering organization. For two weeks, she served as an instructor at Emanuel Daycare, teaching a class of 15 children each day. For lodging, she stayed in a volunteer house with fellow travelers from all around the world.
Skaggs chose to go to Africa so she could understand her students and their life experiences on a deeper level. Ultimately, she was between Tanzania or South Africa for her trip.
“A lot of my kids last year were Somali or Ethiopian, but there were no programs for those countries. Tanzania was the closest,” she says. “And they had a cultural immersion experience, which I wanted. For teachers with diverse classrooms, we should understand our students on a deeper level.”
Service and travel are fundamental parts of Skaggs’s life. She spent her middle and high school years participating in church mission trips, and was actively involved as a leader in Buckeye Serve while a student at The Ohio State University. Her experience includes both domestic and international travel. Most of her past trips focused on constructing houses and buildings for communities; this trip allowed her to pursue her love of education.
“Working with kids is my passion, volunteering is another passion, and traveling is a third,” she says. “This opportunity combined my three biggest passions in one trip.”
In particular, Skaggs was moved by her daily experiences with a preschool student named Nicole. She worked closely with Nicole each day to practice her English vocabulary words, and says just how much she learned in two weeks was incredible. Before leaving, she got to meet Nicole’s mother, who shared how positively Skaggs had impacted Nicole. This year, Skaggs will sponsor Nicole’s education in Tanzania.
“I was in awe of how generous these kids were,” Skaggs says. “On my last day, I got so many little gifts from them. People who came from nothing were willing to give everything.”
When she first received the Tibbie Leslie Grant, Skaggs said she was shocked–especially since last year was her first as a teacher.
“I keep thinking about how lucky I am to be in a district that offers something like this. I wouldn’t have been able to afford it myself this summer without the grant,” she says. “It was a huge help to do something I love. I think everybody should have access to travel and immersing themselves into a different way of living.”
As she reflects on the trip, Skaggs continually comes back to how life-changing it was. From participating in cultural ceremonies of the rural Maasai tribe to seeing what daily life was like for her students living in Arusha, she was amazed at the joy, generosity and kindness she experienced.
“The daycare owner, Miss Grace, was one of the most incredible people I've ever met. She opened Emanuel Daycare for families in need, and gets donations to send kids to good schools,” Skaggs says. “She puts kids first and prioritizes their education. And how much the kids look up to her is inspiring.”
Skaggs says she already is planning her next trip back, and hopes to continue her connection with Nicole–and all of her fellow volunteers. She also is interested in a program IVHQ offers in Nepal, since so many of her students are Nepali.
“For anyone considering something like this, I’d say: If you have any small urge, just get on the ship and go all-in. It’s definitely scary at first, but it’s been the most life changing experience I've had and will be for a while. You’ll never regret it.”