Comments about ‘Teen trip full of tears, tattoos’

What a wonderful experience.

Congratulations to a teacher who changed lives on two continents. May his tribe increase.

24 students, how many advisors times 16 days. How much money did it cost to provide these students a fun experience? I wonder whether the money spent on a well for fresh water or other lasting benefits would have had a more lasting impact. the changed lives may be limited to the youth in Utah.

Even though well intentioned, I wonder why people dissect a story and pose the what if's and miss the joy and happiness for which the story was originally written. Hmmm.

The students all raised their own money, about half goes towards their own travel and stay and the rest goes towards the cause; medical and education kits, supplies for schools, and village projects. Yes, more money could have gone towards the physical needs of the children, but there is more than physical need in West Bengal. The students themselves provided workshops, taught to both students and teachers; they developed personal, one-on-one relationships with the girls; they gave those girls a week that they will never forget; they gave them love and attention and inspired them with hope for a brighter future. West Bengal is a place where many are stuck in a cycle of poverty and discrimination; YMAD's mission is not only to provide necessities, it is also to teach self-reliance and skills that are necessary to break the cycle of suppression. Education is the only way out of their despairing lifestyle. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime