Foster Youth Cultural Exchange: Organizer Patterson

Foster Youth Cultural Exchange: Organizer

Hi everyone my name is Patterson Emesibe and I am an adult organizer with this group. I am a former foster youth, who aspires to be a social entrepreneur. My role in this trip is to be a guide for various young people as they experience Peru and as well as help them understand the stories of local Peruvian activist. This is my 4th time out of the country but first time in an intentional way to bring back what we learn in order to impact change in the states (specifically California). I can't do this alone, A lot of you know my heart and know I am all about helping. With this group, I am helping in fundraising. I have put up a lot of my own money and I invite you to also do the same. Please click below and donate $500, $100, $50, $20 or $10. Everything helps and all of it goes towards supporting the young people in (paying for tickets to go and travel around the country, lodging, activities, donation to local grassroot organization, and more. Click below and help.

Give: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=KBQ54ZZG9FPZS

Meet our "seasoned" 3rd time youth traveler, Flo Valenzuela!

Hey guys, my name is Flo! I am currently a first year at UCLA studying Sociology. This will be my third time traveling with the Foster Youth Cultural Exchange and I can’t wait to take you on this journey with me.

As an 18 year old foster youth, I am blessed to say I have traveled internationally twice and have aspirations of becoming a life long world traveler. This trip will continue to fuel my passion for traveling and expand my skills on how to plan international travels. FYCE is teaching me that exploring the world is a gift that everyone deserves, including foster youth. Can’t wait to share this experience with you!

Foster Youth Cultural Exchange: An Experience of Firsts by Organizer, Kate Teague

When I think of think of the Foster Youth Cultural Exchange, I think of all the "firsts". For some travelers it's been the first time traveling outside the United States, for one traveler it was the first time on an airplane, for some it's the first time finding and coordinating a cultural exchange with a community group in the country we're visiting, the first time being a translator, the first time staying in a hostel and so many more. For me, FYCE has been the first time planning a trip beyond a flight and where to stay the first night.

Traveling with a group is such a different experience from traveling individually. Although you give up the autonomy of doing what you want, when you want, the fellowship of travelers and the access to a whole different experience of traveling is what you gain. I think of tour of Soweto given by a youth from the Kliptown Youth Program and learning about the leadership of youth in the anti-apartheid movement; the 3 days a guide from Gabriela spent with us, facilitating many meetings including one with women who worked together to establish childcare and economic empowerment services in an unsanctioned community; our stay on a farm in a Mayan community where we learned about the Guatemalan civil war in a country where people were afraid to talk about it; and a visit to Parliament to hear debate on legislation that would restructure foster care in New Zealand.

As we are planning our trip to Peru, I wonder what the "firsts" will be on this trip and I look forward to the community building and learning we will do as a group of travelers.

Meet our first time international youth traveler: Jennifer Trujillo!

Heey Everyone!

My name is Jennifer Trujillo, I'm 18 years old and have been a member with California Youth Connection for almost 2 years now. I was inspired to change and better the system not only for my younger sisters who are in the system but for younger generations to come. I have a voice in CYC and I am definitely being heard.

I'm currently attending College of the Sequoias for my first time this year, I've wanted to help people growing up emotionally, physically and etc. I always make an impact in their lives, it always makes me feel better doing something good for others than for myself.

I've also wanted to be a professional dancer, silly I know, but Dancing has always been a form of art to me and it something that made me extremely happy when I was going through a hard time in Foster Care dealing with my own demons and going from home to home. I wasn't the best kid growing up, I made a lot of mistakes but it helped strengthen me. I'd be lying to you if I said I'm ok, I believe after everything that happened to my siblings and myself I'll never be ok but I recently found peace and happiness within myself knowing I'm ok with not being ok!

Traveling has been something I was afraid of and it felt way out of my comfort zone and with this trip to Peru I'm stepping out to do something I would have never imagined doing! I'm always going to be eternally grateful for having this precious opportunity to travel outside of the U.S to Peru with FYCE for my very first time! I'm definitely nervous but excited. I give all my appreciation to all the people who have supported me throughout this journey.