The trip that changed my global perspective
Just over a year ago I had the honor of travelling with 30 other Canadian dōTERRA leaders to the rural jungles of Guatemala.
Over the course of 7 days we travelled many mountain side roads into quiet communities where we came upon small villages living in the most simplest ways.
The Co-impact sourcing trip I was on was twofold;
One. To learn, witness, and be part of the harvesting and distilling process of our Cardamom oil (an oil within our respiratory blend which is my gateway oil into this natural living lifestyle).
Two. To give back and provide education to a small community of women on their menstruation cycle, proper hygiene, and planned parenthood.
As a wellness advocate and someone who has attended numerous large scale dōTERRA events I had heard many stories about our co-impact sourcing initiatives and felt good about this sourcing method for the product I sell.
Having now hiked into the mountains along-side the families that work, day in and day out to provide the beautiful little green pods that then become distilled; took things to a completely new level for me. The pride and gratitude I was consumed with was overwhelming.
My thanks and appreciation for their endless physical work and patience for our product was profound. To see and the small boys who ran circles around us barely making up into steep terrain, and to hear the men in charge of the cardamom plantation speak of their relationship with dōTERRA and how they saw a bright future for their families and the generations to come was incredibly heart-warming. Never before had they been able to partner with a company who had their best interest at heart, kept their promises with on-time payments, and helped give them a hand up in providing their community with a clean hospital , educational assistance, and security from those trying to rip them off.
I personally thanked the young men by having our co-impact sourcing executive translate to them my deep personal gratitude. I explained how the plant they work so hard to grow, pick, and deliver offered my son great relief from his respiratory issues and showed me the power of their natural resources. I asked them to think about my son on their hardest days, when its pouring rain, and they’re tired and their work feels mundane and endless. I want them to know that their efforts changed the course of his life. I want them to remember my son, and the life he now leads due to their efforts and hard work, that they are creating change so far beyond their scope, and I will forever be indebted to them and hold great gratitude. This emotional exchange between us will forever be in my heart and one of my fondness life changing moments.
We later spent time in the neighbouring village painting the young girls’ nails, playing with parachutes we had brought, and gifting them with a humble dinner roll, and a milk-2-go. This small nourishment of food and drink was excitedly received, and they sat quietly enjoying every bite with their parents with whom they shared it with. We took pictures of them on our phones and showed them what they looked like, and gave the young mothers breaks with the babies by holding them and rocking them. We built a trust and an unspoken bond to create a space of safety and comfort for the next activity was about to get really personal…
The local doctor and our Days for Girls advocate led the women in the community and surrounding villages through the female and male anatomy, the menstrual cycle, and proper hygiene. You could have heard a pin drop. The looks exchanged between the women as they absorbed the information being delivered was profound. There of course were some giggles but more importantly a huge sense of realization and understanding.
We then handed out pre-made bags with new underwear, washable pads, a washcloth inside. We were handing over dignity and compassion to these beautiful souls and in exchange the smiles and hugs we received were like no other. They lined up patiently waiting for their bag and then clutched it tightly to their chest like it was the greatest gift they have ever received.
My travels to beautiful Guatemala taught me so many aspects of gratitude and appreciation for my life. I still carry those ideals and will forever more. I often think of the children with only a nearby creek for water, baths, and fun, and the women who we empowered for generations to come. dōTERRA is so much more than a essential oil company.
In the words of Emily Wright, “We are changing the world, one drop, one person, and one community at a time.”
If you would like to donate to the Days for Girls organization your efforts would be greatly appreciated from women all over the world who are touched by these contributions.
Michelle xo