Over the summer, Taylor Wells, junior, helped underprivileged orphans in the mountains of rural Nicaragua, an hour south of the capital, Managua. Wells traveled with other members of her church, Red Tree, on this mission south of the border.

“I’ve been going to Red Tree for six years, and I’ve seen so many people go to Nicaragua and come back changed and enlightened,” Wells said.

The members of the church were there July 3 through July 10 and while there, volunteers played with the younger children and worked on improving the facilities.

All of Wells’ work was faith based. “It’s an orphanage that’s supported by many churches; we go there to serve them, help them and show them Jesus.” Wells said.

The orphanage also helps support older teenagers by giving them a place to live after high school, as they pursue higher education. “They have an independent living program for kids that are out of high school. The orphanage supports them through college,” Wells said.

After going through the education system that the orphanage provides, these young adults are able to more easily find jobs and raise themselves out poverty. According to the Rural Poverty Portal, Nicaragua is the second poorest country in Central America, after Haiti with a GNI per capita of only $1,100 (US).

It is through this kind of humanitarian work that many young people in third world countries have a chance at escaping the cycle of poverty and finally making something of themselves.