Before I take you to Kenya, I want to share a little about the Youthlinc program itself—not because I'm earning anything from this (I'm not), but because this experience changed me in ways I never expected. It changed my daughter. It changed my family. It changed the way I see service, community, and even myself.
When we first joined, we didn't really know what Youthlinc was. We were going in almost blind—simply trusting our hearts and hoping we were stepping into something meaningful. But as we learned the history of the organization, understood the purpose behind the program, and experienced the intention woven into every meeting, everything changed.
Suddenly, it wasn't just a trip. It was a journey that was quietly shaping us long before we ever stepped onto Kenyan soil.
I'm excited to share a little about the history of Youthlinc and how this organization, founded right here in Utah, became the program that steadily and profoundly transformed our lives.
In the first chapter of this series, I shared what happened before we ever boarded the plane—the months of preparation, the friendships we built, and the incredible support we received from our community. If you haven't read it yet, I invite you to start there before continuing this story: Before We Ever Boarded the Plane.
Youthlinc was founded in Utah in 1999 with a simple but powerful belief: service should become a way of life, not a one-time event. That idea resonated with me immediately. It reminded me that serving others isn't simply something we do for a season. It's something we grow into. Something we carry with us. Something that changes us from the inside out.
The program brings together youth participants and adult mentors in a journey that blends local volunteer work, leadership development, project planning, fundraising, cultural awareness, and international humanitarian service. The destination certainly matters, but the transformation that happens within the volunteers is just as important—perhaps even more so.
That philosophy became clear from our very first meetings.
Month after month, our group gathered to learn, plan, discuss ideas, solve problems, and prepare for what we would eventually do together in Kenya. Those meetings weren't simply about logistics. They became spaces where trust was built, friendships were formed, and thirty-one individuals slowly became a single team with a common purpose.
Months of preparation. Every meeting helped transform a group of volunteers into a team ready to serve.
One of my favorite memories from those evenings was watching Sofia grow. As a mother, seeing her listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, learn new skills, and become increasingly confident was one of the greatest gifts this experience gave me. Youthlinc wasn't just preparing us for Kenya—it was preparing young people to become compassionate leaders.
One of the things that impressed me most was how intentionally the program was designed. Volunteers aren't simply asked to show up and help. Every committee spends months developing knowledge and practical experience before arriving in the host community. We weren't expected to improvise. We were expected to prepare—with care, purpose, and humility.
Learning every step ourselves before teaching someone else. Preparation was part of the mission.
Sofia and I served on the Vocational Committee, where we spent months creating sewing projects that would later be taught to women in the Nakuru region. We selected patterns, tested every project, sewed complete samples, adjusted measurements, prepared teaching materials, and discussed the best ways to explain each technique.
Our goal wasn't simply to teach someone how to sew for a few days. We wanted to leave behind practical skills that could continue creating opportunities long after we had returned home. Every stitch represented hope. Every pattern carried intention. Every completed sample reflected our belief that learning a skill can create confidence, independence, and new possibilities.
Other committees were just as dedicated. The Education Committee developed engaging lessons and creative activities for children. The Health Committee prepared classes on hygiene, wellness, and preventive care. The Construction and Ecology teams studied the projects they would complete, learning about the tools, materials, and techniques they would need once we arrived. Everyone invested months preparing so that we could arrive ready to teach, share, and serve with confidence.
Behind every lesson in Kenya were countless hours spent preparing patterns, materials, and projects together.
One aspect of Youthlinc that I deeply appreciated was the importance placed on cultural exchange. We weren't traveling to tell people how things should be done or to impose our own ideas. We were encouraged to listen first, observe carefully, ask questions, and approach every interaction with genuine humility. Service becomes meaningful when it becomes a conversation rather than a one-sided effort.
That mindset changed me. Instead of thinking only about what we could give, I found myself wondering what we would learn.
Looking back now, I can honestly say we learned just as much as we taught. Maybe even more.
Those nine months gave us confidence, practical skills, and a shared sense of purpose. They prepared us to step into classrooms, sewing workshops, construction sites, and conversations with people whose lives were very different from our own. More importantly, they reminded us that meaningful humanitarian work begins long before you arrive. It begins with preparation, respect, curiosity, and a willingness to keep learning.
Preparing together wasn't just about sewing—it was about building teamwork, leadership, and lasting friendships.
In the next chapter, I'll finally take you to Kenya. I'll share what it felt like to arrive, meet the community for the very first time, and discover that no amount of preparation can fully prepare your heart for the people you'll meet.
0 comments