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The MSU Denver Women’s Volleyball team is back from their incredible service trip to Nicaragua! We had an amazing time – it was a life-changing experience – and we are so grateful for your help in getting there!
Thank you to all of our friends, family and the MSU Denver community for supporting us and contributing to this experience. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Read all about our experiences HERE.
Trip Wrap Up - Vasati Fiatoa (Las Vegas, Nev./Bonanza H.S.)
Oh my, this trip has been quite the experience. I can't even begin to describe the beauty, emotion, service and color of Nicaragua.There were so many memories and impactful experiences that we all had this last week. From service projects to the bus rides around the country, we were exposed to so much we weren't used to seeing. We worked with kids that have so much less than what any of us grew up with and yet they were always so happy. It put my life into perspective. How is it that I can complain about what I don't have when these kids have so much less?
Driving from city to city was where I was exposed most to the conditions of the country. We saw how the people of Nicaragua live. Most homes were basically brick buildings, tin or thatched roofs, with whatever materials they could find to cover the windows and doors. I mean, don't get me wrong, there were some homes that we were accustomed to seeing, but they weren't nearly as common. It made me emotional knowing that this was so common.
Along with this perspective and emotion, I was overwhelmed by the color and joy that was felt by the people and the country. I've never seen so much color. Buildings were painted all kinds of colors, sculptures, statues, and even rocks on the side of the road were painted a color of some sort. They weren't neutral, earthy tones either. They were bright pinks, yellows, blue, purple, reds, etc. It was lovely seeing all of these colors everywhere we went.
In addition to the colors, everyone we worked with, or came into contact with, was so happy. All of the kids and supporters always had a smile on their faces. They may have started off a bit shy and timid, but by the end, we were all friends. It was so much fun trying to communicate with the kids and having them help us along the way and trying really hard to understand what we were trying to say. We probably looked crazy to them--acting out what we were trying to tell them while saying words in Spanish wrong. I'm pretty sure half of what I was saying I made up, even after asking someone how to say things correctly.
Needless to say, this was an experience I wouldn't trade for the world. Not only did I learn more about another country, but I grew as a person. Seeing how others around the world live has given me a lot to think about. I've learned to be more conscious of what I actually need and what I want. I've learned that I can live off of much less than what I think. This trip was something I've been looking forward to since my visit to MSU Denver and it did not disappoint. It was a long-time coming and well worth the wait. Thank you to everyone who had a hand in making this tip possible. The memories and life lessons I've received on this trip wouldn't have been possible without the help of many.
- Senior Vasati Fiatoa
Greetings!
We had an AMAZING 2016 season and are so grateful to our friends, family and the MSU Denver community for their support!
We are also thankful for your generous Roadrunner Spirit—YOU have helped us raise over $7,500 to help with the costs related to our upcoming, volunteer-centric, trip to Nicaragua! We are almost halfway towards our fundraising goal of $16,000; more than $2,600 has come from you, our donors, and $5000 has been earned by our players volunteering their time serving guests at the FISE World Series 2016!
There is STILL time to reach our goal!
Our trip, originally slated for May 2017, has been postponed until summer 2017. We can hardly wait to immerse ourselves in the Nicaraguan culture and support the local communities. This extra time gives us the opportunity to raise the additional funds that we need to make our visit a spectacular success!
Together, we can make a difference in the global community and your support will allow us to serve others through the international language of volleyball!
We cannot thank you enough for your continued support!
Let's GO ROADRUNNERS!
$50 can go a LONG way when we are talking about an international travel trip. $50 will cover checked baggage fees for ONE player round trip from Denver to Nicaragua!
Want to sponsor WATER for the WEEK? A donation of $100 will hydrate our entire team and coaching staff for the entire week that we are on our service trip to Nicaragua.
The team is looking forward to enjoying the sites and scenes of Nicaragua! A gift of $250 will allow the team to take a boat tour around historic Granada, Nicaragua, one of the first settlement colonies in the country! This trip will be fun and educational for our team. We would love to send our trip sponsor a team selfie while in Granada! :)
A gift of $500 will sponsor food for ONE player for ONE week! We will be playing volleyball, traveling the country and performing community service work. Please fuel the food for this jam packed HIGH ENERGY week!
A gift of $750 will cover court and referee fees for all of our matches while in Nicaragua! The most important match being when we play the Nicaraguan National Women's Volleyball Team on their home turf! Let's get a WIN!
$1000 will purchase one round trip international flight for ONE player! Please consider a gift at this level to ensure that our entire team travels to compete and serve the people of Nicaragua!