Bethel High School grad Jaime Daignault (Class of 2006) graduated from Fisher College in 2011 and wasn’t sure what to do next.
At 23 years old, with a degree in business management, Daignault knew she didn’t want to spend the first years of her career in a cubicle.
“I didn’t want to sit at a desk in front of a computer screen for the first few years,” she said, opting instead to waitress at a restaurant in New Milford and save up to travel.
“I was saving up to get out and travel and do something good for the world,” she said. Rather than just travel, “I wanted to be a good citizen of the world.”
The day after Thanksgiving, Daignault, now 25, will be leaving for Kathmandu, Nepal, for initial introductions and training before heading to an orphanage there in the capital city or in nearby Pokhara. She'll be coming back on Christmas Eve.
For a little over three weeks, Daignault will act as a sort of “older sibling to the kids,” playing, teaching and helping to care for them.
Daignault said she was also encouraged to bring along arts and crafts supplies and other things for the children.
During that time she will be living with a local host family and taking in Nepalese culture.
Besides being an enlightening and fulfilling experience, the trip might even help Daignault make decisions about her future.
“I will get to think about that a lot on this trip,” she said. “It will definitely help me shape my decision when I get back.”
Daignault said she spent “a lot of hours, a lot of days browsing volunteer websites,” and ultimately opted for International Volunteer HQ because they seemed the most trustworthy and take applicants at any time of year.
Daignault also said she will be checking in with Bethel Patch while on her trip. Check back for updates.
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