How did you hear about our organization?

Color My World hosted an information session at my library! My friend’s mom told us about it and we all decided to attend it together. The Hughes family is also originally from my hometown so I had heard about their nonprofit from word of mouth.

Why did you pick the trip/country that you went to!

I traveled to Nicaragua in the summer of 2017 and Guatemala this past summer. I first chose Nicaragua because it was the cheapest and I had honestly never heard anything about the country before, so I was really curious. This past summer I chose Guatemala because I wanted to try a different country and I loved the idea of staying in an orphanage! Both trips are very different from one another, so I would definitely recommend both.

Did you come with a friend or family member?

I went with friends for both years! If you’re nervous to go by yourself, don’t hesitate to invite a friend along, just make sure you don’t stick with them the whole time 🙂

Did you fundraise for your trip? How so?
For Nicaragua, I created a Go Fund Me page where my family members could donate! I then used that money to buy donations for the people of Nica including candy, toys, nail polish, etc.

What were some of your favorite activities/projects?

My favorite part of Nicaragua was visiting an orphanage for young girls. I brought a bunch of makeup and we gave everyone makeovers! At the end of the day, the sweetest girl Amy wrote me a note and I still have it hanging up in my room.
In Guatemala, I loved being able to bond with the children because we saw them every day for the whole week. Eventually, they began to learn our names and would be so excited to see us in the morning. One of my favorite memories was when I walked into the room where we eat breakfast and one of the young boys exclaimed, “Good morning, I love you!!” in broken English and my heart just about melted. In both countries, I loved being able to experience the amazing food, the unconditional love of the people, and going to church.

What lessons did you learn while volunteering?

I learned a lot about how service affects both the people on the receiving end, as well as those that are doing the giving. Seeing the joy on other people’s faces from simple acts of kindness will change your world forever.
I also realized that you will never be able to change the entire world, but if you focus on just changing one person’s world for the better, that’s a great start. CMW gives you the tools to change a dozen or so lives each week, and I promise, they will never forget you.

What would you tell future volunteers?
Don’t be scared! The entire Color My World family is so welcoming and you will feel at home in no time.
If you came on the trip with people you already knew, go out of your comfort zone! Try sitting next to someone new at dinner each day, and you will be amazed at the kind of people that Color My World brings together.
Don’t pay for cell service! It’s such a refreshing break and makes you appreciate it a lot more when you go home 😉
Don’t worry if you don’t know Spanish! Love, selflessness, and joy don’t always have to be expressed through words.
GO! You won’t regret a minute.

The post Why I Volunteered With Color My World? – Jillian’s Experience In Guatemala appeared first on Color My World.

How did you hear about Color My World?

I heard about Color My World from one of my good friends who was wanting to go on a humanitarian trip.

Why did you choose to go to Nicaragua? Did you come with a friend?

My friend and I decided to go to Nicaragua because it sounded amazing and the time frame that Color My World was there worked best with both our schedules. The second summer I choose Nicaragua again because I loved it so much the first time I wanted to go back. The second summer a bunch of my friends came and a couple of my cousins.

What were some of your favorite activities/ projects?

Some favorite projects were going to the local orphanage and playing soccer with the kids, hand mixing cement to lay a foundation on the house we were building, and going to the local dump to play with kids and make/ hand out lunch. Both years I made newborn kits to hand out to mothers, which was so fun and humbling.

What were some of the lessons you learned from volunteering in Nicaragua?

One of the biggest lessons I learned is how important it is to be grateful and more appreciative. These people that we went to another country to serve would always end up serving alongside us, helping however they could. This taught me that I should always strive to be helpful in any situation I can, especially when I’m not asked, because by helping others I will start to develop habits of selflessness which will make my life so much happier!

What would you tell future volunteers?

I would tell future volunteers that no matter where they go it is up to them to make the best of this amazing experience they are able to have. Things might not go as planned, different foods, and creepy bugs could gross you out, but look to all the positive things and focus on serving others and you will be able to have one of the most rewarding and life-changing experiences you could have!

Thank you Regan!

Want to share your story? Email us at hillary@colormyworldkids.org

The post Why I Volunteered With Color My World? #CMWvolunteer appeared first on Color My World.



If you feel like this, then join us for our Nicaragua Infomation Webinar, Sunday, February 25, at 9:00 pm EST. In 30 minutes we will go over Color My World’s service history in Nicaragua, the local needs we strive to address, and how to create a meaningful connection with those you serve. You will leave with a clear understanding of not only what we do but why we do it. We will also talk about our two scholarship opportunities and how you or a friend can apply for a one.

At the very least, it could be a good insight into the world of service. But who knows, it might even be just the opportunity you’ve been looking for.

Click here here to sign up for our webinar today!


The post Color My World Nicaragua Information Webinar appeared first on Color My World.

“As I was sitting in a local Chipotle franchise a few months ago, I saw a flyer that caught my eye about fundraisers with Chipotle. Now, normally, if ones goes into a fast food establishment and sees a fundraiser, it is most likely for an elementary school or high school sports team. I decided to take the flyer and when I got home looked into the requirements a bit more in-depth. What I found was that Color My World qualified for most of these fundraisers that I have seen. So, I decided to start the application process and see what happened. From the information I found, 50% of the sales from CMW supporters would be given to CMW after the fundraiser. I was able to pick the location, time, and date and Chipotle even provided me with these great flyers!

So, about 2 weeks before the scheduled event, I created a Facebook event and started sharing and publicizing the night like crazy. I called the event “Chipotle for Charity” and went to town. I picked this night because the Provo location of Chipotle gets a lot of traffic and Monday nights in Utah are big family nights as well as it being a holiday, I expected a good turnout.

I had gotten a corporate email a few weeks before the event saying that we were not permitted to hand out flyers at the location during the event which would have greatly increased our donation. So, I decided to call the manager, Luis, and talk with him about it. He was more than welcome to let us come in to answer questions during the night and promote the fundraiser.

So, the day of the fundraiser came. I printed flyers and picked up cookies for all the Chipotle staff. Having worked in the food industry and just retail in general, I know that cookies and acknowledging what these employees were doing that night would make them more apt to be on our side and help promote the fundraiser.

It started at 4 pm and by 5 pm, the manager had come outside and told me that he was going to count the entire night’s sales toward the fundraiser and that I didn’t need to stay outside. He felt bad I was out in the cold but could see it was something I was passionate about, so he bought me dinner and told me to come inside. Major props go to Luis because he was definitely the Hero of the Day.

The fundraiser was definitely a success and went off without a hitch. Many companies do fundraisers like this or host similar events that allow them to get tax breaks and bring in some good publicity. In 4 hours that night, we raised over $1100 for Color My World! This was a great fundraiser because it allowed people to donate while doing something they would normally do anyway- eat dinner. But if you’re having a hard time coming up with the funds to join us abroad this year, or even next, just get in contact with Morgan Lowe (me), one of our volunteer directors, and she can help you brainstorm and get all the necessary information you need to help get you on one of our trips!”

How can you apply to have a fundraiser at a Chipotle near you!

Click here!

When filling out the application you will need this EIN 20-1831524 and our new address 12231 Joshua Tree Trail, Windermere FL 34786 to register.

This is a great way you raise money for your trip with us this summer!

The post Chipotle Fundraiser! appeared first on Color My World.

How To Apply For The Color My World Scholarships

Click here to apply!

The post Color My World 2018 Scholarships Application appeared first on Color My World.

The project came out as inspiration from one of Brigham Young University’s Spanish Professors, who suggested that the class do a service project together this Christmas season. Several students from different sections of the class came together Saturday at 11:00 am. They took supplies donated by students, faculty, and professors from other nearby universities and were able to assemble around 50 kits.

These kits include anything from notebooks and pens, toothpaste and soap, to T-shirts. They will be of great use to the youth with whom we will be working this summer.

Color my World was so grateful that people in the community rallied together to support our cause. This professor’s example is a reminder to us all that it doesn’t take much to make a difference. People will support causes they can believe in. We invite each of you reading this to find a way that you too can serve this Christmas season! Remember, it doesn’t take much to make a difference!

The post College Students for Service appeared first on Color My World.

This Sunday at 6pm EST, Color My World will be holding a humanitarian trips webinar for anyone interested in learning more about humanitarian trips in 2017. Below are 3 reasons why YOU should join us this Sunday.

Discover A New Culture

Humanitarian work can happen wherever you stand, at home or abroad. Often times however we have to experience a new culture to discover what should be done at home. Throughout the webinar you will hear personal stories and experiences of friends of Color My World in Central America. Hear about how our volunteers have changed from the trip and experiences that they have been a part of.

Uncover The Purpose of Humanitarian Work

From day one every volunteer uncovers the reality of humanitarian work. Rarely is humanitarian work placing the final brick on the house. In every activity though is the human bond between those working hand in hand together. After only moments of working together, the labels of giver and receiver loses its title, as each learns from one another in equal measure.

Find Out How To Get Involved

With 2017 just around the corner, individuals and families are looking to plan their summer vacations right away. By joining the webinar, you will learn about the opportunities available for you next year. With Color My World travelling to three different countries over 7 weeks in the summer of 2017, find the perfect week for you to discover the true meaning of humanitarian work.

Be a part of the webinar this Sunday by clicking here to register online. Don’t miss out on a life changing experience next summer.

The post 3 Reasons Why You Should Join Our Humanitarian Trips Webinar appeared first on Color My World.

The town of Jiquilillo is home to so many of our volunteers because of the connections and bonds that are formed with the community.

One of the members of the community who’s name will never be forgotten by any Nicaragua volunteer is Alvaro, a 17 year old from Jiquilillo, and a best friend of Color My World.

Throughout Alvaro’s teenage years he has followed the same career path as almost every other man in Jiquilillo, fishing. Night and day fisherman will travel miles out to sea, searching for their food and income for the day. With the ever increasing numbers of fisherman in the Pacific Ocean, boats have to travel further out and disrupt the ever diminishing fish eco systems that are struggling to stay alive.

With schooling in Nicaragua only going to age 11 for 80% of Nicaraguans, people like Alvaro have very little opportunity to choose which career path they want to follow.

As a human family, it is up to us to support each other. Each day Alvaro would help volunteers in Nicaragua learn Spanish, and answer questions about the country, helping us to integrate with the community, and not just be visitors looking in.

The decision was made while in Nicaragua to sponsor Alvaro in school, paying for the tuition fees, and assisting him in deciding what he wanted to do for his career.

Now Alvaro goes to school every week. While the cost of tuition may be covered, each day he has to catch a bus that takes 2 hours to get to Chinandega, he has to buy school supplies, and food for each day that he is in school.

By working together, we can support those  that want to support themselves. Help sponsor Alvaro. Whether $10 or $50, any amount can make a difference.

[give_form id=”2722″]

The post Support Our School Sponsorships & Alvaro appeared first on Color My World.

Every year during monsoon season, the pacific coasts of Nicaragua experience devastating destruction at the hand of massive monsoon waves and powerful flooding. These coasts are defenseless against this destruction, leaving local families homeless as their foundationless houses are swept away in the storm.

During a humanitarian trip with the non-profit organization Color My World during the summer of 2016, doTERRA Wellness Advocate and Color My World Founder Angela Hughes watched as a Nicaraguan family’s home was swept away in the flood before their eyes. This experience reminded Hughes of the necessity of their work in Central America.

Color My World is a non-profit organization committed to relieving human suffering through sustainable projects with community locals in Central America. For the first several years of Color My World’s efforts to bring hope and healing to communities in Central America, they relied solely on small donations and personal funds to support their work. Eventually, however, Hughes realized that in order for her humanitarian efforts to have a more significant impact, they were going to need corporate sponsorship.

In 2016, Hughes was connected with the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation™ and with the help of doTERRA leaders Shane and Rebecca Hintze, enough money was raised to support a humanitarian project with Color My World. The project involved a trip to Central America where volunteers built new houses for community members whose living quarters had been destroyed by monsoons and costal erosion. While on the trip, volunteers also provided hygiene and dental kits to Central America locals, worked on projects in a local orphanage, taught English, and provided meals.

This campaign with Color My World and the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation helped fund the building of four homes in a developing community in this area of Nicaragua. The community is providing opportunities for Nicaraguans, including bringing running water and electricity to this community and promoting trading among community members.

Furthermore, these homes are usually the first that these families have lived in without a dirt floor. These two-bedroom, fifteen-square-foot homes not only provide safety, shelter, and refuge for families, but because of their concrete foundations, they will likely remain standing for several generations. These families will no longer have to worry about their homes being swept away in the storm every year.

Building homes isn’t the only aid that Color My World provides to the locals of Central America. During their trip, volunteers also taught English so that community members have expanded skill sets and can acquire consistent jobs in the workforce to support themselves and their families. Volunteers also supplied orphanages in the area with art supplies and participated in food programs to help provide food to particularly impoverished areas of Nicaragua.

The post doTERRA Foundation Write Up about Color My World appeared first on Color My World.

Bailey Jensen of Moultonborough was awarded the rank of Eagle on Friday, August 12, 2016 at an Eagle Court of Honor at 6:00 in the evening at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 388 North Main Street in Wolfeboro. Bailey is a member of Boy Scout Troop 650, and the troop is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

To earn the rank of Eagle, a Scout must earn at least 21 merit badges and demonstrate leadership and community service through an Eagle project. For his project, Bailey diligently organized the collection of dental hygiene supplies, organized over 40 volunteers, and worked closely with local dentists and the non-profit organization, Color My World (colormyworldkids.org) that does humanitarian work in Central and South America. Through Bailey’s willing efforts, over 900 toothbrushes, 650 tubes of toothpaste, 150 rolls of dental floss, and 100 bottles of mouthwash were collected and assembled into 150 dental kits. The kits were then donated to Color My World.

Bailey was able to travel with Color My World to help distribute these kits to adults and children in the village of Chinandega, Nicaragua. He greatly enjoyed being able to meet the people that his work would touch.

Bailey passed his final Eagle Board of Review on Wednesday, June 29th.

Bailey would like to thank Angela Hughes and the other Color My World volunteers, the local dentists who generously participated, the many local volunteers who helped to assemble the kits, his Scout Troop and leaders, and his parents and family for the many hours of help and support that have been given in pursuit of the Rank of Eagle.

The local dentists who donated supplies were:
– Dr. Darren Boles, Laconia
- Children’s Dentistry of the Lakes Region, Gilford
- Dr. George Felt, Meredith 
- Dr. Nicholas Fleury, Meredith
- Interlakes Family Dental Center, Moultonboro
- Dr. Robert Maguire, Wolfeboro 
- Dr. Richard Neal, Jr., Wolfeboro 
- Dr. Benjamin Selle, Wolfeboro 
- Dr. Shawn Silva, Wolfeboro 
- Dr. Charlie Simpson, Wolfeboro 
- Dr. Garrett Taoka, Center Harbor

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