Fun, but not funny...

The leaders (Novia and Lisa) constructed a shack made of cardboard to show the girls the reality that many families in other countries live in houses they construct out of whatever they can find to provide them shelter. These shacks have no electricity, no running water and are built straight on the dirt (no foundation). In times of a storm, these shelters are very unstable.

The girls had fun getting their picture taken in our "shack", but the reality of people in this world actually living this way is not funny (the girls realize this). The girls all have big hearts and realize how blessed they are to have their basic needs and much more met.

At the end of our troop meeting, Junior Girl Scout, Karrah, shared her personal story of living in extreme poverty when she was an orphan in Russia. She was adopted around age two, but as an infant and toddler, she lived in conditions that were extreme. She shared with the girls how thankful she is for "FAMILY" and that "stuff" doesn't matter... the love of family and having basic needs met are what's most important. Karrah... thank you for sharing your personal experience.