Big Brother Big Sister’s having fun learning about Australia. From left are Isabelle, Angela Christy, Desarae, Alex Noppert, Ally, Trisha Gall, Marlene, Sally Searfoss, Andrea, Alma Jimenez, Jacelyn, Katie Wodetzki, Bill Booth, Yuridia, Mason, Brittany Halferty, Gracie, Barbara Hull, Alayna, Jean Nelson.

By TRINA HOY
Community Development Director, Kosciusko County Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters in Kosciusko County has created an Around the World Nights series. The series was created as an educational tool to help volunteers connect better with their littles, and also to give them some experience with other cultures. Each month through 2015 a different culture will be featured in the series.

In April, they journeyed to Australia through the guidance of big sister LeeAnn Jaeger, who has traveled around the world. As they entered they had their passport stamped.

Jaeger gave a slideshow and talk about her adventures in Australia and all the different animals and plants that live there. She also brought a scrapbook and photo album of her adventure, and each child was able to touch a piece of camel fur. The littles then pretended to be kangaroos, koala bears or crocodiles and pranced around the floor. Each child got a chance to sample crocodile and emu jerky as well as some Vegemite. There were many strange faces after tasting the Vegemite.

The evening ended with a craft activity that the matched bigs and littles could do together and take home. They each got to create the Sydney Harbor Bridge out of a paper plate, markers, glue,and tape.

Ten matches in all attended this popular match activity, in the graciously donated space at the Touch of Life Church on West Lake Street. The littles are anxiously awaiting their May journey through Ireland, which will be presented by Gennie Brissett from the OrthoWorks Diversity Committee.

There are many opportunities for community-based volunteers to provide experiences for their littles in the community. This series is just one of them. Throughout the county there are many partners who give free or discounted goods or services to help kids in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

Our passion is to help at risk children achieve positive measurable outcomes through one-to-one mentoring. A mentor’s guidance and friendship can inspire educational success, improved self-esteem, and better relationships.

Do you want to become a big brother or big sister in Kosciusko County? Would you like to help in some way or learn more? Contact (574) 551-6386 or email [email protected]. You can also enroll online at www.BBBSNEI.org.