Q&A with CHOICE Expedition Team Member Chelsea Jensen

Chelsea Jensen, manager at our DownEast Basics store in Logan, Utah, is another team member who recently traveled to the remote Seococ Chulac village in Guatemala with CHOICE Humanitarian. We talked to Chelsea about the trip and how the villagers have provided inspiration in her life.

Did you discover anything new about yourself as part of the expedition?

Normally, I’m a girl who spends way too much time on her makeup and presentation. But due to the conditions in the village, I went without makeup and my usual “beauty” routine...and found that people still liked me! :-)

The trip really reinforced to me that it’s inner beauty that counts.

What was your favorite part of the trip?

Probably coming to the realization that laughter is a universal language. Even with the language barrier, we were always able to find a way to laugh and have a good time with the villagers. I left the United States thinking that I would change the lives of others on this trip, but in reality, they changed mine.

What do you like most about working for a “pay it forward” company like DownEast?

I love that I work for a company that will let me take time off from work to grow as an individual. I made so many village friends and deepened my relationships with co-workers who were also on the expedition.

What can others do in their everyday lives to help end poverty?

There are so many ways to help, just as there are so many people around us who are having a hard time. If you have the mindset of constantly serving others, then opportunities will present themselves. The expedition certainly made me more alert to the needs of others.

Thanks, Chelsea! Visit the CHOICE Humanitarian website for more information on its work in developing countries and ways that you can get involved.