Peace Frogs

In six months, Jamie Curcio did what most people won’t do in a lifetime.

The Colorado native followed the traditional path of college, bachelor’s degree and full-time job, but couldn’t shake a lifelong passion for travel.

“I wanted to travel everywhere and see everything there is to see,” Curcio said, recalling his pre-trip motivations. “I had to dive into other cultures and see what they’re all about.”

After finding enthusiastic support from his mother and his employer, Curcio and a like-minded friend, Ryan Snyder, got out a map of the world and plotted a route. They’re itinerary: a six month, 26 country excursion around the globe, beginning in Japan, ending in Ireland and consisting of a balance between volunteerism and adventure.

“A lot of people just say they’re going to do this, but we’re all about following your dreams and not having any regrets,” Curcio said. “I wanted to take a trip around the world to go on adventures and better myself as a person so I never had any regrets.”

Of the adventurous portion of his travels, Curcio said climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was the most gratifying, without a doubt.

“That was the one thing where we said, we can really do this. This is a big deal, a big feat. We’re going to climb Kilimanjaro.”

But without ample physical prep time, Curcio and his travel companions had to rely on mental tenacity to make the climb. What’s more, Curcio’s climbing gear was lost on a flight from India to Africa. For the first five-and-a-half days, it rained. After enduring soaking wet clothes and shoes, and waking up at midnight to trek the mountain’s final 5,000 vertical feet, Curcio should have been drained. But when he reached the top, the adversities disappeared.

“It was the most amazing feeling I’d ever had,” he recalled. “It was worth the challenge.”

Curcio’s trip was about conquering more than just mountains, however. Volunteering first in the Philippines, Curcio and his group joined Sea and Sun Ministries (www.ssmi.no), where they worked with local orphan children. A month later, they arrived in Calcutta, India, one of the world’s poorest cities. There he volunteered with Mother Theresa’s Missions of Charity (www.cmswr.org), helping to care for both adults and children in long term care and hospice facilities.

It was in Calcutta that Curcio said he felt the most humbled.

“Mother Theresa is such an icon, she felt 100 percent compassion every day,” he said. “To go and do that for two weeks is such a challenge, and she did it every day of her life.” Curcio added that it was his experience in India that drove him to be more compassionate.

Curcio called India the world’s classroom and said if he ever has children, he will insist they visit there at least once to volunteer as he did.

In Uganda, Curcio stayed with the Oniwo family, and volunteered at a rural primary school (www.volunteerugandaschool.org). The village was rural and their accommodations had no electricity and no running water. The school was tiny, and also had no electricity, but provided learning for more than 1,200 students. Means were limited, but Curcio said within a few days of his arrival, he was incredibly happy.

“Seeing how happy these people were, how happy the kids were even though they were getting by with so little, it made me realize that you can live happily by living simply,” Curcio said.

Curcio and Snyder worked to repair the damaged school building, patching concrete and painting. And as the school’s administrator is working diligently to bring electricity to the school, the pair also pooled their money and purchased the school its first computer.

Curcio returned to the U.S. a changed person.

“Obviously a trip like that’s going to change the way you view things,” he commented. “I learned on this trip that you don’t need to overcomplicate things, ever. You can follow your inner nature and just be happy living a simple life.”

He added that coming home has been difficult because he has an opportunity to rejoin the company he worked for, making regular money again and paying his mortgage. He is conflicted, however, torn between immediate stability and holding onto the lessons he learned abroad.

“I’m still trying to figure out what’s best for me. I want to keep the kind of life I’ve had for the past six months and try something entrepreneurial. I’m not sure what’s next.”

Curcio and his travel partner discussed a range of initiatives from establishing hospitals and schools, to turning their travel blog (www.nostepnostory.com) into a “how-to” for others seeking a similar, worldwide experience.

He said he plans to go back to the school in Uganda and wants to visit other places such as Nepal, Laos and Scandinavia. A loop through New Zealand, Australia and South Africa is also on his docket, as well as a hike in Chile.

“You’re given one shot in life,” Curcio advised. “You have to keep taking steps toward what you want and what you believe in.”

To high school and college-aged people trying to decide whether an excursion like his is right for them, Curcio says, “Never doubt yourself. If you want to try something just try it because at a young age, you’re allowed to take risks.”

He said he learned more about governments, geography, religion and politics in his six months abroad than he ever did in school.

“There’s nothing better for your mind or your heart than traveling.”

Tell us about your Life Changing trips abroad: Where did you go? What did you do? How did it change you?

The Frog

Can a symbol spread positive thinking, peace, and environmental awareness? For more than 25 years, that has been our mission at Peace Frogs, a company that has always striven to be so much more than a clothing manufacturer.

Peace Frogs began with the goal of raising international and environmental consciousness, and The Frog has evolved into a symbolic representation of these values. Our line of apparel, stickers and accessories bear The Frog, an American Indian symbol for peace. Through sales, our company helps to support environmental efforts worldwide, particularly research into declining amphibian populations. Peace Frogs also supports the environment by offering a full line of shirts made from organic cotton.

In our new, monthly e-newsletter, we will bring you inspirational stories about everyday people and their efforts to impact the world with a positive message. The goal of this newsletter is connect you with those who embody the Peace Frogs lifestyle through a variety of channels including charity work, environmentalism, grass roots efforts, volunteerism and compassionate outreach.

Every month we will also introduce you to the owners of our Peace Frogs stores, giving each owner the opportunity to share their unique story.

As a brand built on positive thinking, Peace Frogs celebrates individuals who are living a positively peaceful philosophy.

Please enjoy our first issue and feel free to post your comments below telling us what you are doing to create peace and positivity in your world.

Sincerely,

Catesby B. Jones