A Trip That Means Something: Volunteering Abroad

Written by: Jessie Drogemuller

After a couple years focusing on staying healthy and reestablishing a foundation rocked by a worldwide pandemic, most people would take the opportunity to go on a vacation filled with relaxation and entirely selfish goals: and no one would blame them. However, Emily Seevers and Jamie Harris, the founders/owners of Little Mittens Autism Center took a trip that helped change lives. While they were able to travel to Morocco, the experiences that they had were beautiful in all aspects: from the scenery and the people, to the education they contributed. 

During previous travels abroad, Emily met Hanan while in Spain. Instantly there was a connection as they both had a passion for helping children with Autism. Hanan’s son was diagnosed with Autism after a lengthy process in an area that didn’t have much information or help for their family. This led her down the path to start Autism’s Dunya, a program in which Hanan helps her community in Spain, but also returns to Morocco, where she grew up, and provides guidance, support, and education to families who have children with Autism. After learning all that Hanan does for these communities, Emily returned home and shared the story with Jamie. They both returned in 2020, just before the pandemic started. 

Throughout the first trip, the pair worked with other volunteers alongside Hanan, visiting families in their homes and getting to know them. Goals were set for each family based on their individual needs, with detailed plans to help achieve those goals. During the second trip, Emily and Jamie met a few new families but they were able to reconnect with the families they had worked with two years prior. 

These families had taken the information given to them and really learned so much. Jamie was thrilled to see the growth of these original families and all they had achieved, and blown away by the trust the new families put in them and the path to success. All of the families were so appreciative of the help and wanted to put in all the work needed, which pulls on the heart strings of all involved. 

The focus of the program this time around was helping families in their environment. The first week centered around potty-training and the specific struggles that accompany toilet training a child with Autism. With patience, attention to details, and hard work the families learned a lot and continued growing their knowledge. Week two established fun, healthy child and parent bonding development. With play-based skills and lessons, the children had fun and the parents learned new ways to connect with their child. 

Ultimately, traveling to volunteer with Autism’s Dunya has helped Emily and Jamie in so many ways and led them to their dream of starting Little Mittens Autism Center. The skills, techniques, and inspiration they gained from working alongside Hanan have allowed them to build a program they are so proud to bring to their community. Little Mittens has grown from a dream to a reality and it all started with a trip that means so much, to those they helped and to their lives.

Photo with Hanan, founder of Autism’s Dunya

To learn more about her work and what she is doing for the families of Morocco, visit her website at www.autismsdunya.com.