2023 Stories
A LETTER FROM OUR DIRECTOR...
Dear friends, family, Fish for Change supporters, and beyond,
I am stopping by with a 2023 season recap. This was our fourth official season as a NGO and as things do... it just keeps getting better with age. 9 out of 10 of our students cried on departure day. To me, that means great success. Fish were
caught, life long friendships were made, and eyes were opened to new perspectives. I feel now more than ever that programs of this sort are what kids need. F4C is real connection and looking within. F4C is bringing out playful youthfulness and holding on to it tight. F4C is accepting strangers and celebrating differences. F4C is the feeling of being ALIVE alongside peers with shared passion. I could talk about things from my perspective for days, but here are
some snippets from our students euphoria that really capture the gist of this seasons magic.
"A week I thought I would spend out on a boat fishing turned into a week of simply living. Something I said on the last night was I finally felt like I just lived. I mean this, I now understand what life is supposed to feel like. Fish for Change pushed me to go out of my comfort zone and be vulnerable. Through doing this it allowed me to have the best week of my life. We did it all - we built life long relationships with the community, fished our hearts out, learned so much my
brain hurts, and LIVED LIFE. When I sit back and really think about this trip I’m speechless, it’s hard to put in to words how amazing this experience was." - Olivia, 15, Colorado
"Guanaja is home away from home. Mangrove Bight is a family to me, and I look forward to coming back year after year. From fishing the beach in the early morning to playing soccer in the canchita at night, it really is a different experience. Each day is filled with laughter, smiles, and pure joy. Jumping off the docks with fishing guides, cutting sugar cane with Killaway, and crab hunting with all the local kids. Guanaja is an experience, that if you are lucky enough to visit. You will enjoy it too. - Winslow, 16, Texas
“Thank you for an amazing week. Our son came home beaming with a happy glow and smile. He wanted to tell me about every person on the trip and was impacted in such a positive way. People make the experience and F4C is special because of this. Of course he went on to describe the places, adventures, and fishing trips. However, he kept coming back to the kids in the group, the guides, the people of the community, and your staff at F4C. Thank you for such an incredible week and so many wonderful experiences for our son.” - Adams fam
On a personal note, I feel more inspired than ever to make these next 9 months of F4C administration filled with growth opportunities for Fish for Change. I have never been more in love with this organization and grateful to call it a career. It truly is my childhood dream come to life.. but somehow even bigger and more meaningful than I could have ever dreamed up on my own. To a family that just keeps on growing!
With love and magic,
Heather Harkavy
Dear friends, family, Fish for Change supporters, and beyond,
I am stopping by with a 2023 season recap. This was our fourth official season as a NGO and as things do... it just keeps getting better with age. 9 out of 10 of our students cried on departure day. To me, that means great success. Fish were
caught, life long friendships were made, and eyes were opened to new perspectives. I feel now more than ever that programs of this sort are what kids need. F4C is real connection and looking within. F4C is bringing out playful youthfulness and holding on to it tight. F4C is accepting strangers and celebrating differences. F4C is the feeling of being ALIVE alongside peers with shared passion. I could talk about things from my perspective for days, but here are
some snippets from our students euphoria that really capture the gist of this seasons magic.
"A week I thought I would spend out on a boat fishing turned into a week of simply living. Something I said on the last night was I finally felt like I just lived. I mean this, I now understand what life is supposed to feel like. Fish for Change pushed me to go out of my comfort zone and be vulnerable. Through doing this it allowed me to have the best week of my life. We did it all - we built life long relationships with the community, fished our hearts out, learned so much my
brain hurts, and LIVED LIFE. When I sit back and really think about this trip I’m speechless, it’s hard to put in to words how amazing this experience was." - Olivia, 15, Colorado
"Guanaja is home away from home. Mangrove Bight is a family to me, and I look forward to coming back year after year. From fishing the beach in the early morning to playing soccer in the canchita at night, it really is a different experience. Each day is filled with laughter, smiles, and pure joy. Jumping off the docks with fishing guides, cutting sugar cane with Killaway, and crab hunting with all the local kids. Guanaja is an experience, that if you are lucky enough to visit. You will enjoy it too. - Winslow, 16, Texas
“Thank you for an amazing week. Our son came home beaming with a happy glow and smile. He wanted to tell me about every person on the trip and was impacted in such a positive way. People make the experience and F4C is special because of this. Of course he went on to describe the places, adventures, and fishing trips. However, he kept coming back to the kids in the group, the guides, the people of the community, and your staff at F4C. Thank you for such an incredible week and so many wonderful experiences for our son.” - Adams fam
On a personal note, I feel more inspired than ever to make these next 9 months of F4C administration filled with growth opportunities for Fish for Change. I have never been more in love with this organization and grateful to call it a career. It truly is my childhood dream come to life.. but somehow even bigger and more meaningful than I could have ever dreamed up on my own. To a family that just keeps on growing!
With love and magic,
Heather Harkavy
Costa Rica: THe land of fire and water
Jake Hosteler |
Costa rica: new adventures
Jack millar |
guanaja: eyes of the fly testify
Brady adams |
