Ku'uipo Cavaco

"It wasn't until last year that I decided to take the two week trip to Haiti. At first I was very hesitant because it was so different and far from what I was used to. I remember landing and thinking to myself 'what am I doing?' Then it was taking the bus to the spot where we were staying and seeing the kids run up to the bus and get so excited, that's when I knew I made the right decision. As soon as we got off the bus, these kids I've never met before came up to us and hugged us all and were just so excited! Those interactions helped me realize that it's all about the relationships you have with people.I've grown so much as an individual because I had this opportunity to grow on my own. Before, I always relied on finding myself in the person I was with, but now, I know more of what I want and need.On this last trip to Haiti, we built a library in the village to give these children access to education that way. I also work alongside one of my friends to sponsor two children's educations for a year. The friend I work with suggested we throw a commencement ceremony for the kids there because graduating, let alone education, is a rarity. Even at the end of the commencement, it was really only the beginning because it was one of those few moments you could see just how excited and proud they were. Not only did we help serve as blessings to the graduates, but also because of the celebration we helped motivate current students to get to that goal. “We hope to put Haiti in the hands of Haitians” is our motto because what we do helps give them more responsibility by having them strive for their education and it's a great feeling to be there and be able to encourage them!These kids are so selfless, thinking of their own families and saving their own food for them. And at five years old thinking about their parents, it’s definitely a lot different than a mindset people have here in America.I’d rather just spend my money on lunch or taking someone out for lunch, because to me, time is something that you’ll never get back. The time you give someone, they’re going to remember that than over a t-shirt you give to them. 10 years down the line, they might not even have that t-shirt or remember you gave it to them. People remember how you make them feel. I just want to be able to pour value into people’s lives and my goal is to never want to leave something the same way I found it. I never want to leave a conversation with someone if they feel like it was wasted, but more so that there was value or that they got something out of it. The time that you give somebody, that’s what makes the biggest difference.Keep pushing and keep going, because I encourage you to not keep your visions and ideas in a box, but whatever you have in mind to just strive for it! It’s a vision and idea that came to your mind for a purpose and for a reason and don’t ever shut that out. I think that’s where people mess up the most because they have a vision or idea but they don’t think they’re good enough or anything will come out of it. But it’s one of those things where if you don’t try you’ll never know and later you’ll look back and wonder what would happen if you did."

We had the pleasure to connect with Ku'uipo through Jonathan DeCastro. After being introduced through Twitter, we knew we had to meet in person and learn her story! She has such a genuine and selfless soul, and we felt it from the very beginning.Having this conversation with her opened our eyes to welcome more challenges and to continue growing. It also reminded us about our own beginnings with this Coffee & Convos idea and has us reflecting on how we've grown since then. We are so inspired by her journey and her work, and we can't wait for the day that we get to join her in Haiti. We can all make the littlest of a difference after we take a step back to realize what is most important in our lives, and that along with the very core of Coffee & Convos, are the relationships we create and nourish.