From Setback to Finding Her Own Path: Guo’s International Service Journey

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From Setback to Finding Her Own Path: Guo’s International Service Journey

In her freshman year studying special education in university, Guo joined an international volunteer group eager to take part in overseas service. But disagreements within the group eventually led her to leave.

“Was I being too meddlesome?” she remembered wondering. The experience left her questioning her decision and attaching negative labels to herself. Yet, the dream of serving did not disappear.

Seeing Herself Differently

Raised by her mother, a new immigrant who supported the family on her own, Guo grew up conscious of experiences and opportunities that were often out of reach. Over time, this contributed to a quiet belief that she was somehow “not good enough.”

Her family first connected with The Mustard Seed Mission during her junior high years through child sponsorship support. After entering university, Guo continued to participate in MSM’s Youth Ignite program as a scholarship recipient.

After leaving the volunteer group, Guo wrote about the experience on a course worksheet, assuming no one would pay much attention.

“I thought that even if I wrote it down, no one would actually see it,” she said.

But at the next session, her social worker approached her. Instead of seeing Guo’s willingness to speak up as a flaw, she recognized a young person brave enough to stand up for what she believed was right. That conversation helped her to feel seen and begin to look at herself differently.

A First Step Abroad

Youth Ignite combines self-exploration and practical learning with continued accompaniment, giving young people space to understand their strengths and consider what they want for their future.

Knowing that Guo still hoped to volunteer overseas, her Youth Ignite social worker connected her with an opportunity to join a human-rights empowerment project in Cambodia. Her family initially had concerns about the trip. But the social worker helped Guo communicate with them and work through those worries until she was able to participate.

Cambodia became her first international service experience, and that first experience gave Guo something to build on.

Finding Opportunity of Her Own

This year, she independently prepared and submitted a proposal to the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative. This government initiative supports Taiwanese youth in gaining overseas experience and broadening their international perspectives.

She was selected and is expected to spend one month serving in Eswatini. She will also travel with MSM this summer to volunteer at a school in Sarawak, Malaysia.

Help More Young People Take Their First Step

Guo now hopes to become a special education teacher and encourage children growing up with similar limitations.

“I want them to know that their circumstances can be overcome,” she said. “There are still so many possibilities in their lives.”

From quitting a volunteer group to finding her own service opportunity, from self-doubt to confidence. Youth Ignite gives young people like Guo room to explore those possibilities through self-exploration, practical experiences, mentorship, and steady accompaniment. Helping a young person recognize a strength they had overlooked and connecting them with the right opportunity for them.

Your support helps Youth Ignite continue providing that bridge, so more young people can build the confidence, experience, and skills to pursue the opportunities ahead of them.

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