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Bettina

@betiwatson

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Pics with my favs 🤍 by @betiwatson

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23 days ago

Others throw tantrums while I just throw fits 😛 taken in Cherry River Fishing Access by @betiwatson

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7 months ago

Family Girls Adventure at Chickadee Ridge ❄️ taken in Chickadee Ridge, Lake Tahoe by @betiwatson

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10 months ago

Apologies for the long caption—my trip to Laos was incredibly impactful, and I have a lot to share. If even one person reads this and learns something new, it’s worth it.

Before I saw Laos listed as an option through GIVE, I had never even heard of the country—and I know I’m not alone. Laos is a stunning, mountainous nation between Thailand and Vietnam, home to about 7.6 million people (roughly the population of Massachusetts).

Though the U.S. seems to have forgotten Laos, the same can’t be said in reverse. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. ran a covert bombing campaign over Laos to disrupt supply routes. From 1964 to 1973, more than 2 million tons of ordnance—mostly cluster bombs—were dropped, making Laos the most heavily bombed country per capita in history. The kicker? Laos was officially neutral throughout the war.

Roughly 30% of those bombs didn’t explode and still litter the countryside as UXOs (unexploded ordnance). Since the war, over 20,000 people have been killed, many more injured, and kids as young as five learn to spot UXOs in school as part of basic safety education.

If we had the budget to spend $17 million per day for nine years to bomb a neutral country, we can afford to clean it up. In 2016, the U.S. pledged $90 million to help—but only $24 million has been delivered, less than 0.05% of what was spent bombing.

Over the last two weeks, I had the privilege of staying in the village of Sop Chem. Meeting people directly impacted by this legacy was heartbreaking. The villagers—many of whom hid in caves to survive the bombings—welcomed us with unimaginable kindness. I heard story after story of neighbors pooling money for home repairs, medical bills, and electricity. One UXO explosion could ruin everything.

UXO Lao has only cleared about 1% of the bombs. At this pace, it could take nearly 2,000 years to finish the job.

If you feel moved to help, visit UXOlao.org/donation-2.

#givevolunteers #givelaos @givevolunteers taken in Laos by @betiwatson

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a year ago

If it’s true that we age by stories, I am beyond grateful to say this trip has added years to my life. 🤍🇹🇭

When I first got on the plane to come to Thailand I wasn’t 100% sure I still wanted to participate. I spent thousands of my personal money, just so I would be able to volunteer halfway across the world, and I didn’t think the money I spent would be worth the experience.

But the second I landed in Taipei and met up with a huge group of give girls also headed to the same trip, I knew no matter what we did, I would have a community to support me through it.

I knew I would love the big events no matter what. Although touring temples, weaving with the Karen tribe, meeting Mae Boon Sri (the elephant), bamboo rafting and bungee jumping was fun, it was nothing compared to the small moments with the amazing people I met.

I will forever remember dodging rockslides, screaming “who has the ball” when playing mafia, finding just about a million elephants that grew on ropes, digging in the dirt calling each other hoes, creating the BBL squad, swimming the river, playing horsefly like literal children and just the small talks about life, learning more about the differences of how we grew up and how fate brought all us together.

It has been an honor to see how each and every one of the 25 people I came here with has grown, and to see how they have changed me as well. I am so glad I was able to find a group where I can be completely myself and weird without worrying about being judged or alone. Although we’ve only known each other for 2 weeks I love you all with my whole heart and I will miss you always. 🤍

#givethailand #givevolunteers @givevolunteers taken in Chiang Mai, Thailand by @betiwatson

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a year ago

Staying Bear Aware 🐻 taken in Jackson Lake by @betiwatson

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a year ago

Had to sleep in Ellen for this one 🏔️ taken in Glacier National Park by @betiwatson

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2 years ago

Proud outfit repeater 🤭 taken in Grotto Falls, Hyalite Canyon by @betiwatson

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2 years ago

Merry Cowboy Christmas 🎄 taken in Las Vegas, Nevada by @betiwatson

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3 years ago

Montana Adventures 🏔️ taken in Fairy Lake by @betiwatson

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3 years ago

Falling with DG 🍁🍂 taken in Bozeman, Montana by @betiwatson

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3 years ago

Nationals hangover is real ❤️💙 taken in Anaheim Convention Center by @betiwatson

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4 years ago