Volunteer Work
How I've Helped My Communities Around the World
VOLUNTEER
Student Helping Honduras
El Progresso, Honduras
March 2 - 7, 2019
For my 2019 spring break, I traveled to El Progresso, Honduras with an organization I found at VCU called Students Helping Honduras (SHH). I got to work with other students from the United States in constructing a classroom from the ground up. I learned a lot about the construction business as well as the lack of educational resources in the city of El Progresso, also known as my fathers hometown.
ENGLISH ASSISTANT TEACHER
Futuro Latino Learning Program at Goucher College
Towson, Maryland
Spring Semester - 2018
Every Saturday of my Spring 2018 semester, I helped local latinxs in the Baltimore area for three hours (9am-12pm). These individuals were mainly adults and they were studying to take their citizenship test that summer. I worked with 5 other Spanish speaking students along with a main professor that guided the classes. We were there for assistance but also to create connections and bond with other latinxs in our community.
MENTOR
Dumbarton Middle School
Towson, Maryland
Fall Semester - 2017
For my Fall 2017 semester, I got to mentor a group of 11 ESL middle schoolers at Dumbarton Middle School in Towson, Maryland three times a week. The middle schoolers ranged from 11-13 years old and were first generation in the United States with Spanish being their first language. I tutored them as the struggled with the American education system and served as a translator and friend.... they did end up finding me on Instagram at the end of the semester.
Cat person in the US, puppy person in Honduras. Every time my sister and I go to Honduras, my family there has new puppies to introduce us to that they've adopted. Our family just never stops growing.
This is a picture of Mallory, the coordinator of SHH's shirt after a long day of work. I wanted to grab one to keep but she didn't have anymore. Every day was left sweaty and white shirts never stayed white.
My sister and I after our first day in 102 degree weather making cement and living off of gatorade. Let's just say we slept very well that night.
Bubbles > Books. My family and I donate books and school supplies to the our family school that we built in El Progresso, Honduras. We visit them as often as we can and it's the same reaction every time. It's the little things :)
Out of all the kids, she stood by me the most. She seemed independent and shy once we were alone, she asked a LOT of questions. Who knew 7 year olds could be so chatty and curious? Reminded me of myself.
After hours of playing with bubbles and some soccer, it was time to get back to work. Before saying goodbye, we had to take a group pic. I hope to see them soon.