Summer Break 2017- Georgetown, Guyana
This summer, I will be going to Guyana to work with International Children’s Outreach (ICO). ICO is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to providing food, clothing, medical, and educational supplies for underprivileged children and community. For our trip, we will be working with a women shelter and girls orphanage for those affected by domestic violence. Our projects are beautifying the women shelter, helping with the creation of a computer lab and building a community center. Ultimately we are working at enriching the lives of Guyanese youth and women in a sustainable and empowering way.
FIU Alternative Breaks
Alternative Breaks (aB) is FIU's largest, award-winning service learning program where you can get your fix of community service through diversity, education and leadership training. The service-learning program provides a hands-on approach that gives students a greater sense of community as well as the self through monthly workshops comprised of training, education, and preparation.
I was a site leader for two years and for two breaks through this organization. I love aB because it challenged me to understand why a particular problem exists and equipped me to be a part of the positive solution for social change.
Winter Break 2014- Atlanta, Georgia
For this trip, my team and I went to Atlanta, Georgia to work with Furkids, the city’s largest no-kill animal shelter. We looked after the animals, helped with adoption campaigns and raised money to assist with their expansion. This trip was the deciding factor that prompted me to change my major and career aspirations to wanting to alleviate social issues around the world.
This is the organization where I experienced most of my professional growth. As a site leader my roles included:
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Budgeting for a week domestic and abroad
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Creating a finance plan
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Conducting informational meetings
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Interviewing
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Facilitating fundraising events
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Connecting with community members
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Collaborating with corporate sponsors
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Orienting myself with a mission beyond myself
This organization taught me how to put global learning into practice. I appreciate every new environment because it is an opportunity to grow in knowledge, empathy, and understanding. aB challenged me to what I think to actually learning from different cultures.
March 30th, 2017 I was honored at the aB Gala for my two years of service and dedication to the mission to make the world a better place, one trip at a time