There Is No Poverty Gene in Our DNA
Poverty is NOT an innate characteristic of a human being. There is no poverty gene in our DNA. Humanity is Humanity regardless of income. Poverty is an artifact of a societal system. This system has bottlenecks, concentrations, and vacancies that … Continue reading
“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words yet cannot remain silent”
“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words yet cannot remain silent”―Victor Hugo In my guitar lesson this morning, I was so focused on plucking each note according to the sheet music that I was mostly looking down at … Continue reading
Educating around the world
The move to educate the youth and children of our world does not happen only in El Salvador. I sat with Sarah Montgomery, a friend and fellow student, to talk about her involvement with Daraja, an all-girl’s academy in Kenya that … Continue reading
Powerful Identity Through Language
Michael is six years old. He lives in a shelter that I worked closely with for over four years. When I first met him, he had just returned to the United States after spending a year in Mexico with his … Continue reading
Bonds in Learning
We shape words and dreams two hours a week. Mostly we are here to listen and they are here to speak. We practice sounds and the right ways to make a “th” and forget the silent letters in some words. … Continue reading
How Children Learn from Playtime.
In 2010 I fell in love with a classroom full of toddlers….Centro Hogar’s teaching techniques are derived from Popular Education and Montesorri Methods. “Children are encouraged to ask questions… tap into their own creativity [by] playing with a diverse collection of educational materials, creating their unique arts and crafts, and expressing themselves through art, dance and drama” Continue reading
Holding Hands
I cannot think about anything better than feeling the warmth of another person. There is something so innately human about extending a hand to someone in need, and holding that hand when you are that someone in need. Here’s to … Continue reading
The Colors of the Sun
I have come to understand that children can be our strongest teachers. I am very blessed to learn from their innocence and beauty. Children need more free spaces for development and creativity. And we could all use a little … Continue reading
Crossings
Morning. The crisp uniforms rustled around while our teachers paced around the single file lines that we formed when the bell rang, but we could not stop giggling and moving around the lines, stretching our necks to see around the … Continue reading
New Faces and Many More Changes
It has been a very exciting summer with Programa Velasco and SPEAK. We have been expanding, dreaming, and welcoming many new members to our team. Including new development interns in Chicago, two interns in El Salvador, an in-country director in … Continue reading