Introducing Jessie, Our 2014 Summer Intern

Hi, there!

My name is Jessie and I’m one of the new interns with Visedal this summer! I just graduated from the College of William and Mary, continuing the tradition of Tribe Pride in Visedal. I majored in international relations. I first found out about Visedal when Ben Boone visited one of my classes this spring and talked all about the organization and the great work it does. He mentioned summer internships with Visedal and I talked to him after class, so excited about Visedal and the opportunity to intern. I only had one problem: I don’t speak Spanish! No problem, Ben told me. So here I am! Picking up as much Spanish as I can and hopefully taking classes soon.

The first week here has been a whirlwind, but already I am so grateful to have this opportunity. Our first three days here, as part of the volunteer trip, were indescribably amazing. The scholars are so welcoming and loving. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten so many hugs before in my life! My favorite part of the volunteer trip was just talking with the scholars. With the little Spanish I know, the little bit of English they know, and lots of gestures, we had lots of great conversations. At the end of the volunteer trip, everyone was saying goodbye. When the scholars came up to me to say goodbye, I told them I would be here another month. Their faces lit up when they heard this. I couldn’t believe that after we’d known each other only three days, they were so happy to hear that I was staying a while.

 Jessie and Genecis

Jessie, Mekaila, and Ana

I can’t wait to really dive in and get started on my intern project. I have always been a creative person and I love anything and everything artistic. So, my project is going to be arts and crafts with the scholars! I already have some ideas for activities: a mural, tie-dye, beading and friendship bracelets, dream catchers, and many more. I hope to organize activities to appeal to all the scholars, no matter their age. I have always found that having a creative outlet can be a great way to express myself, not to mention just plain fun! I hope to help the scholars find these joys in our activities. Keep an eye on Visedal social media for updates on my project and the scholars’ creations!

Introducing Mekaila, 2014 Summer Intern

Hello everyone,

My name is Mekaila Murray. I am serving as one of VISEDAL's summer interns for 2014! It is such a pleasure to be an intern here in Nicaragua. Before I begin my internship and let you all know what I am doing here, I wanted to introduce myself and share a little bit about who I am and what I am doing here.

On the bus with Ana heading to the Laguna

I am a rising Sophomore at Texas Christian University studying International Politics with a double minor in Spanish and Asian Studies. On my campus I am very involved where I play Ultimate Frisbee, am a part of the Chancellor's Leadership Committee, work with Habitat for Humanity, and have served on a panel for the Intercultural Students. My focus in school all deals with the international aspect of conflict resolution and non-profits. I have been on multiple trips to study other countries cultures and for missions trips. For example, I have been to Mexico, Jamaica, The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and now Nicaragua. I plan to study abroad my junior year and absolutely love traveling and love to learn. I believe that is one of the many things that attracts me to VISEDAL, is their love for the Nicaraguan people and their love for education amongst young people. I am also interested in VISEDAL for the reason that I want to see how an NGO is run and what it entails. I also have worked with kids for a majority of my life. I have served as a children's leader at my church and then a youth leader most recently. I love working with young people and serving them and supporting them in any way possible. 

I first heard about VISEDAL at 'The Festival of The Trees' in Maryland, where Gary and Marianne Waugh were selling peppermint bark. I absolutely love peppermint bark but when they began to share with me what the proceeds were for I became extremely interested. I am here because I have a heart and passion for young people around the world. I believe in the power of education and the power of love for people but especially in the lives of young people. I wanted to become involved with VISEDAL because they are unlike any other organization. They focus on forming relationships with the 31 kids in their program rather than a one time visit to different places in Nicaragua. These kids are so incredible and so easy to love and when they see you come back that love is always there and is intensified the more and more they see you. I had the pleasure of coming on the Summer trip this year before I started my internship and was able to meet the kids and am so excited to work with them for a month! I am also already looking forward to coming back next summer as a volunteer to see them again! I am here for a month to continue to forge relationship with the kids. I look forward to the upcoming days and being able to be a part of their lives, love them, help them with english, encourage them about self esteem and self worth, and so much more. 

I am so grateful and humbled to be given this incredible opportunity to work with such amazing kids and an amazing staff and organization. Until next time, Have a blessed day!

Soon,

Mekaila Murray