Capstone Podcast is a 7-minute audio of me talking on the way to school about my service experience, accompanied by some of my favorite images from the experience. 

https://youtu.be/fzlMi2Hbk6U

Edited on iMovie, posted (public) on Youtube. 

Continuing ESL classes as a volunteer teacher has been almost a part time job. I wanted to note that I took a break June-July. I prepare lesson plans and talk to students outside of class, almost everything any teacher would do. Speaking in class and explaining things in an effective way has been a challenge, but I have learned and continue to learn how to be better. Watching my students grow has also been pretty awesome. 

Through welcoming young women into PEACE organization's Women's Empowerment Camp, I acted as not only a camp counselor but also a friend. Organizing, preparing, and planning was definitely a key element in my job title, but I also led discussions and reflections, bonding with the girls on a more personal level. Engaging in discussion and learning from these girls is a gift I am very grateful for. Empowering these girls leads to stronger women figures in a community, which statistically leads to greater success of a country and world. Empowering these girls to feel as if they are competent enough to be their own boss and be proud of their every accomplishment was a wonderful experience that I am happy to have been a part of for a second year. 

Over a year ago, my neighbor Mrs. Karen Godt and I met. She introduced me to this organization she founded that is connected to a house full of wonderful boys called Casa Noble and another house full of amazing girls from her house named Casa Dorothy in Honduras. I asked how I could possibly help, in any way. Her organization is authentic and real, as she has been supporting this big family for decades. She told me I could work with my neighbor and teach them all English classes. I have been doing this since the end of Freshman Year! I just recently took my first trip with them to Honduras and had an incredible time. they are the strongest, bravest and most capable and kind people. The foundation website for this organization is https://www.hopeforhonduranchildren.org/help.php

I will continue this for as long as possible. 

It was truly a privilege to have had a spot in this incredible organization. Mrs. Markels had been running a camp with the well-known PEACE organization in Mexico for years, and I remember every time I wanted to go, every spot was filled. I finally was able to go last summer during her first (trial run) women's empowerment camp. She had over 20 girls to her house every day for a week and I led discussions about their future, their aspirations, important civic conversations, how to build a robot, how to dance, and more. All while practicing my Spanish! We had the president of Punta de Mita visit us, and she happened to be a woman! We also got to have conversations with an OBGYN, hear amazing stories from women who have built themselves up from the mud while also supporting children as a single mother, and more. The campers left the last day and I remember them thanking me and saying that this changed their entire life. It was an incredible experience and I hope to attend again this summer if possible. I learned leadership and team skills, but also got to learn the moving stories from every woman there.