(Photo: Allison with Anita and Rigoberta Munchu, Guatemala, 2012.)
By Allison Kielhold
SSP Staff Alumni
I’m excited to share that I will be joining World Teach this June as a volunteer English Teacher in Colombia! I decided to volunteer teach with this organization because they generally place volunteers with a local English teacher and I would like to gain experience in a classroom setting but still have culturally appropriate lessons. I hope that in working with a co-teacher in Colombia I can assist with English conversation and pronunciation while gaining experience in a classroom setting.
Sierra Service Project (SSP) is what really sparked my interest in Latin America and shaped the path that I am on. My first experience abroad was SSP’s Honduras Service Trip in 2010.
After that eye opening experience I decided to focus my studies on Latin America and Spanish. After studying abroad in Costa Rica in my Junior year, I worked for SSP in Guatemala on another service and learn trip. SSP opened up so many opportunities for me to work and serve, domestically and abroad. I have learned so much from my different roles with SSP and I know that the program’s focus on social justice and equity has also shaped me and views. I cannot express how great an impact SSP has had on my life and I am grateful for this new opportunity to serve as a volunteer in South America with World Teach.
Editor’s Note: Find more information or support Allison on her new adventure. We are proud to feature our Staff Alumni in ways they are changing the world. Please contact Pascal Domicone with your alumni news!