Hola a todos!
My name is Mikki Spangler and I have the pleasure of being an Intern for Justice this summer. I am going into my senior year at UP with a psychology major and a Spanish minor. Although the University of Portland has been my home for the last three years and I can’t wait to return to the bluff, this summer has made me more excited for graduation than ever. My current internship has made me feel motivated and empowered to continue doing similar work to that which I am currently doing.
This summer, I am serving in Guayaquil, Ecuador with The Starfish Foundation. Starfish is a relatively new foundation that functions as a before or afterschool supplement to the education that the kids are receiving at school. We are located in Flor de Bastión, a very impoverished neighborhood in Guayaquil. We have three main principles: scholarship, tutoring, and leadership development. First, scholarship is very important because many of these students would not be able to afford school without it. Although the public schools here are technically free, students have to provide their own supplies, uniforms, and transportation fare. Second, tutoring is what we do on a daily basis. Students come for four to six hours weekly for homework help and reinforcement. This is great because it is very easy for students to get overlooked here and to stay behind if they don’t understand something. Our staff makes sure that each student receives the individual attention that they deserve. Staff also provides different lessons that encourage creative thinking and can appeal to all types of learners. Finally, all scholarship students participate in regular leadership development days. These all have different themes and activities that encourage students to work together and build each other up.
I had the opportunity to volunteer with The Starfish Foundation last summer for one month. On a day-to-day basis I would help students with English homework, translate for another volunteer’s English class, assist with other tasks, but most importantly I would spend time with the kids. My favorite part of every day was when tutoring was over and everyone would go outside for snack and soccer (fútbol!). This year I am back for three months as the volunteer coordinator. I am busy working with volunteers while at the same time trying to improve the program for the future.
At the end of the day, we are building community, connection, and relationships. That is why I am spending my summer in Ecuador.
Paz y amor,
Mikki Spangler