Hello, my name is Clarisa Vargas.  I am a young Christian woman who truly has a heart after God and seeks to live a life of service.  From a very young age I have had a calling to help others, learning to volunteer through the example of my mother, Maria.  During my progression from childhood to teenager to young woman, serving others has become my passion and desire and I have had the chance to do so domestically and internationally. 

In the past three years of my college studies at Pepperdine University, I have been blessed with opportunities to study abroad.  My entire sophomore year I lived with a local family in Buenos Aires, Argentina conversing in Spanish, dancing tango, eating empanadas, and exploring the incredible wonders of South America.  In May 2015, I traveled to East Africa where I learned about the genocides of Rwanda, worked with local tribes in Uganda, and went on Safari in Tanzania.  I have become an international citizen along the way, experiencing different cultures and giving of my time, energy, and financial resources in efforts to help those in need.  Whether it be working with special-needs children, coaching the Special Olympics OC Tigers, helping with reading programs in local schools, building houses for the poor, working with orphaned children and women survivors of domestic abuse, digging wells for safe drinking water, or collecting and distributing shoes to those in need, living a life of service and helping others is my goal in life and both my gift to and from God.

This summer I have been given a chance to embark on an adventure to the holy lands of Jordan and Israel to pursue educational opportunities and religious studies in what will surely be an awakening and strengthening of my Christian faith.  After this journey, I will renew my continued goals of service as I devote myself to a two-month internship with the nonprofit organization “Leave UR Mark,” working with nonprofit development and the homeless street children in the cities of Bangalore and Goa in India.  Both these trips abroad will ensure plenty of excitement, adventure, and exploration; most importantly they will provide faith, satisfaction, and fulfillment that come from learning, hard work, and service to God and to others.  These opportunities do come with costs:  program fees, travel expenses, housing and meals, and charitable giving in each country.  If your heart calls you to give or if you are willing to share my story with any organizations, companies, or individuals who you know might be willing to sponsor or donate to me, please know your generosity will be much appreciated.  My dream is to make an impact in the lives of others, wherever that may take me.  Thank you and God bless you!