Giving Back to Guatemala
My Volunteer Trip to Guatemala
My name is Sienna McDougall and I am a student in my third and final year in the Child and Youth Care program at Mohawk College.
My lifelong goal has been to make a difference in the lives of young people as they meet daily life and the challenges that brings. Many children have not been blessed with the advantages I've had growing up in a loving home with a supportive family. I want those children to understand they can make it!
Through my program at Mohawk I've had the opportunity to work in placement at Wyndham House working in a Section 23 classroom working with students that have emotional and dependence issues which disqualifies them from attending public education.
I have been certified in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training (NVCI) and I am a member of the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care (OACYC)
I've been selected as one of 20 students to travel to the developing country of Guatemala to assist local young people during the final week of my program.
This trip is a volunteer experience where myself and other CYC students will be traveling to this country to work with, support and learn along side with the children/youth and their families. This opportunity is such a great learning experience as I will be learning to adapt to their daily living and gain a better sense of working with a group of individuals with different culturally diverse needs .
The goal is to raise enough money to cover the cost of the program fee and the travel costs.
Below are some of the services included in our Insight Abroad program:
-Personalized intern placement
-Cultural Learning Activities
-Lodging at a CCS Home-Baset
-All meals and safe drinking water
-In-country ground transportation
-Experienced and professional full-time staff
-Pre-departure materials and support
-All incoming local and international phone calls
-A 24-hour emergency hotline
-Comprehensive Travel medical insurance
This opportunity is more about the children and families I will help than the experience I will gain but it can't be denied this experience will be unforgettable and essential as I move into the workforce in such a diverse country as Canada.
Thank you for all your support!