LA VERA, SPAIN
WHY SPAIN?
For six weeks during the Summer of 2018, I traveled to Villanueva de La Vera, a rural town tucked away in the picturesque hills of Western Spain on a service project through Operation Mobilization, a non-profit with offices all over the world (map right).
Our team of seven young women partnered with a couple who immigrated to Spain from the USA/Canada over fifty years ago. Besides getting to enjoy and integrate into Spanish culture, our team went to teach English and establish a children's program in the area.
WHAT DID I DO?
Moroccan Barrio
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A community of Moroccan refugees settled in a neighboring city
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In an effort to create a space
for the children to have fun and to build trust with the community, we planned and ran a block party with games, prizes, a potluck, and an activity to teach them basic English
Children's Program
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We observed that the community lacked after-school programming for local children
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Realizing that the park was a centrally-located, yet under-utilized asset, we started an after-school program at the park giving them a safe space to learn English, play games, and strengthen their community
Mentorship
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Met regularly with a group of local teens
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Planned and hosted a retreat for a group of preteens/teens who were involved in a community organization
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By engaging in this way, we served as role models and mentors to these young people