For many years, we have been blessed to connect interested folks with the Mission Home and School for volunteer opportunities. Volunteers come for a few weeks, others for months at a time; sometimes in organized groups, and sometimes on their own. Right now, we are fortunate that Nicole is volunteering at the Mission Home and School. Nicole spends her mornings volunteering in the classroom for children that have experienced interrupted education at the Mission Home or in the first grade classroom at the Mission School. She spends her afternoons, evenings, and weekends volunteering with the little boys’ house at the Mission Home, helping with everything from homework to serving dinner to accompanying them to soccer practice. On top of the gift she is providing with her time and service, she was also kind enough to share a little about her volunteer experience with all of you. Please see her comments on her experience as a volunteer below:
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Nicole with some of the first grade class at the Mission School.
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Helping pick up blocks after recess.
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The students are always so happy to see Nicole!
“My name is Nicole Roberts and I am from Basking Ridge, New Jersey. I recently graduated from James Madison University and majored in Social Work and Spanish. I am hoping to work as a school social worker in the future or work for a non-profit. Throughout college, I knew that I wanted to take a gap year to do volunteer work somewhere. Through mutual friends, I found out about the Mission, and I knew it would be the perfect place for me to fulfill this desire. I have always loved working with children, teaching, and immersing myself in different cultures. I have absolutely LOVED my time here. I have been here for three months, but I plan on staying for 7 in total.
At the beach! Nicole shares that one of her favorite moments as a volunteer is accompanying the children from the Mission Home to the beach.
It is hard to choose just one thing I love about the mission here, but I would have to say I love taking the children to the beach. Playing in the waves and searching for sand dollars together is something I will never forget once I leave.
As much as I love living here, there are some challenges such as when the water in my house stops working for weeks at a time. My hair is getting used to not being washed daily anymore. Another challenge has been speaking Spanish 24/7. I did not realize how exhausting it would be to translate everything in my head. I am getting better though!
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Nicole teaching some of the little boys how to throw an American football.
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Nicole helping in the classroom for children that have experienced interrupted education at the Mission Home.
If you are thinking about volunteering, DO IT! (Especially in the next few months so I can have someone to speak English to!) Coming here has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. I already know it will be so difficult for me to leave this beautiful, joyful place and all of the children. I want other people to see and experience how amazing this mission is!”
Fatima, the missionary that care for the little boys at the Mission Home, and Nicole.
Thank you, Nicole, for your time, love, and service to these children and to the Mission.
*We are looking for volunteers to help at the Mission Home and as teacher assistants for the 2024-2025 school year. We ask volunteers for a minimum 3 month commitment. Please reach out to us directly if you are interested in volunteering.
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