Update!

It has been quite a while since I've been involved with VILA, but I never stop thinking about my experiences there, and how special and important they are to me. Just recently, while working in DC this summer, I ran into Robin Pam, a volunteer with me. It was really great to see her, and to catch up a little bit, and it definitely reminded me of my time living in the shelter in San Roque. I also recently re-established contact with Paul Tuqueres from Casa de la Ninez. He always sends me wonderful emails, brief but touching, about life at the shelther and about how all the kids miss us and think about us all the time.

After coordinating for VILA the summer after my sophomore year I went to Tanzania to work with an organization that does HIV education in rural areas. Upon my return to campus, I took a class--World Food Economy--that synthesized these two experiences for me. It discussed how the root of much of the poverty in the world--both rural and urban--is subsistence agriculture. Farmers in rural areas in developing countries live day by day with barely enough to get by. The lack of opportunity in rural markets often stimulates significant rural to urban migration, producing a host of urban poverty problems we all know so well from our work in VILA. In addition, agriculture is the major consumer of environmental resources world-wide, and is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. This class inspired me to work in this field, and I continue to do so now. I am currently getting my masters degree in Earth Systems at Stanford, with a focus on sustainable agriculture and rural development in Sub-Saharan Africa. After I graduate I guess I'm off to work in the real world--who knows what I'll do, but I hope it will be full of adventure!

Wow, its interesting to write your life's narrative in this way...as if it were all so linear. I would love to hear what everyone else is up to, so if you have a second, write a post!

Thanks,
Nicole

I Heart VILA

Hey all!

Thanks Christine for sending such a detailed update of the summer events. It sounds like you all are really putting yourselves out there and working hard. Congratulations CASA volunteers on a successful carnival and to CENIT volunteers for taking extra initiatives with the special needs group. I feel so proud!

As for me, I'm home for the summer (Austin, Tx) and just enjoying the heat and humidity. I opted not to get a job (except helping my dad out with his business once a week) this summer and have been mostly eating, sleeping, doing yoga, and watching lots of tv. My mom allows it because she knows I have a job in the fall : ) I still don't have an apt. in San Fran but am looking. I come back to the bay area Aug. 23rd and am honestly already missing my doggy Rico...I think I'll miss him most.

I know you guys are all busy but I would love to hear about your lives from you too. I've changed my email on the VILA list so that I can continue to get emails, so keep in touch. In case you don't have it, my current email is boocely@gmail.com. Finally, I think it would be cool to have some sort of VILA reunion once we are all settled back in the bay area. Please?

Anacely

P.S. Go girls! to Maria and Shantelle for getting on the Quito music scene.

Hi from Amy

Hi everyone,

My name is Amy, and, along with Katherine Hoffmann, I'm one of the VILA co-presidents for 2007-08. I volunteered at Casa de la Ninez during summer 2007.

My experience in Quito last summer has infused so many aspects of my life this year. Every time I see an Ecuadorian flag, meet someone who has the same name as one of our kids at Casa, or think back to humitas and Crepes & Waffles, I long so much to be able to return to Quito right away!

I'm graduating in a few weeks, but I'll be at Stanford one more year in the STEP teaching program. I hope to work with English learners during my year of student teaching and once I start teaching next fall. My experience with VILA definitely improved my "kid vocabulary" in Spanish, as well as reassued me that working with kids is definitely what I want to do with my life.

While I'm posting, I just wanted to let all the past volunteers know how much we appreciate all the contributions you made to ensuring that VILA is the wonderful organization that has made our Stanford experiences so much richer and more meaningful.

Amy Padilla

Alumni Updates!

This label ("AlumUpdate") will provide a space on this blog for old VILA alums to let us know what amazing and exciting things you are all up to in the world. Get in touch with old friends, reminisce about old memories, and spread new inspiration.

Thanks!
Nicole Wires
VILA '05, '06