Reflection:
The first time I climbed Volcan Santa Maria in Quetzaltenango, my bones trembled with fear and anxiety. As I made my way up to the halfway point, my foot slipped on a rock and I fell down about 10 feet. As I laid on the ground, staring at my bruised knees and scraped hands, my first impulse was to make my way back down to safety. But in my heart, I knew this fall was bigger than me. I didn’t allow my bruised knees and scraped hands to make me weaker. I allowed the stinging pain to fuel me to the end point.
In my 21 years of life, I’ve endured many dark obstacles that stopped me at my tracks- ranging from child abuse, rape to criminal charges. There were moments where I sat broken in the dark, wondering to myself why the universe kept pushing me down. I was submerged in my own sadness; however, something inside of me knew these things happened to me for a reason. I just had to find out what it was. When I was fifteen years old, I created a non-profit club at school called DOTS (Dreaming of That Smile), I wanted to create a space where people can overcome mental and/or physical difficulties through helping people in need. Seeing how our work at DOTS brought light to the lives of people in our community, helped me find my own light. This was the moment I knew service was my calling.
I enrolled in Peace Corps Prep program in college and took part of every type of service trip I could. The experience that permanently shifted the way I viewed my life and the world was in Guatemala working with Escuela De La Calle. I was teaching the sixth graders about violence against women. For some reason, the energy in the classroom was off. The student’s body language revealed how this topic made them uncomfortable. I quickly adjusted the lesson plan and asked them to move to the floor and sit in a circle. It was then when I shared my stories of abuse and rape for the first time. As I told my story I felt the energy change. The students began to sit up and I could feel them hanging onto every word I said. Soon after, a student stood up and simply said “mi papá me golpea” (My dad hits me). This created a ripple effect. Each student began to share their experiences and they embraced one another. It was then when I knew that I was in the right place, I was home.
Every dark moment in my life was actually a teaching moment. Every experience and choice I have endured shaped me to the woman I am today. The obstacles life gave me serve as the tools for me to empathize with people who are dealing with their own obstacles. I would of never of come to this understanding if it wasn't for all my experiences. I deeply thank the Global Medallion and Peace Corps prep program for providing the framework and presenting me with incredible opportunities that shaped me to be the woman I am today.
