Leading By Example

Leading by example

What a year! 2015 and all that transpired was a testament to the phrase,"it gets better." A year prior, the trials I endured were seemingly insurmountable, but through strength, courage and faith I overcame them. In life, I have looked to my idols, mentors and sources of inspiration for how they dealt with adversity. I believe firmly that the character of an individual is shaped by those who achieve greatness in spite of negativity, discouragement, or dissuasion. I am pleased to know that the very first cohort of freshmen whom I mentored in 2011 are now college graduates. I hope that they and all other mentees I have had the pleasure of working with the understanding that to be committed to one's education requires immense sacrifice. The goal and ambition upon graduating as it has been for myself is to better the lives of those who may never have similar opportunities and to enrich the lives of those who have shown unwavering support throughout the journey.I will continue to reach higher, and although obstacles will undoubtedly arise, I am hopeful that the outcome will be worthwhile.

“Often it is tenacity, not talent, that rules the day.” 

Julia Cameron, Finding Water: The Art of Perseverance

The UNESCO Student Ambassadors for Human Rights, from freshmen to seniors reaching new heights everyday! Continue setting an example for generations to come! 

"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence".

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Thank you Student Ambassadors!

It is great to work with such a committed group of students who challenge and question their surroundings. This generation is the future and as such, comes an even greater responsibility to attain ambitions that are sustainable and everlasting!

High School Visits

A major component of UNESCO is education. Raising awareness about critical issues through the vessel of education is paramount to the objectives of the organization. 



This semester the student ambassadors for Human Rights had the opportunity of visiting both East Hartford and Windham High School. At East Hartford the students conducted a presentation on Genocide, covering the Holocaust, the Bosnian Genocide, and the Rwandan Genocide. The latter case has often disputed and was not officially recognized as a genocide until years after the atrocities receded from the purview of Western media outlets. The visit ended with a plethora of students inquiring about our student's ambassadors and their backgrounds

 EAST HARTFORD HIGH SCHOOL 

WINDHAM HIGH SCHOOL

Our visit to Windham was equally enriching! The student ambassadors conducted a presentation about Human Rights, in Spanish and in English. The student ambassadors had the pleasure of working with Josue Lopez, a passionate and committed instructor at Windham High School. The students were very engaged, and I felt that the learning experience was reciprocal! 

Share Your Experience: A journey of self-discovery; Destination Africa

Africa is the embodiment of humanity. Africa serves as the nucleus our civilization and the place in which all ethnicities, trace their origin. Africa is a diverse continent, of various climates from arid deserts, to vast tropical forests with lush vegetation. With a land infused in rich diversity and an abundance of precious minerals and resources, it is bewildering that a majority of Africa’s population today is disenfranchised, and unfortunately lives a substandard life below the poverty line.

My trip to Africa was an indelible experience that changed who I am today serving as a personal journey of self-discovery.

We first landed in Casablanca, Morocco. My first step in Africa was overwhelming as I stood on the continent of where civilization began. My mother and I spent two days touring the city, visiting grand mosques made of precious marble and intricate Moorish architecture. We walked through downtown Casablanca, and neighborhood flea markets surrounded with vibrant colors, and materials made of silk and everything else imaginable. Although enjoyable, our stay in Morocco was only a precursor for the experience to come.

As we left Morocco, we then flew to Dakar, Senegal. Dakar became the official capital following Saint.Louis in 1960. Senegal itself played a pivotal role in the French West African Empire. Not only was Senegal the main headquarters of the French administration, but it was also one of the areas in which millions of slaves departed before their unforeseeable journey to the America's.

I spent several days getting acquainted with the lively city and visiting family. Much of the French colonial influence remains evident as it blends seamlessly with the West African culture. One of the last places we had visited before we left was Goree Island.

Final Destination……Goree Island

 After a short ferry ride from the mainland, we stepped onto the docks of the tiny yet historic island. As I stood on the shores of Goree, I embraced the moment, and the opportunity of where I stood. As we started our tour, I began to have flashbacks of the devastating events that once took place on the island. As I walked around the island, each preserved building, and pathway began to tell a story. I saw beyond the side cafés and gift shops along the shoreline for what they once were, as a mere layover for insatiable European merchants. As we walked through La Maison Des Esclaves French for House of Slaves, I felt as though I could hear the painful cries of women, men and children, being crammed into dreary diminutive cells, as they awaited their departure....

The most significant point of our tour was standing in front of the Door of No Return. As I stood there, a paralyzing feeling took a hold of me, as I envisioned what the door symbolized. As slaves marched through the very door, it was the final glimpse they had of their homeland, as they embarked on an unpredictable journey into an unpromising future.

My journey to Africa allowed me to connect with a part of myself that was unfamiliar for so long. My experience at Goree made me realize that today, I have an opportunity in life that was divested from my ancestors. Succeeding, and continuing to pursue my dreams will ensure that the pain and suffering they endured was not in vain.