A No Brainer

President Obama Speaks Out against Human Trafficking

I was able to listen to a live-stream of this speech while answering emails at my internship

At the Clinton Global Initiative yesterday, President Obama spoke out against the "debasement of our common humanity" - modern day slavery. As an abolitionist, it is encouraging to hear the President of the Free World speak out so firmly against the harsh realities of human trafficking. He noted strategies to abolish modern day slavery, including steps to be taken by the United States as well as foreign countries. 

Iwas happy to hear the President state that traffickers are to be held accountable, and that the U.S. will be tracking corporate practices and supply chains. Additionally, it is so important that the United States will now be listed on the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report as a country with an issue of human trafficking, because as a developed nation we think we are immune. But our nation is an unfortunate participant in modern day slavery. 

"American tax dollars must never, ever be used to support the trafficking of human beings."

 Thank you, President Obama. But it is a lot to live up to. The speech seemed extremely optimistic - which is to be expected at such a conference - but I know I am interested to witness, and be a part of, U.S. abolition efforts. 

"Our people, and our children, are NOT FOR SALE."

Slavery Footprint

finding comfort

Today I interviewed Abby, the head of development and engagement at Atlas Corps for a class assignment. Abby is an Atlas Corps Fellow alum who is passionate about Latin America and fun to talk to about traveling and Latin food. She is immediately friendly, outgoing and passionate, always greeting me with a smile. Abby also attends networking events and hosts information sessions for visitor, and she is a great person to represent the Atlas Corps organization. I do not work directly with Abby, but she makes me feel like part of the team and is very encouraging at staff meetings.

Atlas Corps is a very small non-profit: four people work in my office, I bring my own laptop to work on, and calls are overheard by everyone on the floor. The organization shares offices with many people from other organizations, and we are in the process of organizing and cleaning as a new non-profit will be sharing our offices with us starting Friday. I have never worked in such cramped corners, but I do not mind the situation. Everyone is available and easy to reach, we are all friendly and naturally forced into conversation, and co-workers bring pie to share. Another great thing about working in a small office is the sense of community and small shared victories. Last week Atlas Corps celebrated two major funding approvals with champagne and group congratulations recognizing a “team” effort.  Even the interns were invited to celebrate and thanked for their hard work so far. What has impressed me the most while interning at Atlas Corps is that everyone is genuinely interested in their work, constantly engaged, and truly passionate.

Colombia Heights, Washington, D.C.

This is a picture I took while visiting Colombia Heights for authentic, delicious pupusas with a friend I met in El Salvador. Colombia Heights is a predominantly Latino community in Washington D.C., where conversations are conducted in Spanish, English lessons are offered at community centers, and women push fruit carts on the sidewalk. Colombia Heights is one of my favorite places to go. My friend and I were sitting on the steps surrounding this fountain, sharing pan dulce, and watching the young girl on the bike run in and out of the water. My friend commented that he felt so comfortable in this Latino setting, like he was home. And his thoughts reflect mine. I knew that transitioning from community living in El Salvador to internships and seminars in D.C. would be a challenge for me. But exploring Colombia Heights has eased my transition.  gracias a dios.

First Impressions

I have been living in the capital city for four weeks now, and I am continually surprised by glimpses of the Capital building, the Washington Monument, and the White House. I am also surprised to learn that Washington, D.C. is more comparable to a third-world country than the capital of the Free World. In my Environment and Development class, we have discussed the extreme income gap, the unfortunate school system, and the high numbers of people affected by HIV/AIDS and homelessness in Washington, D.C.

In the most political city of our nation, I expected better quality of life.

I am interning at Atlas Service Corps assisting with the Latin America Program. The mission of Atlas Corps is “to address critical social issues, develop leaders, strengthen organizations and promote innovation through an overseas fellowship of skilled professionals.” The fellowship program is for young adults working in the non-profit sector to volunteer at an international organization and foster skills to network and lead internationally, and most importantly to take their skills and experiences back to their home country after their term is finished. The Latin America program is centered in Bogotá, Colombia but preparing to expand into Mexico, Brazil, and Chile. 

Every day, I communicate with my supervisor in Colombia via video chat and instant messaging, and the two of us are working on streamlining applications and promoting the Atlas Corps programs. So far it has been an incredible look behind the scenes, witnessing how a non-profit functions both in the United States and internationally, as well as gaining insight into program applications and what is individually marketable. I am looking forward to talking with Atlas Corps employees and past & present fellows, really absorbing international experiences and networks and what development work truly means. The best part about my seminar class is listening to important speakers describe their developmental and environmental processes, and then at my internship experiencing life in the real world.

Officially in D.C.

taken on the sixth floor of Washington D.C.'s Newseum