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Alumni Interview: Justin Eldridge-Otero
Year of Graduation: 2005 Concentration Title: Cultural Economics of Spanish Speaking Countries Current Occupation: Co-Founder of the Organization for Youth Empowerment
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| Just a few months after graduating from UMass Amherst with a double major in BDIC (Cultural Economics of Spanish Speaking Countries) and Spanish, Justin Eldridge-Otero began working in a field directly related to his undergraduate studies. He and two friends, Jesse and Ana Luisa, founded the Organization of Youth Empowerment (OYE) in the summer of 2005. OYE is a non-profit organization focused on children’s education and based in El Progreso, Honduras. El Progreso is a small and poor suburb just outside the second largest city in Honduras, San Pedro Sula, also known as the AIDS capitol of Central America. OYE provides Health Education, Art Education, and scholarships for the children and young adults living in two local children’s centers, COPPROME, and ProNino. |
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| COPPROME is an orphanage for girls and/or young women, and ProNino is a shelter for boys living on the streets. A large portion of these children have been orphaned by, and/or are living with, HIV or AIDS. Most of them have experienced things such as malnourishment, abuse, neglect, and drug addictions (huffing glue is a popular cure for hunger and the cold). OYE is based upon providing education for these children who would otherwise be left to their own devices to survive and develop into adulthood. During a recent interview with Justin he spoke about how he originally got involved with the two centers. “Ana Luisa and I have been volunteering at the orphanage, COPROME, in El Progreso since I was thirteen and she was fourteen years old. I kept at it every summer after that, usually raising a little money (between $2,000-3,000 each time) before I left the states. I would go on a shopping spree at Walmart or another department store and buy all kinds of things for the kids, and then give the rest of the money to the nun who runs the center, Sister Teresita.” When asked how OYE came to be, he replied, “As I got older (as did the kids I worked with) we realized a greater need than just soccer balls and construction paper. When these children turn eighteen years old, they are set out into the world and “freed” from the center, so to speak. However, many arrive at a life without any family support whatsoever and soon begin working for very little. Most girls, since their decision making skills were never really fully developed, fall in love with the first guy that buys them a cell phone and are soon pregnant. To reverse this, we're offering university scholarships to the older girls that have passed through the center and are now struggling to work 50 hours a week and study simultaneously.” As mentioned above, OYE has chosen to focus on three aspects of education (health, art, and scholarships) during the first five years of their organization’s growth. Health Clinics are offered each weekend in the local library to members of the community. Unexpectedly, many women from the center and the neighborhood attend, but no men have expressed interest as of yet. Because of this, “it’s turned into a self-empowerment thing and we bring in guest speakers who address subjects like decision making and friendship.” Scholarships are available for a small number of young adults who wish to attend college. Currently, there are four individuals who are benefiting from an OYE scholarship. “We’ve formed a scholarship committee of teachers, professors, and other Hondurans who interview candidates and then meet with us, so we don’t actually make any decisions as to who receives them.” OYE’s art projects are “whatever the time calls for. We just finished painting a huge mural with Honduran themes and we spent a whole month making Halloween masks and decorations for the orphanage. We turned the kitchen into a haunted house and it was great fun. Right now we are making Christmas cards for all our donors in the states.” When asked about what he misses most from home, Justin said, “The security and safety home provides. Also, water pressure and air conditioning.” He went on to add, “Getting homesick can happen often because the town is so poor and there isn’t much to be entertained with.” Concerning what usually makes him feel better, “I guess every day when I show up and they all come running out to greet me, I forget about it.” During the length of the interview, Justin shared some downsides to his new position. “Most of the kids I work with have ADD so I’ve found working in groups and following directions is very hard for them. They are also very demanding as most are attention deprived, so often one afternoon can feel like a week.” He was happy to report, however, that he has gotten his voice back! He bought a much needed whistle and no longer needs to holler above the chaos to get the children’s attention. “As a new NGO, we are so open to any support. We really need fundraising. It’s a constant burden because we have scholarships guaranteed and need the funds to pay them.” OYE can also benefit from volunteers who have experience working with children and can speak Spanish. The organization’s website can clarify the specifics for anyone who wishes to help out in any way by making a donation, volunteering, or offering another method of aid. If you are interested in learning more about OYE, you can visit their website. |
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