gvi case studies - ashley kosier

8/8/2019 GVI Case Studies - Ashley Kosier

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GVI Volunteer Case Study

Name: Ashley Kosier

Age: 27

Gender: Female

Country of Residence: United States

Start Date: July 3rd 2010

Volunteer Program: Childcare volunteering Program in Nicaragua

Read on to find out more about Ashley's experience...!

GVI - What were your initial reactions when arriving on the project?

Ashley - On my first day walking up to the school at Chiresa, we were greeted

halfway up the hill by about 30 students, who’d run down to meet us. I was

amazed that the children were so eager for us to arrive and start school. Therewas no difference when we actually reached the school - all 180 kids were ready

and waiting for the day to begin, excited to sing and clamoured for pencils,

notebooks and attention. I was slightly overwhelmed by their energy; it’s

definitely not the same in the States: here kids treat going to school as if it’s a

chore, while in Chiresa it was a privilege. I was forever changed at the end of

that day. I knew I wouldn’t be able to leave after only two weeks and knew it

would be difficult to leave the school, the people and Nicaragua when I did have

to return New York.

GVI - What was the best thing about your trip?

Ashley - The best part came on my most difficult day at school - my last day. As

the children lined up to give me hugs and the cards they’d made me that

morning, I couldn’t believe I had to leave. Of course I was emotional, but thought

I was masking it well. That was until I looked over and saw a fourth grade

student, whom I hadn’t taught since my first week, crying because I was leaving.

I knew I had made a difference in their lives, but seeing the group of girls so

emotional made me realize just how much of an impact I’d had on their lives. A



few of the students’ mothers also came up to me that day, giving me their

blessing for my safe travels, thanking me for teaching their students and asking

me when I would return. It made me incredibly happy to know that I had indeed

made a lasting impact and I can’t wait to return and see how they’ve progressed.

GVI - What do you feel you gained from going away with GVI?

Ashley - I learned more in one month in Nicaragua than I have in many, many

years of schooling: I know what brings me joy in life and how I can attain it; I’ve

gained a lot of patience and how to mask frustration; I know how to evaluate

when lessons are working and children are learning; I witnessed the fruits of hard

work and how perseverance pays off. I’m in awe of some of the people in thecommunities, seeing how they struggle on a daily basis and yet are so happy and

find immeasurable joy in life. I try to remember how happy I was in my escuelita

in Chiresa whenever I’m having a rough day and need a reminder of the “bigger

picture.” It always helps.

GVI - Is there a particular memory or interesting story you can tell us?

Ashley - During the first week at Chiresa, there was a preschool boy who we saw

had come to school without pants, only wearing a tshirt and leopard-print

underwear. We learned his name was Mario and he quickly became the unofficial

“mascot” of Chiresa. The next afternoon he came to school without a shirt, only

pants that were a little too big for him. He has an infectious smile, speaks very

little, but is able to captivate everyone. He was especially entertaining when he

ran around, as his pants would fall down and he’d pull them back up as he ran.

After a while he caught on that we were watching, and would ham it up for all of

us and our cameras. He was just looking for a little bit of attention.

GVI - Has going away with GVI changed your life in any particular way? (eg: did

you find love, decide to change your career? etc)

Ashley - I’m currently in school working through my pre-med requirements so

that I can apply to medical school. I’ve always thought I’d like to eventually

return to Central America as a doctor (I’d been to Belize during my

undergraduate work), but my GVI experience this July cemented it. I am actively

looking for medical schools with defined Global Health programs, particularlyones that are based in Central America and focus on women’s health.



GVI – Why would you recommend GVI to your friends?

Ashley - When I started looking for a volunteer experience, I was looking for a

program that wasn’t too expensive, had a program that interested me, and

would put the majority of my money to use in the field. Before I left, I had figured

out that GVI did all of these things. I had no idea, however, how much my life

would change. I found a place in the world where I truly belonged and figured out

what I would really like to do with my life. In working in this environment, you

meet like-minded individuals and share experiences that will bond you for life. In

one month, I developed better relationships with this group of individuals than

I’ve made with others I’ve known for years. It really was a priceless experience.

Finally, you see where your money is going: it’s building schools, paying

teachers’ salaries, buying notebooks, art supplies and fruit for the children. It’s

bringing a lot of joy to the people in the communities.

GVI - Feel free to tell us any other interesting stories/facts/jokes/memories from

your trip or GVI in general!

Ashley - Things I learned in Nicaragua:

1. The end of a Q-tip and tape make a pretty good substitute for a butterfly

clip.

2. Some of the children may think a machete is a good tool with which to

whack a piñata. It is not.

3. 120 noisemakers make A LOT of noise when hit all at the same time.

4. It’s necessary to embrace the mud!

5. No matter how loco the children are and how little they seem to be

paying attention, they are learning and so are you.

6. The Macarena and the Chicken Dance provide hours of entertainment; La

Tortuga can unite all kids!

7. Always exit a pickup truck bed via the tailgate, not over the side. (I

learned that one the hard way!)



8. Even after two weeks working on the program, you’ve touched the

children’s lives and forever changed your own.

About Global Vision International (GVI)

GVI is an internationally based volunteer abroad organisation which offers

volunteer programs in Africa, South America, Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Formed in 1998, GVI provides support and services to international charities,

non-profits and governmental agencies through volunteering opportunities anddirect funding, filling a critical void in the fields of environmental research,

conservation, education and community development. Various types of overseas

volunteer work are offered including volunteer holidays, gap year volunteering,

short term volunteering, long term volunteering, volunteer internships, intern

abroad programs, student volunteer abroad programs and employee

volunteering trips abroad. Available subjects include marine biology,

environmental research, teaching and scuba diving courses in various locations

around the world.

For more information on volunteering abroad, please visit http://www.gviusa.com or http://www.gvi.co.uk.

http://www.gviusa.com/

http://www.gvi.co.uk/

http://www.gvi.co.uk/

http://www.gviusa.com/

gvi case studies - ashley kosier

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