MHS senior Jules Johnson was one of 31 high school students from Oregon to join more than 500 other students from all over the United States and North America to volunteer with the Amigos de las Americas program this past summer.
Described as a "mini-Peace Corps," Amigos is an international non-profit organization in which young adults learn leadership and decision making skills and how to make a positive difference in less fortunate communities.
They do this by volunteering on environmental projects and helping with public health and education in countries such as Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
The program "builds partnerships to empower young leaders, advance community development and strengthen multicultural understanding in the Americas."
Amigos volunteers raise money and receive training for several months to prepare for their work in Nicaragua, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay or the Dominican Republic. They are paired with partner volunteers from around the United States and only two or three volunteers from the program are placed in each community.
While living in their assigned countries, volunteers such as Johnson stay with local host families.
Johnson spent two months in Nicaragua with the Amigos program.
"Seven of those weeks [spent in Nicaragua] were in the community of El Guayabo. That is on the shore of Lake Nicaragua," said Johnson. While in El Guayabo, Johnson taught sanitation and environmental issues in the community's school.
"The language barrier was a problem [but] I improved a lot. I hadn't worried too much about my poor Spanish. I figured it would just come, [but] it did not ‘just come.' I had to work really hard," said Johnson.
Johnson found solace in using his Spanish-English dictionary and working with a man from the community who spoke English who translated for him. By the end of two months, Johnson was conversing with the natives with ease.
In addition to his volunteer work, Johnson participated in many activities outside of Amigos.
"I played soccer every afternoon. [They were] intense matches between a community divided north to south. I sided with the south and my Amigos partner with the north. I think my side won the majority [of the matches]," said Johnson. Johnson also went fishing and participated in other activities with the people in his community.
"I recommend Amigos to those who want something outside of the often repetitive high school experience and obviously to those who have a fancy to travel to another country and experience a culture different from ours," said Johnson.
"I did Amigos to have an adventure, to escape from my commitments. My sports, my classes [and] all that," Johnson said.
While in Nicaragua, Johnson broke away from everyday suburban life and learned about a culture dramatically different from the one he grew up in, helped improve the lives of others, made new friends and improved his language skills.
"I would do it again," said Johnson.
Information on volunteering can be found at the Amigos website, Amigoslink.org. The Portland chapter can also be contacted. Their website is Portlandamigos.org.