12 Lessons from a Bittersweet Goodbye
Written by Ava Weinstein, Communications Intern at EFTC.
After completing a four-month internship in Social Media and Communications at EFTC, I walk away not only with new professional skills but also with life lessons that will stay with me forever. Working alongside some of the most passionate and kind-hearted individuals I’ve ever met, inspired me daily to think creatively and persevere in support of this incredible organization.
No words can fully capture the joy I felt and buzz of the atmosphere every morning as the School of Hope opened its doors to some of the brightest, most curious, and kindest children I’ve ever known. Every unpredictable, beautiful day brought with it new lessons, lessons that shaped me deeply. Among them:
You hold the power to shine your light on others; no one can dim it.
Giving is about intention, not material.
Circumstances shape us but do not define us.
We don't need much to be happy.
Language is not a barrier to connection and understanding.
Be remembered for your kindness; everyone is going through something.
Vulnerability is a strength; love and emotion are powerful forces.
Resilience is everything.
Education alone isn't enough, students need holistic support to break poverty cycles.
Never give up on anyone; with patience and hope, all students deserve a chance.
Though I wasn’t there to teach, the children taught me more than I could ever offer them.
Special places attract purposeful people; meaningful work naturally brings together kindhearted people committed to making a difference.
Expanding on my lessons:
1. You hold the power to shine your light on others; no one can dim it.
Every day each student showed me the overriding power of positivity, attitude, and personality. While they go home to many unimaginably difficult realities, each day they show up and are given a safe space to be themselves and allow each of their unique, bright personalities to shine. No matter what you go through beneath every experience is your true self and when given a safe space to show who you are, nobody can take it away or dim your internal light.
2. Giving is about intention, not material.
While these kids have so little themselves, it never stops their endless desire to give. Whether one of their few toys or a beautiful hand drawn note, their kindness never ceases to amaze, they are always eager to share what they do not have themselves. Their generosity is incredible and no matter what they give it is always their intention to make you feel special and appreciated that shines and will never be forgotten. Their generosity has shown me the power of love and intention are stronger than any physical item could ever be. They are always the ones giving, and there is nobody more deserving of receiving than them.
3. Circumstances shape us but do not define us.
Hand in hand with my first lesson comes this one. These kids go through the unimaginable and have their childhoods ripped away from them too young. Despite this they never let it define who they are and who they will be. They go through everyday coming to school with glowing smiles and are given a space where they are able to just be kids. No matter what else they have going on or what emotions might come, it only has the power to shape them but they never let it define who they have to be or will be. Their experiences make them who they are and shape their perspectives, but they do not define their capability and they certainly do not take away their glowing beautiful personalities that I am eternally grateful to know.
4. We don't need much to be happy.
Happiness comes from attitude and connections not from materials. Our students are the most raw reflection of this truth. They constantly show me that happiness is not dependent on any item, and we cannot let materials be the definers. Each student through every hardship shows us that through connection and acceptance happiness shines bright. Happiness comes both from within and from connection and no possession could ever recreate the true happiness that these things do.
5. Language is not a barrier to connection and understanding.
Coming into the experience fluent in both Spanish and English were tremendous advantages, however through watching as volunteers who spoke no spanish passed through the school, it became extremely clear that though language was a facilitator it was not a determinant for connection. I watched as they taught each other immensely without the ability to communicate through common words. I watched everyday as they built unshakable bonds despite their limited ability to seamlessly communicate with words.
6. Be remembered for your kindness; everyone is going through something.
Every kid at school is dealing with something but together they are able to see past it and hold space for each other. They bring out each other's inner children and make each other kinder and more open listeners. No matter what they are going through they come to school beaming with excitement to show us the truest version of who they are. Hugs are never in short supply at school, every student is constantly ready to share their kindest and most loving self with their classmates, teachers, and school volunteers. Their own hurt and experiences never overshadow their willingness and desire to break generational trauma through their open hearts, optimism, and kindness. They are each other's support system, they do not let anyone get left behind and constantly strive to build a safe inclusive environment, not only for themselves but for all of their classmates. They are the most intelligent, special, and emotionally mature children, anyone who gets the privilege to work with them can take a piece of their kindness and mindset home with them, and strive to emulate even half the depth of these qualities that our students already possess starting from the age of 5.
7. Vulnerability is a strength; love and emotion are powerful forces.
Through all of the “machismo” culture that booms across Latin America, our children could not be any more different to this stereotype. Everyday the school is a safe place for all children, boys and girls alike to express their feelings and emotions, students are not judged for sensitivity, but instead celebrated for it. Students come beaming with love, hugs, and gifts to share with everyone around them everyday. The openness and vulnerability that our students emulate is and should be exemplary to other institutions. The healthy release of emotion and the celebration of their creativity, sensitivity, and warmth are what continue allowing them to feel safe in their expressions in their environments. This spirit and openness allows students to build more healthy, and emotionally positive relationships with those around them. Not only do they have this safe space available, the school of hope also provides them with outstanding mental service resources in order to continue to encourage and promote their emotional and mental support.
8. Resilience is everything
Among the many things that I have already covered that the children taught me, one of the most memorable things they showed me was the true meaning of the word “strength”. Everyday in every action they emulate this word. They are strong for sharing their love and emotions, making it to school despite many obstacles, breaking generational cycles, persevering to achieve their education, balancing immense familial responsibilities, to name just a few. They show me everyday their strength in being the first ones in their family to get the opportunity to push themselves to get ahead. They show me the depth of what it means to overcome obstacles in pursuit of bettering their circumstances.
9. Education alone isn't enough, students need holistic support to break poverty cycles.
Something that every organization can take as inspiration from EFTC is the attention to detail in supporting students with sufficient resources to holistically be able to learn. Not only does EFTC ensure all of the kids have what they need, they also carefully watch to ensure that any kids whose needs may be different to ones of the majority are met as well. Whether through social support, health support, or nutrition support the average needs of a student are exceeded, and for those whose needs may be greater or more complex the time is taken to investigate and fundraise to ensure their support. Through social services such as nurses, speech therapists, psychologists, visiting dentists as well as specialists, and even special neurological testing, students are given the highest chances for success. Many things contribute to a child being able to concentrate and learn and nobody understands that better than EFTC who do everything possible to ensure those needs are met and exceeded.
10. Never give up on anyone; with patience and hope, all students deserve a chance.
No matter how few the resources, it was inspiring to watch how EFTC refused to give up on students and continuously worked to provide any and everyone with the resources they need. With so little support existing for children in poverty with neurological challenges or special needs, the school refuses to let these stand in the way of them creating better futures for themselves. They constantly research and look for help to cater to these students and to make them feel welcome and supported.
One student in particular has shown me the true depth of commitment that the school has for its students. Through navigating the current diagnosis of a child with neurological challenges, they continuously look for solutions and ways to support them in every way possible. Whether from providing the student with their own reserved desk outdoors for when overstimulated, to having different specialist teachers constantly working with them, even to allocating special funds towards different sensory assistants to enhance the child’s learning experience. Not only does the staff make enormous efforts to support this particular student, so do their classmates. It is absolutely breathtaking to witness the complex levels of emotional intelligence these young students have with their peers. While it may be easiest to quickly judge someone who is different, especially students who are so young, they never fail to amaze me with their kindness and empathy to other students.
My reflection on this takeaway would not be complete without the mention of another very special student who has completely warmed her way into my heart these past 4 months. When I met her she barely spoke, couldn’t concentrate, instigated arguments, was severely undernourished, and the first thing she would do every morning was to ask when they would eat as she unfortunately did not have the resources to have food at home. In every way I have watched in awe as EFTC worked tirelessly to change this and it has completely transformed the little girl I met just 4 months ago. Through weight checks her situation was escalated and with working with nutritionists both intentional meal plans with extra food and specially curated vitamin plans were developed and fundraised for. Over the last months I watched as she improved her concentration to levels we didn't think possible and as she came out of her shell and has begun to speak so much more than we could have imagined. Watching this unfold has been extremely moving and I will take with me the care, patience, and hope that EFTC holds so centrally into every experience I embark on.
11. Though I wasn’t there to teach, the children taught me more than I could ever offer them.
Volunteering at EFTC has taught me in addition to all these incredible lessons, so much about myself. Being Guatemalan myself and spending this time at EFTC has allowed me to explore a completely different aspect of my own culture. I have learned many incredible things from these children, but one thing I will take with me forever is this completely different perspective and understanding of my culture. I have gained a completely new appreciation for different aspects of my own background, culture, foods, and so many other things. Seeing things from their eyes has given me a whole new set of tools on how to view things. I am very proud to share such an incredible culture with such incredible, humble, kind, and driven people. I am proud to be Guatemalan, I am proud to be their teacher, but most of all I am proud to be their student. They have so much to offer the world and I will continue doing everything I can to ensure their voices are heard.
I will never understand why I was given such a different hand than these children, we have been part of the same culture yet couldn’t have experienced it in more different ways. After being with them I have and will continue to do anything possible to support them and to continue being part of their support system. Gratitude doesn't begin to explain how I feel to know and learn from each of these incredible students whose hard work I am certain will lead them to great things. I am so very proud of each and every one of them and the people they are as well as who they will become.
12. Special places attract purposeful people; meaningful work naturally brings together kindhearted people committed to making a difference.
Most of all I wanted to close with the most important part of it all, the incredible, passionate people that make up the heart of EFTC, whose efforts are hidden behind offices but without which none of this would be possible. The wonderful people who show up everyday to support these children. Whether through teaching them classes, finding them sponsors, building NGO marketing, or outreaching to organizations and volunteers. Each and every person’s efforts are contributing to the lifelong success of so many incredible students. They are the people who never stop seeing the good in others and fight for what they believe in. It is because of them that any of this is possible. Just as any heart is the center of the project, it is what gives life to everything else. Just as the heart is what allows us to live by pumping blood to the rest of the body, these people are what keep EFTC alive and provide the resources to thrive. Not enough incredible things could be said not just about the work they do but the person that it takes to be behind that work and perseverance.
There is something to be said about the kind of people a place this special attracts. Beginning with the volunteers, who support the students and teachers in every way. Not only have I learned immensely from the students, but also from the volunteers. Anyone drawn to the mission of EFTC shares the commonality of a beautiful, open heart. There is a special level of compassion and drive to help others shared by all who come to volunteer here. A special mission and project attracts special people, people whose positivity radiates throughout the school filling it with sunshine. I have been touched by many special volunteers and I know our students have too.
Finally, there are 3 special people I would like to specially honor. Being my first job I couldn’t have been more lucky to work alongside such incredible people. Everyday their drive and passion for the school and students inspires me and gives me hope in human spirit and kindness. Ale, Roxana, and Susan who work in the outreach office are the kindest, most dedicated, pure hearted individuals I have ever met. It has been an honor to work alongside such incredible, powerful, and inspiring women. I will take so many things I have learned from each of them into every experience I continue to have. Each of these women is truly human sunshine and not only am I lucky to know them, our students couldn’t be luckier that these are the women who work behind the scenes to ensure all their needs are met.
Sadness isn't a strong enough word to describe the feeling of closing my chapter working at EFTC. I feel an immense sense of gratitude to be leaving with such strong new perspectives and to have been able to be surrounded by the most incredible people I could have ever hoped for. To anyone who has ever considered volunteering or sponsoring, there is no better organization or group of students to support. There are no people more deserving of a chance than the incredible students at EFTC. I will hold each and every one of them close in my heart through all of my experiences and I couldn’t be prouder to have been part of such a groundbreaking, holistic, and special organization. While this may be the end of my internship with EFTC is just the beginning of my chapters with them. I know EFTC will continue to hold a special place in my heart for the rest of my life and that my time with them and visits are just beginning. To the kids, thank you for everything you’ve shown me and for welcoming me with open arms and open hearts you mean everything to me. Chase your dreams, make them a reality. I will always be here cheering you on and supporting you every step of the way. Feel peace in knowing there will always be a proud family of people at EFTC who couldn’t be prouder of your every accomplishment and will always be there to support you.
Till next time,
Ava
Communications Intern
