The real reason we are here by Amanda Stump

“There are things you do because they feel right and they may make no sense, and hey may make no money, and it may be the real reason we are here…”

Last January, I was blessed with the opportunity to volunteer at Casa de los Angeles as a part of my undergraduate studies at Saint Mary’s College of California. Arriving in San Miguel, I knew my time working with the children would be a life-changing experience; however, I had no idea that in a matter of months I would find myself living in Mexico for an entire year. With gradation approaching in May, I knew that I wanted to volunteer before I started graduate school to earn my teaching credential. The problem I faced was deciding where and how. But one thing that I have learned during my time at Casa de los Angeles is that when there’s a will, there’s a way.

From day one, Casa de los Angeles stole my heart. The walls are overflowing with laughter and love, the smiles on the children’s faces filled with an energy I had long forgotten in my years of writing papers and studying for exams. It only took a week of working with my class of two-year olds and my wonderful Maestra Flor before I knew that Casa de los Angeles is where I needed to be.

God works in mysterious ways, and through the help of friends and family I was able to return to San Miguel in September, this time for a nine-month stay. During the long drive from the Leon airport to the volunteer house in Malanquin, I felt like I was coming home. My first day working at the new center was yet another reminder of how blessed I am to have found Casa de los Angeles; I arrived to the open arms of Flor and the warm smiles of several of my students from January.

In the mornings I am working with Flor again in the three-year old room, coloring, reading stories, playing with Playdough – the good things in life. In the afternoons I work in the new library, where I have been helping some older students with homework and learning how to use the computers we have been fortunate enough to receive. Everyday, I am faced with new challenges and new rewards – new ways of looking at life. And everyday I am reminded of how wonderful life can be when caring hearts work together to help make the world a better place.