Who We Help

JUNEISY PADILLA
GLOBAL TEENS ALUMNA – THAILAND 2008
2009 STRONG KIDS CAMPAIGN TESTIMONIAL
JANUARY 29, 2009

Why Should I make a difference?  This is a question that many people ask and it’s a question that many people need convincing of.

I grew up in Washington Heights and, in many ways; it has made me who I am. Even though today I live in the Bronx, Washington Heights is my real home. There, my heritage and culture can be seen everywhere I turn. From the sound of beating drums and maracas that come from the bodega around the corner to the people who pass me by, speaking their native tongue without fear or barriers, to the sweet aroma of arroz con leche coming from my grandmother’s kitchen, I am surrounded by Dominican culture. In the colors, sounds and smells of Washington Heights, I am comforted and embraced by the familiar; my secret, though, is that I have always longed for something more.

In many ways, I feel my community has held me back from bigger and better opportunities; but, without Washington Height’s influence and programs like Global Teens and Leaders Club, I would not have the passion to succeed and better myself.

In 2008, I was accepted to participate in the YMCA Global Teens program where I got the opportunity to visit Thailand and complete several service projects. In addition to visiting Bangkok, the country’s largest city, I had the chance to see several of Thailand’s smaller cities including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Lamphun, where I learned both about myself and the Thai culture in the process.

I remember when the group and I visited a small town in Chang Mai where we met a group of indigenous children who were of the Hmong (Meo) people. We were so excited because it was going to be our first community service project. When we arrived to our destination a feeling of excitement and sadness came over me as I saw the children’s faces. Their faces full of glee and wonderment as their tiny hands held flowers for us. As we got out of the bus the children ran for us. They hugged us, touched our faces like we were aliens from another planet and greeted us in Thai, Sa waa de kap!

As I walked the hand built wooden bridge with broken nails and came to our destination I noticed that they lived hidden behind houses. I couldn’t help to ask why the children and their family lived the way they did. I asked one of the YMCA staff members who explained to me that the children and their parents were indigenous to the region and didn’t have citizenship because they are part of a certain ethnic group and in Thailand they are not considered citizens. These children and their family could be forced out of their homes by the government because they are undocumented.

Oppression is felt intensely by Thailand’s 40 ethnic minorities where many do not have access to even the most basic resources.

My experiences in Thailand mentoring students, staying with a host family in a small neighborhood of Lamphun, renovating a school yard and building a wall for a YMCA site reaffirmed my life’s mission.

One day I hope to pursue a career in international non-profit work, specifically working with those organizations that assist women and children living in developing countries. In Thailand, I realized how much I loved learning about cultures other than my own and helping those who need it most.

Global Teens made a difference in my life and I will forever be grateful for the program and the people who made it happen.

Thank you.