MBA Students Spend Fall Break Volunteering at a Local School in Mexico

Over fall break, a group of 10 MBA students traveled to San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico to volunteer at Casa de los Ángeles, a free daycare center for orphans and children of single mothers. The group included full-time, evening, and exchange students. The trip was organized through the MBA Student Government Association.

Casa de los Ángeles educates up to 100 students ranging in age from 1 month to 4 years old. The Georgetown McDonough students worked in various classrooms from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day for a week, assisting the teachers in several ways, such as feeding, cleaning, and changing the children, putting them to sleep, and teaching them how to walk.

“Georgetown students were exemplary on this service trek and put their very best efforts toward serving the children we were with,” said John Wenstrand (MBA ’16). “This was definitely an example of Georgetown students being men and women for others.”

The Georgetown McDonough students also helped execute a daily educational activity. Wenstrand, who was assigned to a classroom with a dozen 9-month-old children, helped to develop the language skills of the students. On one day, he helped the children build puzzles and practice pronouncing the words written on its pieces.

Outside of the classroom, the Georgetown McDonough students spent their free time exploring San Miguel de Allende. Many swam in hot springs, visited an indigenous ceremonial masks museum, and shopped at the local art markets.

“One of my favorite experiences was one night when we grabbed food from a street taco vendor and sat in the main square listening to musicians while watching a wedding celebration,” said Courtney Sanvido (MBA ’17). “The culture was extremely lively, and having the opportunity to not only observe it, but to be immersed in it, was truly exceptional.”

The Georgetown McDonough students left Mexico humbled and inspired, glad to have helped the teachers and families at Casa de los Ángeles.

“We left with new friends and a new perspective on Mexico. Most importantly we left with the children we worked with forever in our hearts and memories,” said Wenstrand.