This month we shine the spotlight on Malaika volunteer Adriana Henriquez. She has been part of the Malaika team since 2007; along with other tasks, Adriana has been handling financial matters with great efficiency. Her background in the development and implementation of the telecommunications sector of Africa led her to focus on the wellbeing of the area as a whole.
Here’s what she has to say about her experience at Malaika:
I’m a firm believer that access to a great education is the seed of change. From a very young age, I learned that a candle that shares its flame continues to shine bright, and as such, I feel that I am in a position to pass on the good fortune and benefits reaped from the great education that my parents offered to me.
Although I live over 8,000 miles from Katanga, there has not been a day in the past five years in which I have not heard the news of progress in the village. As much as we would like to think that those we help are the sole benefactors of our actions, I have become part of a feedback system that has strengthened me as a human being far beyond my wildest imagination.
The girls of the school have put countless smiles on my face, stemming from day-to-day pictures, as well as seeing their improved health, drawings and infectious dancing. The dedication from our local DRC team makes me want to work harder to continue in our growth and the continued support and praise of our donors gives me an immense sense of accomplishment in knowing that we are fulfilling our mission each and every day.”