Why did you decide to volunteer with Casa de los Angeles in Mexico?
Padraig: I wanted to try something I had never done before, I was only 18. This program to me was a way to see how other people lived and to help me make one of the biggest decisions in my life, which was to work with people in need/people with special needs. I am now a social care worker with a diploma in Health and Community Services and I also have a BA (Hons) in Social Care. (When I went to Mexico I was doing Hotel Management, I changed my occupation because of this experience.)
Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Padraig: I had little or no Spanish so I work with the very young children, they were aged 3 maybe 4. I would also help in the kitchen. When I was there they were making one of the classrooms bigger, I helped with the building work of this class room.
How has this experience helped you grow personally and professionally?
Padraig: When I look back now it was ‘an experience of a lifetime’ and one that ‘changed the path I am now on’. It opened my eyes to what we take for granted. Each and every kid came to the center with a smile on their face and they went home with an even bigger smile. I have to add that the one thing that stood out the most was the positive attitudes from all the staff it was truly an amazing atmosphere to work in.
For the last six years (and more) I have worked with children in care of the state (young offenders), elderly people and children and adults with special needs. I have worked for a total of six different organizations and this was all because of Casa de los Angeles if it was not for the unique and special program I would not be doing the work I am doing today, nor would I have my social care work qualification. I was doing Hotel Management back in 2006 when I went to Mexico I dropped out as soon as I came home.