STEMCivics students gear up for educational and philanthropic trip

Meet the students and one chaperone from STEMCivics traveling to Santa Cruz, Costa Rica Feb. 5-13 for a Squads Abroad mission to support Buho Okhy Elementary School while learning about another part of the world.

STEMCivics students will help design and paint a mural, help with a school construction project and support the teaching staff.

Squads Abroad empowers teacher-led groups around the world to improve health and educational outcomes in under resourced communities with the support of experienced on-the-ground teams. Each Squad has a defined focus with achievable deliverables that benefit community partners while providing a transformative learning experience for the student volunteers.

In addition to meaningful service projects, a professional local staff, facilitates enriching cultural activities that provide a deeper cultural context and understanding. Squads Abroad exclusive home-bases provide volunteers safe and private accommodations to enjoy healthy authentic meals, relax after a meaningful day of service, and reflect with their group on the transformative experience. school offers a lot of opportunities to everyone that takes it. Putting my all into school helped me become an honor student. I’m very proud of my accomplishments.

I’m from Ghana (West Africa). I’m a teen filled with a lot of goals and ambitions. After graduating college, I have the passion to immensely help those in need. I want to help homeless people with some of the money I would earn as a businessman in the future. I’m a believer in Christ and I pray and believe Jesus would help bring my goals and passion to life. I also want to play pro soccer in the near future. My life is filled with good memories from the past that I’m thankful for. I used to have a beloved friend that I’m sure I would never forget: his name was Peace. Peace was a dog that brought a lot of joy in my childhood life. I love animals and I’m hoping to own a lion, a cheetah, or maybe both. I love STEMCivics. It has helped me mature and take responsibility for myself. Also I’m very appreciative of my parents. I’m very thankful for my dad; he is a hardworking man and I’ve learned a lot from him. Even more, I love and appreciate my mom. She just makes sure her son is feeling happy and he has someone he can lean on in times of distress. I really don’t know how my life would be without my mom! And how can I forget about my grandmom, that lovely lady. To this day the person I love the most on this Earth is my grandmom. I remember her crying when I was leaving her to come to America. I would love so much to reunite with her before things get worse (pass away). I also know she can’t wait to see me in person! people. I look forward to attending Aria Health School of Nursing with the ambition to become a registered nurse. Without these women in my life, I don’t think I could’ve been the young lady that I am right now and moving forward in my life: Nicole Knight, Jean Wilson, Veta Mendez, and Taniqua Saunders (Mrs. T).

My favorite quote is: “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” -Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.