Albizael Del Valle - General Projects Coordinator

Albizael Del Valle was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. Del Valle is a senior at Azusa Pacific University currently pursuing a bachelor's in Global Studies. As the practicum portion for his degree, Del Valle has reached out to Pop Wuj as an intern in order to support already existing projects within the community.

In the past, Del Valle has gained experience in both education and community organization within the city of Los Angeles, California. In the past two years, he has worked closely with undocumented workers, supporting them with English classes and supporting their role in our city. Del Valle has also been involved with the work done by two school districts for elementary schools in the area.

As a Latino who was born and raised in a Latin American country, Del Valle is committed in supporting Latinos in the United States as well as in Latin America. Del Valle has been part of student initiatives at his university in order to empower latino high school students to pursue higher education. While visiting Latin American countries Del Valle practices intentional listening, learns and immerses himself with people in order to better understand the global context of the Latin American reality and its relation with our struggles as Latinos in the U.S.

Albizael hopes to serve any Guatemalan/foreign compañer@s at Pop Wuj and at any of the communities benefitting from this Guatemalan organization. A comprehensive documentation of the work done by this institution will be recorded.

Emma Gilbert-General Projects Coordinator Sept 2014

 My name is Emma and I'll be the General Projects Coordinator from September through December 2014. I first heard about Pop Wuj while researching short-term opportunities that would align with my International Development degree from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. As a recent graduate, I figured it would be the perfect time to go abroad before starting a more permanent position. Although I have traveled in Latin America, visiting over 8 countries in the last 4 years, this is my first time in Guatemala. Pop Wuj's commitment to service drew me to Xela and I can't wait to help continue providing necessary services to the local community.

Caroline Yung - General Projects Coordinator, July 26, 2013

Hello!

My name is Caroline and I am the new General Projects Coordinator Intern for Pop Wuj.  In the midst of a one year sojourn, I arrived in Xela in June with the expectation of staying for a few weeks to study Spanish, but after hearing about the wonderful work done at Pop Wuj, I was thrilled to join the team.

I come to the organization with a Masters in Economics, as well as eight years of public policy experience at the Government of Canada at the Department of Health.  

Just starting my second week, I am thoroughly amazed by the quantity and quality of the services that Pop Wuj offers to Llanos del Pinal and several other communities in the Western Highlands.  In particular, I have a keen interest in the stove-building, nutrition and scholarship programs, which have immediate and long-lasting impacts on improving the health and social outcomes of families. 

Grady Hart- General Projects Coordinator- June 14, 2013

My name is Grady Hart and I am thrilled to be the new General Projects Coordinator for Pop Wuj!  I am currently a graduate student of Public Administration (concentration in International NGO Management) at James Madison University (much like one of my Pop Wuj predecessors, Grace White), which is located in Virginia, United States.  My undergraduate major was International Affairs, with a special focus on Latin America and Spanish language.  Having studied Latin American development issues for years, it is clear to me that education, health and nutrition, and environmental stewardship are not only key, but are in fact wholly necessary to building a sustainable future for any country.  It took no time at all to see that Pop Wuj’s benevolent staff is dedicated to doing exactly that and more in Guatemala.  

While I will be working on all of Pop Wuj’s projects (Safe Stove Project, Family Support Center, Medical Clinic, and Environmental Program), I will be devoted especially to the Scholarship Program, which offers small grants to Guatemalan children and youth to enable them to attend school rather than work to help their families earn a living.  With literacy rates among Guatemalans aged 15-24 now climbing to around 90%, I am truly proud to have a chance to contribute to such a worthy cause.  I believe that it is not the differences between countries and their people that define us, but the many similarities which unite us as a common people- Less than one week into my work at Pop Wuj, there is no doubt in my mind that this reigns true.

Family Support Centre Coordinator - Adam Kinross

My name is Adam Kinross and I am the new project coordinator of the Centro de Apoyo Familiar or the Family Support Centre, (formerly known as the Guardería). I am from Melbourne Australia. I was originally passing through Xela for a couple weeks when I heard about the fantastic work that Pop Wuj is doing within the community. Naturally I jumped at the opportunity to become part of the team and the chance to give back to the local communities around Xela. And once I met the children out at the Centro de Apoyo Familiar I knew instantly I made the right choice. I have previously spent time volunteering at orphanages and schools in Cambodia as well as coordinating family camps for refugees in Australia. I thoroughly look forward to contributing to the great work of Pop Wuj and the Centro de Apoyo Familiar and contributing to the enrichment of the children and families involved.

Environmental Projects Coordinator

Anssel E. Lopez-  Environmental Projects Coordinator

I am a Guatemalan who had the opportunity of pursuing a Bachelor's of Science Degree at the University of Washington, Tacoma.  I am a recent graduate and majored in Environmental Science.  I am also currently in the process of getting a certification in GIS (Geographic Information Systems).  As a "Local Boy", I have experienced some of the needs of my country men and women.  I always have had the desire to give back to my country, and Pop Wuj Association has given me the opportunity to do it.  I bring to these projects experience in construction, reforestation, agriculture, and knowledge in environmental issues in addition to lots of enthusiasm and energy.  

Julie Kirby-Hines - Project Coordinator

I’m excited for the opportunity to work with the Pop Wuj Community Development Projects. I have a passion for working with marginalized populations and find that immersion in cultures foreign to me is a valuable, humbling experience.

I’m currently finishing a Master's of Public Health through the Colorado School of Public Health. In addition to my educational pursuits in community health education, I bring a great deal of experience to my internship with Pop Wuj. I’ve served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia (2008-2010), an AmeriCorps volunteer with the Boys & Girls Club and worked as a medical assistant in an under-served region of Colorado. In addition to the valuable experience that I am able to take back to my Colorado community, I hope to positively impact the lives of  Guatemalans through my contributions to the projects.

Marya Case-Ruchala

My current occupation in life, besides interning at Pop Wuj, is as an undergraduate student at Indiana University.  I just finished my freshman year there as a Business Economics and Public Policy major, Cultural Anthropology and Spanish minor. I came to Pop Wuj three years ago as a sophomore in high school to do the Spanish immersion program.  Later during my senior year of high school I worked for AmeriCorps as a youth volunteer coordinator.  I had very impressionable and positive experiences both with Pop Wuj and AmeriCorps, so when I heard Pop Wuj was looking for a volunteer coordinator I jumped at the opportunity to come back.  My first 4 weeks here have flown by and I have 5 remaining.  In the mean time, I'll do my best to keep you all updated about and work to develop the projects!

Grace White, Projects Coordinator

I am a recent graduate of James Madison University holding a bachelor's in International Affairs and Modern Foreign Languages. Additionally I am working towards a graduate certificate in Non-Governmental Organization Management. The product of my studies is a passion to work in organizations like Pop Wuj that seek to increase the standard of living in a sustainable way without changing the culture in the surrounding areas. Pop Wuj is a necessary institution in Guatemala as the people of Guatemala suffer from some of the highest rates of malnutrition in the world and are physically affected by the conditions they live in, most notably the presence of open fires within the home. Presently, the Guatemalan government does not have any initiative to tackle these major problems.
Pop Wuj, a grassroots non-governmental organization, has many projects that aim to augment the health, education, and the environment for the people in the communities surrounding Xela.

Katie Adamides

As an undergraduate student of global public health, I see the necessity of the programs that Pop Wuj coordinates. Guatemala does not have a system of public health education or government-funded public health initiatives, so organizations like Pop Wuj are the only public health initiatives working towards eliminating preventable illness, such as smoke inhalation-related respiratory complications, Guatemala´s second-leading cause of childhood death. The stove project helps elimate the cause of this preventable illness, and the other projects here target other types of illnesses that lower the quality and duration of life for impoverished populations. This kind of work is slow going, but it´s the only path worth taking. There´s a place for every skillset and an opportunity for every creative mind.

Michael Majzoub

I am currently an undergraduate at Davidson College studying Political Science and am part of the Social Work Program here at Pop Wuj.

I created this site to address the growing need for an place online for volunteers to update progress on the programs, communicate both accomplished goals and needs for the future, and offer an easy way for individuals to fundraise to support these programs. My time at Pop Wuj has opened my eyes to the pressing need that exists in highland Guatemala. It is my hope that this site helps the projects, the people, and the mission come alive and inspire you as much as they have me.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about this site please feel free to contact me at mimajzoub@davidson.edu.