Finding Purpose Through Volunteering

It’s hard to believe I’ve been here for about a month and a half now. This experience has been nothing short of incredible, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be part of Sembrando Paz y Esperanza.

Last June, I lost my wife to frontotemporal dementia, and in the months that followed, I knew I needed to do something that had a positive impact—something meaningful. I had always wanted to try volunteering, but I never expected it to be this rewarding. Yenni, Sara, Diego, André, and the kids have been so welcoming; they’ve made me feel at home from day one.

One of the most surprising things about this journey has been my rapid progress in Spanish. In just a short time, I’ve gone from A1 to mid-A2, which has only deepened my connection with the people around me.

Another realization is that, despite not getting paid for this work, I feel more committed to it than many paid jobs I’ve had in the past. In fact, I’m seeing how I can use my skills to make a real difference. Coming from an IT background, I’ve been teaching young adults about cloud computing and AI, helping them develop valuable digital skills for their future.

But my work here is expanding beyond tech. In the coming weeks, I’ll be teaching about money and finance, helping young adults understand good and bad debt, investments, and financial literacy—critical knowledge for anyone looking to build a better future. We’ve also reached out to Microsoft to get the foundation enrolled in their nonprofit program, which could open up incredible opportunities for the organization.

This experience has been a reminder of how purpose can come from the most unexpected places. I came here hoping to give something, but I’ve already received so much more in return.

Looking forward to what the next weeks bring!

— David