A note from Camila McHugh:

I’m Camila McHugh, you may know me as Don and Carol Kenyon’s granddaughter or Jim and Robbyn McHugh’s daughter. As you may know, I was selected by the Peninsula Chapter of Amigos de las Américas to participate in a community service project in Latin America this summer. I’m very excited about this program. I’d like to tell you about AMIGOS and how you might support my efforts and the work of all the volunteers in the program.

Amigos de las Américas is a non-profit organization that provides youth leadership training and volunteer service opportunities in the US and Latin America. AMIGOS programs promote public health, education, and community development in rural Latin America, as well as expanding cultural understanding in the Americas.

AMIGOS trains approximately 600 US high school and college volunteers to plan and conduct community service projects in Latin American countries. Following an extensive training program, teams of 2-3 volunteers live and work in rural Latin communities for up to 8 weeks, partnering with community leaders, local youth and nonprofit agencies on projects that make a real difference in people’s everyday lives. Typical projects include education about nutrition, disease prevention and hygiene, formation of youth and community groups, reforestation or planting community gardens.

My training with AMIGOS began in October. Peninsula Chapter volunteers come from over 10 of our area’s high school. Our training focuses on cultural awareness and sensitivity, leadership, community development, working with children, technical skills, health and safety, and practicing speaking Spanish. I am currently in Spanish AP literature and am looking forward to speaking a lot of Spanish this summer. I am hoping to go to Mexico, Panama or the Dominican Republic to work on projects focusing on nutrition, education and sports.

Here’s how you can help. Amigos is funded entirely by contributions from individuals, foundations and businesses. As volunteers, we raise money to provide supplies for our projects in Latin America, to support volunteer training, and to support the participation of low-income volunteers. My family also makes a contribution to cover a substantial amount of the expenses but I volunteers are still required to raise additional money. I hope you will consider making a contribution that will help AMIGOS continue its incredible work in Latin America. Anydonation is greatly appreciated. Checks should be made out to AMIGOS and returned to me, or you can donate online at www.amigospeninsula.org/donate

Thank you so much for considering support of this program. I will write you a letter at the end of the summer about my experience and the work we accomplished with your help. Please contact me if you would like more information, or visit the Amigos website at www.amigospeninsula.org