During my junior year, I joined Nueva Life Club, a student organization dedicated to bringing joy and encouragement to children both in our local community and across South America.
One of my favorite parts of the club was connecting with children from different countries through video calls. Even with language barriers and distance between us, we were able to play games, laugh together, and simply brighten each other’s day. It reminded me that kindness doesn’t have to be complicated to make a difference.
Throughout the year, we also created birthday boxes and seasonal care packages for children in countries such as Venezuela. We painted each box, wrote handwritten cards, and carefully chose toys and small gifts with each child in mind. Knowing that something we made could bring excitement to a child going through difficult circumstances made every project feel meaningful.
The club also introduced me to an extended-day volunteer program at a nearby elementary school. Once a month, we spent Wednesday afternoons reading books, leading activities, and spending time with the students. It quickly became one of my favorite parts of the month.
I loved getting to know the kids, hearing their stories, and watching their personalities come alive through something as simple as a book or a game. Those afternoons reminded me how much I enjoy working with children and how rewarding it is to build connections, even in small moments.
Looking back, Nueva Life Club allowed me to serve both my local community and children around the world. More importantly, it strengthened my desire to continue working with kids and showed me that compassion, encouragement, and a little bit of creativity can make a lasting impact.