Kathleen Zamboni

Every fall for the past six years, Kathleen Zamboni, R.N. PHN,  has left her home in Arcata, CA and flown to Project Amigo to give two months of her time and energy to our staff and our scholars.  She's a whirlwind of ideas and organization, and it's like the vacuum left when Mary Poppins takes off into the sky with her umbrella when she leaves.

 

During her stay in Cofradia this year she worked with Jorge and Lety (our Director and Assistant Director of Children's Services) to create dynamic homework club exercises focused on health, self-esteem, environmental and social issues.  She translated letters between students and their sponsors.  And she helped organize and carry out the annual University Scholars' Service Retreat - teaming up with staff members Jorge, Anilu, Lety and Beto.   
 
Every year the university scholars report that this one event (the Service Retreat) changes their lives on a whole different scale than their college educations do.  On this weekend, they learn that they, too, can be part of the solution to Mexico's poverty; and that they can use their education to do more than just have a profession.  They, too, can give back.  This year, the students reported that they felt the 2009 service retreat was the best one yet!
 
In addition to her fall activities, Kathleen spends many hours and weeks from home throughout the year helping to plan, coordinate and carry out Youth Work Weeks.  She's the liaison between the Interact Youth team leaders and Project Amigo staff, and she returns to Cofradia to lead the Youth Work Weeks in February. 
 
Kathleen co-founded Adoption Horizons in Arcata; and has served as counselor for inbound and outbound AFS students.  A world-traveler, she promotes cultural sensitivity and awareness to help young people gain the most from their experiences at Project Amigo and elsewhere.   Past experiences also include:  consultant for polio eradication and measles elimination in Ghana with the CDC/WHO, and serving as nurse for A Bridge of Hope with the Otomi Indians in Queretaro. 
 
Husband Joe Zamboni, DDS, joins her on her February visits, and helps teach the teens how to teach children in rural schools to properly brush their teeth.  He also screens the children, and treats those in need.

This month we're proud to feature our whole group of University students and their Fifth Annual Service Retreat. The theme for the weekend was "Strengthening our Abilities."  The students arrived at Project Amigo's headquarters, where they spent the weekend, on Friday evening.  When they departed on Sunday, every single one of them commented that it was the best-ever service retreat they had experienced, and that they left "changed."

 
"I knew that there was poverty in Mexico, but I never imagined anything like this." 
 
"They are very poor people who live insecure lives." 
 
"My social service has generally been through other types of service.  I liked what we did in Quesería best.  It gave me the satisfaction of knowing that I can be useful to these children, and give them love and make them happy." 
 
"I felt useful doing something to serve the children and to be alongside them. I gave them lots of loving attention, I learned to be patient with them, and I enjoyed their company."
 
These observations followed an intense morning of service at the migrant labor camp in Quesería.  Activities with the children were designed to help children build trusting bonds with their own little friends as well as with their mentors.  Together they prepared a meal of tostadas with the children following the steps by reading a picture recipe.  The scholars helped them try out new and "unusual" vegetables and talk about their color, taste, and texture with the goal of increasing their knowledge and their vocabulary.  The children received personal attention and practice with table conversation and behavior and a "family-eating-together" experience. 
 
Last year's evaluations included comments from some scholars who said they didn't like eating with the children because the children were too distracted.  Director of Children's Services, Jorge Torres, explained to the scholars that not only was there value in helping the children to have the experience of eating together as a family; but that there would also be value in it for them to experience what it might be like to be a parent and not have the time to "indulge" oneself in an uninterrupted meal. 
 
Qualities the students shared that they had learned about themselves at the retreat included:
being patient, listening, socializing with others, that friendship is important, and that tolerance is important. 
 
Your support helps us carry out successful life-skills programs like this one!  Thank you!

 

 
"At the last school we visited, one little boy sat beside me to share the book he'd picked out.  He kept trying to crowd out the little girl on the other side of me.  I was able to get them to take turns reading, but this little guy kept snuggling closer and closer to me.  It was so clear that he doesn't get a lot of affection or personal attention.  He made me feel good because I could make him feel good."    Nine Ladow, San Francisco Rotary Club.  

 

 

Susan and I hope you'll consider participating on a Project Amigo Work Week.  Let us know how we can help you plan the "giving" adventure of a lifetime.