From Austin to Peru, “I want to be a part of something like this.”

Clara Hester interned at The Christi Center during the summer of 2011 and is now living and working in Peru!

As an intern I was responsible for a variety of tasks, which helped me to better understand how a small non-profit organization like The Christi Center works. I was also provided with a lot of information about the grieving process, something about which I had previously known very little.  All of these practical lessons were important in further guiding me down a path in social work.

However, there is another aspect about my experience at The Christi Center that was even more influential to my career choice. Through my day-to-day observations of The Christi Center staff, a very inspiring work dynamic became clear to me.

I saw several women, who were each very different, working together for a common cause. It was obvious that these women were engaged in a type of work in which they were truly invested.

Then, when I began attending the evening support groups, I saw this same dynamic reflected among the members. These individuals came from diverse backgrounds, but they all shared the pain of losing a loved one.

I was repeatedly touched by how such a variety of people so fully supported and care for each other. It was this type of unity and connectedness that made me think, “I want to be a part of something like this.”

As I embark on a journey to Peru to work with a non-profit that supports children living in poverty, I look forward to being a part of another community. It is my goal to reflect the same level of compassion and cooperation that I experienced at The Christi Center while serving in this new position.

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