This summer I worked in El Paraíso, Honduras with Fundación Alivio del Sufrimiento, a foundation that serves marginalized populations in issues related to migration, employment, health, and education. My primary role was to design programs funded by the European Union and USAID that will address the root causes of irregular migration and gender-based violence (GBV) in the southern region of the country. The designs incorporate multi-sectoral network building, GBV mitigation training, and entrepreneurship activities to meet the needs of women and young people who are at risk of migration or are reintegrating into their communities after attempting to migrate. I also served as a strategy consultant for three local small businesses (a hotel, restaurant, and coffee shop) owned by the foundation, helping them to update their business models and increase profits. These profits will then be reinvested into the foundation, making it more sustainable and less reliant on external funding.

Since arriving back in DC, I have continued working with the foundation as they seek to expand their operations and pursue more U.S.-based partnership opportunities.