“Sometimes I’d feel hopeless, like I’d want to give up.”
I never thought I’d hear those words come from her mouth—a young woman I’ve admired for four years – but they did. As I sat with Kiara Jacoby in a very crowded storage room of Arcadia University’s Civic and Community Engagement Center (CCEC), I realized how taxing humanitarian work is. Boxes filled with miscellaneous cleaning products, shoes, books, and everything in between were strewn about, and they were a good indication of just how many different compartments this woman’s brain held. We sat on the floor, amidst the chaos, and discussed her international philanthropic efforts.
About halfway through our chat, her exhaustion peaked through, but only for a second. A vulnerability of hers that most would not be privy to, fatigue produced the words, “hopeless” and “give up.” I was confused when she said them. Of course, we have all been through these emotional and physical struggles, somehow managing to work around them. Even so, I could not imagine Kiara succumbing to them. Yet, I did not need to wait long to be reassured of her strong benevolent nature.
“But then I’d realize that even doing something small can have a huge impact on a person or a community.”
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Sueños is a nonprofit organization based in Center Square Antigua, Guatemala. Named after the Spanish word for “dreams,” this new organization focuses on allowing children to dream beyond the confines of helping their parents, most of them street vendors. Their mission is to improve the lives of indigenous, marginalized children by providing safe spaces of empowerment and learning coexistence for those who spend their time working.
Their efforts started around six years ago by a park in Antigua and, in 2018, it was recognized as a 501(c )3 by the government. Growing requires resources, aided efforts, and, of course, a building fit for all of the organization’s goals, so it is only natural that Sueños is relocating.
Moving is tough, though, and it relies on group participation. Every person can bring their own set of skills and knowledge to a team, which is exactly what Sueños needs. Luckily, they have a very determined young woman, who seizes opportunities for change, to spread awareness and bring aid overseas.
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Since she was a child, Kiara has pursued theater. Her vocal range, if you are lucky enough to hear it, proves how much time she has spent honing her musical skills. Her personality is nothing short of confident, which has given her an edge as a young adult. She still loves acting, singing, and everything in between, but when she was 16, she underwent a paradigm shift.
On a medical mission trip to Nicaragua, Kiara saw firsthand what structural and cultural differences look like. She visited different clinics with her mother and other hospital staff from the States to deliver basic care and medication to those in need. Her eyes were opened when a young girl brought her back to her home. Three purple flowers lined the front of the small development.
“Her house wasn’t what we would call proper living conditions, but she didn’t seem to mind. That’s how she lived,” Kiara explained. “She was just so proud to show me her house and the flowers she was growing.”
Since then, Jacoby has taken to humanitarianism.
“I don’t necessarily seek them out, but when I come across an opportunity that’s so palpable, I want to do what I can, in any way that I can, to help.”
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This March, a group of students will be traveling to Antigua, Guatemala to help Sueños prepare their center. They will perform tasks like building tables and chairs, painting rooms, and creating educational spaces for the children who are involved with the organization. These students will get hands on experience in humanitarian work as well as enjoy spending time with locals in the sun.
The trip is part of a program at Arcadia called Alternative Spring Break, or ASB. Depending on need and urgency, the university’s CCEC, run by Cindy Rubino, plans a trip to help those affected by natural disasters, poverty, or other harmful circumstances.
The group, comprised of students interested in volunteer work, raises money and travels to the destination during the school’s spring break. Whether it is across the United States, or overseas, these students and the CCEC make a difference, even if just a bit, in people’s lives. A very fulfilling experience, this trip helps those who have been disadvantaged by circumstance as well as the volunteers who embark.
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When Jacoby came to Arcadia in 2016, she was studying Anthropology. Part of the History and Political Science department, anthro led her to International Studies soon after. She is now enrolled as an undergraduate for IS and a graduate student for International Peace and Conflict Resolution. Her classes and interests led her to ASB in 2018, where she traveled to Texas in order to help rebuild and refurbish houses lost in hurricane Maria. There, she aided an elderly woman, plastering walls, securing foundations, and planting a garden. The woman was very grateful for her help, as well as a furry friend who noticed the Arcadia students and got a happy ending.
Spackle, a stray dog near the site, was rescued from Texas by Kiara and another student, and is now healthy and happy living with Kiara’s family.
The experience with ASB led Jacoby to work for the CCEC, where she has coordinated events like Martin Luther King Day of Service, which allocated 200 cars full of miscellaneous items from members of the community to various organizations that needed them, and offered sustainable shredding, to help the growing distribution problem.
She has participated in Dr. Seuss day, a program that offers exciting learning experiences for children around the community, and the annual Empty Bowl dinner, a semester long program through which students create bowls for a benefit dinner that addresses and helps the hunger crisis. Most recently, she aided and visited an organization overseas, which then created the basis for internship opportunities that other students can take on.
Now, she is planning and networking for the trip back to that organization during spring break through fundraisers that involve the community. She has encouraged others to become involved with Sueños and what they provide for the children of Antigua. Her passion for helping those kids “just be kids” is truly inspiring. She is creating a community that focuses on awareness and challenges biases. She is a prime example of a young woman with a mission—to enjoy life while taking the time to help others. It’s a lesson we can all learn from.
“None of this has been easy by any means, but I’ve learned so much,” Kiara vehemently exclaimed. “No matter what struggles or opposition you face, you can be proud of what you work for and what you have done.”
