Johnny at Operation Hope

As a young group of Americans approached the building that Operation Hope is placed in, I was amongst them and definitely the most nervous. Ask anyone on my trip to name you the internship that had the best presentation for us and they will undoubtedly tell you Operation Hope. I felt right at home. The ability to work with children while dealing with the business world is a dream come true for me. When I first got here, we got right to business. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous upon entering a field I wasn’t exactly familiar with (education). One of my first days on the job, I was asked to lay out my own style and presentation based on the modules and guides Elroy had taught me. Looking lost and confused, I probably appeared completely out of my element. Once both Nandipa and I first presented the modules to Elroy through a mock classroom environment, it came absolutely naturally. 

Nandipa and I worked very well together right from the beginning. We immediately started working at Marian High School where we began capturing both pre and post-tests as well as rolling out our first duel program. We really enjoyed the company of the girls in the high school as they were extremely receptive to our information. After every lesson, Elroy, Nandipa, and I would meet right away to reflect on what went well and went poorly during each module. This was very helpful in order to find out what we were doing correctly and what needed work. As we closed up Marian High School, we were constantly capturing tests from multiple schools and programs that were rolling out the BOOF program. Just as our adventure at Marian ended, Elroy took me on a tour of all the institutions that wished to start the BOOF program. I was able to meet the heads of all the schools and institutions that we would work with. We then began programming at Facreton Primary School where we are still currently rolling out the BOOF program. These little kids couldn’t have been happier having us there teaching them about dignity and money. As we continue at Facreton, we also are going to be checking up on volunteers who are also executing the BOOF program. Programming was being done at both of these schools during Global Money Week which is what we were busy with during that time. As much as I feel I do here, nothing could be accomplished without the leadership that Elroy provides along with the hard work Nandipa does day in and day out. I have learned so much from the both of them and I am excited to continue learning as my days here continue.