December: Holiday Parties and Volunteer Spotlight

Holiday Season and Fundraising

It has been another fabulous season of parties and fundraisers. Nurturing Minds supporters gathered all over the country to enjoy one another’s company, partake in the fun festivities and support SEGA and Nurturing Minds. All events were a great success — thank you to all who joined us for the parties!

Photos from the 5th Annual African Evening in Brookline, MA:  

Photos from the 6th Annual African Evening in Boulder, CO:

Volunteer Spotlight: Veronica Benavides, Peace Corps Volunteer

Her magnetic smile and bright nature, makes Veronica Benavides, the newest Peace Corps volunteer, seem a lot taller than 5’6. That should tell you something about her disposition and explain why she has already contributed greatly to Sega and its community. Veronica has a background in science with a bachelor’s in biology and an  intention to spread her wealth of knowledge and educate girls. Her motivation for her Peace Corps enrollment was centered around youth education and its accompanying challenges abroad. The Northern Californian native says, “As they say in Tanzania ‘Education is the key to life.’ The absence of teachers shouldn’t be the reason why children are not getting an education.”

As for her ultimate hope for this experience? Veronica says, “I hope to get a global perspective of the educational system and ultimately spread awareness; I want to educate the American public about the different challenges children face when it comes to their education.”
Veronica is an avid athlete and has easily translated her love for exercise at Sega: Veronica has helped with pre-form swimming lessons (held off campus at Morogoro International School) and has played a few eventful afternoon football games with the students. Clearly, her talent, kindness, and positivity isn’t exclusive to the classroom; after all, she’s helping girls open doors locked by oppression and poverty with an education— the key to life. – Ellie Schneidman