I am a 2010 graduate of Stonehill College where I studied healthcare administration, Spanish, and health sciences. I am originally from Jaffrey, New Hampshire and have been heavily involved with sustainable social development projects since 2006. I have traveled to Peru multiple times volunteering and living in Canto Grande, one of Lima’s poorest sub-districts. Most of my time there was spent coordinating and leading student service groups working with Yancana Huasy, a rehabilitation center catering to physically, developmentally, and intellectually disabled children. I have also served with volunteer groups at Fe y Alegria, a public school providing education to over one thousand children annually.

Upon graduation I made the decision to pursue a career in sustainable social development work and have made great strides in achieving this goal. I am currently in the final stages of publication for a book outlining my experiences in Peru along with those of friends who have had similar service opportunities. The book will serve as an inspirational tool generating interest and curiosity in the hearts and minds of those who have never considered volunteering. I strongly believe that short-term service/immersion opportunities, if properly constructed and run, are beneficial not only for the communities being served but for those volunteering as well.  It is this positive exchange that most interests me as I have seen firsthand the power these experiences can have on everyone involved.

In November of 2010, I traveled to Nicaragua for the first time where I participated in the development and planning of several projects in the communities of Chacraseca and Nuevo Amenecer with Michael Cipoletti. I look forward to increasing the number of sustainable development projects in Nicaragua as well as working with Friends New England to expand these types of projects into Haiti and eventually Peru.

You can reach Travis at tkumph@FriendsNE.org