While most MBA students enjoyed some rest and relaxation during their fall breaks, a group of six full-time and Evening MBAs from the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business traveled south of the border.
The students visited the historic city of San Miguel de Allende to volunteer at Centro Infantil de los Angeles, an organization that provides free daycare and preschool to the local community. Founded by Donna Quathamer in 2000 as a safe haven for the children of single mothers who sold their wares at outskirts of town, Casa de los Angeles has come from humble beginnings to serve over 170 children every day.
This marked the second year that McDonough students volunteered at Centro Infantil de los Angeles.
“This is a part of our sustainability efforts to form long-term, meaningful relationships with organizations, which we can pass along (to future MBA classes),” said James Chen, MBA ’18, Vice President of Community and Sustainability.
The MBAs worked alongside the full-time staff at the daycare, playing and coloring with the children, brushing their teeth, changing diapers, feeding them, and cleaning the area.
“I wanted the opportunity to volunteer for a great organization, where I knew I would make a difference. I also was very interested in the international aspect of the trip as I love to experience new countries and cultures,” Clark Britan, MBA ’18, said. “It was a great opportunity to meet other like-minded Georgetown McDonough students.”
The trip was organized through the MBA Student Government Association (SGA). The SGA acts as the primary interface between the student body and the faculty and administration and exists to make students’ time at the McDonough School of Business as enjoyable and rewarding as possible. The organization plans social events, boosts alumni relations, makes major student organization decisions, manages class finances, and implements new and existing policies or initiatives.
“[This trip] provides students an opportunity to dedicate time to volunteer efforts. The trek is more structured and allows for more in-depth and self-reflective volunteer opportunities for MBA students,” Chen said. “Additionally, it aligns with Georgetown’s Jesuit values and emphasis on improvement of the global community.”