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I’m Tomas, the
founder of Sueños Compartidos. I’ve spent a lot of time in Colombia and Mexico since 2008,
and our program is a result of those experiences. Initially, the idea behind the program was to connect
travelers and communities – English is in huge demand internationally, and a homestay/cultural exchange experience is
a great opportunity for locals and foreigners to experience the world. Over time, I have come to see our
mission – our opportunity – as something greater. Living in the southern United States, I am
exposed to immigration issues on a daily basis, specifically relating to undocumented Latino immigrants. While
immigration and border protection are both legitimate issues of concern for a country, I believe what exacerbates these issues
is a lack of knowledge about somebody “different than me”.
After living in Latin America for two years, I have come to
realize that Latinos – and the concept is relevant for any culture – may eat different food, listen to different
music, and speak a different language, yet they are just like you and me; they want freedom, respect, safety, opportunity,
friendship, and love. I am completely convinced that if more people could experience this same realization,
we would see a different attitude regarding immigration – an attitude not of fighting against, but of working with each
other to arrive at a solution that works for everybody. So, beyond offering a really cool international
experience – which we do! – our mission is to create this “just like me” awareness in our volunteers
so that by participating in our programs, they expand their perspective regarding other cultures and continue on to create
positive change in the world.
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