PITT HOME |FIND PEOPLE

Tanisha Thelemaque

Bio Summary
Cohort Year: 
2012
Home Institution: 
Arcadia University
Heinz Programming Area: 
Children, youth, and Families
Study Abroad Country: 
Argentina
International Experience

Tanisha Thelemaque traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to volunteer with HIV-affected children. She worked with Fundamind, a well-respected local organization devoted to aiding and educating HIV-affected families, in addition to caring for 19 three-year olds. Although initially overwhelmed, she soon learned to effectively communicate in Spanish, create a wonderful relationship with the enseñas, or teachersand develop a new found love and respect for children. Tanisha cherished every moment with the children and learned as much about herself as she did the Spanish language. During her free time, Tanisha took in every possible aspect of the laid-back Argentine culture; she went to all of the major tourist sites as well as hidden local hotspots, and she interviewed every person that she could in order to learn about their life journeys, which would have a corresponding impact on hers. As a result of her experience in Argentina, Tanisha plans to pursue a career as an adolescent psychotraumatologist, helping children mentally cope with any trauma that they have faced.

Community Engagement Experience
CEE Title: 
Areas of Neglect: Addressing Community Needs at Home and Abroad

Tanisha helped design the event Areas of Neglect: Addressing Community Needs at Home and Abroad which focused on education, poverty, and healthcare discrepancies in Argentina, India, and Philadelphia. She and her teammates discussed volunteer opportunities available to local community members through the use of a multimedia presentation, a panel discussion, and an informational “mix and mingle” with local non-profit organizations.

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