Fortin shares travel stories
Trinity grad has found purpose, fulfillment working abroad
Jessie Burch
Issue date: 3/26/10 Section: Scene
Ron Fortin ('08), finance and marketing major, wasn't expecting to leave his job at an IT consulting company after a year and a half, fly to Antigua, Guatemala, and join the fight against the poverty and injustice there.
"I flew down for a weekend to hang out and visit two friends who were working with the school here," said Fortin, speaking via Skype from his home in Antigua. "My last day here, we were sitting in a coffee shop and my friend told me that he felt God was calling me to quit my job and come down. Every excuse that I had to not go evaporated in three weeks, and I bought a one-way ticket to Guatemala for December 27."
Fortin now serves an organization called the Scheel Center as the director of one of two technical schools in Antiguo and he spoke with students this past Thursday, March 25, at 5:30 p.m. in the Tehuacana Room about his experiences.
"I didn't meet Ron until this past December when he was on campus visiting former professors, etc.," said Edwin Blanton, coordinator for community service and engagement. "He was just leaving for Guatemala, but we started talking seriously about his coming to Trinity once he was down there and has had such an incredible experience."
Fortin truly is passionate about his work in Guatemala.
"Most, if not all, Guatemalan children have less than two years of cumulative education, and it's our desire to get them on a level where they could do vocational work," said Fortin. "We want them to have the skills to have a job and hopefully they'll be able to find jobs and continue their education if they so choose."
Although the government provides public schooling, the education is often found to be lacking. Students in the public school system go to school nine to ten months a year for a half-day's time; Fortin's school goes from January to November and students are in class 7:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
The Scheel Center serves not only the children in the classroom, but it provides for their needs all around, as well as those of their families. There is a malnutrition center for babies, a homeless shelter and free medical, dental and psychological services are available.
Ron is involved in the community as well as the school. He practices Kali, a Filipino martial art, and he started a women's self defense class to build self esteem, confidence and safety. "Our mission is to serve the poorest of the poor," said Fortin. "How do you determine who's poor? We have social workers who go visit each and every one of the students' houses and assess what they have and have not."
To learn more, get involved or contact Fortin, please visit http://filipinoinguatemala.wordpress.com/ or www.scheelcenter.org.
"I flew down for a weekend to hang out and visit two friends who were working with the school here," said Fortin, speaking via Skype from his home in Antigua. "My last day here, we were sitting in a coffee shop and my friend told me that he felt God was calling me to quit my job and come down. Every excuse that I had to not go evaporated in three weeks, and I bought a one-way ticket to Guatemala for December 27."
Fortin now serves an organization called the Scheel Center as the director of one of two technical schools in Antiguo and he spoke with students this past Thursday, March 25, at 5:30 p.m. in the Tehuacana Room about his experiences.
"I didn't meet Ron until this past December when he was on campus visiting former professors, etc.," said Edwin Blanton, coordinator for community service and engagement. "He was just leaving for Guatemala, but we started talking seriously about his coming to Trinity once he was down there and has had such an incredible experience."
Fortin truly is passionate about his work in Guatemala.
"Most, if not all, Guatemalan children have less than two years of cumulative education, and it's our desire to get them on a level where they could do vocational work," said Fortin. "We want them to have the skills to have a job and hopefully they'll be able to find jobs and continue their education if they so choose."
Although the government provides public schooling, the education is often found to be lacking. Students in the public school system go to school nine to ten months a year for a half-day's time; Fortin's school goes from January to November and students are in class 7:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
The Scheel Center serves not only the children in the classroom, but it provides for their needs all around, as well as those of their families. There is a malnutrition center for babies, a homeless shelter and free medical, dental and psychological services are available.
Ron is involved in the community as well as the school. He practices Kali, a Filipino martial art, and he started a women's self defense class to build self esteem, confidence and safety. "Our mission is to serve the poorest of the poor," said Fortin. "How do you determine who's poor? We have social workers who go visit each and every one of the students' houses and assess what they have and have not."
To learn more, get involved or contact Fortin, please visit http://filipinoinguatemala.wordpress.com/ or www.scheelcenter.org.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
John BuAbbud '06
posted 3/26/10 @ 5:53 PM CST
Outstanding work, Ron! May your initiative continue to better the lives of the poor. Is there a way for me and my peers to contribute to your effort?
Kiran Muthappa
posted 7/07/10 @ 3:02 PM CST
I would like to contribute as well, will you give me your number?
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posted 7/21/10 @ 2:08 PM CST
It's really cool that he's so passionate about his work in Guatemala. We need more good people like him.
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