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Two years ago, three high school students from Nome set a goal to participate in a program that sends volunteers to underserved communities around the world. This summer the students immersed themselves in their host country — and shared a piece of Nome along the way.
On the last day of school in 2023, three students rushed to clear out their lockers. But something their teacher, Ryan Wharry, said caught their ear. He told them about the Peace Corps, a government agency that trains and deploys volunteers around the world.
But to be in the Peace Corps, volunteers have to be at least 18-years-old. Undeterred, Wharry said they found the next best thing.
“They wanted to do a trip where they would help an underserved community outside of the country. So we started looking at programs, and we found Projects Abroad,” Wharry said.
Projects Abroad is a program that connects students with international community-based projects. The group debated over its destination and eventually decided on Córdoba, Argentina — more than 400 miles northwest of the country’s capital, Buenos Aires. But before they could pack their bags, they had to raise some money.
Chaperone and Nome-Beltz teacher, Sarah Liben, said they made their first dollar collecting cans for a fundraiser sponsored by Norton Sound Health Corporation — which were later sent to nearby villages. Then, they sold pasta, ribs and lasagna dinners at Nome’s VFW branch.
But Liben said it was the donuts sold during this spring’s regional basketball tournament that were the biggest hit.
“We started at five dollars and when it came time for regions in March, we got our donuts up to 10 bucks a pop. We had refined the product,” Liben said.
They also received support from local organizations like Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation, Nome Eskimo Community and Kawerak. By May, the group had raised $23,000.
Two months later, they packed their bags and embarked on the two-day journey to Argentina. Once in Córdoba, they drove to their host family, where Liben’s Spanish skills came in handy.
“Sarah would translate what they’re saying back. That was our first day, then we got our project assignment at the office,” Wharry said.
Their first assignment was hosting workshops at a kindergarten. They also helped set up a parkour course, put on Alaska Native themed workshops and hosted a cultural exchange for local children.
Angela Omedelina said her classmate, Renee Brown, brought a little piece of Nome for the kids to see.
“She hunted a beaver and a fox, and we were able to let the kindergarteners pet them,” Omedelina said. “We were able to show older students, maybe 8-year-olds to 17-year-olds, how to sew traditionally from Alaska.”
They split their days in Córdoba in two, for the first half they worked with the children while the second half was spent restoring a worn-down library and playground.
“It was very small. It was only like two feet high or something, and I just took it apart because there were a lot of nails coming out,” Omedelina said.
The students also helped paint a mural of Pachamama, the “Earth Mother” in Andean mythology, in the library. Omedelina said the experience gave her a deeper sense of what service meant — both abroad and at home.
“I definitely felt more thankful for what I was able to grow up on, just showing a lot more grace for what I was able to have growing up,” Omedelina said.
Omedelina said acts of service don’t need to just happen abroad, it can be done right here at home.
“We can easily set up some stuff in just Nome or surrounding villages and towns,” Omedelina said. “We could help, instead of not wanting to do anything.”
