Mural-Making in Tegucigalpa, Honduras: Colonia Estados Unidos

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Participants painting the second mural in the Honduras Community Engagement exchange

This blog post documents the second part of my Community Engagement through the Mural Arts exchange with Meridian and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

After Easter I returned to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to direct the next mural in the Colonia Estados Unidos. I was reunited with my team of assistants who I trained on mural painting techniques and community engagement strategies. This mural put what they learned into practice. Continue  

Springing Into Service

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Meridian Intern Tessa Trach went on a service-based spring break to Huntington, WV.

Huntington, West Virginia is not a city I imagined myself visiting. But I embraced the opportunity when I traveled with the University of Maryland’s Alternative Breaks program during my spring break. The trip focused on childhood nutrition and wellness and I saw firsthand the economic disparities in West Virginia. Nutrition isn’t simply in the food choices you make. Environment and economic status contribute greatly to the issue too. It’s time to recognize the causes and start taking action. I can honestly say that I gained more from a week in West Virginia than I imagined. Immersed in the community...

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Honduras Mural Exchange: La Colonia 21 de Febrero, Tegucigalpa

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Artist Michelle Angela Ortiz, her assistants, and community volunteers from la Colonia 21 de Febrero in front of their mural.

I’m honored to represent the United States for the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ (ECA) Community Engagement through the Mural Arts exchange. During the first part (March 16-27), I worked with community members from a neighborhood called La Colonia 21 de Febrero. I’m heading back to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, today to continue my program. For the second half of my exchange, I’ll be working with the community of La Colonia Estados Unidos. Here’s a recap of Part 1:

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Community Comes Together to Paint Mural in El Viejo, Nicaragua

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Mural exchange program participants with the El Viejo mural in Nicaragua.

I’m participating in the Mural Arts Exchange Program through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, currently traveling throughout Nicaragua to meet with youth and other community groups from five different cities. In each location, we’ll be creating murals together. As of now, we’ve completed three and have two more to go. Here’s a recap of the first mural, in El Viejo.

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12 U.S. Foreign Policy Resolutions for 2015

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In 2015, the world should focus on security, cooperation and preparing the next generation of leaders.

As we all do, I have been thinking a lot about what 2015 will bring. Here are some of my thoughts, in no particular order, on what U.S. foreign policy must focus on this year. 1) Revitalize NATO NATO is a critical body for international security, but its importance and resources have been waning. As Russia tests the limits of NATO’s resolve, aggravating Cold War mentalities, NATO must stand strong as a coalition to safeguard freedom, security, and democratic values. 2) Finalize and adopt outstanding trade deals Negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)...

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