Summer Connections with Hogar de Gina 

By Ms. Marney Rosen, English & Languages Teacher, Natassia Wong '21 and Julia Bohnen '24
 
Laughter. Friendship. Loyalty. Joy. These words go a long way in describing the Hogar de Gina club, a senior school service group in which our students are matched one-on-one with a child from the Hogar de Gina Home for Girls in Peru. Throughout the school year, students exchange monthly letters with their buddy, offer weekly English classes, plan experiences, share birthday greetings, send Christmas presents, engage in evening activities, and sing and dance together. 

So, what happens when summer hits? Just ask Julia Bohnen, one of the club leaders:
 
"It might be summer holiday for us, but the girls at Hogar de Gina are still under lockdown at their home in Peru, and the friendships we have with our buddies aren’t the type that "go on vacation." Over the past two months, continuing to participate in our weekly English lessons and all the other activities we were able to hold was a highlight of my summer. Although the pandemic has impacted countless aspects of our lives, the Hogar de Gina club has continued as usual and has provided an opportunity to spend time with our friends at the home. The Hogar de Gina Club is unique in the sense that it’s a club that transcends the walls of our school buildings and reaches across the world. I couldn’t be happier to be a part of it!"
 
In July and August, the Hogar de Gina Club hosted: 

• Nine evening English classes 
• Our annual Peruvian Independence Day dance party at the end of July (the girls teach us how to dance in breakout rooms and then we all dance together)
• A trip to a private pool for the entire home, sponsored by a club member 
• Introductions of eight new club members to continue the one-on-one connections made by graduating students
• Bingo Night (if one of the girls at the home wins, she gets a prize; if a WPGA student wins, her buddy gets the prize)
• One last letter exchange for the grads

Hogar de Gina club participation doesn’t just stop just because someone graduates. Natassia Wong '21 shares her club experience:
 
"I have been a member of Hogar de Gina for the past three years and a leader for the past two. Having built an incredible friendship with my buddy, 10-year old Brithany, and a real love for all the girls, I couldn't just walk away simply because I graduated from WPGA. So, this summer I continued to teach English classes, danced with the girls on Peruvian Independence Day, and cheered with them when we announced that we were sending them to a local pool. On the first day of freshman orientation at UBC when I had just moved in to residence? Well, you could find me playing online bingo with Hogar de Gina!"
 
Natassia and Michelle Li '21, another dedicated club member, found more ways to celebrate Hogar de Gina this summer. In last year's AP Language course, they facilitated a group donation to Hogar de Gina on behalf of both AP classes in lieu of traditional end-of-year teacher gifts (the donation funded new pajamas for the girls at the home). Natassia also decided to donate part of her Grade 12 Tourigny Citizenship Award to support the club, as did Julia Bohnen with her Grade 8 Citizenship Award the previous year.
 
Laughter. Friendship. Loyalty. Joy. There's one more important word: Connections. That’s what really explains our active and full summer, because when connections are truly meaningful, they don’t need a vacation!