Hi! I’m Lily, and I’m excited to share the upcoming chapter in my academic journey at Pitt. Currently navigating my final year at the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, I’m majoring in economics with minors in applied statistics and business. I am originally from Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia and following graduation I will be returning there to work as a financial analyst. In my free time, I love outdoor activities like hiking and biking and am eager to travel more. Beyond academics, I serve as the business manager of the Pitt Cycling Team and as the sector head and analyst for Smart Women Securities, an all-women investment club. I also enjoy exploring the surrounding Pittsburgh area with my friends!
Now, on the brink of graduation, I find myself at the crossroads of an exciting opportunity — my final study abroad experience at Pitt, a Global Service-Learning program with CEOLI.
This program aligns seamlessly with my aspirations and convictions as I approach the culmination of my academic journey. The unexpected opportunity to participate in this program opens a gateway to global exposure and a chance to make a meaningful impact on a community through active involvement in a non-profit project. CEOLI’s values and objectives deeply resonate with me, emphasizing genuine care for those impacted in my professional career and contributing to the mission of changing social perceptions of people with disabilities. My goal is to emerge from this experience as an advocate for positive social transformations, carrying the lessons learned into my future endeavors.
Choosing to embark on this journey during my final semester is a deliberate decision to integrate my accumulated knowledge into a culminating project beyond traditional academia. Collaborating with individuals from a different continent and navigating cultural divides will refine my collaborative skills and serve as a catalyst for personal and professional growth. The experience gained will undoubtedly become a cornerstone for my future academic and career pursuits.
A collaboration involving Amizade, CEOLI, and Pitt Business Student Consultants (PBSC) and has given rise to this transformative Global Service-Learning project. The project focuses on addressing the financial stability of CEOLI, a non-profit dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and reshaping societal perceptions. We resumed the collaboration with CEOLI after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has introduced challenges, adding a new level of complexity to this meaningful initiative.
CEOLI, located in Cochabamba, Bolivia, holds a unique position as an organization committed not only to providing support to individuals with disabilities but also to actively reshaping societal views. Their mission extends beyond direct assistance, aiming to work closely with families and the broader community, showcasing the full potential of individuals with disabilities and redirecting the narrative from limitations to capabilities.
Our primary objective is to create and implement a comprehensive marketing plan strategically designed to advertise and promote CEOLI’s services, particularly their afternoon Autism program, to the wider Cochabamba community. The anticipation of the annual Bolivia fair in April serves as a focal point, emphasizing the importance of building local awareness and establishing a stronger connection between CEOLI and its community stakeholders.
The second component of the project revolves around developing a sponsors and fund development plan, identifying and engaging international sponsors for CEOLI, starting with sectors sharing similar mission values, such as the UN’s International Disability Alliance. The plan also explores expanding CEOLI’s existing greeting card initiative, tapping into potential sponsors among Amizade’s alumni, schools, and students. This strategic move not only broadens the funding base but also creates opportunities for sustained international support.
Moreover, the project recognizes the need for a cohesive and forward-looking approach, leading to the third objective: updating the 10-year plan between Pitt Business and CEOLI. This component ensures clear communication of future goals to successive teams, providing a roadmap for continued collaboration. A timeline document is envisioned to guide future initiatives, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and strategic growth.
CEOLI’s significance within the local community lies not only in the direct support it provides to individuals with disabilities but also in its broader mission to challenge and alter societal perceptions. Actively engaging with families and the community, CEOLI strives to shift the narrative around disability, emphasizing the capabilities of every individual. The Global Service-Learning project, therefore, becomes a crucial endeavor to fortify CEOLI’s financial stability, enabling the organization to continue its impactful work and promote inclusivity within Cochabamba.
I’m eagerly looking forward to delving into the deliverables and increasing our interaction with the organization. These interactions often reveal valuable insights, providing a better understanding of the challenges nonprofits face in obtaining international funds, including language barriers and stereotypes about foreign nonprofits. It’s intriguing that our initial project vision, primarily centered around selling and marketing greeting cards, has evolved to encompass a broader horizon of new initiatives. This shift highlights the dynamic nature of the nonprofit landscape, where even a hiatus of just two years can bring about significant changes, offering fresh perspectives for our current and future endeavors.
However, this journey is not merely about implementing marketing plans and updating strategic documents; it’s about delving into the cultural nuances that shape how businesses and collaborations unfold in Bolivia. By respecting these differences, we can tailor our approaches to align with the values and expectations of CEOLI and the Cochabamba community. The shift from a focus on greeting cards to a broader spectrum of initiatives reflects the adaptability required in international collaborations, particularly in the nonprofit sector.
As we delve into the deliverables and increase our interaction with CEOLI, this newfound awareness of cultural differences will serve as a guiding compass. It’s not only about achieving our project objectives but doing so in a manner that fosters meaningful connections, respects the local context, and contributes to the broader mission of CEOLI. This project is a testament to the importance of cultural sensitivity and adaptability, reminding us that success is not just measured in terms of completed tasks but in the positive impact we make on the lives and perceptions of those we aim to serve.