Global Kids celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2014. In commemoration of this occasion, GK created a book and videos featuring interviews from 25 Global Kids alumni. The stories recount the alums’ experiences in Global Kids, what they’re doing today and the positive impact that Global Kids has had on their lives.
Click here to read all the alumni stories featured on the Huffington Post.
Click here to view all the videos from this project.
Click on the photos below to see the quotes from the featured 25 Global Kids alumni.
Maya Faison, Class of 2013 - “You see a group of people that care about each other and care about the world. Once you see that, there’s no way you can act as though nothing matters.”
John Connors, Class of 2013 - “I’m used to people saying, ‘Just give up.’ Then out of the blue, someone says, ‘Don’t give up.’ And you start to realize that they’re the right ones.”
Jessy Jo Gomez, Class of 2011 - "In your senior year at Global Kids, they help you apply to college. They have workshops that direct you towards scholarships."
Raiyan Syed, Class of 2011 - “Had it not been Global Kids I would not be thinking big or thinking internationally. In college, I started studying international relations and international business.”
Nahtahniel Reel, Class of 2010 - “I want to study civil engineering so I can focus on sustainable structural development. That interest stems from my background in Global Kids.”
Nafiza Akter, Class of 2009 - “It’s that action portion – not only being able to learn, about also putting into effect what we learned – that helps youth feel empowered.”
Fahim Faraiz, Class of 2009 - “Everyone feels welcome. Everyone participates. Even the quiet people tend to find their voices.”
Sabienne Brutus, Class of 2009 - “Global Kids definitely helped me stay in college. I was confident in knowing that this is new to me with proactive, I’ll get the hang of it.”
Omar Khedr, Class of 2008 - “Global Kids say, ‘There’s nothing wrong with being smart and engaged – be as much as you can be.”
Usman Hameedi, Class of 2008 - “It’s important to know when to say what you need to say, but also know when to listen. This is one-way Global Kids gets people comfortable enough to share their stories.”
Yassi Tamdji, Class of 2006 - “Global Kids made it clear that you have to be passionate about you’re doing. It’s about making an impact and personal fulfillment.”
Alejandra Ruiz (Alum 2003-2004)
Alejandra Ruiz, Class of 2004 - “Global Kids opened my mind to the possibility of
professionals dealing with issues that I was passionate about and that were about serving
others.”
Melissa Williams, Class of 2003 - “They don’t force their own agenda. They want you to become a thinker, to become more enlightened on your own terms.”
Joliz Cedeno, Class of 2002 - “Concepts that other students have a hard time grasping came naturally to us because Global Kids helped you understand the complexities of a law or social issue.”
Edwin Zambrano, Class of 2001 - “Global Kids was the mother I didn’t have. It was the mentor that I was searching for and it gave me the opportunity to get an education.”
Mustafa Riffat, Class of 2000 - “The contours of the globe are changing. If you’re not informed, then you’re missing out. Global Kids makes you a part of that discussion.”
Leinz Vales, Class of 2000 - “Global Kids opens a door that you never thought you would go through. It changed my life because they changed my life because they challenged me, gave me more than I expected I should receive.”
Zana Murdock, Class of 1999 - “Students leave Global Kids with a sense of social responsibility. We carry that with us. We are global citizens.”
Ranti Ogunleye, Class of 1998 - “Global Kids makes you bold. You feel life “No” is not an option. You have hope. It makes you feel that you can change things.”
AM, Class of 1997 - “Global Kids trainers were genuinely interested in who we were and in being positive adult role models. They were a part of my family in a way that was powerful.”
Dwayne Nash, Class of 1995 - “If I had never actually walked into Global Kids, I doubt that I would love humanity as much as I do.”
Dave Lyons, Class of 1994 - “Global Kids was an opportunity for youth from different parts of the city with different backgrounds to learn from one another and to share our mutual fears and hopes.”
Keri Arokium, Class of 1993 - “I was shy but at Global Kids, public speaking was something
that we had to do. If you had something to say, you had
better speak up.”
Celena Green, Class of 1991 - “One thing about Global Kids that is different from school learning is the exposure to people in world affairs. You’re meeting writers, diplomats and world leaders.”
Tung Cheng, Class of 1990 – “Global Kids’ missions means a multitude of things. It’s about education. It’s about voicing your opinions. It’s hands-on experience that helps you learn to become an adult.”