Global Potential Youth Ambassador Xiang speaks of Technology and its potential impact for countries like Haiti

I believe that science and technology can positively affect people’s lives. In the last two decades technology has drastically changed the world. While living in China a decade ago the price for cell phones was very expensive, making it difficult to communicate with my family in the U.S. Today, the use of web cameras and the Internet makes this very easy.

Last year I participated in an international youth program called Global Potential, completing 4-months of training in community development, cross-cultural education, leadership and social entrepreneurship to prepare for our six-week experience abroad in a rural village of the Dominican Republic. We lived in Batey Ocho, a community surrounded by sugar cane fields close to Haiti and mostly populated by Haitian migrant workers and Dominicans of Haitian descent. Every youth participant, including myself, lived with a host family. We worked with community members on various development projects, including sidewalk construction and a community census.

Hearing about the recent earthquake in Haiti and reflecting upon my experience in the Dominican Republic has made me think about how technology can impact the lives of people living in these underdeveloped countries. If Haiti had more advanced technology, maybe they could have predicted the earthquake earlier so that more people could have escaped the disaster. I believe that in the future technology will bring more benefits and hope to mankind.

Christian Ruiz, 19 years old, originally from Puerto Rico

My name is Christian Ruiz. I was born in the Bronx and still reside there, and my nationality is Puerto Rican. There is a lot of things I love to do but the ones that top the list is socializing, and playing music ( bass, and a good sum of percussion instruments). I love music basically any genre as long as it sounds good to me. I’m heading to college and I want to study anthropology.

I feel that cultures are always overlooked but they are so vivid and live and have very interesting things that I feel people should check out if they had the chance. Well other than that my dream job would be to have a show in the history channel teaching teenagers about historical events in a way that captivates their minds. Basically I’m an all around cool person, and the reason why I wanted to become part of this program is because I loved the first time I went over there during spring break of 2009. I went with this and another program called Global Kids and I felt good helping people.

Darlyn, 16 years old, 10th grade, Originally from Dominican Republic, Bushwick Academy of Urban Planning

Darlyn likes to dance and be with family. She enjoys eating good food. She is mostly quiet and often mysterious. Darlyn is very empathetic, understanding, caring, couragious and independent. She was born on January 7th in Belview Hospital and raised in the Dominican Republic until 8 years old. Darlyn currently lives with her cousin. She has 4 brothers and one sister. Darlyn is very active at her high school. She is an active member of a group called Girls to Women, which builds comminity with girls within the school.

Donald, 16 years old, 10th grade, Originally from Bushwick and East NY, NY, United States of America, Bushwick Academy of Urban Planning

Donald is interested in dance, acting, and speech therapy. On is spare time Donald likes to shop, eat, hang out with friends, and listen to music. He is generally quiet and keeps to himself, although he is known to have bursts of creative energy. He is compassionate, cariing, courageous, outgoing, patient, loving, and positive. He is trustworthy and a good listener, and is always there for his friends. Donald is very outspoken. He will say whatever is on his mind (most of the time), but is polite about it. Donald was raised in Bushwick and East NY.

Oscar, 16 years old, 10th grade, Bushwick Academy of Urban Planning

Stebeli, 17 years old, 11th grade, Originally from Dominican Republic, Bushwick Academy of Urban Planning

Stebeli believes that the secret to life is “if you do your best you will go anywhere in life”. Her inspiration is her sister, Stephanie, who was a GP participant from the International High School @Prospect Heights in 2008.

Stebeli was born in the Dominican Republic. She is excited to be returning to the Dominican Republic this summer to learn more about the culture from where she came. Stebeli loves the outdoors and animals. She is very outgoing and tends to be an initiator when part of a group. She is interested in creating an afterschool program that provides youth with productive opportunities and activities. Stebeli is interested in a teaching career.

Claudine, 18 years old, 11th grade, Originally from Haiti, International High School of Prospect Heights

Freeman, 17 years old, 12th grade, Originally from Togo, International High School of Prospect Heights

Vanessa, Originally from Haiti, International High School of Prospect Heights

“Who am I”

I am a girl who loves to shine
Shine like a star whether things are up and down
I feel alive when the wind blew on my face
Who am I

You can reach for the stars if you try hard
My body sway to the rhythm
I’m the beat to your feet
I’m the light in the shadow
Who am I

I am my own element, no one can change that
You can add, subtract, multiply, divide and even simplify
You won’t get another me.

I’m not a pair of fitting jeans
Or a wardrobe to begin with
I take the lead not to follow
I’m the air you breathe

The light who shines upon you
The fire who burns
The water through your system.
I’m the beat and rhythm to your soul
Who am I

Mukta, 18 years old, 12th grade, Originally from Bangladesh, International High School of Prospect Heights

My name is Mukta and I am from Bangladesh. As a child I lived in a small village of Bangladesh, where everything is green. Maybe this is why my favorite color is green and I am very attached to the nature. Living in Bangladesh was wonderful for me. I have always been determined toward my goal, even after I came to the United States. I came to the United States in 2002. I used to live in Nebraska, a state near Kansas. Nebraska was my favorite place of all in the United States.

When I first came to the United States, I didn’t know any English. Speaking in English all the times with unknown people was hard for me. But I improved and felt comfortable as the people in my school treated me like one of them. They were friendly and I like friendly people. In school I tried to do well and reach as high as possible because I believe dreaming high leads to success.

My dream is to become a nurse someday, although my intial career plan was being a doctor. I hope I can help people and at the same time be someone different. My parents did a lot for me and being the first person to go to a college and have a career is a big deal in my family.

Sherley, 16 years old, 11th grade, Originally from Haiti, International High School of Prospect Heights

I’m Sherley. I’m from Haiti. I’m born in November I’m a junior high school student from International High School at Prospect Heights. I have 4 brothers; I’m only one girl in my family.

I’m a changemaker from Youth Venture. I love dancing. I love having fun with my friends. I don’t really feel comfortable around people I don’t know. I respect people who respect me. I love friends and I love people no matter where you are from.

Imouranan aka Snoop, 18 years old, Originally from Guinea, International High School of Prospect Heights

I’m Imouranan, a student in International High School. I’m from Guinea, a country in West Africa. I was born in Cote D’Ivoire and I came to the United States of America three years ago to come join my father. I’m 18 years old now.

I have two brothers and one sister, my older brother Hamadou Tidiane Diallo, my little brother, Mamadou Bobo Diallo, and my sister, Kadidiatou Diallo. We all lived together with my father and mother.

I live with my family, a ball of soccer is the most important thing in my life and I want to become a professional soccer player. When I was back home, my best friend and I made a promise that when we grow up, we would become a soccer player. however my best friend died since then soccer become more important for me and becoming a soccer is my dream and a honor to my best friend who past. I decide to become a change maker and help poor people who died of disease and most important in Africa because my best friend died of malaria. I’m determine and focus about education and achieve my dream.

Owen, International High School of Prospect Heights

I am owen Zhu as Wenhao Zhu. You may tell I am a Chinese by my last name. My career is to be an advertising graphic designer. Because I feel advertising is a very different way to showing the art, and making many of ideas together, also bring people a lot fun. I hope one day, my advertisement will post on Times Square.

Moreover, I like to play magic. Magic gives me confidence to break assumptions. Magic also inspires my dream to be a great graphic designer. Both magic and advertising let me think outside of the box. I will take people’s souls to a fantasy world in few minutes. I also like to play with Rubik’s cube, I can solve it in 90 seconds. Rubik’s cube can helps my quick reaction, and help me be more logical.

Essay: “Yes!”

“Owen, what you want to be?” Alex asked. “I want to be a graphic designer!” I declared. “Very good! I believe you will be a graphic designer.” Alex replied.
This conversation is from when I was in the Boot Camp of The Center for Art Education. Alex Santiago-Jirau is on the staff of the Career Development Program of The Center for Art Education. He was teaching us about how to get the job. He asked that because he wanted us speak up our passion and career goal.

Yes! I want to be an advertising graphic designer. I made this decision to pursue a career in the arts, when I was in age 15. For me “advertising” is not only about persuading potential customers to purchase or to consume more of a particular brand of a product or service. It is a creative art form to be shared with many people and make people think deeply.

Yes! I have a lot passion for advertising and graphic design. In the summer of 2008, I was an intern in an advertising company. How did I find this internship? I was walking by an office building, and I saw this company’s sign. My passion made me knocked on their door and asks them if they had an internship for me. This was my first step to becoming an advertising graphic designer.

Yes! My academic goal is to be an advertising graphic designer. I hope one day, an advertisement I designed will post in Times magazine and National Geographic, because those are the most popular magazines, I hope when people see my advertisement like the public service advertising , they will smile and realize the meaning behind it. Thus, I can feel successful, and help people acquaint others’ emotional appeals.

In addition, I will continue to work on my career. My next step will be going to an art college. The Fashion Institute of Technology and SUNY Purchase are my top two colleges. Graphic Design or Communication Design will be majors. Beside those two major, I also want to study American Sign Language (ASL) because sign language is a special communication skill that not so many people have. I believe ASL is a language has many connotations. It excites my creativity, and would allow me to communicate and help someone who is deaf.

From where I stand, I will go be a volunteer this summer the countryside of the Dominican Republic. My jobs are teaching those poor children about art, and how to create the art by using affordable or free materials they see every day. I feel that even though the children are poor, they have not lost the ability to learn about art and find value in their own life. I hope to study art and be able to help people recognize not only dues art come from one’s senses, it also comes from the heart.

Freddy, 17 years old, 12th grade, Originally from the Dominican Republic, Bushwick Academy of Urban Planning

Freddy comes to Global Potential from the Harbor School in Bushwick. He is originally from the Doominican Republic. Freddy’s interests are scuba diving and baseball. Freddy enjoys helping others. He is a good leader and a good listener. Freddy has a solid understanding of right and wrong. He feels that violence in his community can be reduced by increasing the number of police officers. His goal is to become a NYC police officer.

George, 17 years old, 12th grade, Originally from the Dominican Republic, Bushwick Academy of Urban Planning

George is kind, funny, and very loveable. He is real and honest. He is supportive and always there to offer advise to friends. George is a senior at AUP and is interested in architecture. He was born in the Dominican Republic and is excited to return this summer.

Jean Ulysse, International High School of Prospect Heights

Livenski, 17 years old, 10th grade, Originally from Haiti, International High School of Prospect Heights

Livenski is from Haiti and he speaks four different languages: English, French, Creole, and a little bit of Spanish. For Livenski and for others, his name is “unique.” He was named after his father and mother. What’s special about his name is it is a combination of his father’s name (Alix) and mother name (Nikie). He said that his father liked creating new things. So his name was a mixture of his father name, mother name, and something else.

Livenski believes “criticism only makes me better.” When I asked him why so, he replied to me saying that it makes him think of improvements he could make in the future. Since childhood, Livenski liked breaking things into pieces to know what is inside it. For instance, he once cut the plug of a new radio to see if he can put the wire back. But he was unfortunately too young to do that. He realized it didn’t work. Like his passion, his career interests are to become an inventor and technologist. Livenski elaborated that he wants to become a dictator. When I asked why so, he said “To me, that’s the only way to make a change in my country.” In his perspective, Haiti was in better condition when leaders who were dictators ruled Haiti.

During his free hours, Livenski plays game in the computer and watches TV. When asked what are you interested in life, he said everything. Livenski, unlike many people, thinks everything in life is important. It is rare that someone gives so much importance to everything in life. He is an excellent student in school and attend varies after school activities such as science club, Debate, Documentary, Drama, Cricket, and of course Global Potential. At his last word, he said “Going to the Dominican Republic is an opportunity to exercise my dream.”

Wander, 17 years old, 11th grade, Originally from the Dominican Republic, International High School of Prospect Heights

Hi, my name is Wander, I am 17 years old, 100% Dominican from Santiago, I love sports but the one that I play the most is baseball. The team that I go for is the New York Mets. I love to make new friends. I am enjoying helping other people that need my help.

As a member of Global Potential, I am going to be helping many children and other people in the Dominican Republic. I enjoy being in the GP program. I enjoy talking with people that I don’t know because what they tell you can help you in something in life.

I am also a person that does not have no problem with anybody at school or outside of school. I help anybody that needs my help in anything that they want like homework or some problem they are having in life.

I love to be outside, especially with my friends and family or people around my house. I also like to try things that I never did before like a sport or snowboarding. I love to listen to music and when I am bored, I just walk around or run around until I find something to do.

Islam, 18 years old, 12th grade, Originally from Bangladesh, International High School of Prospect Heights

Lobsang, 20 years old, 12th grade, Originally from Tibet, International High School of Prospect Heights

My name is Lobsang, please accept my warmest greetings to you, through this issue dedicated to immigration. I would also like to extend my special thanks and congratulations to all attenders here and supporters for its kindness. I further want to share my immigration story as Tibetan boy.

I am attending International High School at Prospect Heights. I came to the greatest country in the world the United States of America in 2005 with my younger brother. I left my country because Tibetans have political issues with China. As a Tibetan boy who grew up under those kind of situations and experiences, so I feel like I can help others through what I experienced. I know that I can teach people different kind of issues through images by travel and research.

I got this beneficial opportunity to be part of Global Potential and go on the trip to the DR. I think that I am one of the most excited to go on this trip. I could teach people how to take pictures and use it. I am impressed by people’s support and kindness. I will experience even more when I get back from DR and continue working in Brooklyn as part of GP…

Xiang, 18 years old, Originally from USA and China, International High School of Prospect Heights

My name is Xu, Xiang. It’s hard to pronounce, so call me Sean. I am 18 , I was born in New York. I went to China when I was 1 years old and I just come back to New York one year and a half ago. I have a good logic to think. But I am not physically strong. I joined Global Potential because I like to help other people who really need help. I will try my best to help them.

Valerie, 17 years old, Originally from Haiti, International High School of Prospect Heights

Kerlin, 16 years old, 11th grade, Originally from Dominican Republic, Bushwick Academy of Urban Planning

My name is kerlin I am 16 years old I go to Bushwick High School and I love Break dance

Also I like to listen to music all the time like all the time every where I like to watch people dancing break dance and I used to practice martial arts (kuroshi-do).

What I am looking for this summer is to make a change and to help people that really needs our help to make people think and to make them want to help too like we are.

I feel like we really are going to make a change that’s what I am looking for this summer.

Carizma, 16 years old, 10th grade, Originally from United States, Bushwick Academy of Urban Planning

Carizma was born June 13th 1993 in Brookdale Hospital. Her favorite hobbies and past time is AIM, hanging out with her friends, shopping with friends, and she likes the Perfoming Arts section.

Carizma’s favorite colors are pink and lime green. Her favorite subject in school is English and Leadership and her favorite teachers are Ms. Haynes (ELA Teacher), Ms.Iglesias (Leadership Teacher), and Mr. Wolf (Gym Teacher).

Carizma likes Pizza, Grilled Cheese, Cereal, and Cookies.

The things you would most likely catch her saying is “Wild Crazy”, ”Get It Together” ”Jesus”, “Hotep which means peace” and “Hot Mess”.

Carizma’s greatest fear is Death, Not having someone committed to loving her for who she is and Rejection.

She has her two favorite monkeys :their names are Vanity and Kristen.

Janery, 16 years old, Bushwick Academy of Urban Planning

My name is Janery, I’m 16 and I was born in Brooklyn, New York. My family is from the Dominican Republic. My hobbies are reading books and researching things. I enjoy taking long walks and learning new things.

One of the reasons why I decided to do Global Potential because growing up, my mom would tell me stories of how difficult life is in the Dominican Republic and to appreciate what you have. Listening to these stories inspired me to one day make a difference in the Dominican Republic and other countries. I represent the next generation of kids to be educated and to have a good environment to live in.

Alicia, 16 years old, 10th grade, Originally from United States, Bushwick Academy of Urban Planning

Born : July 29

faVorITE ThINgs To dO : Sing, dance, Aol instant messenger (Aim), hanging with friends

FAvORiTE cOLOr : bLack, Pink

FOOD : maC n Cheese, Rice N beaNS, SAlT fISH

Sibling’s : 3 siSTERS, 2 BROTHERS

drEAm cOLLEGE : GeoRGIA sTATE unIVERSiTY =]

THings tO Look FORWARD in A freiND : dEpendency, HONestY, cOmmitmEnt

liFE pLAn : To go to college, Become a lawyer or actress, Live my Life

Sayings: ” WOW THATS wILd”, ShUT uP !! ( FREINdly maNNer )

FEArs : FALLing into a traiN TRACk, Getting attacked by a GreaT daNE Dog

Leandro, 17 years old, 11th grade, Originally from Dominican Republic, Bushwick Academy of Urban Planning

My name is Leandro Perez, I was born on February 28 , 1992 In Santiago, Dominican Republic. I move to New York at the age of 6. in the youngest of two children in my family. In the present I am attending to the Academy Of Urban Planning is a small school In Bushwick, NY.

What i like the most of my school is that because it is a small school people are closer together and have great communication and the teacher have more the opportunity to teach better. What I like do the most is relax and talk with me friends, my hobbies are fixing computers and make some web dissing but most of the times i don’t have time to my hobbies.

My favorite type of music is Latin Rock also Bachata, latin pop and merengue my favorite band is Mana a Mexican rock band and my 2 favorite is camila and others singers. Most of my time I am in the gym lifting Weight. My Favorite Food is Dominican food the only think the I dislikes is eggplant… but most of the time I eat any type of food.

I have three major goals in my life the are become an civil engineer and go to Cuba and my last is become the president of the Dominican Republic.

I am Planning to go to Buffalo University for my degree in civil engineering. I am now Part of the organization Global Potential as a participant. The reason I became part of this program is because I want to help people less unfortunate than me and because it will help me accomplish one of my goals…

To be continued….

Nikos, Bushwick Academy of Urban Planning