Volunteer Articles

Being a leader is an action, not a position

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We got to know and love Ana Dodson when she volunteered in the GVN Foundation office. Ana worked on GVN's Stop Child Poverty advocacy campaign and later went on to be the Youth Ambassador for the campaign. This young gun certainly has the 'it' factor and there is no doubt she will change the world. In fact she already is, through her own non-profit organisation - Peruvian Hearts. We are extremely proud to have Ana as a friend and Eat So they Can Ambassador.

At age 11, Ana Dodson founded Peruvian Hearts, a non-profit organization that strives to improve the quality of life of orphans in Peru through better nutrition, health care and opportunities for education.

Ana was born in Peru and was adopted by an American family after her birth mother passed away when she was 3. Her family took her on a trip back to Peru when she was 11 years old because they wanted her to embrace her heritage. This was the beginning of Ana's Journey.

Since starting Peruvian Hearts, Ana, with the help of others, have collected over $100 000 in money and donations. Ana has won several awards for her work including, the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, and the Prudential Spirit of Community Award in which she was awarded $1000. "Winning $1000 has given me the opportunity to use the money to set up a scholarship fund for girls who want to go on with their education. I am calling the fund Maria's Gift in honour of my birth mother as she never had the opportunity to learn how to read and write," said Ana. Many people have told Ana she is a born leader although she describes herself as a very shy person, she has learned to make speeches and ask for donations by reminding herself that everything she asks for and that the work she is doing is saving the children.

"Peruvian Hearts has taught me that even when one sees a situation that appears to be hopeless there is still hope. I believe that each person can change the world a little bit at a time. Our motto is "changing the world one heart at a time".

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Peru Get involved in childcare, teaching, construction, healthcare, and conservation projects, located in Cusco, the historical capital of the Inca Empire.