In response to the separation that we are feeling from quarantine in the United States, some of our international staff interns have gathered to share their thoughts and experiences from their homes around the world. Here are some of the things the United States is missing, and some rays of hope in this strange and dark time.

My name is Catherine DeNunzio, I am a Junior at Temple University in Philadelphia. I grew up in Denver, Colorado and Lancaster County, briefly worked in Italy after high school, then began Undergrad at Bloomsburg University. Through all of those experiences as a child and adolescent I landed on my passion for connecting to people and exploring our diversity. I am now a Psychology major with a minor in Business Communications. My focus is community engagement, specifically in the non-profit sector. I am so excited to begin internship work as the newest Gender Justice Organizer for OEP. Policy issues specific to human rights have always been important to me, and I cannot wait to start conversations around gender justice in our community.

Hello! My name is Priscilla Weddle and I am the new Children’s Peace Formation Coordinator at On Earth Peace. I am 22 years old and live in Chesapeake, Virginia. I went to Bridgewater College for my undergraduate program and majored in Global Studies with a concentration in Politics and Public Policy. Currently, I am in graduate school at Old Dominion University, pursuing a master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management & Governance. I am excited to begin this internship because I believe that peace education is important, especially for children. Children are our future and we must supply them with the tools to promote peace and improve society. I look forward to engaging with you all!

the work of witnessing

This is the final post in the “Witness at the Border” series on my recent visit to the migrant camp in Matamoros, Mexico and related border enforcement facilities in Brownsville, Texas.

I went on behalf of On Earth Peace to learn from those who came to witness on the U.S. side, and from those who came to seek asylum on the Mexico side of the border. And learn, I did!

home school, camp style

They come from places like Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicauragua, and other parts of Mexico. Waiting in camp for a long series of court dates to adjudicate their claims for asylum in the U.S. (or the possibility of a quick deportation under one of the new fast-track processes).