BUILD Program Members

Garrett Friedma, Class of 2013

Member since: 2010

Garrett is a second year student at Tufts University studying Biochemisty. Garrett is an active leader of teh BUILD Program of the Institute of Global Leadership, one of two coordinators of the Oslo Scholars Program with the Institute Global Leadership, and a Synaptic Scholar. Garrett has worked for four years in biochemistry, having conducted research in bronchoaveolar stem cell therapy with Harvard Medical School, olfactory progenitor cell characterization at Tufts Medical School, development/regenerative research at Tufts University, as well as "pathopsycology of hate" with Nobel Prize Nominee Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish at the University of Toronto.

Emily Clayton, Class of 2013

Member since: 2009
Emily Clayton is a junior studying International Relations with a focus on International Economic Development although she also counts diverse subjects such as conflict resolution, mining policy, energy, urbanization and women's rights among her academic interests. She is currently readjusting to life at Tufts after spending a semester studying abroad in Chile, where she took university classes, lived with a host family, traveled extensively and worked with a local NGO called El Trampolín that addresses issues of urban poverty with women and youth. Apart from BUILD, Emily enjoys working and getting to know the local Somerville community through her participation in LIFT, a nationwide anti-poverty initiative. In her spare time, Emily enjoys frequenting cafés, cycling around Boston and vegetarian cooking.

 

Regina Smedinghoff, Class of 2012

Member since: 2009
Regina Smedinghoff is a sophomore from Chicago most likely majoring in Sociology and International Relations. She is interested in issues of sustainable development, and this January will be traveling to Ghana with the Tufts Ghana Gold program to learn more about economic development. She hopes to carry these interests over to her work with BUILD. At Tufts Regina is the Education Policy Center Director for the Roosevelt Institute, a copy editor for the Tufts Daily, and a member of National Collegiate Volunteers. She has competitively Irish Danced since kindergarten and is currently a member of the Tufts Irish Dance Club. Regina also loves running, and recently ran what she hopes to be one of many marathons.

 

 

Anne Wolfe, Class of 2013

Member since: 2009
Anne Wolfe is a sophomore at Tufts from Medfield, Massachusetts. She is currently studying Peace and Justice Studies and International Relations with a concentration in the region of Latin America. In the year that she has been with BUILD so far, she has learned much about sustainable development, the internal tensions of Guatemala, and the struggles of indigenous people. BUILD has also helped Anne to discover her passion for Latin America and development work and to develop her Spanish skills. She headed up the Ecotourism Committee in 2010 and was a member of the trip team in January 2011. She hopes to use what she has learned in BUILD throughout her life, wherever it may take her. Outside of BUILD she is a member of the Equestrian Team, works at TUPD and Conference Bureau, and loves to sing, read, and have random 3 A.M. dance parties.

Jeremy Lebow, Class of 2014

Member since: 2011

Jeremy Lebow is a sophomore at Tufts University majoring in International Relations with a focus in Economic Development and minoring in Physics.  Jeremy graduated from Montgomery Blair High School in his hometown of Silver Spring, MD in 2010 with distinctions in Math, Social Studies, English Studies and Jazz Appreciation.  He spent his summer of 2011 working for the US Office on Colombia, a DC non-profit, and is now the organization's Communications and Outreach Associate.  His summer of 2010 Jeremy played guitar for a jazz combo at the Telluride Jazz Festival in Colorado, and spent his summer of 2009 living with a host family in Cochabamba, Bolivia, tutoring at a daycare and studying Spanish.

 

Sharon Lam

Member since:

I lived in suburban Vancouver for most of my life but I would call Hong Kong my home. Something that I am passionate about—or at least am interested in studying—is the international politics surrounding human rights. Other favorite pastimes of mine include hanging out with friends, going to coffee shops, photography and meeting new people!  Living in Hong Kong and doing my fair share of travelling—to the Redemptorist Street Kid Center in Pattaya, Phu My Orphanage in Vietnam, tsunami-ravaged region of Khao Lak and Kolkata, India—has changed the lens through which I see the world. Aside from this, my interest in BUILD also stems in part from helping implement wells and a water filtration system in the Cambodian village of Bos Plu through my high school’s UNICEF chapter.  Admittedly I don’t know too much about the war-torn countries of Central America. The thing that excites me the most about BUILD is the translation of research into tangible change--and how it kind of intersects with my hope to gain an understanding of the complexities of problems in the world at large and my place within it.

Ben Berman, Class of 2015

Member since: 2011

I grew up in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, right outside of Portland. I grew up fascinated by other cultures and interested in service work. I traveled to Guatemala for the first time when I was 14 with a group to volunteers. The program was named Camino Seguro, and worked with the underprivileged youth living in the Guatemala City garbage dump. I have visited the program a total of 4 times, and have interned in the US offices as well. Along with Safe Passage, I have been involved with student government and a number of local non-profits in Southern Maine. At Tufts, I am planning to major in sociology and economics and am looking forward to being a part of BUILD.

 

Rayn Riel, Class of 2015

Member since: 2011

Rayn is a current Freshman from Brooklyn, and has global experience and interest in international development, urban studies, urban planning/policy, architecture/design, and engineering work. He has worked on various projects throughout the world, such as building a small cheese factory in Ecuador, reforesting Ecuadorian jungles in an indigenous community, teaching English in Chinese public schools, working on sustainable Indian farms, helping HIV/AIDS and TB patients in South African townships, composting on Brooklyn urban farms, and designing a stage for a NYCHA community center in Harlem. Rayn is currently a BUILD Guatemala representative to the Millennium Campus Network, and is also the Freshman Representative for Tufts Engineers Without Borders. He is involved with other programs on campus too, and one day hopes to start his own urban development firm.

Ayesha Forbes, Class of 2015 

Member since: 2011

Ayesha is a freshman planning to double major in International Relations and Economics with a minor in Film Studies. She is from Bombay, India and spent the last two years studying in Singapore, with a variety of community development projects in East Timor and Thailand. A love of travel and a desire to learn about and help in rehabilitation and community development work in countries led her to join BUILD Guatemala and she can't wait to make her first trip to Santa Anita!

 

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Averi Becque, Class of 2013

Program: Guatemala
Member since: 2009
Averi Becque is a sophomore studying International Relations with a Latin America concentration and minoring in Education. She grew up in a small town in Coastal Maine. She deferred her acceptance to Tufts and during that year took a road trip across the U.S. and lived in Guatemala for five months, where she worked for a volunteer organization teaching first grade, working on community development projects, practicing Spanish, exploring Central America, and trying to learn how to salsa. Working closely with the members of a small community acquainted her with the issues facing all of Guatemala and especially the country’s indigenous Maya population. In addition to being immensely enjoyable, her time in Guatemala heightened preexisting interests in poverty alleviation, education, sustainable development, and the work of NGOs in developing countries. Through BUILD's work in Santa Anita la Unión Averi has continued to broaden her knowledge in these areas, while at the same time deepening her overall understanding of international development.

Nataly Caviedes, Class of 2013

Program: Guatemala
Member since: 2010
Nataly is a sophomore, born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia who transferred to Tufts in 2010. She is an International Relations major who is interested in humanitarian work and disaster relief management. Having been born in a Latin American nation has made her passionate about issues related to poverty and social injustice. Upon arriving at Tufts, she was incredibly inspired by all the initiatives that previous BUILD members undertook and also excited about the challenges encountered in the development field. She believes being a part of BUILD means having the opportunity to improve the lives of those in need as well as taking part in initiatives that will result in personal growth. She enjoys learning foreign languages, listening to world music and salsa-dancing.

Caitlyn Doucette, Class of 2013

Program: Guatemala
Member since: 2009
Caitlyn Doucette is a member of the class of 2013 at Tufts from Plainville Massachusetts. She is proficient in Spanish and is majoring in Arabic and International Relations with a concentration in Global Health, Nutrition, and the Environment. For the 2010-2011 school year she managed BUILD: Guatemala's Fundraising and Networking Committee and has traveled to Santa Anita la Union with BUILD twice. Outside of BUILD, Caitlyn is a member of Spirit of Color and a Tap Ensemble choreographer, and also works as an Arabic tutor through Tufts' Academic Resource Center. She is very interested in international development and global health issues and hopes to use her experiences with BUILD: Guatemala wherever he future career may take her.

Molly Ferrill, Class of 2012

Program: Guatemala
Member since: 2008
Molly is currently a freshman at Tufts, and is excited to be a part of BUILD this year! She was born in Boston, but spent seventeen years of her life living in a small town in New Hampshire with her parents, sister, dogs, horse, parakeets, and duck. Some of Molly’s interests include Tae Kwon Do, horseback riding, Frisbee, salsa dancing, photography, and playing guitar. Despite having lived in the same place for most of her life, Molly has a passion for travel and learning about other languages and cultures. Over the past few years she has traveled to Spain, France, England, Ireland, and Peru. The three weeks she spent volunteering in Piura, Peru have had a large impact on her life. The experience opened her eyes to the issues of poverty and economic injustice, and sparked her interest in programs like BUILD. She hopes to explore ways to combat these issues and learn more about sustainable development in Guatemala through her work with BUILD.

Tessa Gellerson, Class of 2012

Program: Guatemala
Member since: 2009
Tessa Gellerson is a sophomore double majoring in International Relations and Environmental Studies. She was born in Nicosia, Cyprus but grew up in Cairo, Egypt, New Delhi, India and Bethesda, Maryland. Growing up abroad fostered her continued interest in foreign affairs and she can’t wait to go to Santa Anita as a part of the BUILD team!

 

 

 

Erica Goldstein, Class of 2013

Program: Guatemala
Member since: 2009
Erica Goldstein was born and raised in Briarcliff Manor, NY. Through high school, she helped lead music therapy sessions for children with special needs ranging from physical disabilities to hypersensitivity and social issues including autism. During her senior year, she attended a meeting at Tufts University where BUILD presented its mission, projects, and values. The presentation inspired her so much that it became one of the deciding factors in her decision to apply to Tufts. She is now BUILD Guatemala?s representative for the Millennium Campus Network, an organization that aims to connect university organizations committed to the Millennium Development Goals. She is a member of the class of 2013 at Tufts University, majoring in Engineering Science and Biology with a minor in Entrepreneurial Leadership. She has a strong interest in public health, and has plans to complete an MPH after college.

Dorothy Kafka, Class of 2014

Program: Guatemala
Member since: 2010
Dorothy is a freshman studying International Relations, hoping to learn more about poverty, development, and education through BUILD. Travel has inspired her interest in the world, and more specifically International Relations. Back home in Miami, FL, she enjoys horseback riding, reading, and relaxing with friends.

 

Amy Ouellette, Class of 2012

Program: Guatemala
Member since: 2008
BUILD impassions Amy. She has a strong yearning to learn about the world in which she lives so that she can then shape it positively. After visiting her first Latin American country this summer—Peru—she realized how crucial it is to physically see a place before helping it. Amy hopes that by seeing and researching with BUILD in the community Santa Anita La Union this year each member of the BUILD team will find in themselves and in their research reason to believe that BUILD and its members can change this world. Amy’s family is incredibly important to her. Film, theater, gymnastics and Spanish all inspire her as well, as does honest conversation and Tufts’ view of the Boston skyline. Essentially, Amy just loves living.

Jeffrey Prevost, Class of 2012

Program: Guatemala
Member since: 2008
Jeff enjoys spending his time kicking a soccer ball with friends and (trying) to play music. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, he is now pursuing a major in Biology at Tufts University. On campus he serves as a member of Tufts Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) and works for the Office for Campus Life. Jeff joined BUILD his freshman year - at the time, not knowing a word of Spanish - and has since made multiple trips to Santa Anita and has invested himself in the program's numerous projects. His research with BUILD focuses on health in indigenous communities and proposes the potential harmony that can, and should, exist between "traditional" and "Western biomedical" styles of medicine. He is also currently learning web design in order to bring the full breadth of BUILD to the Internet. Jeff is dedicated to supporting and giving back to others, be it to those in his hometown, his University, or to BUILD's members and partners.

Victoria Rivera, Class of 2012

Program: Guatemala
Member since: 2009
Victoria was born in Baltimore, Maryland. She moved to Guaynabo, Puerto Rico at the age of two and has lived there ever since. She is currently a sophomore planning on majoring in Sociology and Political Science. She hopes to go on to law school and study non-profit law or international law. Victoria is very excited to work with the IGL and sees BUILD as the prefect entryway to getting involved with broader issues and helping to solve small-scale and large-scale international concerns. By joining the BUILD Tufts team, Victoria hopes to learn more about sustainable development and its implementations to help the community of Santa Anita progress. At Tufts she is also involved with PANGEA – Computers for Careers, ESL tutor for ABM janitors, FASAB – Financial Aid Student Advisory Board and STAIR - Students at Tufts Acting for Immigrant Rights.

 

Jonathan Steinberg, Class of 2014

Program: Guatemala
Member since: 2010
Jonathan Steinberg is a freshman from Teaneck, New Jersey. He is considering double majoring in Anthropology and Spanish, however is undecided for now. At Tufts, Jonathan teaches English to members of the ABM staff and is a judicial advocate. His interest in the developing world was truly cultivated on a seven week, service-learning trip to Ghana before his senior year of High School. Since then, Jonathan has worked with various non-profit organizations in New York City focusing on undocumented immigrants, HIV/AIDS, and victims of domestic violence. BUILD has been a great way for Jonathan to look at poverty from an academic perspective and understand economic, rural development.

Amalia Toro Restrepo, Class of 2012

Program: Guatemala
Member since: 2009
Amalia Toro Restrepo is a junior majoring in History and International Relations, with a focus on colonialism and Latin America respectively. She is a resident of Medellin, Colombia, and has really enjoyed working with BUILD because it has given her the opportunity to expand her knowledge of Latin America and meet the wonderful communities of Santa Anita la Unión. She has done research with the community on the transformation of gender roles as as result of guerrilla participation. She will complete her undergraduate education in 2012.

 

 

Alex Wais, Class of 2014

Program: Guatemala
Member since: 2010
Alex Wais is interested in majoring in Peace and Justice and Economics. His interest in fighting poverty started in while in high school in his native city of San Diego. He seeks to work in development, most likely through nonprofit work. He works with BUILD with the hope of learning how non profits operate and how a successful program to help those in the developing world is properly carried out. He enjoys music, photography and travelling.

 

Cameron Yu, Class of 2013

Program: Guatemala
Member since: 2009
Cameron Yu is a sophomore civil engineering student from Palos Verdes, California, a small suburb just south of downtown Los Angeles. Outside of the classroom, Cameron enjoys spending time in the outdoors, rocking out to 80's music, collecting different-colored-fake-ray bans sunglasses and arguing about trivial topics in sitcoms with his siblings. He enjoys watching sports and will be the first to tell you that he is the most annoying sports fan you will ever meet. This is Cameron's second year in BUILD. He was a part of the January 2010 research trip and hopes to continue helping Santa Anita in the future.

Miguel Zamora, Class of 2013

Program: Guatemala
Member since: 2009
Miguel is a sophomore at Tufts double majoring in International Relations and Economics. He has been one two trips to Santa Anita with BUILD and helped organize the February No Alcanza Conference in 2010. He enjoys playing guitar and bass - anything related to music. Miguel hopes to work in economic development in Latin America after his studies.

 

 

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