ABOUT ME

Hey, I am Anniela, or Anni!  I am a 21-years old Venezuelan student based in Bay St. Louis, MS. I was in Interact, RYLA, and when I was 17 years old, I became a Rotary Youth Exchange Student. COVID happened in the middle of my exchange, covid happened, and I couldn't return home. My district and club adopted me, and I became the younger Rotarian in my zone! My friends and I started a group called Rotary Interactive Quarantine that later became a network of 900 students (Interact, RYLA, Youth Exchange) from 80 countries. After a couple of years, our group was transformed into the Rotary Youth Newtok (If you want to hear that story, here is the recording of our session at the 2022 Rotary International Convention) 

 

After that experience, I’ve been part of several groups in Rotary regarding Youth, Peace, Diversity, Equally, and Inclusion. I am incredibly excited this year and am co-chairing the Inaugural Youth Advisory Council, appointed by RI President Jennifer Jones! As you can tell, I am passionate about Rotary Youth Programs and Peacebuilding!  I plan to major in international Development in school, and you might know that I have been waiting for a long time - 2 years, to be exact - for my visa to start college. I am beyond excited to share with you that I finally got it. I am in my first semester at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, preparing to transfer to a 4-year university. 

 

 2019 was the year when I left Venezuela and started an uncertain journey as a Rotary Exchange student. Little did I know that a global pandemic was going to lead me to stay in the US, explore, and grow as much as I had done. I’ve gathered everything I knew, my background, and my history of building something new and discovering who I am.

 

 I am here today thanks to all the Rotarians I found in life. They have cared for and loved me, and I am overwhelmed and grateful. My District has re-purposed one of its Foundations to collect funds for my education. As it is a 501(c)(3), all donations are tax-deductible. If you would like to contribute it, contact my host dad.

 

Rotary Rebuild Slidell 

℅ Terry King

28661 Krentel Road

Lacombe, LA 70445

United States of America