This past summer, Coral Gables High senior Barbara Jimenez raised money for an orphanage in the Dominican Republic. That money is being used to build a park.
The fundraiser was for her Creative Action Service project required by the International Baccalaureate program.
When choosing a project, Jimenez and a couple of friends decided to work together. They studied the needs of organizations in different countries and then settled on Casa Amor in the Dominican Republic.
“It seemed reliable. We started with wanting to do more of a recreation center,” she said. “They told us they needed baseball equipment. We sent that. One of the other members was able to get some from her neighborhood.”
The three each raised $1,300 for a total of $3,900. One of the girls took the money when she visited the orphanage during the summer. There was a problem in that one of the girls gave her donation in a money order and there was no way to cash it when she was out of the country. When she returned, she was able to transfer it through the bank.
The team is considering visiting the orphanage during spring break to assess the project.
To raise the money, the friends organized car washes, sold candies and received donations from family and friends.
At school, Jimenez is a secretary of Key Club, a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish National Honor Society and the IB Honor Society. She is vice president of competition for Future Business Leaders of America and has participated in competitions. Last year her team made it to the national competition.
Currently, she is campaigning for Hillary Clinton. She joined the team at the request of a friend.
Next year, she plans to major in business in college. Applications will go to Hamilton, Mt. Holyoake, the University of Miami, Alabama, UNC Chapel Hill, Emmanuel College in Boston and FIU.
— Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld
