Grace Review | Meet Tharshala | Returning to Grace | Volunteer Profile


Volunteer Profile
Name:  Erin Whaley (half of the Wonder Twin duo)
Occupation:  Middle School teacher
Age:  29
Favorite Activities:  Spending time with my family (especially my niece and nephew), reading, playing volleyball|
Favorite Food:  American – mashed potatoes, Sri Lankan - Brinjal chutney (Angela and Daisy make the best!)
Favorite Quote:  “The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience” – Emily Dickenson
Sign:  Aries (no stubborn ram jokes please)
Biggest Bummer:  I wish that I could be in so many different places at once!  There are too many amazing people to spend time with and not enough time to do it.

What did you do at Grace?  I worked on reviewing and assessing the girls’ education.  I talked with their teachers and principal, as well as other education professionals from the country, to try to understand Sri Lanka’s educational system and how to best support the Grace Girls in their studies.  I reviewed the girls’ assessment scores and identified common areas of weakness, which can be used to direct their study sessions.  I assisted the girls with their study time, primarily focusing on their English studies, and worked to assist the Grace staff and their English tutors with the tools necessary to increase the girls’ comprehension.  I was fortunate on this last trip to also be able to spend time with Rev. Jey and see other youth hostels and schools in the Batticaloa area.  In addition, I spent some quality time with my Grace/Mercy friends and family.

What was the favorite part of your experience?  Every time I identify one moment as my “favorite” another one pops into my head.  Favorite experiences at Grace are like potato chips; you can’t have just one!  The most specific that I can be is that my experiences with the people are my favorite times.  I now have new Sri Lankan and American brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, mothers, fathers, and grandparents.  Each and every person I’ve come in contact through GCC and VeAhavta has been a gift to my life.

Any additional thoughts?  I feel truly blessed to be a part of something as tremendous as this.  I couldn’t imagine a better group of people to work with or a better reason to work.  I am honored to be sister, auntie, and amma.

Grace Review | Meet Tharshala | Returning to Grace | Volunteer Profile