Location: Rich’s Latin America Region Headquarters, Mexico City
Favorite Rich’s product: Tres Leches cake.
Why did you first decide to become a volunteer or otherwise get involved in community service? I am the type of person who values moments and experiences and I am always eager to learn. I’ve loved to read since I was 2 and I have a very intense curiosity, so I often look like I’m either on a mission or am totally amazed. I’m fascinated by everything I see in day-to-day life and I’m always wondering how everything works: from air and colors and aromas to how butterflies fly, how a car engine works, and where the sound of music comes from. I’m always bent toward learning and have realized this frequently makes me my own teacher.
One day I was walking down the street and saw a cardboard sign that said, “Se busca maestro de inglés” (“Looking for an English professor”). I immediately stepped inside what appeared to be a kind of library and asked about the position. I was told it was a job for which you could charge only a small fee because the students were mostly kids from disadvantaged families.
I gladly took the post, refusing to charge anything. Why? As a person who has taught himself so many things, I wanted to know how to pass my knowledge to others. I see knowledge as the most powerful tool in the universe, and it fills me with joy when I can transform the lives of those whose chief disadvantage is economical through something I cherish and believe in so strongly. To be honest, after teaching my first lessons, I was surprised to discover the person who learned the most within the classroom was me. I´ve taught kids and adults and it is an amazing experience.
What generally has been the nature of your volunteer contributions and commitment to “Bettering Your Community”? My way of being is that I believe a good action is always rewarded, and I feel rewarded inside whenever I finish a lecture and I see my students progressing.
How has being a Rich’s associate influenced or contributed to the success of your volunteer activities? One of the main things that made me choose Rich’s over other companies is that the values of this enterprise are superior, in my opinion. I believe in family as the main structure of society and Rich’s system is quite aligned with those values. I am a very direct and sincere person and believe strongly that our actions are the reflection of who we are. If you find something wrong with society, you must be the change you want to see in it. That requires speaking up, doing what needs to be done, and owning your results.
Rich’s culture has helped me continue to develop as the individual I´ve always wanted to be. I love working in this company because it has made me better and has contributed to my personal and professional success.
What advice or message would you share with others to encourage them to get more involved in community service? Be the change you want to see in the world. Don’t just wonder how you can help, but take action to make change a reality. For example, if you want your community to be cleaner, then pick up your own trash. And if you believe as I do that education and knowledge are critical values, then do something about spreading education and knowledge. In this world, we are measured by the actions we take to create change, so start acting. A better world is possible and you are the key to achieving it.
