Going home/ Oaxaca study abroad
Donation protected
Hola Everyone! First and foremost thank you for clicking on my link!
For those who don't know me, my name is Amalia Oliva
Rojas. I'm a rising senior in college! My major is theater (playwriting) minors is Mexican -Mexican American studies, political science. I'm an artist, student and activist- writer always seeking to capture the stories of my people .
As I approach commencement, I've encountered an opportunity that can change my life. But before telling you about it, I'll give you some background information. I was born in Ecatepec, Mexico. I am one of four children, to be precise the middle child. Prior to my birth my parents had been living in New York. Two weeks before I was born exactly eight months into pregnancy my mother became fearful and fled back to Mexico. Talk about "just my luck".
At the mere age of two months, I was uprooted from Mexico and brought back to the United States.
Since then I have never been back. It's hard to explain but finding out my status at 17 was one of the hardest things I've had to go through. Since then I have felt as if something is missing.
It's here when I explain to you why I need your help. I've been presented with the opportunity to study abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico. 2 weeks, 3 college credits. I will visit elementary and secondary schools and speak with educators, students, and families. I will tour indigenous communities to learn about the local languages, customs and practices, artistic traditions and school-going experiences of students. And finally, I will visit Monte Alban ruins that are central to Oaxaca’s history. How exciting! How can you help?
I seek your support in helping me fund my trip to Oaxaca, Mexico (Jan 3-18, 2016). I'm struggling to fund the expenses associated with this wonderful experience, including: advance parole fees, tuition for the school credits, application fees as well my own house responsibilities here in New York. You're probably asking then why go? It seems like the universe has presented me with an opportunity that may help in more than one way.
1.) It's a credited course that will complete my last requirement for my Mexican studies minor (which means I'll definitely graduate).
2.) My current thesis is my first full-length play titled Dandelions, a piece that deals with the theme of student life in Mexico. I began writing Dandelions this summer at the Vassar & New York Stage and Film Powerhouse Theater Apprentice Program, where it had its first reading. As I revise and rewrite, I've come to the conclusion that while my voice is valid as a Mexican student, I've never lived or seen Mexico. Something is missing. My play is about the land and el pueblo of Mexico. My trip to Oaxaca will allow me to immerse myself in student life by talking to fellow students, experincing the conditions that surround them. I will be able to finally grasp the essence of Mexico and then communicate through my writing the feeling I have been looking for my entire life.
3.) Finally, this trip will mean going home. After 23 years I'll be returning to my motherland. People have told me that I don't need it- I'm not missing out, that the U.S is my home even if laws and policies say otherwise. However, I need to see it for myself. A part of me is hopeful this is will allow me to find the piece inside me that's missing.
There's so much I can say but one thing is clear, this trip will grant me final graduation requirements, the opportunity to go to Mexico and to work on Dandelions while I'm abroad. This play means more than my final school project. It is my attempt to represent voices that are rarely heard. I want to make sure to capture the stories of the indigenous, the students, the Mexican womyn with honesty and strength. It's my way to make sure there is a record of their existence. I want to write from my heart.
Every bit counts, even sharing this amongst your network. My hope is to reach this fundraising goal by my birthday (December 13, 2015). Your support will mean the world to me, one of the best and dearest gifts I will ever receive.
In Solidarity & Love and Always Grateful,
Amalia
Photos Above:
1.) Dia de los Muertos, CUNY Becas Event 2014. Lehman College.
2.) Fidelity Future Stage, Theater Competion 2010.
3.) Young Playwright Latino Challange ceremony, hosted by TeatroStageFest (LITF/NY) and Young Playwright INC. 2009.
4.) Baby picture 1993
5.) Recent Interview
6.) Dandelions in rehearsal prior to first public hearing. Vassar and New York Stage Film Powerhouse Apprentice Program, Shiva Theater. July 2015.
Actors: Taitiana Chavez, Katie Bonell, Directed by Katherine Pardue
7.) Transition, a play by Amalia O. Rojas, Directed by Merdith Koch, Vassar and New York Stage Film Powerhouse Apprentice Program, June 2015.
Actors: Sekai Edwards, Emma Brown, Eric Hisbschweiler, Sydeny Lyn Stachyra
8.) Silent Tradition, a play by Amalia O. Rojas, Directed by George C. Hessin, The Studio, Lehman College, December 2014.
Actors: Demetrius Lane, Ta-Tanisha Johnson Pearson, Kalima -Mckenzie Simms
Feel free to click on these links for more info on me and my work!
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/amalia-oliva-rojas/5a/34b/176
http://www.telemundo47.com/entretenimiento/acceso-total/Inmigrante-Amalia-Rojas-explica-todo-sobre-DACA-en-enfoque-Telemundo-47-video-279844332.html
https://www.facebook.com/hispanicfederation/posts/10152750821714411
For those who don't know me, my name is Amalia Oliva
Rojas. I'm a rising senior in college! My major is theater (playwriting) minors is Mexican -Mexican American studies, political science. I'm an artist, student and activist- writer always seeking to capture the stories of my people .
As I approach commencement, I've encountered an opportunity that can change my life. But before telling you about it, I'll give you some background information. I was born in Ecatepec, Mexico. I am one of four children, to be precise the middle child. Prior to my birth my parents had been living in New York. Two weeks before I was born exactly eight months into pregnancy my mother became fearful and fled back to Mexico. Talk about "just my luck".
At the mere age of two months, I was uprooted from Mexico and brought back to the United States.
Since then I have never been back. It's hard to explain but finding out my status at 17 was one of the hardest things I've had to go through. Since then I have felt as if something is missing.
It's here when I explain to you why I need your help. I've been presented with the opportunity to study abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico. 2 weeks, 3 college credits. I will visit elementary and secondary schools and speak with educators, students, and families. I will tour indigenous communities to learn about the local languages, customs and practices, artistic traditions and school-going experiences of students. And finally, I will visit Monte Alban ruins that are central to Oaxaca’s history. How exciting! How can you help?
I seek your support in helping me fund my trip to Oaxaca, Mexico (Jan 3-18, 2016). I'm struggling to fund the expenses associated with this wonderful experience, including: advance parole fees, tuition for the school credits, application fees as well my own house responsibilities here in New York. You're probably asking then why go? It seems like the universe has presented me with an opportunity that may help in more than one way.
1.) It's a credited course that will complete my last requirement for my Mexican studies minor (which means I'll definitely graduate).
2.) My current thesis is my first full-length play titled Dandelions, a piece that deals with the theme of student life in Mexico. I began writing Dandelions this summer at the Vassar & New York Stage and Film Powerhouse Theater Apprentice Program, where it had its first reading. As I revise and rewrite, I've come to the conclusion that while my voice is valid as a Mexican student, I've never lived or seen Mexico. Something is missing. My play is about the land and el pueblo of Mexico. My trip to Oaxaca will allow me to immerse myself in student life by talking to fellow students, experincing the conditions that surround them. I will be able to finally grasp the essence of Mexico and then communicate through my writing the feeling I have been looking for my entire life.
3.) Finally, this trip will mean going home. After 23 years I'll be returning to my motherland. People have told me that I don't need it- I'm not missing out, that the U.S is my home even if laws and policies say otherwise. However, I need to see it for myself. A part of me is hopeful this is will allow me to find the piece inside me that's missing.
There's so much I can say but one thing is clear, this trip will grant me final graduation requirements, the opportunity to go to Mexico and to work on Dandelions while I'm abroad. This play means more than my final school project. It is my attempt to represent voices that are rarely heard. I want to make sure to capture the stories of the indigenous, the students, the Mexican womyn with honesty and strength. It's my way to make sure there is a record of their existence. I want to write from my heart.
Every bit counts, even sharing this amongst your network. My hope is to reach this fundraising goal by my birthday (December 13, 2015). Your support will mean the world to me, one of the best and dearest gifts I will ever receive.
In Solidarity & Love and Always Grateful,
Amalia
Photos Above:
1.) Dia de los Muertos, CUNY Becas Event 2014. Lehman College.
2.) Fidelity Future Stage, Theater Competion 2010.
3.) Young Playwright Latino Challange ceremony, hosted by TeatroStageFest (LITF/NY) and Young Playwright INC. 2009.
4.) Baby picture 1993
5.) Recent Interview
6.) Dandelions in rehearsal prior to first public hearing. Vassar and New York Stage Film Powerhouse Apprentice Program, Shiva Theater. July 2015.
Actors: Taitiana Chavez, Katie Bonell, Directed by Katherine Pardue
7.) Transition, a play by Amalia O. Rojas, Directed by Merdith Koch, Vassar and New York Stage Film Powerhouse Apprentice Program, June 2015.
Actors: Sekai Edwards, Emma Brown, Eric Hisbschweiler, Sydeny Lyn Stachyra
8.) Silent Tradition, a play by Amalia O. Rojas, Directed by George C. Hessin, The Studio, Lehman College, December 2014.
Actors: Demetrius Lane, Ta-Tanisha Johnson Pearson, Kalima -Mckenzie Simms
Feel free to click on these links for more info on me and my work!
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/amalia-oliva-rojas/5a/34b/176
http://www.telemundo47.com/entretenimiento/acceso-total/Inmigrante-Amalia-Rojas-explica-todo-sobre-DACA-en-enfoque-Telemundo-47-video-279844332.html
https://www.facebook.com/hispanicfederation/posts/10152750821714411
Organizer
Amalia Oliva Rojas
Organizer
Astoria, NY