Current International Volunteers | Former Volunteers

Allen Ballinger

 
I grew up in a small town in Oregon as the 5th of 9 siblings (2 girls, 5 boys in a row, and 2 younger sisters). Love being in the outdoors and traveling. I enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, biking, kayaking, gardening, and enjoying family and friends.

I have always wanted to be more immersed in other cultures and enjoy working with young people. We have talked about doing extended volunteer work with international locations especially since we visited the NPH home in Mexico.

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Marcel Ballinger

 
I am a retired woman of 65, happily married with 4 children and 8 grandchildren. My husband and I are from large families and live in the Pacific Northwest near Tacoma Washington. I love the outdoors, traveling, and spending time with family.

My husband and I became familiar with NPH through our former parish in Bellevue, WA. We have been godparents for many years and were able to visit the home in Mexico while on a retreat with other parish members many years ago. We have also been to several fundraiser events in the Pacific Northwest and have had the privilege of hosting NPH workers who came to the Seattle area for training. We believe NPH is doing a wonderful job of fulfilling a need in the regions that it operates and would love to take an active role in caring for the children and helping in the NPH community

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Natalie Brothen

 
Hi! I’m Natalie Brothen and I am 22 years old. I was born in Nashville, TN but was raised and lived in Scottsdale, AZ for most of my life. I am graduating in May from Arizona State University with my degree in Multilingual Education. I am currently a kindergarten teacher and I love it. Working with kids has always been my strongest passion and I feel honored to get to continue that passion in Honduras!

NPH has had a special place in my heart since I was in the third grade! I feel called to serve with NPH because I adore working with kids, and NPH provides the love and care that these kids deserve. The overwhelming amount of love these kids have is unlike anything I’ve ever known!

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Emmy Hess

 
My name is Emmy and I am from a small town, Marion, Kansas, but a big family (I’m the youngest of 6 girls). I just graduated from KU with a degree in Human Biology and a degree in Spanish. I am Kansas born and raised, but LOVE to travel around the states and the world! Healthcare is one of my passions, as I have been a CNA since the age of 16, where I currently hold jobs in the medical department of the local county jail and in the PICU of a children’s hospital. Medical school is in my future to continue my work in healthcare! In my free time I enjoy reading, hiking, painting, gardening, and just about anything crafty or outdoorsy!

I looked at many volunteering organizations, but none of them quite fit my values like NPH. One of my biggest goals in my professional life is to provide equitable healthcare to the impoverished and marginalized communities that need it most. I have a lot to learn and a lot to give, and NPH allows me to do both! Working with children and creating lasting relationships while also soaking in cultures is something that also excites me about volunteering with NPH. The chance to create a safe, loving, and hopeful environment for these children is so amazing! I am thrilled and honored to serve for an organization that has a great mission and offers sustainable programs for its communities.

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Kayleigh Hotaling

 
I’m Kayleigh and I am from a small town in Central New York. Growing up I loved to keep myself busy and get involved in as many activities as possible, and I continue to be this way! In high school, I grew to love service and started volunteering with various organizations. This ultimately led to my decision to study Social Work and Community Youth Development in college. My four years of college were some of my favorite times because I was able to learn and practice what I truly love – serving others! When it came time to graduate in May 2022, I knew I wanted to take a break and do a year of service, specifically in Latin America. Throughout college I studied Spanish and immersed myself in Spanish speaking communities through service. My passion is to become a bilingual Social Worker to be able to better serve Spanish speaking children and families.

This past year I had the honor to complete a year of service with Amigos de Jesus, a children’s home in rural Honduras. My experience showed me how valuable it is to be in community and solidarity with people in other countries. The little moments of joy and love in the midst of chaos are what calls me back to service in Latin America. I have learned so much, yet know that there is so much more to learn! I am super excited to be in a volunteer position that I am passionate about and can’t wait to see what NPH Guatemala has to offer!

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Julie Martin

 
My name is Julie Martin and I am a Kansas State University graduate as of this May with a degree in Kinesiology and Gerontology. I am originally from a small town located in the Southeast corner of Kansas, called Cherokee. I am the youngest of four with a very close-nit family that still resides there today. I have been actively involved in my sorority (Delta Delta Delta) during my time in college as well as our Catholic Student Center, St. Isidore’s. I have a deep love for sports, community, and service and I can’t wait to start this journey with NHP!

I have been inspired to serve through numerous experiences, but was deeply impacted when I journeyed to Pamplona, Peru for a mission trip with our student center the spring break of 2022. This is where I first encountered God’s true presence in a place poverty struck every aspect of life. I experienced a joy I didn’t know existed amongst people who didn’t have running water. I knew the impact these people had on me was much greater than the impact my work had on them. This moved my heart to look at my own life, question what my purpose of success was motivated by, and who I was living for. Was it for myself? Or was it for God? The love, joy, and peace that I experienced that week inspired me to draw closer to mission, draw closer to a new way of living, draw closer to the fulfillment I knew existed in serving others. I am beyond excited to endure this opportunity God has placed in my life and give back to an organization that will inspire me to change others.

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Ellie Meara

 
Hi, my name is Ellie Meara. I was born in California before moving to Australia, where I became a citizen. I moved, again, to Boston in 2010. I am one of three siblings. We all went to college together, following our parents’ legacy at Notre Dame. Throughout my life, my two passions have been drawing and medicine. My interest in medicine started by observing my two parents who are physicians. However, after seeing clinics in Mexico and spending time in the NICU at Boston Children’s, this passion intensified. I am so excited to continue this journey at One World Surgery (at NPH Honduras), while also being around an amazing community of children and volunteers.

I spent time volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club and fell in love with the children. However, my service was only 8 weeks, and I wanted to seek an opportunity where I could make a greater impact. I love how genuine and enthusiastic children are and these are characteristics I want to absorb and learn from. I also am drawn to NPH’s connection with OWS. As previously stated, I would love to advance my medical exposure while being in the context of such an amazing program.

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Iris Ohlrogge

 
Hello! My name is Iris Ohlrogge and I am very excited to be joining NPH Honduras in July 2023! I am from Middleton, WI and graduated from Luther College in Decorah, IA in May of 2022. I majored in International Studies, Global Health, and Spanish, with a minor in Health Promotion. In college I studied abroad in two different locations, one in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, and the other in Roatán, Honduras. After college I took a gap year and worked as a Health Assistant at an elementary school and as a CNA/Caregiver at a memory care facility. I really enjoyed both jobs and I gained a lot of new experiences and skills that will hopefully help me in Honduras!

I want to serve because I enjoy working with youth and I like to work with Spanish-speaking communities. I love Central America in general. I have been to Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico in the past. I enjoy learning about new cultures and meeting new people. Also, fun fact, I am adopted from Guatemala and have been back there six times! This is part of the reason why I am so passionate about Central America. I have also studied the region in my university classes. In addition, I am passionate about health care and health advocacy, so I am super excited to be working as the Patient Coordinator for One World Surgery at the NPH Honduras home. I am grateful to NPH for this opportunity to serve in Honduras. I feel ready and excited to immerse myself in a new culture and begin this year of service with NPH!

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Catherine Yi

 
I was born and raised in California, and also attended college in California. I have two younger brothers, Chris and Charlie, and both are graduating this year! I am quite the homebody, and the occasional fan of exploring the outdoors. Since graduating college, I’ve worked a variety of jobs as I completed my post-bach in preparation to apply to medical school. I worked as a medical scribe for a children’s hospital, nanny, and English teacher, all of which were very different, but included my passion of working with children. I am very excited and grateful for this next role I am taking on, as a part of the NPH family in Honduras!

I want to serve as a volunteer for NPH because it is an opportunity to give my time to an organization that I truly believe in. Additionally, I get to work with children, just as I had done back home, although in a different but exciting and new capacity!

Donate to support me and the NPH children.

Related Information:
• Back to International Volunteer Program information
• Former International Volunteers
• Fact Sheet
• Application