Meet Elena María Figueroa Rodríguez! As a Program Coordinator on GFC’s Americas team, she coordinates the Supporting Early Education and Development initiative in Honduras.

ELENA, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHERE YOU ARE FROM AND ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND?

I was born in the city of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on a Sunday at 6:00AM. I am the youngest of three siblings. I love art, and I practice free diving, theater, and yoga. I studied psychology – I have a master’s degree in research methodology – and now I am studying my second master’s degree in coaching.

QUEL EST VOTRE SOUVENIR D'ENFANCE PRÉFÉRÉ ?

One of my favorite childhood moments was playing ball with my dad and brother in front of my house, but instead of using a ball, we played with a giant, yellow lemon.

QU'EST-CE QUI VOUS A ATTIRÉ VERS CE DOMAINE D'ACTIVITÉ ET VERS GFC ?

What attracted my attention to work with GFC was that it is an organization that seeks to help girls, boys, and young people in a different way, from a very human approach, creating a connection with people and showing a real concern for the growth of others.

QUELLE SERA, SELON VOUS, LA PARTIE LA PLUS DIFFICILE DE VOTRE TRAVAIL ? QUELLE SERA LA PLUS SATISFAISANTE ?

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges is to develop the work in another language that is not my mother tongue, but at the same time, it is a wonderful experience that has allowed me to learn a lot. As for satisfaction, I think it is wonderful to hear the words of thanks from the partners.

POURQUOI CROYEZ-VOUS QUE LE TRAVAIL DE GFC EST IMPORTANT ?

I think GFC’s work is important because it allows small organizations to grow and to help the development of children and youth who seek social transformation.

#FunFacts About Elena

QUEL ÉTAIT VOTRE JOUET PRÉFÉRÉ QUAND VOUS ÉTIEZ?

When I was 7 years old, my mom gave me a cloth doll, which I named Elenita, and she was my favorite toy during my childhood.

QUE VOULAIS-TU FAIRE QUAND TU SERAI GRAND ?

I wanted to be a marine biologist because I love spending my time in the sea, looking at the crabs, fish, and stingrays.

QUELLE EST LA CHOSE LA PLUS BIZARRE QUE VOUS AYEZ JAMAIS MANGÉE ?

Cactus in tomato sauce.

AVEZ-VOUS UNE BÊTE INTÉRESSANTE?

Last minute changes without warning bother me.

SI VOUS POUVIEZ AVOIR UN SUPER POUVOIR, QUEL SERAIT-IL ?

If I had a superpower, it would be to be able to fly.