Jessi’s heart for service makes her a force for good
Jessi ‘26 and the UWCSEA Foundation Team
8 September 2025
In our Gift of Stories series, we share more about our community’s spirit of giving, one story at a time. Join us as we discover how #UWCSEAGiving makes a difference.
Jessi ‘26, a Grade 12 scholar at Dover Campus, embodies unwavering dedication to others.
Her journey, rooted in the vibrant culture and challenging realities of Peru, is a testament to resilience, a commitment to social justice, and the profound impact of education.
From early volunteer work that shaped her worldview to the transformative experience of a UWCSEA scholarship, Jessi is a young changemaker driven by a desire to create a better world for her community and for future generations.
Enduring love for her family
My childhood was marked by an early encounter with profound loss. When I was five years old, my father died in an accident. He and I were very close, and from him I learned to see life with positivity and optimism, to see that every moment I share with others is a gift.
Since then, my mum has looked after me. She is my role model because she is brave and is able to help others with her bravery.
On the other hand, my little brother is my reason for doing things. He is the next generation, and for him, I would like to create a world that is better in terms of quality of life.
Beloved homeland
Living in Peru all my life has given me a deep connection to my motherland. From captivating dances to one of the world’s best gastronomies, Peru’s vibrant culture has made me feel very proud of who I am. However, this pride is tempered by a keen awareness of societal problems that overshadow our rich heritage. These problems make me question our social structure and how we got to this point where there is so much indifference and injustice.
I was born in a rural town in Peru, a place where farmers suffer from painful work for unfair pay. I also lived in the capital city of Lima, where streets are unsafe and poverty lurks. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand that societal problems and unfair practices are pervasive, normalised, let alone ignored. And so at the age of 14, I resolved to take action by using education as the vehicle to confront injustice and to develop myself, so I can serve others.
A force for good from young
I took on volunteer work as a teacher for “Malteser Peru”, a non-profit organisation that aimed to reduce social inequalities by promoting education among children and adolescents, enabling them to reach their potential and access better opportunities. I found volunteering deeply fulfilling because my connection with the children I taught went beyond teaching, I believe that I gave them hope for the future.
Together with other colleagues, we formed “Amanecer” in 2023, a digital portal that provides online information on academic and enrichment opportunities for young people in rural communities who would not know that these opportunities exist. Our aim was to inform and motivate our audience to pursue local and overseas programmes like UWC scholarships. When we started, we offered free webinars and reached 1,000 students in an outreach with 5 schools. Now Amanecer has extended its reach nationwide.
Another of my great passions is dance. One of the most beautiful ways to bring people together is to share our differences through art. That is why for seven years, since I was 11, I passionately dedicated myself to dance performances, and I felt great pride in being a cultural ambassador for my country.
Navigating UWCSEA’s sea of opportunities
My first month at UWCSEA was a great journey on the open sea with its ups and downs, and it still is. One of my biggest challenges was the English language, because at the beginning I wasn't able to express myself comfortably. But with the help I received from classmates and teachers, my English improved, and I am now able to speak and understand better.
Another important part of the learning process was understanding UWCSEA’s great diversity. The first month was a wave upon wave of learning about multiple cultures, from language to customs to food! I realised how different we are from each other and that we needed to understand each other's culture in depth. We overcame this hurdle because we opened our doors to allow each other to appreciate different cultures and perspectives. By being open-minded to embrace diversity, we are living the UWC Mission that unites us.
I joined UWC because I identified with its mission and values. I believe in the capacity of people to make change, and even more so, I believe in young people who are not only willing to better the future but also impact the present, which severely needs attention. UWC gave me hope that I can continue working on my ideals while improving myself academically and humanly. For me, a UWC education is a tool that I can use to create more change in Peru and in other communities that need it.
Favourite subjects
My interests, values and past experiences led me to study Global Politics and Systems Transformation. Global Politics delves into the theory of the political structures that govern the world today and examines how their functions and capacities drive societal change. This course develops a critical analytical lens for me to reflect on what is happening in the world and on the different roles that co-exist within these systems. I have been working hard on my Engagement Project, where I am exploring the realities in my community and laying the groundwork for research into why issues arise and what interventions I can use.
I also love Systems Transformation: Leadership for Change, which focuses on teaching us how to analyse the social systems within our daily lives to develop and implement projects that address identified problems. Systems Transformation equips us with the tools to understand issues and provides a framework for intervention, cooperation among stakeholders, and evaluation of results. Another reason I love ST is because I've met and learnt from so many amazing community members and also contributed to various projects.
Teachers as guiding lights
UWCSEA teachers are undoubtedly a fundamental part of my time at UWCSEA, they are high-quality professionals with vast experience.
A heart for service, a force for good
Service is an essential part of my life. At UWCSEA, I found a way to strengthen my commitment to serve while working with my friends. In our Global Concern (GC) “A key for Guatemala”, I appreciate that I was given the chance to lead, and together as a team, we contributed significantly to a community in Guatemala.
I am part of the Home Language Program, an activity that has allowed me to recognise the importance of language in an international context. I help fellow students improve their Spanish proficiency and reconnect with their Spanish-speaking cultural roots that sometimes get lost in the midst of activities or when they are transitioning to a more international context. Because of Service, the mission of UWC is more closely lived and allows us students to be in charge of bringing progress, of being leaders of change in some parts of the world and personally, in ourselves. As I said, I see education as a tool that will help me achieve my goal of creating an organisation in Peru that will support and encourage children and young people to follow their dreams.
If it wasn't for this opportunity to study at UWCSEA, I would never have allowed myself to set such a big goal and above all, believe that I have what it takes to impact the lives of more people. I am grateful for this transformational education and there are no better words than thank you, thank you for this great experience!
Jessi’s story is an inspiring example of the impact of community giving at UWCSEA and how it can support the growth and development of changemakers like her.
#UWCSEAGiving invests in a future with possibilities and potential, empowering more young people to be the change they want to see in the world.
Help us go above and beyond for our students.