Our volunteers are a diverse bunch. They come to us from the four corners of the globe, different ethnicities, ages, genders, religions, but the one thing they all share is a desire to help. They are the beating heart of Serve the City. They are dedicated individuals, role models to young people and future leaders. But who are they really? In our volunteer spotlight we introduce you to one of our volunteers and find out some unusual and interesting facts about them.
Let me introduce you to Mari-Elena.
Where were you born?
I am Armenian but I was born in Moscow!
What language(s) do you speak?
I speak Russian, English, Spanish and French. I’m learning Armenian and German.
What does STCP mean to you?
I come from people that are intimately familiar with displacement- so working with refugees and migrants is a wonderful way for me to give back.
When you’re not volunteering, how do you spend your time?
When I’m not volunteering, I spend my time exploring Paris, writing as much as possible, and baking for my family.
What is your favorite hobby?
My favorite hobby is picking up random new skills such as embroidery or piano.
What is your favorite meal?
My favorite meal is probably a Georgian feast—get me the khinkali, the khachapuri, some barbecue, the whole works!
With which person living or deceased would you like to eat that meal?
If i could have that meal with any person living or dead, I’d have it with my high school friends who are now all scattered around the world.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
My idea of perfect happiness is a home that smells like cinnamon rolls and a cat purring on my lap.
Which living person do you most admire?
The living person that I most admire is my friend Elaf, who is the strongest, gentlest and wisest person I know.
Which talent would you most like to have?
The talent I would most like to have would be the ability to freely say “no” to things and set boundaries.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I consider my greatest achievement to be a really good tarte tatin I once baked.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
If I were to die and come back as a person or a thing, I would really like to be one of those baby cactuses that sell for 1 euro at garden shops
