Gemma is an example of a vivacious, intelligent and driven woman. Her story is a reminder to never stop questioning who you are and what you are doing with your life. Originating from London, she holds a degree in Business and Information Technology. She began working at Disney 5 days after graduating from university, eventually earning the title of Toy Designer in the Consumer Products Division. After 12 years, she left what most people would call the perfect job to travel 7500 miles across the globe to volunteer in Argentina.
She made a commitment at the start of the program to do something that left her with a lifelong memory every day. “Everyday, thus far, I have made a lasting memory with ease. Although I have met some incredible people from around the world, the greatest memories I will take with me will be the times that I have spent with the people of Argentina. Cooking Milanesas with the ladies of La Boca, singing Hokey Cokey with the beautiful children (I nicknamed them the Crazy Gang!) of Angeles Traviesos in Suarez, and sitting up until the sun rises, eating asado and drinking Malbec with the the fantastic Argentinian friends I have made in BA and the surrounding towns.All of these people have contributed to the incredible memories I will keep with me forever.”
She hopes that she can keep this commitment until the end of her days, “When I am old I hope that I can take my last breath with a smile on my face, knowing that I have done everything with my life that I wanted to do, been everywhere I wanted to go, and been everything I wanted to be.” Her independence and thirst for life has kept her from settling down, though she has been engaged twice. Now in her mid-thirties, she feels ready to start a family, “now all I have to do is find Mr. Right!”
She grew up in a single parent family, but had describes her mother as a wonderful role model. Coming from England, she feels lucky to have the same opportunities as men. “I am lucky to come from a country where you have the opportunity to do anything as a woman - you can get an education, have a career, travel the world, and become a mother! So for me to be a woman, means to experience everything that this life can offer. What brings me the most joy as a woman is the feeling of empowerment that I get from knowing that I can do all of this. My only struggle is the constant conflict I feel with regard to wanting to continue to experience the world at a million miles an hour and wanting to settle down at the same time. Unfortunately, I can only choose one!” Gemma has held many positions at Voluntario Global, including working in the community center kitchen in La Boca, preparing lunch for the community, working in a kindergarten in Suarez, helping the ladies that work there, looking after the children, and playing with the kids.
Her final views on the matter of being a woman is “Women rule, we always have, we always will! (Just don’t tell men that).
