PWW Team Member Highlight: July 2019
Each month we are featuring a member of PWW’s staff. This gives you the opportunity to get to know our team a little better and gain an understanding about what makes them such a special part of PWW’s safe water programs.
PWW Team Member: Arlen Francisco Mejia
PWW Office: Trojes, Honduras
Position within PWW: Project Field Supervisor
Years with PWW: 10
How did you first learn about PWW?
I used to work at Municipal Hall and heard that PWW was hiring. I was offered a position and started to work with PWW in January 2009.
What inspires you the most about the work you do?
First and foremost, I don’t consider what I do at PWW each day ‘work’ but more a part of my life; something that I do because I like it. We don’t just install filters, we train about different subjects important for health and life. And, what I do for PWW helps me sustain my own family.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I start the day with a good cup of coffee, kiss my wife and hug my kids, and ride my motorcycle to work. I help the Project Coordinator plan the activities for the week, and I supervise, in the field, each of these activities. I also do office work.
What has been your favorite project…or your proudest moment?
Having the opportunity to travel to new places that I never dreamed of knowing, such as Calgary, Guatemala, La Mosquitia, and Nicaragua.
What has been your greatest challenge?
A specific memorable moment was when I traveled to Calgary. I was meeting with a coordinator from Nepal. It was just the two of us, so we invented a new language that we called Nepaspanglish.
Arlen and PWW team member, Karla.
What is your favorite thing about working for PWW?
All the work we do as team members; there is much harmony and good coordination together.
Tell us a little bit about your family.
I have 3 children: Katia Mejia (11), a son named Alex Mejia (9), and Liz Ariana who just turned 4 on July 14. During the weekends I do housework, even cooking and cleaning!
What is your favorite activity to do when you are not working?
I like to go to my farm and check on my coffee and plantain crops.
What is your favorite food?
Barbecue pork meat.
Anything else you want people to know about you?
I really like playing the guitar but am a bit rusty now.
I love education (Arlen’s nickname is El Profe – the Teacher). Before working for PWW, I taught adults how to read in a project called ALFACIT. I worked there for 8 years. I feel proud that, because of my efforts, approximately 70 adults in my village now know how to read and write and have obtained their 6th grade education level.
I will never forget having to organize everything for a Mother’s Day celebration; my students said it was a total success!
