We are excited to welcome Ian Josué Castillo Andino to the ROHI team as a high school teacher!
Ian began teaching at ROHI last week. From day one his heart for students, humility, and leadership have stood out. His addition to our staff is also a great blessing for the entire ROHI community, as it will allow our longtime teacher, Uriel, to dedicate more time to much-needed construction projects and administrative support.
Ian shared some reflections from his first week that deeply moved us, and we’re honored to share them with you in his own words:
“My Experience Working with the ROHI Project
My name is Ian Josué Castillo Andino. I’m a student of electrical engineering, and a week ago I had the opportunity to begin teaching a group of children from this community through the ROHI Project. From the very first day, I knew this experience would mark my life forever.
The school is simple but full of color. And yet, the children arrive on time. Some walk several kilometers just to get there, which moves me deeply.
At first, I felt nervous. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to capture their attention. But all it took was speaking to them with respect and leadership. Many of them are eager to learn, which impresses me—especially given the limitations they face.
During the visit to the dump, I was confronted with the harsh reality of life—seeing how people dedicate themselves to searching through garbage for anything of value just to earn a little money. The foreign team did a truly admirable job by bringing food to satisfy a bit of that hunger—and, more importantly, by offering words of encouragement.
What impresses me most about the project is the unity among the staff: kind, sensitive, and always ready to help, putting God first in everything they do.
It’s a great pleasure to be able to help in this project. Thank you for receiving me with open arms.”
We’re grateful to have Ian on our team and look forward to the impact he’ll have on our students—and the transformation this next chapter brings to his own life as well.