Meet one of Latinitas El Paso’s Spring 2018 Program Leaders, Sarai Chairez. She was born and raised in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua until the age of 10, and is currently a student at the University of Texas at El Paso majoring in social work. When she is not at school or at Latinitas, you can find Sarai writing or watching makeup tutorials on YouTube.
Why did you choose your major?
I chose social work because I believe it gives me the opportunity to make a difference. It allows me to be an advocate for change not only with an individual, but at a community level as well. I love that I can make a difference in a person’s life.
What made you want to join Latinitas?
I joined Latinitas because I feel that the work that is done here, connects very well with my social work values. I love that Latinitas empowers girls and motivates them to embrace who they are. I believe that it is so important for girls to have a place to express themselves freely and to boost their confidence.
What extracurricular activities do you participate in?
Outside of school, I mostly spend time working with the youth group at my church or playing with my dog!
Who is one of your role models and why?
One of my role models would definitely have to be Selena Quintanilla. Seeing someone from the same background as me, be able to reach massive amounts of success is so inspiring. Having that representation in the media and seeing a Mexican-American girl get to where she did through her hard work and determination makes her such an influential person in my life.
What is your idea of a dream job and how will your involvement with Latinitas get you there?
My dream job would involve working with survivors of domestic abuse and sex trafficking. These are two populations that I have always wanted to work with, and I feel that I can truly help make a difference in their lives, and provide them with opportunities to get a second chance at the lives they deserve. I believe that my involvement with Latinitas will help me get there because I have had the chance to see and work with empowered girls; these skills will help me build women up who have suffered from in circumstances in abuse.
What is one of your favorite hobbies and how’d you get started with it?
One of my favorite things to do is to write. I’ve always loved writing and felt that I express myself better through it. From simply writing about what is going on in my life, to being creative and coming up with something new, I love expressing myself through my writing. I’ve been currently trying to do more writing in Spanish, since it is my first language, and I want to embrace that part of my identity more.
What is one of your guilty pleasures?
One of my guilty pleasures is watching makeup tutorials and reviews on YouTube! Although I never attempt any of the looks and my makeup routine is always the same, I always find myself watching video after video. I love to see how creative and talented people are with makeup!
What are the best and worst uses of the internet?
One of the best uses of the internet is that it allows us to access information like never before; any piece of information is available at our fingertips. One of the worst uses of the internet is how much bullying there is online. People feel safe hiding behind a screen, and don’t really understand how hurtful their words can be.
