If Phillip Rincon MA \u201909 had one piece of advice to share with FIU students it\u2019s to volunteer.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeek ways to broaden your understanding and increase your knowledge of social issues that affect others,\u201d he notes. \u201cConsider volunteer work during your studies at FIU as a way to put your education into practice and as a contributing factor to the building of a much greater society.\u201d<\/p>\n
During his last semester at FIU is when Phillip started his philanthropic work in Haiti. He assisted a friend in implementing a project proposal for rooftop gardens in Cap-Ha\u00eftien. This proposal then lent itself to the creation of Bochika<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bochika is a non-profit organization that envisions a \u201cworld built upon self-empowered, self-sustaining communities\u201d. They seek to provide needed training, tools and technology to local organizations that are working to address the needs within their own communities.<\/p>\n It was after the earthquake in 2010 that Bochika moved its food security project to Port au Prince, Haiti. There, they partnered with a local youth community and learning center called SAKALA.<\/p>\n
![\"Haiti](\"https:\/\/fiualumni-eastus.azurewebsites.net\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Haiti-2015-409.jpg\")
<\/a>\u201cBy partnering with SAKALA, we were instrumental in creating one of the largest urban agricultural gardens in Cit\u00e9 Soleil,\u201d Phillip shares. \u201cToday, SAKALA uses the garden, now an agricultural learning center, as a means to teach the youth in Cit\u00e9 Soleil about peace and food security.\u201d<\/p>\n