Volunteer: Tia Wilkins
Program Site: Lima, Peru
Year: 2006
Occupation: Creator of AITTIA, a fashion line inspired by her CCS program in Peru
A semester before graduating from college in 2007, Tia Wilkins signed on with Cross-Cultural Solutions for four weeks in Lima, Peru, working with patients in the Mother Theresa Hospice. She spent her days working with people suffering from illness, mental, and physical disabilities. She had never traveled to South America, and was impressed with CCS’s emphasis on cultural exchange and involvement with the local community. During her program, she felt as if she truly lived in Lima, not as thought she was simply visiting as a tourist.
Tia was in Lima over the holidays and experienced a pivotal moment on Christmas Day. As her volunteer day came to a close, Tia watched the last of the supplies being delivered, while a band played for a crowd of nuns, patients and their families. A group of men — sporting shoes with no soles and draped in tattered clothes — were dancing with joy. They had nothing of value, yet she saw a happiness she envied. It was the happiest moment for them, and the hardest for her. At that moment she asked herself, “What does it take for you to be happy — clothes, cars, buying things?” She questioned her values and brought those questions home with her.
Once back, she was having coffee on the porch with her mom and boyfriend, talking about the dream of combining her love of fashion, travel, and work. After many conversations and brainstorm sessions, AITTIA — a fashion line featuring scarves, inspired by the photos, colors, people, and culture of Peru — was born. Her goal is to unveil new lines based on her future volunteer travel while also giving motivation and confidence to others to be their true selves.
While many aspects of Tia’s life resulted in the realization of her dream, she attributes a large portion of her success with AITTIA to her experience as a CCS international volunteer.
Read an article in the Lakeshore Weekly News about Tia.
