CHRIS WIMER
Virginia Tech, B.A., Spanish, B.S., Human Development

Chris holds degrees from Virginia Tech in Spanish and human development with a concentration in professional helping skills. During college, Chris studied abroad in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic, where he focused on health, environmental, and educational issues. During summers off, he traveled to Honduras and Nicaragua, where he helped establish medical clinics across impoverished areas. After graduation, Chris worked at the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, where he taught Spanish and work-based learning courses to students who were blind or visually impaired. While working there, he also coached cross country and basketball for students with hearing and/or visual impairments During the summers he continued to work in Latin America, where he served as a medical interpreter for free medical clinics. Currently, Chris lives in Quito, Ecuador, where he works as an elementary physical education teacher and coaches volleyball and basketball. He enjoys traveling, playing sports, and exploring the great outdoors. Chris is proficient in Spanish and American Sign Language, and is able to read and write Braille. Chris has led Putney’s Community Service Costa Rica program three times.

SARAH INGRAHAM
Columbia University, M.A., International Education Development
Skidmore College, B.A., Psychology

While at Columbia University, Sarah studied international education development. Her studies focused on peace education and, in particular, family and communities as educators. For her master’s thesis, she researched permaculture in Costa Rica as a method of sustainable development, as well as how it contributes to happiness indices in the country. Sarah has traveled extensively in Latin and South America, including a gap year before college, followed by a semester in Panama studying conservation and development. Sarah enjoys yoga, surfing, hiking, cycling, rock climbing, and tennis. Sarah has led Putney Community Service programs in Costa Rica and Peru. In addition, she has led students in Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua for a gap year program. Currently, she is living in Manhattan and pursuing Ph.D. programs. Sarah is fluent in Spanish and proficient in French.