Amazing Stories | Need Time2Give Ideas? Jair Has a Few.

2023-March-14

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Need Time2Give Ideas? Jair Has a Few.

BY JAIR PATIÑO GONZALEZ · TECHNICAL CONSULTING ENGINEER · MEXICO

3 MINUTE READ · 5 MINUTE LISTEN



My name is Jair, and I started working on TAC in 2018. When I heard about Cisco’s Time2Give benefit, I felt truly inspired to volunteer.

This journey has become a great inspiration to many other people in Cisco Mexico. I’ve even been invited to present my Time2Give experiences several times to new hires in Mexico!

I’m so proud to carry Cisco's purpose with me during my volunteering experiences over the years:

Saving turtles in Oaxaca

Jair with a Leatherback turtle — a magical, huge, and amazing animal.
Jair with a Leatherback turtle — a magical, huge, and amazing animal.
Jair’s first “arribada” where thousands of turtles spawn at the same time.
Jair’s first “arribada” where thousands of turtles spawn at the same time.
Jair and colleagues in Oaxaca.
Jair and colleagues in Oaxaca.
air with a baby turtle.
Jair with a baby turtle.

In September 2019, I was the first Cisconian to save turtles with Vivemar, a non-governmental organization working to protect and conserve natural resources and culture on the coasts of Oaxaca, Mexico. I had the chance to meet and save multiple olive ridley and green turtles.

I returned to volunteer at Vivemar in November 2020, June 2021, November 2021, and December 2021. I’ve also brought Cisco friends, my sister, brother, and girlfriend with me so they could share this incredible experience.

Developing a Peruvian community

Jair and other volunteers digging dirt.
Jair with a Quechua family.
Group photo in front of a body of water.
Jair and a group of people gathered in a circle.

In June 2022, I decided to cross borders to volunteer in Peru. I lived with a Quechua family while working on a sustainable development project in Cúper Bajo near Cusco.

The objective was to team up with the local people and help the community through sustainable construction, children’s education, and agroecology — sustainable farming that works with nature.

Education for children in Costa Rica

A group photo with Abriendo Mentes.
Children playing and running around chairs.
Two volunteers speaking to children.

In July 2022, I helped Abriendo Mentes provide better educational opportunities to children from vulnerable communities of Potrero and Guanacaste in Costa Rica.

This project focused on promoting education through values, leadership, and recreational activities with the children.

Mexico City Sleep Out

Group photo of Sleep Out participants indoors.
Jair and a colleague holding a sign that reads 'I'm sleeping out.'
Group photo of Sleep Out participants outside.

In December 2022, I had the chance to participate in Covenant House’s Sleep Out activity in Mexico City. I worked during the day and volunteered during the afternoon and night. It was unforgettable.

A return to Oaxaca

Jair with a very large turtle on a beach at night.
A baby turtle on a beach.

By December 2022, I ran out of Time2Give days, so I took additional PTO to volunteer once more at Vivemar before the end of the year with a Cisconian peer.

Wild animal refuge in Ecuador

Jair with a small monkey climbing on him.
Jair with a small monkey climbing on his head.
Jair holding a small monkey like a baby.
Jair holding a small monkey.

In February 2023, for my tenth Time2Give, I went to Ecuador and volunteered at Paseo de los Monos, a refuge for wild animals. The refuge partners with the Ministry of the Environment to offer a sanctuary for trafficked animals thanks to visitors and volunteers.

I enjoyed volunteering with wildlife, including monkeys, margays, birds, turtles, coatis, peccaries, and huatusas in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The experience was stunning.

If I can do it, you can too.

So, how did I find these opportunities? Through online research! Within Mexico, I found activities on Facebook. For experiences in different countries, I performed a Google search on causes I was interested in — animals, education, and sustainable construction.

I kept those causes in mind along with places of interest, investigated volunteer opportunities and associations, contacted them via email, and enjoyed the experience!

If you’re interested in using your Time2Give and need some ideas, there are so many opportunities you can find online. You can make an impact with a cause you care about!

Thank you, Cisco, for this incredible benefit.

I’ve learned countless things while volunteering, like the impact humans have on nature, the importance of offering everyone a second chance, and being grateful for the blessings I have in my life. I’m very proud to be part of this amazing company!

There's no simple way to describe how each of these experiences changed me. The people you meet, the places you can visit – it's indescribable. You'll just have to take a chance on an opportunity to see for yourself.

I will continue my commitment to contribute to communities, give back to others, and make a difference around the world.

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