Full Name: Tomas Fones Claro

Birthday: November 30 

Where you did you grow up: Chile

Where you live now: Cambridge, MA

Ethnic Background: Latino (Chilean)

College attended: Andres Bello University, Chile

Job Title/description: Full-time Volunteer. The “everything man”.  I do anything that is needed. I am a photographer, I am working on the new school, I am analyzing data, I coached soccer, and anything else. I am happy to do it all.

Favorite thing about your job: Learning everything. Everything  I’m doing in this country is teaching me something new, that’s what I like best, learning from the experience.

Favorite thing about NCC: The diversity, the educational system, the regularity that you have in the school.

Why did you choose to work at NCC: Ho! This is a big question, I don’t know if I chose NCC or destiny chose NCC for me. I was looking for a volunteer program in the USA. Then things happened very fast. I connected with Jeff Thielman, through my brother, who is a Jesuit Priest. One day we were talking, and suddenly I am here, realizing my dreams, learning, listening and knowing the people and life here.

Something interesting about you:  In Chile I’m a coach and a Physical Education teacher. I love the outdoors, sports, and life in the mountains.

This is one of my favorite quotes:
"The peacemakers are those who never shut up, those who never cower, never lose confidence in the power of truth and justice, do not let hatred paralyze them.”
(Spanish version) "Los constructores de paz son los que nunca se callan, los que nunca se acobardan, nunca pierden la confianza en el poder de la verdad y de la Justicia, no dejan que el odio los paralize".