A Passion for nutrition and a legacy of service

Maureen Cooper: A Passion for Nutrition and a Legacy of Service

Maureen Cooper, a 26-year-old nutritionist, is following in the footsteps of her father as a second-generation volunteer with Cuso. Her father’s time as a volunteer in Bolivia introduced her to the organization and sparked her desire to make a difference in the world. Today, she’s bringing her own expertise to a new generation of service through a project in Peru that supports community gardens, a perfect fit for her nutritional background.

Maureen’s volunteer work in the community gardens project gave her a unique opportunity to put her nutritional skills into practice in a meaningful way. She creates educational materials on local foods and their nutritional benefits, hoping to inspire healthier food choices within the community. This hands-on experience has been a powerful journey for her, allowing her to learn, contribute, and deepen her love for nutrition.

“I wanted to do something different,” she explains, “and this experience has been inspiring.”

Since starting, Maureen has become more comfortable with the program and the community. At first, she felt overwhelmed, but she quickly grew to appreciate the dedication and passion of the farmers she works alongside.

“The love that these farmers have for their work is amazing,” she says.

Their commitment motivates her to support them through her skills, hoping to make a lasting impact on the community’s health and wellness.

Through her experience with Cuso, Maureen Cooper is not only continuing a family legacy but also using her knowledge and passion to foster positive change, one garden at a time.