Bonjour! My name is Lorraine Coffinet-Smith and I have been a volunteer with Ohana100 since June 2017. I am so glad to have found this organization, as they are nothing like any other. The name summarizes it all: Ohana. I feel like I joined a family rather than a volunteer organization. I am so blessed to have found Liz and now being able to say that I read to children all around the islands.
I am a graduate from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and I am planning to apply to medical school to eventually become a pediatrician or surgeon. I thought that getting more experience with children would be a great idea and it sure is. I read to four different schools/programs and I love all of them.
One of my favorite moments is when I arrive in the classroom because when the children see me they become so excited and want to see what stories I brought for the day. And when I leave, it’s even more touching; they all want to come hug me at the same time but my arms are not big enough so I hug them.
Ohana100 gives hundreds of books to children at the end of the year and I can’t wait to play Santa Claus this year and witness their excitement and happiness when I bring the books.
I am also a private pilot. Its a hobby I enjoy. When Liz asked me if I wanted to go to Molokai and Maui to deliver some books and read there, I said yes right away. How could I say no to combining two great passions of mine. Another volunteer joined me on this journey. We flew to Maui in my tiny plane and spent the day with children. So many wonderful people welcomed us over there, read to a few classes in two schools and we got to give books. It was one of the best experiences I’ve had since I joined Ohana100 and I am looking forward to so many more.
Merci Liz for all you do, for the opportunity you give us to make children dream about reading.