Viva la Vida! Latinx Heritage Month

American heritage is Latinx heritage!

Join us as we recognize and celebrate the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.

There are so many ways to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month with your host kids and community. Here are three easy ones:

1- Pick an event happening virtually nationwide:

2- Learn the history of the holiday through videos like this one from PBS kids:

https://fb.watch/8hNhONVxIx/

3- Teach a song or phrase in Spanish, a popular dance or make a craft project!  Here is Mayra from Colombia teaching her fellow au pairs some basic salsa steps!

How are you celebrating the month?  Email globalawareness@aifs.com and let us know.

And to our cherished APIA Au Pair’s traveling from Latin nations (APIA is proud to exchange with hundreds of au pairs from these countries!), were you inspired to journey to the US based on the stories of your family?  Tell us about it!  Email globalawareness@aifs.com so we might highlight your personal inspiration.

Thanks for celebrating and sharing the beautiful diversity of the Latin cultures!

(Author note – over 30 years ago, our family hosted a high school exchange student from Mexico and then 15 years later, her daughter. That daughter is on her third son. The cultural exchange will pass in about 15 years to the next generation to host, building the relationship between our two nations, one person and one family, at a time. !Viva la Paz!)