Meet Alycia Burnside from New Mexico!

Ya’at’teeh shi’ei Alycia Burnisde yinishyei’ Tsin’si’kaadni’ Nishli’, Tabaaha bash’ish’chiin. Hello/Greetings my name is Alycia Burnside, I am of the Clamp Tree People Clan and born for the Water’s Edge People Clan. As of May 3rd, 2023 I began interning with ATD Fourth World with the help of another organization called National Indian Youth Council (NIYC) here in Gallup, New Mexico. I am one semester away from receiving my Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of New Mexico-Gallup.

For the time being with ATD I have heard many stories of families that struggle with poverty, and some of these stories I can relate to is by growing up with a single mother and with three brothers and three sisters while living in a three bedroom apartment. Most of my childhood we had no transportation; I went to school on the bus, my siblings and I would have to walk to the nearest gas station for snacks, the nearest library was downtown about a mile away. There were times we had to get food from the local pantry. Therefore, I know what it's like to grow up struggling with poverty. At a young age I knew my family didn’t have a lot of money, I was wearing second hand clothing, the same clothes from the previous school year, if I was lucky enough other family members would be nice enough to buy me new clothes and new school supplies.

This is why I am proud to be a part of ATD Fourth World, to help make a difference, to be a voice for children who are experiencing these problems not only in Gallup but all over the world.

I understand the feeling of being left out, and not having a summer vacation. If Story Garden was around in my childhood, I know it would have made a difference in my life. While I am involved in ATD Fourth World, I hope I can make a positive change in a child’s life and within families who are experiencing the same struggles.