Meet Our Team
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Sara Brakhane
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Throughout school (and college) Sara used to get in trouble for reading her novels under her desk while the teacher was talking. But problem students always grow into the best teachers! Sara has been working in education for 9 years both as a teacher and in student affairs departments at various universities.
She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Social Activism in Communication from Pacific Lutheran University. She continued studying for her Master’s degree in Diversity in Higher Education from the University of Denver.
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Ana Rocio Castillo
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Ana is a daughter, sister, granddaughter, teacher, and volunteer. She is a fan of Isabel Allende, Marvel, traveling through Latin America, and almost all kinds of music.
Now as Director of Educational Programs, she holds a great desire to contribute to the organization and children; by managing and supporting the implementation and monitoring processes within the team and in each of the Chispa Project libraries.
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Dunia Estrada
EDUCATIONAL TEAM COORDINATOR
Dunia was born in Choluteca, but at two years of age her parents moved her to Tegucigalpa. Studying at Francisco Martínez Maradiaga elementary school, she remembers her teacher with great affection, since she gave her classes from first to sixth grade, then she went to the institute Dr Jesús Aguilar Paz where she studied from seventh to ninth grade. In high school at the Republic Institute of France, she got a degree in hospitality and tourism.
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Gleen Miralda
LITERACY ALLIANCES PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Gleen Krystian is proud to be from the capitol city, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. He graduated from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras with a degree in pedagogy, taking on a role as an agent of change as an education professional. Passionate about reading and a follower of the literary works of Jorge L. Borges (Argentine writer), he is the author of the poetry book “Azul Estrellado” published in 2020.
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Jeny Borjas
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OFFICER
With a degree in Foreign Languages with a focus on teaching French at UNAH, Jeny not only learned a beautiful language but also discovered one of her favorite writers—an unexpected and wonderful twist along the way.
She is dynamic, spontaneous, and always eager to learn something new. She believes that every day brings something valuable, whether it’s a great achievement or simply the chance to write a verse while enjoying the sunset with good music in the background.
Her philosophy is simple: to enjoy what she does, no matter the scale. In the end, it’s the little details that make each day worthwhile.
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Josué Sevilla
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OFFICER
Josué Sevilla is a free thinker and a passionate defender of causes that many consider lost, but that are precisely the ones worth fighting for. Since childhood, he has sought to see the world from a different perspective.
He is a professional in Pedagogy and Social Intervention, with diverse experience in Honduras’s non-governmental sector.
His favorite book is Blanca Olmedo by Lucila Gamero de Medina, and his favorite poetry is by Alfonsina Storni and Alejandra Pizarnik. His dream is to live in a world where all human beings are truly free and equal.
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Sheila Silva
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OFFICER
Sheila is an education and community development professional with a deep passion for expanding learning opportunities for children and adolescents. Through the promotion of reading, teacher training, and ongoing support for educational communities, she works to create lasting, meaningful impact in schools. She firmly believes that education is a powerful tool for transforming lives and building a future with greater opportunities for everyone, especially the most vulnerable.
She holds a degree in Educational Administration and Management and a master's degree in Project Design, Management, and Leadership. Throughout her career, she has led and implemented educational and community development initiatives that promote safe, inclusive, and high-quality learning environments, supporting the growth and development of the communities they serve.
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Maritza Ramos
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OFFICER
Maritza, the daughter of a teacher, grew up inspired by her mother's dedication in the classroom. From an early age, she understood that classrooms and books are gateways to transformation. Her own literary journey began with an unforgettable classic: Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, a book that opened the door to the boundless world of reading.
Driven by a desire to understand and support human development, Maritza earned her degree in Psychology. She later expanded her professional expertise by combining that passion with a commitment to social impact, leading her to pursue a master's degree in Project Management.
Today, Maritza is proud to be part of Chispa Project, where she is committed to giving her very best. Inspired each day by her love for her nieces and nephews, she dreams of a world where every child has the opportunity to experience the magic of reading. She approaches her work with the belief that every project and every learning space is a precious opportunity to transform lives and open the door to new experiences.
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Lesbia Alvarado
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
Lesbia learned to read at the age of five, allowing her to skip preschool and giving her a childhood and adolescence wrapped in the magic of books. When she exhausted the books in her family's library, she eagerly devoured her older sister's psychology books.
She fell in love with Macondo, was moved by Gregor Samsa, and despised Gibreel Farishta. Ernesto Sabato left a profound impression on her, she found herself in the writings of Albert Camus, and to this day she still can't decide whether Pablo Neruda or Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer is her favorite poet.
An idealist at heart, Lesbia has spent more than twenty years working to help build a better Honduras. She believes deeply in the possibility of a better world. She is the self-published author of two books, The Awakening of the Self and Manifesting the Impossible, and is currently writing her third.
Lesbia sees in Chispa a heart that beats passionately for the children of Honduras, and she joins that heartbeat with the conviction that, together, they will help change the future of many.
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Marvin Rodríguez
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Marvin is originally from Danlí, a city in eastern Honduras. In 2009, he decided to move to Tegucigalpa to continue his university studies. He graduated with a degree in Commercial Education from the Francisco Morazán National Pedagogical University (UPNFM) and earned a Master’s in Business Administration with a focus on Finance from the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH).
From a young age, he was involved in the arts through folk dance at his school and later in high school. He enjoys meeting new people, sports—especially cycling—and dancing. He is also passionate about coffee.
In the short time he has been working with Chispa, his curiosity for reading has grown even more. Two of his favorite authors are James Clear and Brian Tracy.
He loves Chispa’s mission, and for him, every day is an opportunity to learn something new. He hopes to continue sharing, improving, and contributing through his work in Chispa’s office administration.
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Cristian Asturias
OFFICE ASSISTANT
Cristian Jesús Asturias Centeno is a recent graduate of the degree in Pedagogy and Educational Sciences with a specialization in Educational Guidance from the National Autonomous University of Honduras. He lives in the city of Comayagüela, Honduras, and obtained his degree in 2024.
Initially, his main interest was to study Psychology, and Pedagogy was not among his first options. However, he decided to pursue this career and, over time, developed a strong affinity for it. This path allowed him to grow both personally and professionally.
He enjoys exercising, listening to music, and is firmly against animal abuse. He previously worked as a community educator with Médecins Sans Frontières. He completed his internship with Chispa Project, where he was particularly drawn to how the project encourages a love of reading, giving children the opportunity to expand their knowledge and develop a more critical understanding of their reality.
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Eva Pokorny
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Eva is proud to be from Colorado, and has been an avid reader since childhood. She has been in the field of education for 9 years, first as a teacher, and more recently as lead trainer and pedagogical support for volunteer teachers in a Honduran nonprofit. She currently resides in San Pedro Sula.She holds a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Microbiology, and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. Her passion lies in supporting education efforts and inspiring young learners across Honduras.
Join the Team