The Power of One: Wassillie Gust aka "Uppa Wally"

Originally featured on the Kids & Volunteering show.

In the Power of One series we recognize the work that one adult is doing to make a positive, inspiring or meaningful difference among the youth of his or her community. This week we travel to ...

The village of New Stuyahok is on the banks of the Nushagak River about 50 miles northeast of Dillingham. Among its 500 residents is Wassillie Gust Senior who goes by a few names. He's Wally to those who can’t pronounce Wassillie, Deacon Wassillie Gust to the Orthodox Church in New Stuyahok, and he’s known to all the kids as Uppa Wally. Uppa means grandfather in Yup'ik.

Deacon Wassillie is in his second year as a RuralCAP BIRCH Americorps volunteer. This warm, charismatic man with an infectious smile gives 40-hours of his time each week to helping improve his community. Host Shana Sheehy spoke with him to learn more about how he's helping a local kids's group called Meterviit (eagle) with projects like building signs and birdhouses, while also inspiring them to take pride in their community.