Interwoven was founded by Damacia Shang in 2025 following a service trip to Humahuaca, Argentina. While working with local students, she was deeply inspired by their curiosity, resilience, and eagerness to learn despite having limited educational resources and opportunities for international exposure. The experience changed her perspective on education — not simply as a way to gain knowledge, but as a bridge that connects people, cultures, and ideas.
After returning to the United States, Damacia wanted to continue the relationships she had built instead of letting the experience end with the trip. She designed and launched an online volunteer teaching program that connected students in Humahuaca, ages 8–17, with high school volunteers. What began as weekly English lessons soon evolved into something much more meaningful. Students shared traditions, holidays, daily life, and personal experiences, turning each class into a two-way cultural exchange where everyone learned from one another.
As interest grew, Damacia recruited student volunteers from both the United States and China, expanding the program into an international platform dedicated to education, cultural understanding, and global friendship.
In February 2026, recognizing that sustainable impact requires collaboration, Damacia invited Grace, Cathy, and Elain to join the leadership team as co-leads. Together, they broadened the curriculum, welcomed additional volunteers, and created new opportunities for students to explore language, science, culture, arts, and other shared interests. The leadership team works together to strengthen the program and ensure that more students can learn, teach, and grow across cultures.
Today, Interwoven connects young people in Argentina, the United States, and China through virtual classes, cultural exchange, and service. What started with one student's desire to stay connected with a community she cared about has grown into a student-led initiative that empowers young people to become teachers, learners, and global citizens at the same time.