Help Connie Build Farms in Sibilia

Hello!

I'm Connie and I am a 3rd year dietetics student at the University of British Columbia. This February, I will be volunteering in Sibilia, Guatemala to build kitchens, poultry farms, and provide training on Food and Nutrition education. The goal of these actions is to establish methods to help this community be more self-sustainable in food resources and to prevent malnutrition. With a farm, they will be able to provide for themselves or sell the crops to earn some income. The efforts of this project align with the national priorities of the ministries of health and education in contribution to the Zero Hungry Pact.

Half of the chronically malnourished girls and boys in Central America are in Guatemala. The rate of chronic malnutrition among children under 5 is 49.8%, the highest in the continent, and one of the highest in the world. This rate is even higher in indigenous communities, such as Sibilia, where the prevalence is above 90%. Malnutrition affects intellectual development, limits productivity and a person's potential in society.

Volunteering internationally has always been on my bucketlist. Sure, I volunteer a lot in Vancouver, but I never feel like I am making enough of an impact. The things that I volunteer for in Vancouver are so trivial in comparison to the mission of this trip. Going to help other places that truly truly need help will be much more rewarding since I'll be dealing with REAL issues. You hear about these issues in the news and in school, but how often do you get to EXPERIENCE them? Although my efforts are small in the scheme of things, it's a step in the right direction. This problem is very near and dear to my heart. For as long as I can remember, I've always felt very strongly about injustices revolving around food. Now I finally get to do something about it. I'm so excited by this opportunity to personally help Sibilia and eradicate malnutrition in their community to raise a healthier population.

This will be a trip of a lifetime but I need a little help to get there! I will be paying for this trip entirely out of my own pocket. I need your support in raising $2000. With your support, I can help the community of Sibilia access equity and better living standards. Any and all contributions will truly make a difference!

Cheers & Thank you!

Connie