Ella's Gap Year

Hi Friends and Family,

As some of you may know, I have wanted to take a gap year since I was little, and this September I will finally be able to put my plan into action! During my gap year I will be working unpaid for a series of non-profit organizations. Some of these programs include working in townships, disaster relief, and endangered species welfare. I wanted to give you all a brief outline of what I am hoping to accomplish during my year, and the volunteer organizations I am using:

1. VACorps (South Africa): Retreat Health Clinic internship/volunteer work, Oranjezicht - City Farm (OZCF) volunteer work, & Township volunteer work

2. Enkosini Eco Experience (Namibia): Makalali Research Camp/Bush volunteer work & Siyafunda Endangered Species Camp volunteer work

3. Connect 1-2-3 (Spain): internship & volunteer work in Barcelona

4. WWOOF (Spain): living, assisting, and working on organic farms with host families

5. All Hands and Hearts (Nepal): Natural disaster relief & volunteer work

My goal is to independently finance my 2022/2023 gap year. One way I'd like to accomplish this is through a sponsored climb of Mt. Rainier in June of 2022, in Washington State. Mt. Rainer is a 14,400' mountain and requires the use of crampons, ice axes, and ropes for summiting. While I am excited to take on this challenge, it will be a test of my physical and mental abilities. I have been training six days a week for the past two months, and have been embarrassing myself wearing a 60lb pack on the incline machine at my school. For more information on the climb and company I am using, please see the link below:

Alpine Ascents: https://www.alpineascents.com/school/rainier-school/

I would be very grateful if you would consider sponsoring my climb of Mt. Rainier so that I am able to spend a year volunteering with non-profits whose missions I feel passionate about. I appreciate in advance any support you are able to give!

Best,

Ella