Volunteer Trip to Ecuador

Hello there!! My name is Angel and I am a first year student at Kent State University in Ohio. My major is Spanish with a focus in education. Recently, I have been accepted into a worldwide EcoVolunteer program known as V.E.S.A (Volunteer Eco Students Abroad). I am very excited to have been chosen for this program! This means that in May of 2018 I will be traveling to South America to help provide economical self-composting bathroom facilities to an impoverished community in Ecuador. I will also be restoring school buildings by putting floors in the classrooms, teaching English to children ages 5-12, and doing conservation work in an Amazonian animal refuge. This is a community in which traditionally, natives use the river and surrounding land to relieve themselves. By providing bathroom blocks, we are assisting in the reduction of river pollutants and spread of disease. Teaching has always been a passion of mine. By helping the school children learn English, we are providing a building block that will assist them in attaining jobs and further education outside of the village in the future. For a Spanish Education major, immersing myself in the culture while being able to practice teaching and help build a community is a dream come true! ...BUT, I can't do it alone. The cost of lodging, food, and clean water for me to work in Ecuador for two weeks is $3,500 (this includes airfare). I will be saving money of my own every month until then, but being a full time student it is difficult to work enough to raise that much money while taking care of living expenses! The smallest donation means SO much to me and the community in which I will be working. I am SO excited to give back to people in serious need and put my abilities to use on this journey! I would just like to say THANK YOU, thank you, thank you, to everyone that took the time to read about my cause! I completely understand that it may be financially difficult to donate, and I so appreciate a "share" and a prayer just as much! :) Again, thank you all so much and have a blessed day!