This summer, my family and I had the privilege of volunteering in a rural community near Chimaltenango, Guatemala, with a program called Project Genesis. This foundation provides children with nutrition, vocational training, education, and healthcare.

Working with these kids deeply inspired my own sense of community. They were taught that every opportunity they received came with the responsibility to give back, whether to their school or their neighbors. That spirit of mutual support created a beautiful, self-sustaining cycle of growth and generosity.

I am a senior in high school currently taking an AP Drawing course, which requires developing a sustained investigation. That project sparked this idea, using my talents and hobbies to create something bigger than just an assignment. I will be collecting donations throughout the year and creating pieces of art, inspired by my time volunteering, to gift back to the program next spring.

I want to carry that lesson forward. Over the next few months, I will be raising money to donate back to Project Genesis. This is my way of thanking the community for the incredible experience of working alongside them, and of supporting children who have far fewer resources than I do.