Fund Education in Colombia with Abigail

Click Read More for a detailed breakdown in costs and goals.

Instead of a family trip, I’m traveling solo this summer. I’ll be working in schools and communities in rural Colombia to support educational initiatives by sourcing books for classrooms, supporting sanitation upgrades, and creating a community garden. I’m planning this trip with the help of Ms. Monica, an amazing equity and inclusion specialist at Arlington Career Center (and formerly from Gunston Middle School). Originally from Colombia, she has the passion, connections, and cultural understanding to make this project happen. I will be traveling with her cousin, Susanita, the founder of Gastar Sandalias y República de Juego with a master's in education. Ms. Monica will be visiting all the sites around a month after implementation and visiting every year to make sure the projects are sustainable.

I am looking at this as an opportunity to understand international development at a grass roots level. After assessing the project needs and scope with identified local leaders, I’m seeking sponsors to purchase the materials. The projects need a long handwashing sink, other construction materials, cost of hiring local labor, books, and school textbooks. I’ll also have the opportunity to transport a few pre-owned laptops if anyone has one to donate. I’m also seeking advice. If you or someone you know is is experienced in sustainable development, public health, or other related fields, please contact me.

All raised funds will be directly used for these purposes. Ms. Monica’s family has graciously offered to host me in their homes, and also provide many meals and transportation. I’m working as a research assistant this semester to cover other on-the-ground travel costs. My parents are using frequent flyer miles for my flight.

First initiative: Education and health initiatives in a primary school in Neiva, Colombia.

Length: 2.5 weeks

Priority: Education and public health. The principal’s highest priority is books. His wish list follows.

On-going local partner: The school’s health curriculum includes sex education, but they lack the funding to support safer sex initiatives through condom distribution. We are hoping to partner with an organization to get free condoms. If anyone has any contacts, please let me know.

Second Initiative: Safer community play areas and a community garden connected to a rural secondary school in Puerto Estrella, Colombia

Length: 2.5 weeks

Priority: Appreciation for cultural heritage, sustainable gardening, healthful eating

I will only be in Colombia for a month and a half before my fall semester starts in Argentina early July. In order to ensure I can follow each project, I had to make difficult decisions about which sites to connect with. That said, if I’m able to raise the funds to fully support the projects I’ve identified, I’d like to facilitate support of other underserved schools and projects.

I plan to post updates about the projects and work being done through Facebook.

I appreciate any and all support for this project. If you are unable to donate, a share on Facebook would also be amazing.

If you would like to donate, please send funds via GoFundMe, Venmo (abigail_herr), or Paypal (abigailherrada). Any amount is greatly appreciated, will go directly to support community initiaves, and goes a long way in Colombia.

If you would like to sponsor a specific initiative, let me know which initiative you would like to sponsor.

If you use Venmo, if prompted you can validate that you are sending it to the right account by using the last four digits of my cell phone, 0440.