Help kids without hiking: QT Leon Covid-19 Support
Donation protected
For those that don’t know it, Quetzaltrekkers Leon is a Nicaraguan organization that funds local social projects with a focus on kids and education – and it is very close to my heart, having spent nearly 2 years there. The projects QT has supported over its 15 years of existence have had a huge impact on the lives of many vulnerable young people in and around Leon. Usually, donations are generated by running hikes up the local volcanoes, but COVID-19 has put a stop to that for now - as a result, funds are needed to help the scholarship programme, and indeed the organization as a whole, through the current uncertainty.
All funds raised through this page will go to Quetzaltrekkers, to help their incredible work to continue until local fundraising through tours can resume. I know that many people are individually affected by the present situation, but any support – whether it’s a donation, or even just sharing this campaign – is truly appreciated.
Here is a message from Verena, the current director of Quetzaltrekkers:
Dearest Quetzaltrekkers Family,
Once again Quetzaltrekkers Leon has been forced to write to you and reach out to the wider community for help. It is only 2 years after the last socioeconomic crisis in Nicaragua and we have still not yet fully recovered. We are thus critically reliant on donations to be able to maintain our scholarship fund over the coming months of crisis that are certain to follow. We have been forced to cancel all of our treks indefinitely, as we seek to minimise the impact and spread of the virus through the local communities, trekkers and volunteers. We can no longer keep doing what we love, knowing that it risks the health and lives of the members of the communities we strive to support.
Quetzaltrekkers is now confronted with a huge challenge. We are currently unable to fulfil the purpose of our organization: to generate funding for social projects through adventure tours to volcanoes. Hence, we reach out to you for help. Help us to keep supporting the most vulnerable, the kids and families of Leon - many of whom already have compromised immune systems and only access to a substandard health-care system. Nicaragua has suffered hugely over the last few years and nobody was prepared for a scenario like this. The help we so desperately need is not just for our scholarship fund, but also to maintain the organisation itself. We need help to afford the salaries of our dedicated local employees, many of whom live from one paycheck to the next and above all require their salaries to be able to afford their health insurance.
We are optimistic that we will be able to open again as soon as this situation is over. Despite this, the economic impact of this virus, as well as the extended closure are threatening the very existence of Quetzaltrekkers Leon and with it the health of the kids of Leon that we support.
In order to get back on our feet once this situation is resolved, we require some serious fundraising. A goal of US$20,000 [GBP 17,000] has been set. This would cover several months' worth of operating costs and ensure the short term security of our scholarship program.
We are very much aware that COVID-19 is a global problem, with this virus knocking on all our doors. However, we still very much hope that you can help us to keep supporting the at-risk kids of Leon as they face possibly their greatest challenge to date.
All funds raised through this page will go to Quetzaltrekkers, to help their incredible work to continue until local fundraising through tours can resume. I know that many people are individually affected by the present situation, but any support – whether it’s a donation, or even just sharing this campaign – is truly appreciated.
Here is a message from Verena, the current director of Quetzaltrekkers:
Dearest Quetzaltrekkers Family,
Once again Quetzaltrekkers Leon has been forced to write to you and reach out to the wider community for help. It is only 2 years after the last socioeconomic crisis in Nicaragua and we have still not yet fully recovered. We are thus critically reliant on donations to be able to maintain our scholarship fund over the coming months of crisis that are certain to follow. We have been forced to cancel all of our treks indefinitely, as we seek to minimise the impact and spread of the virus through the local communities, trekkers and volunteers. We can no longer keep doing what we love, knowing that it risks the health and lives of the members of the communities we strive to support.
Quetzaltrekkers is now confronted with a huge challenge. We are currently unable to fulfil the purpose of our organization: to generate funding for social projects through adventure tours to volcanoes. Hence, we reach out to you for help. Help us to keep supporting the most vulnerable, the kids and families of Leon - many of whom already have compromised immune systems and only access to a substandard health-care system. Nicaragua has suffered hugely over the last few years and nobody was prepared for a scenario like this. The help we so desperately need is not just for our scholarship fund, but also to maintain the organisation itself. We need help to afford the salaries of our dedicated local employees, many of whom live from one paycheck to the next and above all require their salaries to be able to afford their health insurance.
We are optimistic that we will be able to open again as soon as this situation is over. Despite this, the economic impact of this virus, as well as the extended closure are threatening the very existence of Quetzaltrekkers Leon and with it the health of the kids of Leon that we support.
In order to get back on our feet once this situation is resolved, we require some serious fundraising. A goal of US$20,000 [GBP 17,000] has been set. This would cover several months' worth of operating costs and ensure the short term security of our scholarship program.
We are very much aware that COVID-19 is a global problem, with this virus knocking on all our doors. However, we still very much hope that you can help us to keep supporting the at-risk kids of Leon as they face possibly their greatest challenge to date.
Organizer
Emma Bye
Organizer
England
