Help Simone with Animal Conservation trip

My name is Simone. I am 13 years old, and I live in Napa, USA. I am currently attending middle school, but my goal is to work towards getting a Bachelor's Degree in Life Sciences, which includes biology and zoology coursework. I would like to become a zoologist and work with animals being protected by a foundation or conservation site. I have the opportunity to do something inspiring with my 2022 summer break from school - to volunteer my time to help and protect endangered animals in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve (MBR) in the northern Petén region of Guatemala. I applied, and was accepted into the ARCAS conservation program!

 

This volunteer opportunity is for 12 days from July 21 - August 1, though I must attend regular meetings at Oakland Zoo between now and then to properly prepare for the experience. I will be living onsite at a rescue center in communal dormitory-style rooms with fourteen other teen volunteers. We will be expected to wake up at 6 am and will be assigned daily work to learn, educate, and promote animal rehabilitation and conservation. The main work will be cleaning cages, preparing diets and feeding the animals, but the interaction between humans and animals must be minimal in order to rehabilitate them properly. This volunteer opportunity will help me gain experience for my future career as a zoologist. To do this, I am asking for your help!

 

Donations of any amount will be appreciated tremendously. Your donations will go towards paying for the ARCAS program fee, which includes 3 meals a day for our entire stay, payment for living accommodations, and program orientation. I am using my savings to pay for the incidental supplies and materials needed for the duration of the trip. My parents are pitching in to help me pay for the flight. Your donation and support will help pay for the cost of the actual volunteer program.

 

In return, I would love to share my experiences with each of you. The wildlife rescue center has limited electricity and no internet access, and we are not allowed to take any technology with us. I will be recording a daily journal of my experiences and I will update this fundraising page when I get back, along with any photos I have access to and can share. This will be my heartfelt “thank you” for your donation. I will be honored to share this experience with each of you because this is my passion - helping and protecting animals of all kinds. For donations of $50 or more, I will write a personal letter and thank you card once I arrive back in the United States.

 

I realize there are thousands of ambitious students worldwide, who like me, want to become the best they can be, and want to help better the world for future generations. I am one of these young people who want to make a difference, and I feel so fortunate to know this is my path in life. I have worked for the songbird clinic at my local animal rescue center, I am a Teen Wild Guide at the Oakland Zoo, I foster kittens, and I care deeply for all animals, including my corn snake, Yuki! As a girl, and a person of color, I also know how important it is to increase diversity, and I am proud to represent my community.

You can read more about me at: https://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/napa-teen-is-wild-about-zoo-animals-and-volunteering/article_b2594c7a-7ccd-5454-95da-b64f25937f92.html

 Please consider helping me raise funds to be able to volunteer for this wonderful animal conservation program.

My parents posted this request for me, and are handling the funds, but all money raised will go towards my trip to Guatemala. I really appreciate you taking the time to read this!