Hello friends and family! 

My dear friend Drè and I have been given the amazing opportunity to lead a trip to Guatemala in efforts to build a bottle school for children. What is a bottle school you ask? It is a school made out of eco-bricks! Unlike places such as our country, Guatemala does not have a proper recycle system in place. Hug it Forward came up with the genius idea to collect plastic bottles found on the wayside in several different places and stuff them with inorganic trash, thus creating an eco-brick. You’d be surprised at how rock solid a plastic bottle can get after stuffing it with garbage! You know what they say- “One mans trash is another mans treasure", and in this case, this trash is the treasure of many beautiful children that will be able to reap the benefits of these bottle schools. 

My love for children stems from very deep within. Like many children, I experienced things that no child ever should, creating a rough path during my upbringing. However, unlike many, I am fortunate enough to say that I made the decision to not allow my younger experiences shape or make me. Instead, I have used my pain and turned into fuel for a better and healthier life. I have grown in ways that so many are not able to say. With that being said, child psychology is a path I have been pursuing and have every intention on succeeding in.  Being the rock and the centerpiece that a child desperately needs in order to help keep them on their best track, is my life purpose. When I learned about Hug It Forward and their mission to create a better future for those that lack the resources they need, I was elated. Hug it Forward's values and beliefs fall right in line with mine, gifting me with the desire to join them in their goal to create a better Guatemala. 

A word from Drè: 

My first project in 2018 lead me to San Martín, Jilotepeque, in the historic village of “El Rosario Canajel.” This Community was full of love and embraced us with open arms. We were the first foreigners to ever step foot in this village and to have the opportunity to play with the children, learn their culture of dance, make tortillas from scratch and have the students of the middle school perform a historical and traditional Mayan piece was absolutely breath taking. The rich culture and strong community values simply overshadowed their lack of educational infrastructure and monetary resources. However, what they lack in funds they make up in spirit! There is not a single thing these people take for granted and it was eye opening every day i was there. I was even fortunate enough to visit a special needs school and love on them with my time and charisma, which is all these beautiful souls need.
This is a complete mind, body and life changing experience and for those who truly want and have a heart to serve, I wish the same feeling I had, for all of you.

As excited as I am to embark on this journey, I’m even more excited to be partnering with Drè! His love for children stems just as deeply as mine and together, we will leave huge footprints in the gorgeous country of Guatemala.

We ask that you please help us reach our financial goal so that we can make this one of the most memorable trip leads Hug It Forward has yet to see. Your profits will not only help fund the travel there, but proceeds will also be given directly to the organization to assist them in obtaining the proper resources they need to continue making these bottle schools happen. 

We thank you so much for your time and donations!

If you would like to get physically involved, please do not hesitate to reach out to us and visit our site at
https://servetheworldtoday.com/micaella-and-dre2019/

To learn more about Hug it Forward, please visit them at 
https://hugitforward.org/