Hello! My name is Layla and I am a student going to Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning (SAEL). It's a public charter school in Nevada County, California. As part of my school's curriculum in eleventh grade, a group of students will travel to Senegal as Fieldwork to learn more about Senegalese history and participate in a service project. We will visit the House of Slaves and work with College D'enseignement Moyen (CEM Somone), which is a middle school just outside of Dakar.

Before we go to Senegal, the teachers arrange for pen friends so each student can talk to someone from the other school. Once in Senegal, we get to meet our pen friend and work together with them to help build something for their school.

I've got a job but not enough money to go. I'm really trying to save up, but $3,600 looks like such a faraway goal. I would love the chance to go on this trip. I would love to see the town and the flora and fauna, to meet my pen friend, and learn more about their culture. The school has got an anonymous donor who will match up to $500. Can you help me raise enough money to go to Senegal?

Check out our website to see what previous students have done.

Thank you!