Hello!

Thank you for visiting my Empowered.org page.

Last summer I had an incredible opportunity to volunteer with Global Environmental Brigades alongside a group of fellow Chapman students in Embera Puru, Panama. We led charlas, or workshops, to educate schoolchildren about plant diseases, composting, and recycling, helped plant native crops to begin implementing sustainable agriculture and a self-empowered economy, and maintained previously-built vegetable gardens. It was an unforgettable and extremely valuable experience.

This year, eager to become involved with Global Brigades once more, I applied for a three-week Environmental Design summer internship, and, after an extensive interview process, was offered an intern position! During this time-span, I will be working closely with community members and local technicians to use different research and analysis tools in order to thoroughly assess community needs, designing and implementing any necessary repairs, providing follow-up education to local committee members, shadowing environmental coordinators, and gaining on-the-ground environmental planning experience.

The program takes place in Panama during the month of July, and will cost $1,980, excluding flight costs. These funds cover the cost of lodging, food, medicines, traveling, bilingual coordinators, and any hired permaculture professionals. I plan on raising the money through working, fundraising, and applying for an SGA Conference Scholarship, to cover the funds.

I will need your help to reach my goal of $1,980 BY JUNE 19, ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE MY PROGRAM BEGINS! It has been noted that the goal on the page reads $0, which is incorrect and unable to be changed.

Every donation, no matter the amount, counts. (For instance, if 20 people donated $5 each, it would already be at $100!) Every contribution that is made will put me closer to my goal of interning with Global Brigades and gaining field experience while fueling my passion for helping others and working directly with communities to do so.

If you would like to view more information regarding the program or my itinerary, please feel free to visit this page: http://www.globalbrigades.org/institutes-gb-enivornmentaldesign

Any excess funds will go towards the Sustainable Transition Projects, also implemented through Global Brigades, and can be viewed here: http://www.globalbrigades.org/model

Once again, thank you for visiting my page!