Last year during spring break I was fortunate to be able to participate in one of the most life changing experiences possible: going to Nicaragua and helping unprivileged communities. This trip wouldn’t have been possible without Global Student Embassy (GSE), an organization that promotes sustainable food sources, such as gardens, and reforestation. GSE works at schools in Northern California in the areas of Sonoma, Marin, and Contra Costa Counties, helping us create organic gardens at our schools. Students who participate in the gardens are taught sustainable farming techniques, which are used to grow fruits and vegetables that are used to donate food for local food banks in areas with underprivileged societies.
While in Nicaragua, I participated in helping create sustainable gardens and learned other farming techniques. For example, I was thoroughly taught how to double-dig a dirt bed, which takes a lot more effort and strength than it seems. During my time in Nicaragua I also interacted with the students at the local schools we helped out at. Not being able to speak Spanish made it a bit rough, but we found our way between hand movements, random noises, and my friends attempting to remember what they had learned in their short three years of taking the high school version of the language.
Overall, leaving my comfort zone and flying to Nicaragua was a real eye opener for me. Living in a society without a single struggle regarding how much food will be on the table has made it too easy to forget that there are places who aren’t as fortunate as we are, and aren’t as capable of providing food for their families. Participating in GSE has made me feel like I can help make a difference, and it is truly inspiring to know that the work I contribute to is helping people nourish themselves and live a better lifestyle.
This year, my spring break will consist of taking a part in Ecuadorian reforestation. In 1997, a community located on the coast, Bahia de Caraquez, was severely affected by El Niño and another destructive earthquake in 1998, causing major deforestation. However, students from Northern California and Bahia part takers have been able to plant over 26,000 trees at La Punta Gorda Nature Preserve. Not only does this benefit the area and minimize erosion, but the heat aids in forming water vapor off trees, which helps fight global warming.
Nature has been an important aspect throughout my life: my dad and I would go on hikes and talk about the surrounding area, most of the time erosion. Even though the hiking adventures died down a bit when I entered middle and high school, being able to contribute to GSE has let me do something that I love: help others and be one with nature.
Potentially being able to help Bahia de Caraquez in Ecuador and participating in GSE makes me feel lucky to be able to help out at such a young time in my life and be exposed to other problems in different countries, and figuring out ways to help them.
If you are interested, by donating you can help my trip happen by aiding me in reaching my goal of $2,350! Any amount is greatly appreciated:)