Haley Olstad

San Rafael, CA

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2,300

Fundraised

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Initiatives

Highlighted Initiative

SRHS Nicaragua Summer Break Program



Haley's Message

For a long time, I have aspired to go on a foreign exchange trip, do incredible things, and see amazing sights. And now, thanks to Global Student Embassy and my friends and family, that dream is becoming more and more tangible. This upcoming summer, I plan to go on a service trip to Nicaragua with a group of classmates to partake in a program that is dealing with creating sustainable agriculture.
One of the many reasons why this trip is so appealing to me, is because I have done similar work locally in Muir Beach, Muir Woods, and other nearby areas in Marin. Working with environmental projects is something that I am very passionate about and I have spent countless hours planting, weeding, and trail building here. And now, I feel I can further cultivate this passion by going on this once in a lifetime trip to Nicaragua.

Goal Amount: $2,300

Volunteer Activity Description

TRAVEL.
Traveling with GSE means working alongside our Nicaraguan peers, hiking up a volcano through the mist of Lake Nicaragua, and visiting beautiful colonial Leon, a center of culture and history with many beautiful murals and cathedrals. Students experience Nicaragua through discussions about the countries social and environmental history. GSE Nicaragua staff and students welcome groups to their community and share their experience working on their school farms. Participants sample delicious local cuisine served at family farms, at local restaurants, as well as meals specially prepared for us and brought to our hostel.

LEARN.
Hands-on service-learning projects and cultural exchanges provide students with life changing learning opportunities. Students develop organic farming skills, practice Spanish, and participate in grassroots international relations while building crucial 21st century skills such as cross-cultural communication and collaboration.

IMPACT.
This spring students helped to build an irrigation system for a 1.5-acre school farm, a 10 x 15 meter greenhouse, and two medium-sized school gardens. The overall focus is on expanding production, building new garden sites, and developing a capacity to harvest plots year round by installing water tanks and well systems which will increase the number of harvest cycles by 40%. 100% of the produce grown will go to feeding hundreds of local students. Crops grown include: mangos, bananas, yuca, corn, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, and many others.

GROW.
Plants aren’t the only things that grow! International travel facilitates profound transformation for students. Students return home with an understanding of a new culture, with new friends, and an inspiration to make change in their local and global community.

100% Complete (success)
$2,300.00

of $2,300.00

in donations needed to reach the Initiative Goal


Complete

Thank you for your support!

88% Complete (success)
16

of 18

volunteers needed to reach the Initiative Goal


Live Feed
Johanna J. Chew donated $45.0000 to Haley 3841 days ago
Johanna J. Chew donated $76.0000 to Haley 3841 days ago
Shirley chambers donated $879.0000 to Haley 3850 days ago
NK Engineering & Surveying donated $200.0000 to Haley 3867 days ago
Scott Smith donated $100.0000 to Haley 3893 days ago
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