Elliott Carlson

Syracuse, NY

Passionate About:

Hello!

My name is Elliott and I am an engineering student at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. We have partnered with the Global Student Embassy in efforts of traveling to Boaco, Nicaragua. While in country we will take part in hands-on service-learning projects and cultural exchanges in the local community. Projects that we will take part in include topics such as biointensive farming, sustainable agriculture, potable water, and solar micro-grids while working closely with the local community and high school students to promote environmental stewardship. Not only is this an amazing experience for our volunteers, it provides the community members with a capable workforce and an opportunity to advance their local farms further using developing technology. By the end of the trip, volunteers will have built on the already existing relationship with the local community, be immersed in the local culture and have an amazing experience while learning valuable life skills.

If you are interested in supporting my trip to Nicaragua, I would greatly appreciate any size donation. Any amount would help me reach my goal and enable me to travel and lend my hand to a community in need. Not only do I want to provide labor for the community farmers, I want to help advance their agricultural methods and implement technologies that would help them prosper in the future. Thank you so much for your donation and I hope to share pictures and stories on my return with all of my donors.

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End Date: Dec 27, 2016 12:00 AM
Volunteer Activity Message

NICARAGUA
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.
Last year 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.

Volunteer Goals

Program Goal: $2,489.00 / Airfare Goal: $0.00

Elliott Carlson donated $632

Dec 01, 2016 02:02 PM

Jill Reece donated $200

Nov 24, 2016 05:52 PM

Julia Woznicki donated $57

Saying "Nachos for Nicaragua"

Nov 24, 2016 12:00 PM

Lauren Carlson donated $100

Nov 08, 2016 03:45 PM

Roni Carlson donated $500

Oct 21, 2016 07:23 PM

Elliott Carlson donated $700

Oct 20, 2016 06:03 PM

Elliott Carlson donated $300

Oct 01, 2016 08:29 AM

100% Complete (success)
$2,489.00

of $2,489.00

in donations needed to reach the Initiative Goal


Complete

Thank you for your support!

64% Complete (success)
16

of 25

volunteers needed to reach the Initiative Goal