Greetings from Seattle, Washington!

This coming Spring I plan on making a trip to help reforest and excel local ecological restoration of Bahía de Caráquez, a rural city of Ecuador. I will be making the trip with 16 other Seattle University students with Global Student Embassy, a program with a mission to empower youth leaders to become environmental stewards, social innovators, and community leaders. During my time there I will not only be reforesting trees, but also increasing awareness of environmental threats to the community. Western Ecuador has suffered some of the worlds worst rates of deforestation. GSE, together with Bahia participants, have planted over 26,000 trees at La Punta Gorda Nature Preserve.


This will not be my first time in Ecuador. During my first trip, I helped the communities in the jungles of Huaticocha. I worked with a Christian organization called IncaLink. I spent time doing various tasks, such as digging foundations of a house in clay mud and playing with children despite a language barrier. I discovered a lot about the world and myself.


I tried so many new fruits I can’t name them all, I saw bugs that are indescribable, and was immersed in a culture that changed my outlook on life. When I went to Ecuador my eyes were wide open, and they will be again if I am able to go. I am so fortunate for this rare opportunity to enter my life once again.


There is a large space in my heart for Ecuador, and I am so eager to go back. Unfortunately, it will be difficult to nearly impossible to fund this trip without some monetary help. I need to raise $800 by December 2nd, and another $1250 by February 9. Although I have been working hard to fundraise money through bake sales and hosting events, I am afraid I will not meet my financial goals for the trip. I would greatly appreciate any contributions you could make in supporting my second trip to Ecuador and my desire to improve the community there.

Thank you for your time! Happy Holidays!