Trip to South Africa!

Watch video above∧ on YouTube button or go to video link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4sFXOyH4f8

Hi everybody! So the fact that you’re even on my page and taking the time to read this means a lot to me! Let me start off by telling you a little about myself. My name is Teresa Maciel, I am currently a second year at San Jose State University. The program that I want to raise funds for is called Edventure International. I recently got accepted to join their program abroad and I, with others, will be going to Cape Town, South Africa. I will depart July 10 and return July 31. I am extremely passionate and appreciative that a program like this exists because it does so much good to not only the people, but the earth as well. My only hope is that by the end of this passage you will want to join Edventure too!  

What is Edventure?

Edventure is a volunteer non-profit organization that travels abroad to countries such as South Africa, Cambodia, Costa Rica and Thailand to help with humanitarian and wildlife conservation projects. Each country has its own specific focus determined by what needs development in that area. For example, the Thailand program helps build water filtration systems as well as give proper medicinal care to the poached elephants surrounding the community. Each program is unique and has its own specific and special means of helping out each community.

What will I be doing?

In South Africa our main goal is to help those who live impoverished lives. South Africa has a large amount of cultural diversity and thus has often been referred to as the ‘rainbow nation’. Though diverse, the people of South Africa still live in poverty, poor health, and poor education. That’s where Edventure comes in. During this program we will help each other in various different activities such as:

-Build schools/learning centers for the children

-Teaching them basic educational principles as well as health assistance and awareness

-Organize and engage in sports and physical activities that the kids normally are not able to play due to costs, transportation, etc.

-Promoting/supporting local businesses that make products from local home-grown resources to help fuel their economy

-Spreading environmental awareness about local wildlife species and sanctuaries

Often time’s people take advantage of all that they have because it is all that they’ve ever known. I have never experienced true poverty and I know a trip like this has so much wisdom and humility to offer and I can’t wait to be able to say that I was able to go abroad and help those who really needed it and to challenge myself to open my eyes to how much the world really needs to help each other.

What can you do to help?

Because Edventure is non-profit, I must rely on myself and others for raising funds. Being a college student, and being that we get to fly abroad for 3 weeks, it is not a cheap journey.

The cost of the South Africa program is $3,800 and the price of my flight ticket is $2,800. My goal is to reach $6,000 which will cover roughly most of it. Anything is appreciated and anything will help!

So, if you’ve reached this far, I want to thank you for giving me your time of day. This program and what it does is very close to my heart and I encourage everyone to try it! Our sole purpose is to help those in need and to let them know that there are others out there, complete strangers, willing to help them in their time of need.

“If you have the power to make someone happy, do it. The world needs a lot more of that.”

Edventure website: http://www.edventureintl.com/