Love, Peace, & Gratitude

Dear Friends and Family,

As you may know, I am planning a journey to volunteer abroad at the end of October for 2 months with La Esperanza Granada, a small grassroots organization located in Granada, Nicaragua (a fated match since I loved studying abroad in Granada, Spain so much!). La Esperanza Granada started in a small village on the outskirts of Granada, and now helps in seven poverty stricken areas. Volunteers visit rural schools and assist teachers, tutor young children, run sports programs, introduce children to computers, and help stimulate an interest in learning. Volunteers aim to help in a noninvasive way, working directly with the children and with the local schools, teachers and parents to meet educational needs.

It is my desire to make a positive impact on the local communities during my time abroad, as I sincerely believe that grassroots community-driven educational initiatives are at the core of solving the many complex problems faced by our world today. La Esperanza Granada’s mission matches perfectly with my vision, as they aim to create a long term impact through the “educational advancement and community development of Nicaraguan pueblos…empower[ing] the people of the villages to improve their current living conditions, and break the cycle of poverty.”

While I’ll only be in Nicaragua for a short period of time, I hope to increase my impact by not only giving my time, but by helping to support the fantastic work of this small grassroots organization. Donations to La Esperanza Granada are used to build new classrooms and schools, to support teachers’ salaries, and toward various projects to help improve education and health for the children, from dental visits to sports supplies and a never ending list of needs.

This is where you come in! I’m hoping to raise my goal of $2,000 by the end of October; I will donate 50% of all funds raised to La Esperanza Granada, and the other 50% will help to cover the cost of my room/board (approx. $70/week) and flight (approx. $600). You can donate online via PayPal, or for checks/money orders email me: lnslater@gmail.com for my mailing address.

Anything you can do is a great help, whether it be $5 or $50. I appreciate your support of my adventure and in helping me to make a positive impact on the global community in which we all live together.

With peace, love, and so much gratitude,

Lauren