Above: Sophia Keen is raising funds to join another service trip to help an indigenous community in Guatemala. (images cropped from fundraising page)
A Southborough teen (and soon to be Algonquin graduate) is actively fundraising for another service trip to rural Guatemala this summer.
Last year, Sophia Keen received community support for a mission trip organized by School the World, to help build a school “for children living in rural extreme poverty”.
The program run by School for the World explains:
Each student group funds 50% of the school and/or playground and supports the majority of our in-country programming. That means significant funding for our teacher training, parent programs, and distribution of learning materials.
(The other 50% are for the cost of travel, accommodations, etc.)
I’m told that last summer, Keen spent her week “pouring cement, painting, and interacting with the Guatemalan students of the school”. Her fundraising page enthuses about the experience and why she’s looking to return this summer:
Last summer, I found School the World by chance and it completely changed my life. The week I spent making a difference in the lives of locals was so rewarding that I immediately knew I had to do it again. This summer, I plan to go back to Guatemala and make life lasting memories to better educate myself about the culture, values, and hardships of the resounding community. Education is incredibly important and by building schools in underprivileged areas we take one step closer to a better tomorrow. Whether it was playing jump rope with the kids, learning a new language, or seeing the truly grateful looks on residents’ faces after the school was revealed, the experiences I had can never be replaced, and that’s why I’m asking you to help me make the change.
By donating to my page, you can take one step closer to making a difference. Thank you to everyone who donates, your support means the world!
Keene’s fundraiser is part of the Service trip’s $100,000 fundraiser. The goal for her share is $3,950. As of this morning, she’s 1⁄3 of the way there. If you’d like to support it, click here.
