Support Wren's Tanzanian Exchange Service Trip

Hi my name is Wren W and I am fundraising for the Montana Tanzanian Exchange Program through Montana Futbol Foundation, a nonprofit based in Bozeman MT. As a dedicated and passionate student with a deep interest in cross-cultural exchange and international relations, I am excited for the opportunity to attend this exchange. This opportunity is combining several of my favorite things; soccer, engineering, service learning and travel. I have been playing soccer since I was four years old. I have a strong academic background and a curiosity about global perspectives. I am hoping to earn and raise enough money to participate in this transformative experience. I am currently working for a local food truck, pet sitting and work at our local ski hill.

This is an international soccer and cultural exchange with local youth athletes immersing themselves in a foreign culture driven by service. By providing opportunities to work together, we will improve and enhance young lives.

This summer, led by the Montana Futbol Foundation, 24 high school soccer players, and professional coaches, trainers, teachers, a doctor, referee, and an engineer from Montana will volunteer at the New Vision School and Sports Club in Arusha, Tanzania.

Our work supports young people from Montana working alongside young people from Tanzania to find innovative solutions to challenges within local Tanzanian communities. This project will serve as an opportunity to break barriers and bring young people together to navigate cultural differences and solve problems together. Furthermore, it will strengthen character and foster leadership skills through rigorous service. Because of The Montana Tanzania Exchange, our youth will come back to Montana with learned strategies to impact our local communities, as future leaders in our global community.

New Vision serves over 200 students, aged 6-26, living in extreme poverty and at high risk for gang recruitment. The 45 Montana volunteers will spend two weeks working with New Vision to:

• Improve the soccer field for the school - with an emphasis on regenerative farming and an educational element;

• Complete a regenerative farming project: closed loop nutrient cycling, water conservation management, chemical-free pest management, and an Agri-Business element

• Provide clinics in coaching, refereeing, fitness, and sports medicine for the New Vision staff and players;

• Host a women's Pamoja Classic tournament to advance women's football in Africa;

• Conduct educational classes for players with a focus on collaborative problem solving, where our MT players will participate with New Vision players as peers. The subjects will be, but not limited to, language, engineering, life skills, and geography. The goal is to have “student directed” but “teacher guided” instruction led by MT project Leaders and New Vision Staff.

Your generosity will support our work and provide the supplies needed to execute the projects above. Your investment in young athletes will shape future leaders on and off the field!

I’m excited to represent the State of Montana in this cultural exchange. Any amount you donate is helpful, it may not seem like a lot but it will go a long way in Tanzania. Your donation is tax-deductible. I'm hoping to raise $5,000 and if I surpass this goal, the donations will continue to help fund other aspects of this program. Thank you for your consideration.

Total: $5,000