Help this student get to Thailand!

Thank you for visiting my Go Fund Me page! My name is Stephany Swenson and I will be volunteering this July to help the underprivileged and rural areas of Thailand. These areas are seeking aid in community development and environmental conservation. This includes the construction and painting of schools for children, teaching English and basic living needs to impoverished families, establishing community bonds, and rehabilitation of endangered elephants. My volunteer trip is about lending a helping hand, but I'll need donations to do just that. Help me, help Thailand. 

Continue reading to learn more ...
About me ...
I am currently attending Chico State University and I am in the process of obtaining my bachelor's degree in sociology. My journey to Chico State was incredible but also very difficult for me. To put it simply, I have never been one to venture off away from home. The idea of moving on and experiencing something new, especially away from my family, was frightening to me. I put off transferring for a long time, but before I knew it, it was time to make a decision. It took me until the University deadline to decide whether I wanted to stay home or go to Chico. I cried so much I probably could have saved California from the drought! Yet, I knew I was crying because a part of me wanted to leave. 

Moving to Chico has really opened my eyes. Thanks to the students and teachers I have met, I have not been as scared to try new things and claim some independence. My time here so far has truly inspired me to be someone who makes a positive difference. In addition, I have opened my heart to taking more chances and exploring the world.


What am I interested in? ...
I bet some of you know that as a sociology major, I strive for social change. Whether that change is local or abroad, I have learned the importance of lending a helping hand and encouraging a happy lifestyle. I have always been this way, however, more recently I have been inspired to take my helping hand one step further to Thailand! I have been accepted by the International Student Volunteers program (ISV) to travel abroad to Thailand this summer. How exciting, right?!

ISV has over 30 years of experience in providing volunteer programs for students. Students who are interested volunteer their skills and labor in order to serve underprivileged communities across the globe.

ISV's programs provide both conservation and community development projects. Luckily for them, I am interested in both! Not only does this program allow me to help others, the program will enabld me to discover and explore myself while gaining new experiences. In addition to volunteering, I will be able to adventure around Thailand and experience the culture first hand!
The Catch $$$ ....
The catch is, I need money to volunteer. I need to raise between $4,000 to $5,000 to travel, live, and provide my labor to the rural areas of Thailand. All of the donations I receive will go toward my airfare, tools and other project fees such as supervision, living expenses, food, land transportation, travel insurance, and excursions.

I officially embark on this journey July 9, 2015 and a total amount of $4,000 is due by May 5, 2015. 


Why should you donate? ...
I thought about all the wonderful things that I am fortunate enough to have: a wonderful family, a community of people that care about me, others and our well-being. I have a roof over my head and access to clean and healthy food, amazing parents that help pay for my education, and an education that reminds me everyday that some people do not and cannot have the things that I have. Can you say the same to some of these things? If so, that is why you should care. Help me help Thailand and give me the opportunity to give back to its community.