Hi my name is Kathy Bustamante,

Last year, I had the opportunity to travel to a developing country, Mali, Africa to help build a school. I was offered this opportunity thanks to the non-profit organization, buildOn.

I have being part of buildOn since my sophomore year in High School. buildOn works with high school students and provides opportunities to volunteer within their communities. These students volunteer and work with elementary students to our fellow senior citizens.

I am currently a buildOn Intern and after traveling to a developing country my life has changed completely. I realized how important education is and how much value it has to it. Spending two weeks in a small village called, Bla was one in a life time experience. The villagers with their humbleness welcomed us to their homes and left an important trace in my heart. These children for generations have being forced to work at a very young age in order to help support their families. Their parents do not have the education to provide a better future for their children. That is why, buildOn breaks ground every six days in developing countries.

This year, I want to fund-raise in order to travel to another developing country, Nicaragua. Everything will be covered, from accommodations to the flight.

Let's help provide Education to those who need it.
We can change the lives of these children one step at a time.
Join my journey, because I believe "We can change the world!"


"Mali! An amazing country, a different environment, a different breeze. When we arrived at Bamako, I already was able to smell the fresh air. The smell of Africa some say. I was anxious yet very nervous. I couldn't believe I was in Mali already. When going to the village, I was nervous. I kept asking myself questions, such as: "Oh my, is there going to be a welcoming?", "Who's going to be there, is the whole entire village going to be there?", "Are they going to look at me differently?". There was a lot of things going on in my mind. When we arrived, I couldn't believe it. You could see the children dancing, clapping, laughing, and coming towards us. They sang with innocence, love, and respect. You already felt like home. Everyone was happy. I would not lie, but their energy was contagious. I admire their dances, it was interesting how they took the Trek Team,and made us joined them. I tried making some moves, but it was impossible to do it exactly like them. Building the school, made me realize how education plays an important role in life. Many people don't see it and don't know how it works. Especially when they don't see it with their own eyes. I'm happy that now the parents will know that their children will have the life that they unfortunately were not able to have. They cherish school like gold, and many kids in America don't see that. Overall, this is a moment in life that I will never change. Their kindness, humbleness, and their sweetness takes you apart from this cruel world. It takes you to a wonderful place, a place that makes you feel safe, happy, and always at home. We came to our home, and we left our home." - Kathy Bustamante


Check the pictures out here:


http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.224972857619435.49035.100003201684150&;type=3&l=8fec38eecc

Today there are 1.2 billion people around the globe who are illiterate largely due to a lack of access to education. 72% of those illiterate are women. Providing access to education for even one remote village can change the lives of hundreds of children living in poverty year-after-year. Make a donation to my campaign and help to break this cycle of poverty, illiteracy and low expectations through service and education! Thank you for your support!