By Liliana S. Grip | Project Leader
It has been 24 days since we launched our Educate Sustainability Leaders at EARTH University project through the GlobalGiving December Open Challenge and thanks to your support we not only secured a permanent spot in the GlobalGiving community, but have exceed the project funding by raising a total of $30,197.00 and finishing in second place in a field crowded with169 other projects. Our fundraising performance and all the Facebook shares, helped us earn another $2300.00 in bonus money from Global Giving. Additionally, all funds raised qualify for the Cummins Challenge Grant, a generous $6Mil grant from Cummins, Inc., which will stretch your donations even more.
On December 10, 2010, EARTH University graduated another 79 young agents of change filled with a commitment to returning to their communities to make a difference. With alumni from 26 countries around the world, 87 percent are working in their country of origin and 93 percent are in Latin America, creating lasting change in these countries.
With the funds raised during the challenge EARTH will be able to provide opportunities to young people who want to make a difference in the world but lack the resources for a higher education. Young people like Cean Reginald from Haiti, a third year student at EARTH on full scholarship.
Reginald will soon go back to his community in Haiti, where he has big dreams for the future. Having already started a profitable eco-tourism company on the campus of EARTH University, Reginald is now planning to help Haitian farmers use sustainable agricultural practices on their land.
Reginald is also excited by the prospect of restoring Haiti’s forests – only 2% of which remain intact – with a clone wood species he learned about in his agro forestry classes at EARTH.
This budding environmental steward appreciates the opportunity he has been given to change his country for the better:
“Thanks to all of you who make EARTH a reality through your donations. Your contributions have helped make me who I am today. For all my life, I will be grateful towards every EARTH donor!”
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