Youth Venture

Travel has always been of great appeal to me, and continues to be the focal point of my teenage years. When I was 12 I first ventured out to France and England, and loved the idea of being immersed in foreign cultures. I soon began taking interest in Social Justice, Human Rights and Youth Activism. In 9th grade I joined the PSU Genocide Awareness Coallition, volunteering and getting to meet refugees from all over, learning their stories and making connections with them. It was an amazing experience and I continued organizing events and such at my school.

I formed a Social Justice Club at my school, an advanced college prep. school, but no one seemed to take interest. I also joined the Gay Straight Alliance club, but not matter how passionately I tried, no one seemed to really care all that much about the issues that in my mind were very important. After realizing that the school wasn't right for me, I found a Charter School that seemed extremely promising.

When I found out the school was planning a service learning trip for a group of students to go to Kenya, I eagerly joined in. Not only did I take part in the Kids for Kenya non-profit group, but I also joined the Social Justice class which was incredibly empowering, and gave me a significantly broader view on issues in the global community.

The summer of my Sophomore year I traveled with 12 other students to Nairobi Kenya and worked at a school in the slums for 2 weeks. After that experience I knew that my life would revolve around making connections with foreign cultures. I didn't want to go home, and was offered a place to stay by the local pastor, but had to decline since I knew an American education was something I couldn't possibly pass up.

I've gone through battles with myself, deciding whether I want to pursue my ambitions and travel the world, become a peace keeper, stand up for those who have no voice in our world, or stay where it's nice and safe her in America and leave it up to future generations, by becoming a teacher. In the end I've come to the conclusion that there's no way I can wait on the sidelines any longer.

I want to be out there, whether it's scary or dangerous, and be of a help to this world, I want to learn about other peoples, other communities, other cultures. What other purpose is there, besides bringing change and forming relationships with others?

• I have an idea for a venture but no team
• I want to take a trip abroad with a friend to reach out to international communities, learn about new cultures, grow spiritually and do service learning work. We hope to raise enough money to go to Ethiopia and India and gain support of our peers and international organizations.

Arts and Culture, Children, College/University, Community Development, Community Organizing, Cultural Awareness, Discrimination, Education, Environment, Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Queer, HIV Prevention, Human Rights, Immigration, International Issues, Peace and Non-Violence, Poverty, School Community Development, Youth Empowerment