Week 31 - Youth Upliftment International

This one was forwarded by my friend Lucy Jordache.  Youth Upliftment International are a Canadian charity who work in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic with street children.  The charity was started in 2008 by Katelyn Bateman who visited the region on a holiday and left wanting to help the children she had seen begging and shoe-shining on the streets.  And first she raised money and collected donations of clothing and basic medical and school supplies and eventually led to them opening a school to educate the street children,Collège Amélioration Jeunesse.

Towards the end of last year they ran a fundraising campaign to keep the school open for this educational year.  They hit their target but funds are always needed to provide a safe, high-quality education to these children who would not be able to afford one otherwise.

I find Katelyn's story remarkably inspiring.  How one person's will to change lives is making a difference.  I'm sure we can all take something from that.

Links
Youth Upliftment International
Buy A Square, Save Our School