Growing Older, Growing Education: Birthday Malawi School Project! Ever since I was a child growing up in Iran, I have nurtured a dream of visiting developing countries, particularly in East Africa. My desire has always been to find an opportunity to immerse myself in the local community and volunteer my time and skills in helping children. Initially, I believed that only nurses or teachers had opportunities to engage with the community in such ways. Secondly, my childhood dream had always been somewhat hindered because of the political challenges and barriers of traveling to Africa from Iran during the period of time that I lived and worked in Iran. However, upon moving to the United States, I discovered various non-profit organizations and volunteer programs affiliated with East Africa, which prompted me to embark on a research journey to find the perfect fit. Last year Summer, I had the incredible privilege and honor of collaborating with BuildOn for their inaugural fundraising concert in San Francisco. The experience of meeting their team, donors, and community members, as well as learning about their powerful impact globally deeply inspired me. I found that their mission aligned perfectly with my own values. So i decided to Volunteer my time to go to Malawi last November, my heart was filled with anticipation to embark on the journey to Malawi. However, unforeseen circumstances, including a family emergency and the revolution unfolding in Iran, shattered my plans. It was a deeply emotional time, but now, with immense joy and gratitude, I am thrilled to share that I will finally be able to make the journey this year. BuildOn constructs schools in partnership with the very people who benefit from them, with community members taking the lead on the projects. In addition, these communities commit to equal enrollment of girls and boys in schools, and ensure that women are given leadership roles on the worksite. Together, we can guarantee that every child has the opportunity to receive an education! As a global nonprofit, BuildOn has partnered with rural communities for nearly 30 years, building over 2,000 primary schools in Burkina Faso, Guatemala, Haiti, Malawi, Mali, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Senegal. Currently, more than 275,000 students are attending these schools! All your contribution to this meaningful journey to Malawi, will support my travel expenses. Flight, Visa, Medical procedures and vaccinations, Building equipments for Families in KASUNGU. I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your support and donations, which will make a significant impact alongside mine in supporting women and children who are in desperate need of educational support. Thank you once again for joining me on this journey. Zikomo (Thank you) :) Suzanne