I don't ask my closest friends and family for much, but when I do, it's usually important. ;)

I'm raising money for an organization called Conscious Impact, a non-profit organization working in the rural village of Takure, where 98% of the homes were lost during the devastating 2015 earthquakes. 

Over the last five years, CI has helped introduce a new, affordable, environmentally friendly, and locally produced building material - Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB). These earth blocks are made with local soil, sand, and a bit of cement at The Takure Training Center. They test 4x stronger than traditional clay bricks and can easily be built into safe, earthquake-resistant homes. 

With the support of hundreds of donors, volunteers, and community members these earth blocks have rebuilt 15 homes, a primary school, a community center, and an orphanage. However, these projects are just the beginning. Ultimately Conscious Impact envisions The Training Center as a self-sufficient, Nepali run business that can function as a national hub for local, culturally-relevant, sustainable, earthquake-resistant, and affordable technologies in building.

However, rebuilding community is more than just brick and mortar. Takure is an agrarian community that helped to inspire their agricultural program. Volunteers work hand-in-hand with community members, learning from each other, to reignite the local environment with permaculture principles. 

The formation of the Takure Coffee Cooperative and distribution of 8,500 trees have laid the groundwork for generations of improved livelihoods and land. This year Conscious Impact will also be supporting local farmers through a community-driven water project which will provide water to about 80 families. 

I plan to go to Takure for 10 days in November as my birthday vacation to do whatever they need me to do: build safe homes for the generations to come, work with the kids in their youth programs, and much more. 

I'm ready to get my hands dirty and be of service in any way that I can. So for my early birthday wish, I would be forever grateful if you donated to help me hit my $1000 fundraising goal. Your donation supports their work and goes directly to the community of Takure. 

Thank you for reading and always supporting me as my friend. Hugs from Toronto ❤️

P.S. Absolutely no pressure or expectations if you choose not to donate for whatever reason. I still love ya!