The Compassionate Backpacker’s Quest 2011!

A Journey to Support Health and Education in Eastern Africa

THE OBJECTIVE:

To collectively raise $2,500, this will send 40 packages of medical and school supplies to underserved villages in rural Tanzania and Mozambique.

WHAT:

Mandy Nurrenbern (Health Education Peace Corps Volunteer, Mozambique), Shannon Schiele (Teacher and Returned Peace Corp Volunteer, Tanzania) and Julie Costa (Nurse, Teacher and World Traveler) are teaming up to organize a philanthropic backpacking voyage through Eastern Africa, bringing medical and school supplies to several remote and desolate villages.

All of the proceeds will go to purchasing supplies, shipping packages and paying customs fees to receive the packages in country. These supplies will bring comfort to those in need of medical services and educational sponsorship.

HOW:

Here is how you can help! Your contribution to our cause can help pay for needed supplies and shipping services that will make all the difference for many under-served communities.

Any amount is most welcomed and appreciated.

A donation of $25.00 will pay to ship one package to East Africa and the custom fees to retrieve it from the post office in country.

You can pay by credit card through our website's secure Pay Pal Account or check payable to Shannon Schiele or Julianne Costa.

WHY:

This fundraiser was organized to raise funds for the “The Compassionate Backpacker’s Quest 2011” expedition to support quality health care and empower education for ALL!

WHEN:

Our deadline for raising $2,500 is August 1, 2011. The Backpacking Adventure takes place August 2-September 9, 2011.

THE DETAILS:

Metropolitan State College of Denver's Nursing Club has collected their essential medical supplies and donated to the QUEST. School supplies still need to be collected and purchased. Packages will be mailed to Peace Corps Headquarters in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and to Peace Corp Volunteer Mandy Nurrenbern in Mozambique. Shannon and Julie arrive in Tanzania August 3, 2011. They will collect the packages of school and medical supplies and visit Southern Tanzania, delivering the supplies to rural communities. After three weeks of backpacking through Tanzania and visiting desolate villages, they will fly to Mozambique where they will travel to Makwakwa village to meet Mandy Nurrenbern and deliver the last of the supplies to her small village. We will spend two weeks in Makwakwa village facilitating health education and conducting sports camps for the youth. 

BIOGRAPHIES:

Shannon Schiele – Educator

Shannon Schiele, early childhood educator, and aspiring philanthropist, initiated the “Compassionate Backpackers Quest 2011” in hopes of bringing a little happiness to others through health, education, sports and games. Shannon loves adventure and experiencing new cultures. She recently returned to the states after spending two years in the Chiungutwa Village in Tanzania, Africa, as a United States Peace Corps Health Educator. “I am very excited to return to Chiungutwa village and reunite with the wonderful people.”

Shannon known for her enthusiasm, energy, and work ethic looks forward to working with the youth in the communities of Eastern Africa. “I am excited to be a part of this philanthropic quest and to pay it forward. I look forward to working with people who share a love for education, sports and youth empowerment.”

Shannon completed her undergraduate degree at Linfield College where she graduated with honors while earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.

Julie Costa – Nurse and Educator

Julie Costa, an optimistic Sagittarius, is one of the original founders of the “Compassionate Backpacker Quest 2011” initiative.  Julie is well known for her outgoing and friendly personality. She is spontaneous and adventurous and loves to travel the world and to meet people from every walk of life. This student of life is well traveled and has visited many countries in most of the continents on this Earth including; Central America, Eastern and Western Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Julie brings her own world knowledge and experience to this expedition . A graduate from San Francisco State University, Julie is a scholar of Kinesiology,  with a Physical Education teaching credential.  She has spent several years serving the public school system of San Diego as a substitute teacher K-12. Her passion, dedication and compassion for education, health and fitness have positively impacted the lives of her students and everyone with whom she has crossed paths.

Although she is a natural teacher, Julie is constantly looking to further her education and challenge herself in new ways. Her passion for the human body and helping others has led her to Metropolitan State College of Denver, where she volunteered through Americorps and is graduating from an Accelerated Nursing Program to become an RN, another step closer to helping others. Julie lives for today!  She lives to PLAY! And she strives to SAVE THE WORLD!

Mandy Nurrenbern- Peace Corps Volunteer, Mozambique

Mandy is currently serving in the US Peace Corps in Mozambique, East Africa. She resides in a small village called Makwakwa.

Mandy is a teacher, world travel and passionate rugby competitor and enthusiast

After graduating from Purdue University with a Physical Education Bachelors Degree, Mandy traveled the world playing rugby and inspiring youth and adults to live active healthy lives. She lived and worked in the grand Himalayas of India teaching physical education and served as an Americorps volunteer before deciding to go into the Peace Corps.

Mandy is excited to host the “Compassionate Backpackers Quest 2011” in her village to support health and education for ALL!

ATTENTION!!!

We would love to hear from our contributors. Please notify either Shannon or Julie by email or Facebook indicating your contribution and  whether or not you would like your name to be posted as one of our contributors on our website. We appreciate your support.